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Old 03-20-2009, 10:52 AM   #1 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,534

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
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News: Renault ecomods a tractor/trailer ... fuel consumption down 13%



Along the lines of what Walmart is hoping to do with its truck fleet, manufacturer Renault recently gave a presentation on a truck it has modified to reduce fuel consumption by 13% through a combination of aero & drivetrain mods:
  • increased leading edge radii
  • boat-tailing panels on trailer
  • slight arch on trailer roof
  • trailer wheel skirts & side diffusers
  • tightened/smoothed cab/trailer gap
  • latest Michelin tires
  • video cameras in place of large mirrors
  • revised back axle ratio
  • engine re-mapping to deliver a bit more torque lower down the rev range
  • semi-synthetic engine oil
The "Big Lorry Blog" has a detailed piece about the truck, with lots of photos:

Renault Optifuel Lab offers 13% diesel fuel savings...Biglorryblog tells you all about the slippery Gallic streamliner! - BigLorryBlog

__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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