100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

[garys_1k]

Originally Posted by groar

I may also try to do a few ecomodding, such as grille block and rear wheel skirts, but I have to convince more than me before to be allowed to do it...

Denis.

If you put black coroplast BEHIND the grille it's hardly visible and works well. You might even try it and "forget" to mention it and see if she notices. I'll bet she won't.

[NismoMax80]

#57 Pulse link is broken...

[ptatohed]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

Feel free to use this thread to make suggestions or post additional tips.

It's a work in progress, of course, as is most of our driving.

This is pretty good, thanks. A lot of good tips.

I started a similar thread on maxima.org, even before I saw this thread.
The Official increase your gas mileage thread. - Maxima Forums

I do disagree with a few of the tips here, especially #24:
24) Drive when it's warm out
If you have the flexibility, time your trips to coincide with warm temperatures (ie. middle of the day) rather than cold (night/early morning).

Cold tires and drivetrain experience more rolling and mechanical resistance, and a cold engine is less efficient.

I believe that, so long as the engine is at operating temperature (and cold ambient temperature has little affect on an engine reaching operating temp.), a car is more efficient in colder weather. Heat is truly the enemy for efficiency. The colder the ambient temperature, the more efficient your car is. Cooler, more dense air into the throttle body, reduced coolant temperatures, reduced oil temps, etc. Not to mention if you drive at night, you'll be less likely to use AC, there will be a tendency for fewer cars on the road, you'll make more green lights, etc.

Anyway, thanks for the great tips!

[garys_1k]

Originally Posted by ptatohed

I believe that, so long as the engine is at operating temperature (and cold ambient temperature has little affect on an engine reaching operating temp.), a car is more efficient in colder weather. Heat is truly the enemy for efficiency. The colder the ambient temperature, the more efficient your car is. Cooler, more dense air into the throttle body, reduced coolant temperatures, reduced oil temps, etc. Not to mention if you drive at night, you'll be less likely to use AC, there will be a tendency for fewer cars on the road, you'll make more green lights, etc.

Anyway, thanks for the great tips!

You have any data to back that up? Cold air is denser and causes more aero drag. Lower internal temperatures can trigger enrichment or delay optimal spark timing in a calibration, too.

[bennelson]

I like #105 - listen to slower music.

I don't think that one was on the list last time I checked.

Conversely, if you are doing house-cleaning or something similar, listen to energetic music - it will make the time fly!

"A-Team" and "Xena: Warrior Princess" theme songs are both perfect for vacuuming.

[NismoMax80]

Originally Posted by garys_1k

You have any data to back that up? Cold air is denser and causes more aero drag. Lower internal temperatures can trigger enrichment or delay optimal spark timing in a calibration, too.

exactly. everyone's FE goes down in the winter.

[Harry6]

Here a few more tips to consider...

Use full synthetic engine oil. Full synthetics, such as Mobil 1, stay closer to the same viscosity when the engine is cold. Conventional petroleum oils thick a lot in cold winter temperatures and it takes a lot of energy to overcome this.

As a result, it takes less fuel to turn the engine when it is warming up.

Also, in winter, the lower cold viscosity of full synthetics means that they pump up and lubricate the engine more quickly. This goes well with many other tips that have the driver pulling out very soon after engine start.

[Harry6]

Just a minor addition to the nice tip about using smoother road surfaces: Good asphalt seems generally smoother then concrete. I do notice a difference on my scangauge.

[Harry6]

In Winter, partially blocking the radiator by putting a piece of aluminum foil near the middle has been helpful to me. A use a rectangle that covers about a quarter of the front of the radiator.

Pure speculation as to why this has worked for me:

It lets the engine warm up a little more quickly

It causes the radiator thermostat to open more, reducing the resistance that the engine's water pump must work against.

[Harry6]

If purchasing tires, consider rolling resistance. Several manufactures, including Michelin, offer lower rolling resistance tires. This can be worth a few percentage points in economy, and can offset the added cost of the tires.

Many cars today come with lower rolling resistance tires. But the aftermarket does not at all stress this.

Using wider then normal tires increases resistance.

Increasing the tire pressure by as little as two psi over the sticker in the door has a very beneficial effect on fuel economy.

Finally, it is especially important to check tire pressures as the seasons go from warmer to cooler because the falling temperatures cause a fall in tire pressure.