1999 Chevy Metro 1.0L 5spd ecomodding thread

[MetroMPG]

I do the same, redneck. Though I've also noticed that I can fill to just above the door and it will settle down below it again (air bubbles, etc). So, generally 3 clicks for me.

[Daox]

I've never had an issue with the one click on any other car. I may have to go to 2 clicks. I didn't think filling it up that far was good for the evap system (though I know Darin does it all the time).

I know people probably don't look at garage entries all that often, but I do keep mine updated pretty well with current mods with links, and planned mods. I like it that way and I like it when others do it too. Some others have awesomely detailed garage pages. California98Civic's Civic comes to mind.

Current mods are:
Tires at 50 psi
Kill switch
5W-30 synthetic engine oil
Synchromesh gear oil
Grill block

Planned mods:
Block heater
Air dam


I do have a 1000W kats circulating heater kicking around. I plan on installing it in the Metro at some point in the not too distant future. This thing should warm up the Metro in about a half hour. I plan to put it on a remote so I can preheat anytime for any trip. Even 15 minutes should give me a pretty good warm up per Darin's block heater testing.



The air dam would be nice to add, I'm not sure when I'll get to it though. Its hard to find lawn edging in the middle of winter.

I also will eventually need to go back and make the grill block nicer as I'm sure it'll fall apart at some point being just cardboard. I also have some plans to nicen up the kill switch install too. You guys will like this, but I'm not far enough along with it yet.

[redneck]

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Actually, I fill it within 2 1/2" of the top of the neck. That way all the bubbles are usually gone.


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[Wonderboy]

Mazel tov, Tim! Just FYI, I gave Darin my coveted Swift transmission. You should hit him up for it because I bet it's just sitting around doing nothing :P

[Daox]

Thanks, I'll have to poke him about that.

Today's commute was the first during snow. I still haven't put the new tires on the front yet... So, I took it extra careful (and still ended up skidding a bit). The fronts are baaaad. It was also 18F out. Anyway, I managed to pull off 56.8 mpg with a lot less P&G.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

73 mpg!

Yeah, yeah, short fill, blah blah. That's why you should go more than one click.

Remind me: do you have a block heater to install? What's next on your list for this car?

I used to stuff it all the way to the cap. I haven't had any problems, but I looked up pricing on a charcoal canister...nigh on $400. I fill to the first click now.

[eco_generator]

Great thread!

[96CX]

Originally Posted by Daox

I even got up to 180F by the time I got to work (yay grill block). No real heat was used except leaving the vent on fresh air, hot heat setting, and putting it on defrost.

I don't know how willing you are to freeze in the name of MPG (and science)....but I know my Civic warms up way faster when I put the heater control lever on the cold setting. Or way slower when I leave it on the hot setting. Even with no fan usage, the warmitup happens noticeably faster with the lever on "cold"; it's obvious enough that I can tell just by watching the OEM temp gauge (I have no scangauge). I bet it'd be even more noticeable in your little 3-cyl.

[Daox]

Yeah, I know what you're saying. You can feel a breeze through the vents even when its on recirculate. I keep it on defrost until it gets warmed up to keep the windshield clear. If its on cold, It will fog up, but it will warm faster as you said.

[96CX]

I'm used to my old ('67 and '71) VWs that had no heater to speak of, so wearing a full coat and beanie, shivering, and defrosting the windshield with a rag until it warms up is not that big of a deal for me. :P

I can understand not wanting to suffer and/or not wanting fogged windows, though.