2006 Aveo build

[06Aveo43061]

I wanted to introduce myself and my car. Bought my Aveo brand new in late 2005. I bought the car because it was the cheapest new car I could buy (10800 USD), and replacements parts (brakes/tires ect) are super cheap, I was not concerned about MPG. On my 1st tank, I got a very disappointing 280 miles (90% freeway at 70mph). This continued on for the next 10 years, and 200,000 miles. Averaging 250-280 miles per tank, depending on weather/traffic jams, and in city driving.

Last year I decided as my drive train aged (original engine/transmission) I'd attempt to squeeze a few more years out of her by reducing weight. From there I started to replace parts with more efficient parts. Then I discovered this website and currently want to take it to the next level.

List of current mods:
-Removed Interior (down to the bare metal, no headliner, dome light or visors)
-Deleted passenger seat/rear seat
-Deleted rear speakers/spare/jack/rear trunk lid/rear trunk carpet
-Partial hot air intake (intake hole which is under my intake is plugged, only air it sucks in is from the engine compartment)
-Deleted engine cover
-Added under Hood factory insulation
-ECU reprogram (Rev limit at 4000rpm, increase air perimeters, decreased fuel perimeters)
-Upgraded spark plugs/wires
-16" aftermarket wheels (bent my original 14" wheel in the winter)

Repairs (no break downs yet, only repairs)
-4 Valve cover gaskets
-Fuel Pump at 180k
-rotors/pads at every 45k
-radiator hoses/vac line replacement at 100k
-splice pack repair (common aveo problem)
-Daytime running light module removal (recall)
-Battery every 4 years (on my 3rd, I'm due)
-Drive shaft replacement at 90k and again this june
-All new suspension (struts/springs/arms/shafts/joints/axles, literally every suspension part replaced in june)

Future mods:
-Reinstall of factory steel wheels and tire size (due for tires before winter)
-Passenger Mirror and wiper delete
-Rear wiper delete and wiper motor delete
-Removal of all manual window hardware in the passenger/rear doors (this will result in full time closed windows
-A/C delete
-Common aero mods (side skirts/partial grill block/front air dam)
-Resonator exhaust delete, with new lightweight muffler (keeping the cat)
-Radio Antenna delete
-White plasti-dip hood/roof (cooling)
-window tint (cooling)

Currently:
As of now I'm averaging 360 to 380 miles on 10 to 10.5 gallons of gas (around a 38% increase in MPG if my math is correct). I drive 85% freeway (70mph) and 15% country roads (55mph) and use no hypermiling driving (pulse and glide ect), drive 60 miles daily for my commute. I drive with the flow of traffic. Mornings, there's no traffic. Nights, it's 30-45 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic jams. My eco goal is to be able to get consistent 40mpg tanks with no driving modifications. Started to recently P&G, trying to see where I'm at currently while slightly modifying my driving style. I'm at 300 miles right now, with a quarter tank left. Think I might hit 400 miles on this tank.

I'm open to all suggestions or questions. There's pretty much nothing I haven't experienced mechanically with the aveo, so I'm more than willing to help other aveo owners with trouble shooting ect.

Thanks for reading!!!!

current pictures

[Ecky]

From what I've observed, weight reductions don't typically result in measurable fuel economy improvements, especially in freeway driving. They do seem to make our economy cars more fun to drive.

Have you considered regearing it? What RPM are you running at ~50mph?

[freebeard]

Welcome to Ecomodder.

What's the use case — single seat commuter?

That interior is very similar to mine, except that I made a two-piece plywood deck to level out the floor. My car has more of a center tunnel, so there is a compartment inside the right-hand door for road flares and a 4-way lug wrench. In addition to being a utility van, it has a second function as a one-person camper, so it has welding-rod curtain rods, a Koolatron fridge and an extra 12v socket w/ 5v USB adapter. And compass.

If you snap in a 3/4 tonneau cover would it muffle the sound?

Between the 14" and 16" wheels look at weight (important in stop and go) and diameter (determines final gearing). You might do well just adding a flat wheel disk or four.

[06Aveo43061]

Originally Posted by Ecky

From what I've observed, weight reductions don't typically result in measurable fuel economy improvements, especially in freeway driving. They do seem to make our economy cars more fun to drive.

Have you considered regearing it? What RPM are you running at ~50mph?

When I first removed all of my interior, I immediately saw about a 20 mile increase in my total miles on my tank. From high 200s, to low 300s.

At freeway speeds, I'm running 3000 rpms at 65mph. At 50mph, off hand, I'm running mid 2's RPM in 5th gear. I've thought about adding a custom taller 5th gear, but it can get pricey. I think what I would save in MPG with a better 5th gear wouldn't equal the money it'd cost me to get that done. Especially at 200k miles and maybe another good 48-60 months left of life for the car.

Mainly why I'm planning on dropping more weight, and adding aero mods. Only trying to squeeze another 5-10mpg out of her. The Aveo will never be able to achieve ecomodder top 10 status MPG.

[06Aveo43061]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Welcome to Ecomodder.

What's the use case — single seat commuter?

If you snap in a 3/4 tonneau cover would it muffle the sound?

Between the 14" and 16" wheels look at weight (important in stop and go) and diameter (determines final gearing). You might do well just adding a flat wheel disk or four.

Commuter driver. Point A to point B

I'm not concerned about the sound. You don't drive a chevy aveo for ride quality

My wheels were purchased before I even knew about ecomods. Looking back, it was a mistake. Should have stayed with the stock tire/wheels.

Thanks for the reply

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by 06Aveo43061

The Aveo will never be able to achieve ecomodder top 10 status MPG.

Why not? My Civic used to get 37 MPG.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by 06Aveo43061

-Removal of all manual window hardware in the passenger/rear doors (this will result in full time closed windows
-A/C delete

I removed my rear window hardware, but I'd leave the passenger window hardware in place! Being able to open both front windows an inch keeps me from sweating too much and shouldn't affect aero too badly.

[Gasoline Fumes]

I'd delete:
Power steering
Various brackets - Ones that hold wires can be replaced with cable ties. Little things add up.
Tar/asphalt sheets on the floor. I find then easy to remove in cold weather.
I've taken out a lot of unused wires. But I might be crazy.

I'd put the driver's door panel back on!
Lowering the suspension would help, especially with the weight reduction.

[06Aveo43061]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I'd put the driver's door panel back on!
Lowering the suspension would help, especially with the weight reduction.

lol. All my interior is at the dump. My car is only worth 750 dollars now on the retail market. In another 4 years, I'm sure it'd be worth under 250, so I didn't feel bad about trashing all the interior since I'll be it's one and only owner.

I've been thinking about doing a power steering delete. Thing with my mods, as I have no mechanical skill, I have to pay for the work. If it's too much in labor, I don't do it because it'll take me so long to recoup that money in gas savings.

Also been thinking about lowering the car once I get the side skirts and front dam on, but instead I went with a complete factory replacement. Rides pretty high, but I think for the 300-400 dollars it'd cost to get drop springs put on, it again wouldn't be worth it in the gas savings.


Headed out to home depot today to attempt to find some plastic sheets to do my skirts and front air dam with. Wish me luck.

[freebeard]

Good luck.