Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 06-01-2008, 09:50 PM   #11 (permalink)
ECO-Evolution
 
Lazarus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,482

Iron Horse (retired) - '97 Iron horse Intrepid

Ninja - '08 Kawasaki 250R
90 day: 76.23 mpg (US)
Thanks: 17
Thanked 44 Times in 33 Posts
Welcome to the site. That is a tough choice since it's a new truck you probably couldn't get what you need out of it today if you tried to sell it. Doax right study the driving tips that will give you a lot of bang for the buck. Could run the numbers and look for a beater to drive when you don't need to haul something.

Are you could try one of these electric bikes to haul stuff around


__________________
"Judge a person by their questions rather than their answers."

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 06-01-2008, 10:09 PM   #12 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

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

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyGrey View Post
If the guy was hauling around even some stuff in his truck, why are you guys recommending bikes?
'Cause he already said he's been considering them himself, plus he's not currently using the truck for hauling stuff.

The advantage of a bike/e-bike as your 2nd vehicle = no additional $insurance or $registration.

And when the weather is crappy out, he does what every other bike rider does: wear the gear, or take alternative transportation. Such as, perhaps, a Silverado pickup!
__________________
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
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2008, 10:40 PM   #13 (permalink)
Veggiedynamics
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Alexandria, MN
Posts: 684

Volt12 - '12 Chevy Volt base
Thanks: 0
Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts
depending on your weather there.. a small 50cc scooter gets over 150mph and they usually do 30+ mph.. or a small under 250 cc motor cycle will easily pull down 60mpg..

Other wise search out a small car for computing, got my CRX for 900 bucks.. who cares what they look like as long as they get you there cheaply and reliably... seen many older rough toyotas and honda for 2 month worth of gas in that truck..
__________________

  Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2008, 10:13 AM   #14 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 9

JLTucson - '06 Hyundai Tucson GLS 4WD
90 day: 22.07 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Hey I drive an inefficient vehicle because I need to haul stuff around too. I at least downsized as low as I could go (to a small SUV) when I found a good deal to trade my old truck. On days where you're not hauling stuff I'd suggest a scooter or motorcycle. They're not very expensive on your insurance. If you live in a place with bad winters I'd suggest running the numbers on a second car. If neither of those options are going to work out for you financially I'd say just learn to drive slower and turn your engine off at stop lights.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to jsl4980 For This Useful Post:
MobilOne (05-04-2015)
Old 06-02-2008, 11:43 AM   #15 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
As an owner of a 2007 Silverado Classic, I feel your pain. Here are some things that have made a difference for me:

1. Monitor real-time fuel economy as you drive. By doing this, you can learn how your
truck responds to different driving conditions and driving techniques. As an example,
your truck will coast a really long way, so let off of the gas earlier when approaching
stops. You can improve your mileage as much as 25% by altering your driving habits.

2. Air up your tires 10% over the door sticker to improve rolling resistance.

3. Use synthetic oil in your crank case - makes around .5 mpg difference.

4. Adding a tonneau cover will improve highway mileage 1-2 mpg

5. Remove your DRL bulbs to reduce electrical load.

6. Things you can alter with a PCM/ECU programmer:

lower idle speed by 50 RM - lowers fuel consumption by .1-.2 gallons per hour at idle

reduce shift delay just a tad - no difference in mileage but it makes mine shift better

lower shift points by a few mph to shift sooner (normal mode only, not in tow mode)

7. In cooler weather, a grill block allows the truck to warm up faster AND improves
aerodynamics at highway speeds. (adds a couple of MPG at highway speed!). Warming
up your truck faster makes a difference in mileage because your truck's air fuel ratio
is around 12.5 to 1 until the oxygen sensors warm up, and the AFR then changes to
around 14.6 to 1 for closed loop operation.
http://www.truktoys.com/modelView.aspx?id=45

8. Don't let your truck idle for more than 20-30 seconds, including your first start in
the morning.


Good luck improving your mileage.

Wayne
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2008, 02:27 PM   #16 (permalink)
dsq
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: LOS ANGELES
Posts: 48
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
"Also quick question to add, is it me or does it seem like the newer cars have horrible gas mileage compared to cars of 10 years ago? Is it just me?"

No,you are right.Todays small cars get much worse mileage than cars of the early 80s.
There were over 50 models that got over 40mpg in 1982 i beleive.
When the suv craze started small cars got bigger engines for higher performance/sportiness.Also the weight increased a lot.Camry is a perfect example-19mpg,i was shocked when i saw that.

Sorry about your truck.I think gas prices will go down for the rest of summer and into winter.I am pretty sure oil prices have peaked and we will see a sharp sell off very soon.There has been a major drop in gas use in the usa in the last 3 months.This reality(demand destruction) will hit the oil/gas markets very soon.I would sell it when everybody thinks the gas crunch is over-because any reprieve in prices will be temp.I would downsize to a much smaller pickup with stick or abandon business plan that requires you to be in the very costly transport biz.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2008, 07:07 PM   #17 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
roflwaffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,490

Camryaro - '92 Toyota Camry LE V6
90 day: 31.12 mpg (US)

Red - '00 Honda Insight

Prius - '05 Toyota Prius

3 - '18 Tesla Model 3
90 day: 152.47 mpg (US)
Thanks: 349
Thanked 122 Times in 80 Posts
14mile round trip is great to start at IMO. It can run ya down and get you trim fast, but at the same time isn't too long that it'll be impossible to slow down due to time constraints if you slack on it to save some energy. If you're really worried about not being able to do it, put together an electric bike.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2008, 07:55 PM   #18 (permalink)
Hi-Tech Redneck
 
Johnny Mullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,436
Thanks: 6
Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Johnny Mullet Send a message via MSN to Johnny Mullet
Welcome to the forum! I also own a truck, but have not driven it in almost two months due to the price of fuel. I instead got an older gas sipper and only use the truck when needed.

__________________

GeoMetroforum.com - got mpg?
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2004-2008 Chevy Malibu (Review) RH77 General Efficiency Discussion 11 07-16-2014 04:04 PM
News: Chevy Cobalt XFE (new model with top of class highway MPG) RH77 General Efficiency Discussion 20 12-03-2009 02:29 PM
Review: 2008 Chevy Malibu LT (31.3 MPG) RH77 General Efficiency Discussion 12 05-16-2009 09:07 AM
From Silverado to Civic regor Introductions 6 05-25-2008 03:00 AM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com