600 mile tank!

[accord_minded]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

Nice one!

When I get to 600 miles, I start checking my gas gauge. If there are three ticks left I keep going, if there are two left I start thinking about getting gas, and bust out my GasBuddy app to see where it's cheap!

Cowmeat-- I had a lot of trouble getting my scangauge calibrated, so I've always been a bit wary of relying on it to know how much gas is left. But over the last couple of months it has been accurate to .1 to .2 gallons, so I felt confident that I could go until it showed 1 gallon remaining. I don't want to try to go farther than that. I would feel pretty stupid to run out-- that is definitely not worth the risk.

Since I have a 75 mile commute (each way), in order for me to choose a station that I can use regularly, I've picked one that is mid-way between home and work. If I try to use that station all the time, then when I start out from home or work, I need to have enough gas to go 35 miles or so to make it to that station.

[accord_minded]

Originally Posted by kafer65

Fixed my previous post. It looked wierd when I reread it. What tires are you using? Is the ride ok or firm with the pressures you're using? One difference I noticed was I'm running 51 psi all around. Its a bit too firm but 49 was pretty good so I may go back to that. That works surprisingly well with the stock Yokos. I doubt it would be this comfortable with the Michelins I've used in the past.

I'm using the tiresthat came with the car...can't remember the brand off-hand (michelin or continental, I think). I saw no noticeable ride difference between the recommended 32/30 PSI and the sidewall maximum of 44 (which is what I have them set at now).

[kafer65]

Originally Posted by accord_minded

Hi Kafer-- Not sure what is next on my list and would love some advice from you all. I am limited by tools and skillz! So, I'm thinking of a front air dam (using the standard garden edging technique) and maybe side rails. Possibly replacing the driver's side exterior mirror with a small motorcycle-sized mirror [not going to remove mirror completely to avoid potential police interest in my vehicle]. Some day I may attempt a Kamback, but that is not in the near future. I also see many posters who say a partial under belly tray is a cinch, but I'm not so sure and I'm wary of that one for now.

Yep, I hear you. I've got sheets of aluminum or stainless that I could finish up a 100% belley pan but I worry about heat reflecting back from exhaust in the tunnel. The existing pan is plastic all the way to the rear suspension. I already smell hot plastic from 100 grill blocks ( now about 97%). The blue Suby owner's pan is cooler with screens but I wonder about all of the transitions to plate in between. May be too much for me right now anyway. Maybe just the parachute at the muffler to smooth out for me. Still adjusting nut behind the wheel too!

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

Nice one!

When I get to 600 miles, I start checking my gas gauge. If there are three ticks left I keep going, if there are two left I start thinking about getting gas, and bust out my GasBuddy app to see where it's cheap!

I personally have found L/B doesn't like cheap gas. Especially Arco. I get mild bucking with anything except shell/chevron/76/Costco.

[cowmeat]

Lol, you and I are two different levels of cheap, Balto!

A little stumbling in lean burn to save 5 cents on a gallon of gas? Check!
Advertizing a seafood restaurant with your belly pan? Check!
Third-hand re-purposed spoiler from a station wagon as a grill block? Check!

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

Lol, you and I are two different levels of cheap, Balto!

A little stumbling in lean burn to save 5 cents on a gallon of gas? Check!
Advertizing a seafood restaurant with your belly pan? Check!
Third-hand re-purposed spoiler from a station wagon as a grill block? Check!

Well, the ability to hold lean burn makes up for the extra 5-10 cents a gallon. Plus low-grade gas clogs up the EGR system a lot faster.

[cowmeat]

Turtle holds lean burn pretty much indefinitely, except for when it drops out occasionally to clear the cats for a couple of seconds, no matter where I buy my gas. That's one thing the (sort of irritating) throttle smoothing circuit seems to help with. It doesn't really stumble at all in lean burn.

I cleaned the EGR plate and plugs when I first bought the car, and they weren't really even bad. I usually only get a little stumbling if I'm cruising in fifth at like 35-40 mph, then I hit the gas. If I downshift, no stumbling at all.