11-01-2009, 11:32 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ohio
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Best way to boost mileage without losing power.
My father drives a 2001 Ford E-150 as a work vehicle. Since it's permanently saddled with about 600-700 pounds of required additions (bulkhead, shelving, tools), and usually some serious weight in cargo (our record is 1339 pounds, cargo only), its mileage is pretty terrible.
He gets about 15 highway, and as you might guess, needs the power that the V6 can give. Any ideas on how to boost the mileage without shedding weight, since that's impossible?
Thanks!
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11-01-2009, 04:56 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Intermediate EcoDriver
Join Date: May 2009
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Fuel economy is nice, but sometimes I just gotta put the spurs to my pony! 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatguitarguy
Just 'cuz you can't do it, don't mean it can't be done...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elhigh
The presence of traffic is the single most complicating factor of hypermiling. I know what I'm going to do, it's contending with whatever the hell all these other people are going to do that makes things hard.
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11-06-2009, 12:56 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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recession proof rebel
Join Date: Sep 2009
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adjust the nut behind the wheel....haha
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11-06-2009, 03:23 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Mustang Dave is right: Adjust the way you drive. The beauty of hypermiling is that it can be done on any vehicle, regardless of size or weight. I drive an AWD Subaru Impreza (AWD is a huge drag on mileage). To make things worse, I need to keep a bunch of stuff in my trunk for work. The vehicle's a lease, so I can't modify it. Through hypermiling, I went from 19-20 mpg to 29-30 mpg. 50% improvement (I think that's right, or it's 33%).  |
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11-06-2009, 05:32 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Intermediate EcoDriver
Join Date: May 2009
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It's a 50% improvement. 
When I first bought my Mustang, I was getting pretty consistent 26's.
By adjusting my commuting route and driving techniques, I've gotten it into the 30's and 31's. (No mods, other than a shorter antenna.) My first 30MPG fill-up was about 2 weeks before I found ecomodder.com.
I believe engine and tire break-in also helped a bit, since it had less than 200 miles on it when I bought it.
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Fuel economy is nice, but sometimes I just gotta put the spurs to my pony!
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatguitarguy
Just 'cuz you can't do it, don't mean it can't be done...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elhigh
The presence of traffic is the single most complicating factor of hypermiling. I know what I'm going to do, it's contending with whatever the hell all these other people are going to do that makes things hard.
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Last edited by Mustang Dave; 11-06-2009 at 05:39 PM..
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11-06-2009, 06:33 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Hypermiler
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
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Another vote for adjusting the nut. My car is basically stock, and I've more than doubled my mileage.
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11-mile commute: 100 mpg - - - Tank: 90.2 mpg / 1191 miles
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11-06-2009, 06:55 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Driving the TurboWeasel
Join Date: Mar 2009
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I've done a few mods like a grille block and modifying OEM parts. The largest contributor is adjusting my own driving habits. The ScanGauge helps a lot! Any real-time feedback on fuel economy will help you figure out how to get the most out of any situation.
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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco 6MT
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11-06-2009, 08:04 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Intermediate EcoDriver
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Northern Arizona - It's a DRY cold..
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 99LeCouch
... The ScanGauge helps a lot! Any real-time feedback on fuel economy will help you figure out how to get the most out of any situation.
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Definitely!
My Mustang will display average MPG on its information display, which is helpful; but its not as helpful as the real-time feedback of the Scangauge.
__________________
Fuel economy is nice, but sometimes I just gotta put the spurs to my pony!
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatguitarguy
Just 'cuz you can't do it, don't mean it can't be done...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elhigh
The presence of traffic is the single most complicating factor of hypermiling. I know what I'm going to do, it's contending with whatever the hell all these other people are going to do that makes things hard.
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11-06-2009, 08:43 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mirabel, QC
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Aerodynamics.
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11-06-2009, 10:19 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Intermediate EcoDriver
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Northern Arizona - It's a DRY cold..
Posts: 671
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Yes, aerodynamics make the biggest difference in FE at higher speeds.
In lower speed driving with traffic control devices (AKA stoplights), adjusting the nut behind the wheel makes a bigger difference than aerodynamic mods, IMPE. (YMMV)
With the exception of 3 road trip fill-ups for my Mustang and one road trip fill-up for "Big Red" (with slower driving), my commuting MPG is better than my road trip MPG. But that's OK for me. I drive a LOT more miles commuting than I drive on road trips.
__________________
Fuel economy is nice, but sometimes I just gotta put the spurs to my pony!
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatguitarguy
Just 'cuz you can't do it, don't mean it can't be done...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elhigh
The presence of traffic is the single most complicating factor of hypermiling. I know what I'm going to do, it's contending with whatever the hell all these other people are going to do that makes things hard.
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