close to giving up....

[d0sitmatr]

yea, sorry guys, I was just super frustrated to see a 28mpg on there since Ive been doing good by being close to 30mpg most of the time.
@ slowmover
that is a pretty bold assumption to make about my age, Im 43.
so while I know there are some people on here who are older, I'd wager Im older than probably 80% of the other members
I think what upsets me most is that my ranger (that I got rid of for 2 main reasons: not enough room for a family and poor mileage) got me close to that same mileage as I was averaging 24-25mpg hwy and 19-20 city. that was with a 3.0L V6, automatic, and I just expected much better from this car.
anyways, Im changing my priorities on planned MODs
first and foremost,
replacing the ECU with one from an MP3. it will give me a much more smooth and clean power curve (most people running these in the mp5 are getting an avg of 7-10% increase in FE)
a full fluid/grease replacement with synthetic fluids where applicable
a full tuneup
a 626 intake mani
and then either the 626v6 trans or, if I can find one, the diesel g-series trans from Europe.
total cost will put me somewhere between $400-$800, depending on which trans I can find. and should give me a substantial increase in FE, probably around 25% or better.
that would make me feel a LOT better

after thinking about it, Im not doing too bad
my combined avg EPA is 24mpg and Im getting better than that with all city driving, which EPA sets it at 22mpg, so in light of those numbers, 28mpg all city driving isnt too shabby
to date Ive saved almost $100.0 and 25g. not too bad with such a short log.

[slowmover]

@ slowmover
that is a pretty bold assumption to make about my age, Im 43.
so while I know there are some people on here who are older, I'd wager Im older than probably 80% of the other members

The "giveaway" was the frustration over a short time/distance . . and likely not more than ten years of driving and only recently converted to economy. We all lag somewhere on the sliding abstraction/emotion scale. Women file for divorce (they miss "feeling in love") and men get too involved with objects (money, cars, hunting, etc) past a certain age. We all still foolishly think life is college-career-kids and then proceed to fall off a conceptual cliff (consume, consume!!).

after thinking about it, Im not doing too bad
my combined avg EPA is 24mpg and Im getting better than that with all city driving, which EPA sets it at 22mpg, so in light of those numbers, 28mpg all city driving isnt too shabby
to date Ive saved almost $100.0 and 25g. not too bad with such a short log.


Yup, longest road in the world: between head and heart.

The scope of the mods versus price sounds good. Ought to be satisfying. Any anticipated downside to them (from stock performance)?

.

[d0sitmatr]

the only downside (depending how you look at it) would be a slightly slower acceleration, but the 626 IM should offset that enough to where its hardly noticeable.

the biggest problem is finding the parts and buying them. installing wouldnt be all too difficult except if I need to use the 626v6 trans, then I will run into some minor fabrication issues that will force me to use a machine shop.

[larrybuck]

Well; now you are making me feel very old at 57, but I will not let it bother me.
That's how you should feel after just one or close bad tanks.

I strongly get the impression that you could use a vacation, in that even a short road trip to somewhere for a nice cruise run would boost your tank, and morale!

I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to share on here, but 2 tires around only 20psi.??? Bad on you. It's the cheapest best mod available outside of not doing jack rabbit starts.

Life really is 90% attitude! Don't let depression win.

I don't know if this happens to anyone else but: I go through time periods where let's say I scrape a finger, and bleed a little. Time after time, I'll cut myself about 2 more times somehow in the next couple of weeks, then nothing....fine for maybe 2 1/2 months; then the cycle repeats.

There always is testing of yourself in life. It usually is those challenges that long term improve us in strength!!!

Try popping some new spark plugs in. It's cheap, you know it's not a bad thing,,, I always like freshening them before a long road trip!

[FSUspectra]

Definitely hang in there... raised and learned to drive in Boca Raton, I feel your pain. It took me a full year to start getting the numbers consistently that I am now. My location currently helps some, but you may just need some thicker skin, darker sunglasses, and more patience.

[d0sitmatr]

yea Larry, that is right at the top of my list of things, probably by the end of the week, as well as a new air filter. Ive read of some people with the same engine as mine using 1.6l coils on their engines, not 100% sure but I think it gives a better ignition. I will have to look more into that.

well, I do have to admit that Im fairly new to truly hypermiling/ecodriving. while some of the hypermiling techniques Ive used for years, it wasnt to save gas, but time. I would always time my lights so I wouldnt have to stop, and I always drafted to some degree or another. but at the same time, I was never light footed when accelerating, or just driving at a steady spd. if someone was holding me up whether two/four or more lanes, I did my absolute best to pass them, usually involving flooring it until I got around them
it has truly been very hard to drive so conservatively, especially on the backroads when no one is around, or if I get caught behind someone doing 10mph under the posted limit.
but Im getting there, I have a lot less slip ups now than I did just 4 months ago, thats for certain.

[RH77]

I'm a big fan of pulling the power-steering belt, if the design permits (and if your situation allows it). That can give you some instant gratification.

For crummy weather, I cycle the A/C on hills, with the recirc on -- on flat ground, the same can apply when starting from stops, lights, or during appreciable acceleration.

The bottom line -- if you love to drive or feel better after a spirited drive -- let the tank take it. You bought a 5-speed Mazda for a reason. There's nothing wrong with that. Lots of us here are converts from performance (and/or understand the time to be efficient, and the time to run for fun).

If you enjoy the EcoModding hobby, you can have fun with mods, experimenting, and perhaps use that manual to engine-off coast and bump start (for example).

Contrary to other sites (and many members here) I have a philosophy to let the mods and the car do the job over technique -- this way anyone can drive the car and get better mileage. But, it will almost always take that technique to break beyond that personal goal.

So, keep an eye on those tires -- squishy 17's will negate so many other efforts.

Anyway, we all start somewhere on this journey to FE, and it can take several failed tanks to make us humble, rely on that Scientific Method, and take us to those who understand to help us out.

Best FE to ya,

RH77

[slowmover]

A nice essay here on the head versus heart "problem" (scientific sensibility) and the famous letter by Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, here, known by that title (though from a purely personal angle).

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by slowmover

A nice essay here on the head versus heart "problem" (scientific sensibility) and the famous letter by Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, here, known by that title (though from a purely personal angle).

Very interesting. Thanks. How did you come across these?

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by d0sitmatr

...well, I do have to admit that Im fairly new to truly hypermiling/ecodriving. while some of the hypermiling techniques Ive used for years, it wasnt to save gas, but time. I would always time my lights so I wouldnt have to stop, and I always drafted to some degree or another. but at the same time, I was never light footed when accelerating, or just driving at a steady spd. if someone was holding me up whether two/four or more lanes, I did my absolute best to pass them, usually involving flooring it until I got around them
it has truly been very hard to drive so conservatively, especially on the backroads when no one is around, or if I get caught behind someone doing 10mph under the posted limit.
but Im getting there, I have a lot less slip ups now than I did just 4 months ago, thats for certain.

Glad to see the enthusiasm is back.

I tap this a lot but most of my gains have been from technique and pumped up tyres. If you can learn to live without the need to pass all the time and even just use someone under the PSL as a nice excuse for a cruise you will see loads of gains. Before you go down the road of mods I would stick with what you have and see what you can get first.

However the car - the Protege5 picture I could find is from Wikipedia



Is this what yours looks like ? You can see what I might mention - the bars the bars, oh the aero orrer