Ecomodding an automatic '04 Civic Sedan

[19bonestock88]

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that you’re cutting your rolling resistance but have you done any testing with regards to braking distance or wet traction? 68psi sounds high, and potentially unsafe

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that you’re cutting your rolling resistance but have you done any testing with regards to braking distance or wet traction? 68psi sounds high, and potentially unsafe

68 PSI is not something I feel comfortable with on driving with turns or on dirt roads where I live and sometimes to pizza delivery on. It would probably be fine, but I wouldn't risk it. I've been running 60 PSI for a few weeks now with no issues, including on gravel & wet roads; that's my normal tire pressure. I knew that the roads would be dry for my trip, and it was mostly highway so fewer sharp turns, which is the only reason I put them up to 68 PSI. I did notice slight "turbulence" from the wind occasionally on the highway this time, and the only changes compared to my last highway trip was no luggage, passengers, or seats (about 500 lbs lighter) and 68 PSI in the tires. Have not tested for braking, but due to hypermiling I almost never brake at speeds above 25 MPH. 60 PSI provides plenty of traction for me on wet roads--but my tires are also basically new still. I wouldn't run 68 PSI on wet roads. It was only a one time experiment when I felt the conditions would make it safe.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Silver Aero's last trip completed tonight! For 3 1/2 months, that is.

In personal driving my lifetime average was 45.8 MPG, and was still rising. Spent $227.46 and saved $128.81. Best trip was 73.2 MPG over 10.1 miles.

In pizza delivery my average MPG was 37.7 MPG. Spent $130.24 and saved $36.48.

$165.29 in fuel savings totalled.

Costs of ecomods:
Cardboard (free)
Duct tape (-$6)
Painters tape (-$6)
Paint (-$9)
Lawn edging (-$5)
Self tapping screws (-$6)
Coroplast (-$20)
HX rims (-$100)
Tires (-$125)
Mounting, balancing (-$80)
Sale of old tires/rims (+$400)
Foam insulation ($7)
Net: +$36

$165.29 + $36 = $201.29 saved, including cost of ecomods, over roughly 6000 miles.

Au revoir, Silver Aero, until we meet again amidst wintry storms.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

I did notice slight "turbulence" from the wind occasionally on the highway this time, and the only changes compared to my last highway trip was no luggage, passengers, or seats (about 500 lbs lighter) and 68 PSI in the tires.

Looks like you've found & felt what's actually too high

Light(er) weight and higher tyre pressure don't go together very well

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Looks like you've found & felt what's actually too high

Light(er) weight and higher tyre pressure don't go together very well

Still was about 2650-2700 lbs; not that lightweight. There was also a crosswind. But yes, 68 PSI is not something I would run on non-smooth surfaces or on expensive tires. 60 PSI is my max, and that's what I'll be running on RE92s on the Insight I get next year.

Not sure how that guy over on IC has 120 PSI in his RE92s and compact spares...I mean, he drives 40 MPH on country roads while my example was 55 MPH on the highway, but still.

[jcp123]

Dang, 68! My tires are too old, I don't even trust anything over 40 in them. And even so, the tread was de-laminating on one of them.

Being a cheap beater, I get tires at the local used tire slinger places, so I don't think I'd ever have anything I'd trust to run higher than sidewall max.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

I don't drive enough miles were slightly more wear makes really any difference for me. 60 PSI is the highest I run usually. My tires are just cheap, but new, Westlakes.

I wouldn't run over sidewall max on used tires. No idea what they've gone through or what they can stand.

EDIT: 68 PSI was just fine on country roads at speeds varying between 20 & 55 MPH. Cornering & stopping wasn't affected at all.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

PS: Silver Aero will also be up for sale sometime next year if anyone's interested. I'll post it on here when it is, and if someone's interested right away you can have it before I take the ecomods off to sell to a "regular, non-ecomodder" person. Except for the HX wheels; those stay with me.

I would list it now and just buy my Insight in December when I'm home for winter break, except that winter weather probably isn't the best weather to quickly learn how to operate a manual (and bad weather for wiring everything up too) and I'll need my car for my job.

BUT, next year it will be listed; I'm getting myself an Insight!!