FNG from VT, USA - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

JethroBodine · 03-15-2011, 07:54 PM

Hey Everyone. Been lurking a while and got tired of not being able to see the pics here. I've been a mechanic for over 20 years, currently a Freightliner certified tech, worked on generators( military and civilian), trucks( military and civilian), tanks( military only

), inboard and outbord marine engines, heavy equipment, drag cars, built fiberglass boats, and am starting a distilling business from the ground up in my spare time.

I drive 48 miles a day, too and from work, and currently have a '90 Jetta 1.8 8valve gas-job. Been trying my hand at some hypermiling stuff, mostly slowing down( definition of stress for an ex-drag racer

) to 60 on the pedal- up hill, and EOnC down hill. LOTS of coasting oppertunities 'round here on the highway!

LOVE the boat tails I've seen here and look forward to reading and seeing more!!!

JeepNmpg2 · 03-15-2011, 08:21 PM

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you've already got a good start, maybe next add some sort of instrumentation like a scanguage to help you learn to drive the vehicle according to its "sweet spots". Look forward to seeing what you come up with especially if you go the boattail route.

Angmaar · 03-15-2011, 08:34 PM

Welcome to the forum!

JethroBodine · 03-15-2011, 09:07 PM

Thanks guys.

JeepNmpg2- I thought Scanguages were OBD2. My Jetta is a 90. Looking into a vaccuum guage and I've seen mention of a retro style SG for OBD1 that has to be assembled. NEVER have too many guages

.

I've got a lot of reading and learning to do, and hopefully, more MPGs to find

!

JeepNmpg2 · 03-16-2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JethroBodine

JeepNmpg2- I thought Scanguages were OBD2. My Jetta is a 90.

*Facepalm*

My bad, I read your post on my cell phone and for whatever reason thought your Jetta was a 00. You are correct about the Scangauge being OBDII only, but maybe a vacuum gauge would help your mileage.

Reminds me of the last time I rented a Uhaul truck they had this odd guage built into the dash (I'll assume that it was a vacuum gauge) that whenever you got on the gas the needle would move from the green zone to the red zone. Not all that helpful for in town being as it was severely underpowered to haul 8,000 lbs of stuff, but I suppose for a freeway trip that would help you not floor it the whole way.

JethroBodine · 03-16-2011, 06:39 AM

NP, man.

Looks like a Guino is in my future. Never thought about using a vaccuum guage for general engine condition, but this car runs vaccuum EVERYWHERE. I prefer the more modern approach of electronic controls, even though I started wrenching when vaccuum was used for timing advance and electronics were used for radios and lights.

MetroMPG · 03-16-2011, 02:41 PM

I was surprised to read your Jetta isn't a diesel, given your work background.

Welcome to the forum.

JethroBodine · 03-17-2011, 06:34 AM

Necessity and oppertunity dictated my current ride. My Cherokee was rusting apart( literally) faster than I could weld it back together. A coworker was looking to sell the Jetta. Poof! I would not have minded at ALL if it would have been diesel.