A frenchie here - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

HypermilerAX · 04-09-2011, 08:44 AM

Hello,
I've been driving on a daily basis since July 2010, making about 20.000+ miles a year. Since the fuel prices are very high here in France/Europe ($7.20 for diesel, up to $9 for gasoline) I've begun to hypermile. My father has been hypermiling since the fuel price peak in 2008 and he's been a source of inspiration for me.
My everyday commuting journeys basically consist of 70 km of highway/country roads with no obstacles except a few roundabouts and 2 traffic lights. I drive no faster than 80-90 km/h and take the roundabounts without braking at all by coasting up to 800 m before them. Same for the traffic lights. I do also some coasting in the descents (where I do not exceed 100 km/h so it's not dangerous) and do not try to keep my speed when the road goes up.
These techniques permitted me to achieve 65,5 MPG (3,59 L/100 km) with a 1991 Peugeot 205 turbo diesel and 74 MPG (3,18 L/100 km) with a 1999 Peugeot 106 diesel.
I have recently bought a 1995 Citroën AX for 800€. The car was once in the Guinness World Records book for being the most economical production car, consuming as less as 3,3 L/100 km.
I will tune the car to make it more economical, I expect to hit 85 MPG.

euromodder · 04-09-2011, 03:48 PM

Welcome to ecomodder.

I'm looking forward to see what your experiments bring up.
You're already getting some highly respectable MPG

Piwoslaw · 04-14-2011, 09:25 AM

Welcome to EcoModder

How is your AX's fuel consumption doing? What engine does it have?

akumabito · 04-14-2011, 10:12 AM

The AX is a good choice to start off with. I have seen the drag coefficients somewhere, and if I remember correctly (it's been a while) the figures are quite impressive for a car that looks so boxy.. What engine does it run? I believe most come with a 1.1 or 1.2L gasoline engine, right?

HypermilerAX · 04-14-2011, 05:32 PM

I don't drive with the AX yet. I've bought it recently and I'm changing the valvetrain belt + water pump. I'll be driving the 106 until May.

The drag coefficient is 0.31. I guess the hood/windshield angle is good. Compared to the 205 (0.34), I see the road much nearer.
My engine is a 1.5 diesel. There was also a first-generation 1.4 but it was not reliable (many head gasket problems) because the engine was designed too lightweight (all aluminium alloy).
Most come with a 1.0 or 1.1 gasoline, yes. There were some sportier versions like the GT which was not ridiculous at all, 95 hp and 730 kg.

Piwoslaw · 04-15-2011, 03:23 AM

Since you're working on the engine anyway, then maybe replace the water and vacuum pumps with electrical models? That's what I'd do to take a significant load off the engine, but the price is prohibitive

The AX, and especially the 106/Saxo, are cars I would love to test kammbacks on. I might even get a chance if we decide to buy a 106 for the Wife.

HypermilerAX · 04-20-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Since you're working on the engine anyway, then maybe replace the water and vacuum pumps with electrical models? That's what I'd do to take a significant load off the engine, but the price is prohibitive

I don't think I'm going to consider this. I don't want to go into any expensive modifications. To begin with, I'm going to make simple and free changes : reducing weight (45 kg), reducing rolling resistance (hyperinflated green tires) and reducing frontal area/aero drag (removing right rear-view mirror and radio antenna). And maybe some wheel skirts later.

HypermilerAX · 06-23-2011, 04:09 PM

So, I've driven a few thousand km so far. I set two new personal records with this car :
-lowest consumption : 2,75 L/100 km average on 425 km
-highest number of km on a full tank : 1557,9 km (3,03 L/100 km which is quite dissapointing).

I think I reached the bottom limit. Don't see how I could improve without major changes.

euromodder · 06-23-2011, 07:03 PM

Is that with the AX or the 106 ?

You might want to start a fuel log on ecomodder as well

Quote:

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

I think I reached the bottom limit. Don't see how I could improve without major changes.

Impressionnant !

I think aeromodding may be your only way to improve any further.

Piwoslaw · 06-29-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

So, I've driven a few thousand km so far. I set two new personal records with this car :
-lowest consumption : 2,75 L/100 km average on 425 km
-highest number of km on a full tank : 1557,9 km (3,03 L/100 km which is quite dissapointing).

Amazing! Do you coast with your engine off?

Imagine what aeromods would give you.