Gas goes up, Car weight goes down

[Christ]

My goal for the Golf is a day-to-day weight of <1700 full of fuel and me sitting at the controls. Quite optimistic, sure, but it's a goal, nonetheless.

It's gonna require close to 500 lbs of weight reduction. At this stage in the game, you file down bolts to get rid of extra threads.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by dennyt

With effective anticipation of lights & stop signs (i.e. not using your brakes), weight is only a second-order MPG effect. You need a longer pulse but you get a longer glide.

Some members of this forum have reported higher MPG with increased weight, because it fits the pulse & glide cycles of their commute better.

Aerodynamics, tire rolling resistance, and engine efficiency are first-order effects.

Weight reduction measures mainly pay off WHEN it leads to a smaller engine/drivetrain package being utilized.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KrI_thI7Jw

[RandomFact314]

I was wanting to somehow make like one of those aeroshells like for trucks that go from the top down to the top of the wing on my car, sorta like the pic, make it out of plexy glass or something, Im not entirely sure, but wouldnt that help aero alot?

[Frank Lee]

You've been here a while right?

[Christ]

Measure about 15° from horizontal, down from the roof rearward. Yes it should help, maybe not 'alot'.

[imzjustplayin]

Originally Posted by RandomFact314

So since gas is getting so high lately and I deliver in my car, I decided to get my car to loose some weight... Here is whats going on so far.

Weight of each thing is based on using both of the scales we have at home, nothing fancy so I cant say its to the oz but it should be close measurements...

10.6 lbs..... Taking out the bottom part of the back seat
23.6 lbs..... Taking out the top part of the back seat
07.4 lbs..... Taking out the piece that covers the spare tire
03.6 lbs..... Taking out the rear floor mats
02.8 lbs..... Taking out the giant jumper cables I got
26.4 lbs..... Taking out the spare tire
00.5 lbs..... Random crap sitting in car I didn't need
02.3 lbs..... Passenger side-side view mirror (Electric)
--------
77.2 lbs Total

Will update any of this if I pull more stuff

Also: Geez, nothing like gas going up a ton to make you start watching that SGII like I hawk again eh? haha

Seems like a waste... I think your efforts would be better put elsewhere.. For example, you're averaging 22mpg, what kind of driving do you primarily do? 50/50 city highway? Do you have the VTEC or non vtec accord? Do you use the A/C? Do you employ any hypermiling techniques? What I want to know is if you're working your ass off to achieve that 22mpg figure because if you are, then my suggestion to you is to give the car a good tuneup instead of throwing out things like the seats and sound deadening... Even if you have the 2.2L automatic VTEC Accord, with a little effort (not even engine off coasting or other hypermiling techniques) you should be able to average 26mpg assuming you do 45% highway 55% city driving..

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by imzjustplayin

Seems like a waste... I think your efforts would be better put elsewhere.. For example, you're averaging 22mpg, what kind of driving do you primarily do? 50/50 city highway? Do you have the VTEC or non vtec accord? Do you use the A/C? Do you employ any hypermiling techniques? What I want to know is if you're working your ass off to achieve that 22mpg figure because if you are, then my suggestion to you is to give the car a good tuneup instead of throwing out things like the seats and sound deadening... Even if you have the 2.2L automatic VTEC Accord, with a little effort (not even engine off coasting or other hypermiling techniques) you should be able to average 26mpg assuming you do 45% highway 55% city driving..

No im 100% city, delivering
the 22mpg is from a long time ago, im getting about 20 now
no vtech, 2.2L
I almost never use a/c, just roll down my 1 window

Cant do EOC b/c im in an auto

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

You've been here a while right?

Yeah about a year and a half but I haven't been on or thought about hypermiling in the last 4 or 5 months.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Christ

Seats: suspension seat rebuild

Do you mean building the seats, or buying racing seats? Building would be interesting.

[Christ]

Building them. Most seats have a basic frame, and a spring mesh. Many have solid backs, but they can be cut to remove more weight, or you can make your own seat. The "suspension"part is nylon mesh or fabric, similar to a lawn chair. Lay out the fabric, install grommets in each side, and fasten it to the frame using hog rings, or nylon para-cord. Ugly as sin, but light and comfortable.