Gas Pedal / How to hold it in fixed position?

[ChewChewTrain]

Hi gang!

I'm hypermiling a 1989 Honda Civic hatchback. Recently got 56.87mpg. WAHOO!

I read electronic Cruise Controls are not hypermiler friendly. When a car goes up a freeway incline, the CC automatically uses more gas to maintain the programmed traveling speed.

I read one can get better freeway MPG when the throttle is held at a fixed position. This allows the car naturally slow down on the freeway inclines and uses less fuel.

Other than placing a brick on my gas pedal, does anyone have a better way to make, what I call, a "Rube Goldberg Cruise Control"?

BTW, motorcycles have various mechanical ways to hold their twisty throttle, hand grips to save their tired wrists on long highway trips. I would be just as safe as them, because I can simply disengage the engine by pressing in the clutch and still work the brake pedal.

Thanks,
Doug in Oakland, CA

[Insight for life]

Vernier throttle lock.

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by Insight for life

Vernier throttle lock.

Thanks! I'll research that. Of course, I'm hoping this is something that I can operate from INSIDE the car.

[MetroMPG]

A couple of members have also set up additional hand throttles (levers) to make throttle control easier on longer trips, though it may not be quite what you're after.

[some_other_dave]

The 89 Civic will have a cable-actuated throttle. You can probably put a lock on it up inside the dash, or in the engine bay where the cable comes through the firewall. You should be able to run a push-pull type cable (e.g., bicycle shifter cable) from the lock to somewhere reachable inside the cabin.

An even lower-tech lock was installed by Basjoos in his Civic. He built a hand throttle with a linkage (a stick!!) that went to the throttle pedal. The combined setup had enough friction in it that it would stay in place once applied. The major downside is that it was very obvious, which I know would put off a lot of people.

-soD

[oldtamiyaphile]

Try finding an old fashioned wind out cruise control (a knob on a cable connected to the throttle). They did exactly what you describe. They had an extra bypass so they still automatically disengaged if you used the brake.

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

Try finding an old fashioned wind out cruise control (a knob on a cable connected to the throttle). They did exactly what you describe. They had an extra bypass so they still automatically disengaged if you used the brake.

Thanks for the suggestion, but what's a "wind out cruise control"? Might that be like a carburetor choke cable?

[user removed]

Just slide the foot over against the console. It works fine for me.

regards
mech

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Just slide the foot over against the console. It works fine for me.

regards
mech

You're too practical. I want to do it the US Federal Gov't way by wasting money procuring something and wasting time to install it!

[user removed]

The govt has already put you $60k in debt and the solution you seek is a vacuum gauge which will be a real teaching moment once you understand the importance of smooth vacuum transitions and maintaining 2-4 inches under acceleration.

Under load most engines at 2-4 inches vacuum will not really respond very differently to significant changes in throttle position as long as you avoid full load enrichment.

regards
mech