Hello from CA - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

craig5_12 · 08-27-2008, 05:05 PM

Hey all, (apologies for the long post)
Nice site, I hope to gleam lots of info off of here. I've recently moved and my commute has gone from 3 miles to 60 - ONE WAY, with about a 2500' elevation gain/loss. There aren't many stoplights but lots of hills and speed limits from 35 to 65.
My car is 1997 Accord EX, it's lowered about 1.5" and has an aftermarket intake. It has 225 series tires on it now, but when they wear out, I'm getting the thinnest possible to reduce rolling resistance.
I've been tracking my mileage for about 10k miles now and the worst I've done is around 32mpg, I started implementing some better driving habits (coasting with engine on and off, shifting around 2500rpm, driving the speed limit, trying not to brake, etc..) with just changes to my driving habits I've increased the MPG to about 37.5mpg. My goal is to get to 40 without much assistance and then push up from there with HHO, EFIE, 02, etc..., and I'm almost there!

SVOboy · 08-27-2008, 05:18 PM

Man, that wasn't a great move! Brutal commute!

Welcome to ecomodder! Do you have a scangauge or mpguino yet?

craig5_12 · 08-27-2008, 05:27 PM

Yeah, it's tough, but my mortgage was cut in half because of it...well almost in half...I get to make up the rest in gas...
No, no scanguage yet...what is a mpguino?

craig5_12 · 08-27-2008, 05:36 PM

Nevermind, I saw the link to the mpguino...I'm more mechanically inclined than electronically...but I can solder a little bit so I might have to give this a try! I guess I better add that to my To-Do list...

cfg83 · 08-27-2008, 06:33 PM

craig5_12 -

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig5_12

Yeah, it's tough, but my mortgage was cut in half because of it...well almost in half...I get to make up the rest in gas...
No, no scanguage yet...what is a mpguino?

Welcome to EM! I feel your commuting/mortgage pain, even if I only have to go 35 miles one way. I am guessing you must love the drive down and cry all the way up hill.

CarloSW2

craig5_12 · 08-27-2008, 06:49 PM

Any commute is a bad one in my eyes, although it has introduced me (now) into the world of hypermiling and I'm glad for that! I long for the days I can walk or ride a bike to work again...
The drive down is pretty cool though, I need to calculate the miles I actually drive with the engine off!
This forum is great and I look forward to learning lots and sharing what I can!

craig5_12 · 09-02-2008, 05:34 PM

Well, I got almost 42mpg on my last fill-up! I guess I hit my first goal...I better set my sights on 50mpg now...and all this with just adjusting my driving style! Grill block, wiper delete, mirror delete and thinner tires coming up...

Clev · 09-02-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig5_12

Well, I got almost 42mpg on my last fill-up! I guess I hit my first goal...I better set my sights on 50mpg now...and all this with just adjusting my driving style! Grill block, wiper delete, mirror delete and thinner tires coming up...

Nice work! I just started seriously Ecodriving my '90 EX, and I'm up to 32 mpg, so I have some work. I guess I'll be looking at a '97 when this one finally dies!

I assume you have a manual transmission. What RPMs do you turn at 65 in 5th? I think mine's way too high, and that's contributing to the problem.

Tim

craig5_12 · 09-04-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clev

Nice work! I just started seriously Ecodriving my '90 EX, and I'm up to 32 mpg, so I have some work. I guess I'll be looking at a '97 when this one finally dies!
I assume you have a manual transmission. What RPMs do you turn at 65 in 5th? I think mine's way too high, and that's contributing to the problem.
Tim

Yeah, it's a manual. The manual coupes seem to be kinda hard to find for this year, I got lucky I guess because I really wasn't looking at FE when I bought it 8 years ago!
I don't usually drive 65 but for your sake I did today

and I was turning at about 2600...hope that helps! Not sure what tranny's are available for the '90 model. I know for the '91 on up the F22B1 engine and tranny combo (what I have) is a direct replacement. The prelude Type S even had a LSD...The H22 engines also fit but I don't think they're as FE.

My buddy had an '89 and he changed the fuel filter and increased his mileage considerably...if you haven't done that yet, I'd try it and see if it helps! Good Luck!

Clev · 09-04-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig5_12

Yeah, it's a manual. The manual coupes seem to be kinda hard to find for this year, I got lucky I guess because I really wasn't looking at FE when I bought it 8 years ago!
I don't usually drive 65 but for your sake I did today

and I was turning at about 2600...hope that helps! Not sure what tranny's are available for the '90 model. I know for the '91 on up the F22B1 engine and tranny combo (what I have) is a direct replacement. The prelude Type S even had a LSD...The H22 engines also fit but I don't think they're as FE.

My buddy had an '89 and he changed the fuel filter and increased his mileage considerably...if you haven't done that yet, I'd try it and see if it helps! Good Luck!

I'll try that. I already picked up a replacement O2 sensor off eBay ($10!), so I'll get a fuel filter as well. 34.2 mpg at the last fillup, and still working on it!