hi all

[bbb3108]

Hello, my name is Ben, I'm 26, from North Brunswick, NJ, USA. My fiance and I own two Civics - a 2002 LX, and a 1991 2 door hatchback. I saw an article in Wired.com, at least, I think it was there, with photographs. I am interested in figuring out how to put wheel skirts and caps on, in order to increase fuel efficiency. I can't really do anything "home-made" looking, it needs to look fairly normal, like this photo here... ah, that's right, it was CNet News.com.

http://www.news.com/2300-13833_3-623...tag=ne.gall.pg

So, the front wind blocker, the front tire caps, and the rear wheel skirts. That's what I'm looking to do!

[AndrewJ]

Hey Ben,
So you want to make yourself a car like mine, eh?
Sweet.

Here's a kind-of how-to.

[bbb3108]

hey andrew, yea! it is the most normal looking of all the photos that cnet featured. i will definitely check out that thread, and post back if i'm actually going to do anything to my car.

[MetroMPG]

Welcome Ben. Better make the most of it - we're not allowing any more Bens in after you. 3 is enough.

[bbb3108]

Wow, that's strange! I am a member of numerous forums and I'm usually the only Ben.

A side question, but easily answered by anyone who does it - how do I keep track of/calculate my MPG? Let's say I fill the tank, record the mileage, drive until 1/4 tank, then re-fill the tank and record the mileage. Now how do I calculate MPG?

[SVOboy]

Welcome fellow ben!

Check out darin's thread on the subject: http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=352

[bbb3108]

thanks SVO! so simple, and i might have even guessed that was the way, but having never done it before, i wasnt sure!

everyone is so helpful here, and knowledgeable about the threads i can see this is a great community.

[WaxyChicken]

Originally Posted by bbb3108RNN

how do I keep track of/calculate my MPG? Let's say I fill the tank, record the mileage, drive until 1/4 tank, then re-fill the tank and record the mileage. Now how do I calculate MPG?

Fill tank full.
Write down Miles ( X )
Drive Car
Refill Tank full.
Write Down Gallons needed for refill. (Y)
Write Down Miles (Z)
X - Z = A
A / Y = MPG

Or - if you have a trip meter

Fill tank full.
Reset Trip Meter
Drive Car
Refill Tank full.
Write Down Gallons needed for refill. (Y)
Write Down Trip Meter (X)
X / Y = MPG

For most accurate results, use the same gas pump the both times.
Stop filling/refilling on the first click.

Welcome to the Forums.

[bbb3108]

So I guess the first thing for me to do is determine the average gas mileage on the 91 civic, since that's the only one I'm allowed to play with at the moment I am trying to convince my fiance that she will only need to gas up once a month if we do the mods to the 2002, but I need to show some results on the 91 first!

So give me a few weeks, and I'll come back with some numbers. Then maybe we can discuss what kind of improvement I could expect with the aeromods. For the record, at this point I don't think I am interested in ecodriving or whatever it's being called.

EDIT: Let me restate. I will drive with a cruise control if I have it, and I will drive a maximum speed (i.e. 55), that's no problem. Just none of this coasting and power cycling stuff. Also, regarding using the same pump and one-click, I live in NJ, the only state (?) where you can't pump your own gas. So good luck to me telling the attendant to make sure he only fills it to one click, hehe.

[SVOboy]

There's another state where you're not allowed to pump gas, but I forget what it is (I live in mt holly, burlington county).

Anyway, you'll prolly be fine if you just let them fill it normally, there won't be that much variation.