Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Hypermiling / EcoDriver's Ed
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 10-28-2010, 03:09 PM   #1 (permalink)
The PRC.
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Elsewhere.
Posts: 5,304
Thanks: 285
Thanked 536 Times in 384 Posts
Hit a plateau

Hi,

I seem to have hit a plateau with my ecodriving at the mo.

The story so far is that I have managed to stretch a tank which used to last me 400 miles (I would fill up at a panic by 420) now lasts over 600 miles. Not quite the Kilo-Kilometre tank but getting closer. My tank is officially 45 litres but I can vent it to about 10 litres more - this is a kind of mini TDI. I need to update my fuel log but haven't, but last 3 tanks are:

52
53
54

MPG (imperial).

But I have hit a limit of about 55 Imp. Even resisting the urge to muller Honda Accords (in the dry, this morning I lost but it was wet ) I can't seem to get my average over that. I seem to have tuned my SG2 to match so that a tank average matches the real world quite closely - last real tank was 54.3 and SG said 55.8.

I have no mods as yet, no lightening (spouse restrictions). No aero (no time to fit it).

Techniques are EO(n)C where I can, in gear downhill, out of gear when I can coast for longer that way. I avoid EO(ff)C mostly because I have a Turbo, although I do use it in heavy jams when I haven't used the turbo for a while.

Tyres are sporty (205/55 17s) and I'm not going to go slimmer as even with those traction is an issue - my rears (Yokohamas) have no grip in the wet, the fronts (Rainsports) are OK. I do pump them to 45 just now, thinking of going 50 as the jump from 38-45 made a difference to coasting I could feel straight away.

I haven't investigated aero yet as the roads here are worse than Beirut and we have loads of speed humps which could remove any undertrays and certainly mitigate against any lowering.

Car is 6sp manual 1.9 (ASZ) TDI 130 Fabia (aka VW Polo).

Suggestions welcome.

Cheers

A

__________________
[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 10-28-2010, 03:38 PM   #2 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Grill block (you had to see this coming)
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2010, 05:59 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
euromodder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgium
Posts: 4,683

The SCUD - '15 Fiat Scudo L2
Thanks: 178
Thanked 652 Times in 516 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arragonis View Post
I seem to have hit a plateau with my ecodriving at the mo.
It's been getting notably cooler over the last few weeks.
First frost came last sunday.

My FE has already gotten a small hit - you're still improving !

Quote:
Tyres are sporty (205/55 17s) and I'm not going to go slimmer as even with those traction is an issue - my rears (Yokohamas) have no grip in the wet, the fronts (Rainsports) are OK.
Those are hardly LRR tyres.

When they need replacing you could opt for something sporty with a lower RR - Michelin's Pilot Sport 3 or Pirelli Cinturato P7 comes to mind.

Especially the Pirelli Cinturato P7 got good LRR and wear characteristics according to ADAC.de testing.
Surprising for a Pirelli
__________________
Strayed to the Dark Diesel Side

  Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2010, 06:03 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
euromodder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgium
Posts: 4,683

The SCUD - '15 Fiat Scudo L2
Thanks: 178
Thanked 652 Times in 516 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
Grill block (you had to see this coming)
Superskoda sell one ready-made.

Skoda Fabia I - front grille cover : Skoda Tuning = superskoda.com

But they actually want more for shipping than what these parts cost ...
__________________
Strayed to the Dark Diesel Side

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to euromodder For This Useful Post:
Arragonis (10-29-2010)
Old 10-28-2010, 06:38 PM   #5 (permalink)
...beats walking...
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: .
Posts: 6,190
Thanks: 179
Thanked 1,525 Times in 1,126 Posts
...what's the Scotish word for the proverbial american JUNK YARD?
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2010, 06:40 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: scotland
Posts: 1,429

The Mistress - '88 Bmw 320i Touring SE
Team m8
Last 3: 27.17 mpg (US)

Germany Beadle - '91 Mercedes 300td (estate, N/A)
90 day: 24.63 mpg (US)

The Bloodylingo - '05 Citroen Berlingo Multispace Desire
90 day: 39.77 mpg (US)

Shanner Scaab - '03 Saab 9-5 estate Vector
90 day: 26.19 mpg (US)

Clio 182 - '05 Renault Clio RS 182 182
90 day: 31.73 mpg (US)
Thanks: 89
Thanked 89 Times in 74 Posts
Cool

i would make a witty remark about hitting plateaus and rutting season..but i wont

As it is, i'm still hovering right over 40mpg now myself-and i can feel the frustration creeping in.

I've identified 6 things i'm going to do about it.
1. Increase my tyre pressures to 40- at 36 just now
2. Warm air intake
3. grill block
4. Reduce p&g speed range from 65 to 60-50
5. Keep a log of the 'free miles' and money saved by hypermiling
6. Book a trackday.. Gotta have fun sometime!

so far 5 and 6 are underway, with 4 due to start on the next tank

5 is proving very fruitful, over 2000 miles i've saved almost a tank of fuel (£65) this equates to a full service and a visit to the cinema for me and the dame.

Over the 6000 mile service interval i reckon i'll be £200 up, which translates to 1x service plus 30.37UK gallons-about 1200miles!

Stick at it fellamy car will pay its purchase cost off in saved petrol within a year!
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2010, 11:26 PM   #7 (permalink)
Smeghead
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Central AK
Posts: 933

escort - '99 ford escort sport
90 day: 42.38 mpg (US)

scoobaru - '02 Subaru Forester s
90 day: 28.65 mpg (US)
Thanks: 32
Thanked 146 Times in 97 Posts
drop 5kph off of your average speed?
__________________

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

One mile of road will take you one mile, one mile of runway can take you around the world.
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2010, 12:48 AM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 659

Chug - '96 Volkswagon Polo CL
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 49.42 mpg (US)

L'Autre - '03 Renault Megane Sport Tourer Expression
Diesel
90 day: 45.02 mpg (US)
Thanks: 20
Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts
Grille Block, and put a charge duct in front of intercooler to lower the intake temp, its something i'd have done if I had a turbo!

Scottish word for Junk Yard - Scrap yard, Scrappy, Sh*t tip, Runcorn ( :P )
__________________
-----------------------------------------
good things come to those who wait, sh*t turns up pretty much instantly






twitter.com/bertchalmers
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2010, 05:47 AM   #9 (permalink)
The PRC.
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Elsewhere.
Posts: 5,304
Thanks: 285
Thanked 536 Times in 384 Posts
I'm not sure I'm still improving, I think the variation is well inside any margin for error. I may look at other tyres but this car seems very sensitive to tyre choice. The front Uniroyal Rainsports seem to work the best, others I've tried make for exciting times in the damp.

Quote:
Originally Posted by euromodder View Post
Superskoda sell one ready-made.

Skoda Fabia I - front grille cover : Skoda Tuning = superskoda.com

But they actually want more for shipping than what these parts cost ...
I have a block but not fitted, combination of no time, rain, lack of skill etc. Not sure if it will help though. That one looks tempting, I've saved more than 25 GPB on each tank so far...

Quote:
Originally Posted by robchalmers View Post
Grille Block, and put a charge duct in front of intercooler to lower the intake temp, its something i'd have done if I had a turbo!
The IC is in the front wheel arch, what is this duct of which you tap ?
__________________
[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2010, 05:51 AM   #10 (permalink)
The PRC.
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Elsewhere.
Posts: 5,304
Thanks: 285
Thanked 536 Times in 384 Posts
PS - that block is on the wrong way round anyway, the air intake is on the other side

__________________
[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ethanol takes another hit Lazarus General Efficiency Discussion 19 05-30-2011 06:40 AM
The Chevy Volt- Hit or Miss? Jammer The Lounge 28 09-28-2009 03:45 PM
I HIT THE Trifecta ( of sorts) Doofus McFancypants Success Stories 1 08-05-2009 11:40 AM
Hit by a deer homeworkhome53 The Lounge 18 06-16-2008 03:44 PM
I hit 41.4mpg yesterday!! regor Introductions 3 06-08-2008 11:53 AM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com