how much difference did MPGuino or vacuum gauge make for you?

[dlb]

just came across this excellent page that shows how useful a vacuum gauge can be in diagnosing a wide variety of engine issues. the interactive graphic at the bottom of the page is great.

How to Use and Interpret a Vacuum Gauge

[pete c]

The point has already been made that seeing an actual number is a bonus as it is more effective encouragement to max out mpg. It is like having a cheering section in the car with you.

[dlb]

i got a USA-made vacuum gauge off ebay for $25 including shipping. installed it about a month ago and have been really pleased with the results. over the last 3 tanks i've averaged an increase in fuel economy of about 10%. i even smashed my personal best from a year ago: my best tank had been 14.1 km/L (33 mpg), and this was all hwy, just me in the car, windows up. yesterday i got 15.7 km/L (37 mpg) and that was with 3 passengers, all our camping gear, and the windows down. i definitely drove a bit slower than i would have without the gauge but i'm ok with that.

the biggest driving habits i've changed are accelerating at 5-7" of vacuum, backing off the throttle while climbing hills to keep the vacuum steady until cresting the hill and then accelerating at 5-7" vac back up to cruising speed, and using 4th gear a bit more often (5th is a bad choice for climbing anything but the slightest hills).

i drive a stock '90 4wd corolla wagon. never thought i'd see 37 mpg in a 4wd. pretty happy with the little gauge.

[dlb]

an addendum to this post. we have a gas-guzzling 7.5L '91 f350 that we use for our work truck and hauling the camper. it averaged 8 mpg. back in the early summer i installed the same vacuum gauge that i put in my car and have since been averaging 10 mpg. that's only 2 mpg but it's a mileage increase of 25%.

i love vacuum gauges!