Howdy Didderly

[skyking]

A useful tool then. My truck is quite the Pollyanna, always way high on the MPG. If I reset the MPG gauge, it responds quickly enough to figure some things out till it gets some miles on it.

[MJamson]

Hello and welcome

The cheapest and easiest gains to be had are with the person behind the wheel.

There are a number of tips here 100+ Hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics for better mpg - EcoModder.com

As for actual eco modding well the sky is the limit, just bear in mind that some of the mods mentioned here are not legal in the UK or they will attract unwanted attention from the transport police or may cause issues with MOTs.

My friend has a Fusion, but it is nothing more than a run about.

If you haven't already, start a fuel log, I have one in excel and I transfer the information here. It will help you see the affects of changes in driving behaviour and mods.

With the grill block it is good to start with the upper grill first, do the blocking slowly, keep an eye on the temp gauge also don't make it too permanent (at first) if you need to remove it in a car park.

Mike

[Lemmy]

Thanks Mike, thanks for the warm welcome. Just to be awkward I'm starting with the lower block, mainly because it's the easiest due to the design. I've come up with a simple 2 screw mounting method and I'm going to make 3 different blocks ranging from fairly open to totally covered. I've made the totally covered one already, and today that'll form the template for the other 2.

It's fairly cold here at the moment, and with no engine under tray from the factory I'm hoping there will be sufficient flow from the upper grille and through the bay - I'll know soon enough I guess, but with 3 grilles it should be easy to swap them around as the seasons change.

The Fusion came my way after my last car caught fire. The Wife has a brand new Sportage diesel, and I don't do many miles (I cycle a lot, and regularly cycle commute, over here the risk of dying through a lazy git heart attack is greater than the risk of being knocked off my bike) so it seemed a good time to downsize. I couldn't downsize too much as I'm physically quite a large chap, so was looking at Fusion, Renault Modus, that sort of size - small, but not miniscule.

Straight away I was getting nearly 20 mpg more than my old car, which caused a strange sexual arousal and I quickly became addicted to trying to maximise that with my driving style. Next thing I know I'm a budding Ecomodder and a fledgling hypermiler!

[MJamson]

Originally Posted by Lemmy

I'm going to make 3 different blocks ranging from fairly open to totally covered. I've made the totally covered one already, and today that'll form the template for the other 2.

That is what I have done, but I have recently added some bonnet insulation and the eninge temp has risen so I'm wondering if I'll be able to run with a grill block in the summer.

Originally Posted by Lemmy

no engine under tray from the factory

Ebay tends to be good for that, try searching for 'under engine', 'undertray' or 'splash guard'. Mine never had one but I found an aftermarket tray that works a treat. Not only does it help MPG but also keeps the eninge cleaner.

Originally Posted by Lemmy

The Fusion came my way after my last car caught fire.!

not a Zafira was it ?

[Lemmy]

No, a Gen II Kia Sportage.

First grille block fitted. Open block made and paint drying, intermediate block next.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by Lemmy

Straight away I was getting nearly 20 mpg more than my old car, which caused a strange sexual arousal...

<awkward chuckle>

I laugh because I know how it feels.