Looking for a fuel efficient solution. I've got a few ideas.

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by 8307c4

Increase Tire Pressure - Don't go past max.psi sidewall, you'll only wear the tires down the center, but max.psi sidewall is the best psi.

Prove it Or, tell me how you've gotten your bias ply tires of yore to last so long

[LostCause]

Take what you want, leave what you don't...

Driving Habits:
Drive 55mph max
Drive Without Brakes
High Load Acceleration
Engine Off Cruise
Pulse and Glide
Reduce Alternator Demand (LED lights, drive during day, etc.)

Easy Mods:
Max+ Tire PSI
Low Viscosity Engine Oil
Low Viscosity MTF
Remove anything sticking in the wind (antenna, side mirrors, spoilers, etc.)
Wash/Wax Car to Perfect Smoothness
Grill Block
Rear Wheel Skirts
Repack Wheel Bearings w/ Synthetic/Lightweight Grease
Tire Alignment (0 Camber, 0 Toe)
Underbody Panel
Kammback
Seam Tape all Gaps

Tougher Mods
A/C Delete
P/S Delete
Alternator Delete w/ Engine Kill Switch, Starter, Deep Cycle Battery
Electric Water Pump
Lower Car + Stiffer Springs
Lightweight Wheels + Skinny Large Diameter LRR Tires
Transmission/Gear Swap
Reground Camshaft + 13:1 CR "Atkinson Cycle"
Turbo-Compound
Radiator Plenum
Reshaped, Fiberglass Honeycomb Body Panels
Front-Wheel Skirts
Side Skirts
Front Wheel Splitter
Rear Wheel Boat Tail
Lean Burn
Sealed Engine Bay
Composite Intake Manifold
Molybdenum Disulfide Piston Coating
Dual Probe Sparkplugs
Increased EGR

If you are concerned about how your car looks/what other people think you aren't going to get very far...

- LostCause

[CuriousOne]

I understand that maintenance and driving style are easily the most efficient ways to save fuel, but I was just looking for other cheap methods to save fuel, such as the mods you guys mentioned. Thank you guys for the info.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

Prove it Or, tell me how you've gotten your bias ply tires of yore to last so long

If you have a good, quality tire, I have to agree with Treb -- beyond max psi can be a worthy mod without negative effects. I have about 30K miles on a set of Michelin MXV4+ tires that have consistently run 50 psi+ over the entire life of the tires. I can go take a picture of them to show absolutely normal wear if requested

Originally Posted by CuriousOne

I understand that maintenance and driving style are easily the most efficient ways to save fuel, but I was just looking for other cheap methods to save fuel, such as the mods you guys mentioned. Thank you guys for the info.

That's what this Site is all about. Keep us posted if you find that high FE replacement vehicle.

Rh77

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

It's not really just "do we think" - a great deal of money and resources have been invested in researching, modeling etc. this... What do you think manufacturers are tuning when they claim "tuned exhaust"? It'd be quite effective for them to just go with super big diameters rather than spend a LOT of money to do fluid flow analysis.... As a hint - they don't tune for sound

I totally disagree for a couple of reasons.
1) I dont trust marketing from anyone trying to sell me something. "Tuned" is a great marketing sound bite and I think it probably is for more noise than power.
2) Manufacturers have been pursuing low NVH over performance and efficiency forever. Nobody is not going to buy a car becuase it is too smooth or quite but some people will not buy a car they percieve to be obnoxious.
3) An actual tuned exhaust would have a primary pipe length in excess of 40" (think long tube headers for a small block chevy)

[8307c4]

Originally Posted by RH77

If you have a good, quality tire, I have to agree with Treb -- beyond max psi can be a worthy mod without negative effects. I have about 30K miles on a set of Michelin MXV4+ tires that have consistently run 50 psi+ over the entire life of the tires. I can go take a picture of them to show absolutely normal wear if requested

I believe you, but I also know the MXV4 has a sidewall rating of 44 psi but strangely some of the cars it goes on it says to put 51 in it... Matter of fact ALL 55 16's and 17's are rated for 51 psi.

I am talking Max.Psi. sidewall, not the mfg'ers / Owner's manual / door sticker garbage, but the max.psi. rating that is printed on the sidewall of teh tire that is on your car right now lols.

So likely it's on the correct car for the tire OR a small pressure increase isn't going to make it wear full out center and nothing on the outside, but the higher the difference the worse it gets if your tire were a 35 or 40 psi tire that has no further adjustments then most likely 50 psi would not be good.

More than a few high dollar tires (think $100+ each) are easily rated 40-50 psi, that is standard for most GTAS / GT / HP tires, they are good solid tires.

What I would do if I had your tires I do not know, you're probably safe, and I believe what you tell me. Just for myself I will neither compromise safety nor $400 tires over a few miles per gallon, I want 100% rubber-to-pavement contact at all times even if I never need or use it. Oh, and those Michelins are more like $600, nice tires.

In that sense, underinflation would be most anything below Max.psi sidewall, and that is just as bad. Now maybe they don't wear uneven, maybe I am wrong, but always mps for me then is no question.
I guess it's like they say, take what you can use, leave the rest be, this is only my worthless opinion

[SVOboy]

Welcome to the site! I would consider at least some aeromods, they're not all visible and ugly,

[RH77]

Originally Posted by 8307c4

I guess it's like they say, take what you can use, leave the rest be, this is only my worthless opinion

I wouldn't call your opinion worthless -- just like most folks, you're presenting your own experiences and folks can decide based on everyone's input. Same here

Also, mounting/balancing/stems/Nitrogen/recycling of old tires came to about $450 ~ a bit over a year ago. For me, the LRR + Overinflation is a percentage in the total FE gain among several factors. I've been on really rough pavement (including gravel) and haven't had a gash or blowout. But I will agree that I won't compromise on tire quality -- never have (some immediate family worked for Firestone in Akron, OH years ago, so it was common knowledge, so to speak).

The only noted side effects are crosswind stability and snow traction. Otherwise, no complaints.

In full disclosure, I have heard of a bulging belt that led to a blow out on a really inexpensive set at 50 psi. It isn't without it's risks -- as life is in general...

RH77

[DifferentPointofView]

A perfectly tuned exhaust would increase power and torque. if you are constantly at 2000 rpm, tune it to that.

PS: I hope I'm not irritating anyone, just stating an oppinion.

Welcome to the site! I would consider at least some aeromods, they're not all visible and ugly,

True that just look at my custom grille blocks. Here's the one I did on my upper grille. It's clear plastic with clear tape.

[Big Dave]

The guys/gals with the most success pound away on three areas: driving, aerodynamics, and gearing.

If you are willing to trash your car, you might squeeze 1-2 MPG out of it, but don't kid yourself you can make the engine run any better than the factory engineers can.

Look at the folks who have the goods and imitate what they do.