MPG increasing with driving technique alone (no mods yet)... so happy!

[newhavenpatriot]

Hey all,

I just got over the 40 mpg hump with my (automatic) 2007 Yaris Hatchback! So happy! And that's without even trying any modifications, so I'm wondering what new heights I could reach if I made some minor adjustments... I can't wait until my average hits 40 mpg. Then I'll throw a party!

Anyway, I'm looking into getting snap-on moon hubcaps, as the roads are pretty nice up here in CT (in most places), so I'm not worried about them flying off. I'm also thinking about buying low rolling resistance tires, as my tires (and my car) just hit 40,000 miles, so I guess I should be due for new tires not too far down the road. I don't think I want to do anything major, as I may sell the car some day when I move into a city.

I do have a question regarding those LRR tires, though... Are they really that effective for the price? It looks like four tires would run me $320, according to tirerack.com, and I'd have to change from 14" to 15" tires, unless I wanted the "summer" LRR tires. And I can't buy summer tires, cause let's face it, this isn't Arizona. The winters in CT can range from mild to horrendous... we never know what we're gonna get in terms of snow, but we always get something. And why does my signature say "Hypermiler"? I'm hardly a hypermiler... I'm more of an ecodriver or something... I just drive the speed limit and watch my rate of acceleration so the engine doesn't rev too much, that's all.

[SVOboy]

The signature is just programmed to show that after 20% above EPA, though we could change it to allow a choice of base terms if we wanted...hm.

Anyway, there are LRRs that would fit your car in the stock tire size that are all season. Check out the Potenza RE92, for example. I run those and the difference was immediately noticeable, love them.

Congrats on the recent improvements

[Sulfuric]

ecodriver = hypermiler
If you're beating the EPA in your car by any significant amount, you're both.

[newhavenpatriot]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

The signature is just programmed to show that after 20% above EPA, though we could change it to allow a choice of base terms if we wanted...hm.

Anyway, there are LRRs that would fit your car in the stock tire size that are all season. Check out the Potenza RE92, for example. I run those and the difference was immediately noticeable, love them.

Congrats on the recent improvements

You already knew what stock tires I have and found LRR tires that will fit?? Damn, you're good! Is the reason you knew that because other people with Yarises frequent this site, or are you just a tire searching ninja?

[SVOboy]

I just happen to know what some of the more common wheel sizes/LRR tire sizes are since it comes up often. In this case I was fairly sure you had the same sort of wheel I currently have on the car so I figured my tires would work for you too.

[newhavenpatriot]

Are you sure those tires are good? On Tirerack, the Potenza RE92 has a bad "Would Buy Again" rating (2.4 out of 10) based on 1,960 survey responses. Also, the traction on snow/ice ratings look kinda crappy... 2.9 to 3.8 out of 10. I wonder if those are any better/worse than my stock tires...

[SVOboy]

I actually created a thread on the subject before I got some: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ghts-9517.html

Since having them they feel to have better traction than my old yokohamas and the mileage difference was pretty good. Many people dislike them since they were put on cars like the WRX when they're really more suited for economy cars.

[newhavenpatriot]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

The signature is just programmed to show that after 20% above EPA, though we could change it to allow a choice of base terms if we wanted...hm.

Anyway, there are LRRs that would fit your car in the stock tire size that are all season. Check out the Potenza RE92, for example. I run those and the difference was immediately noticeable, love them.

Congrats on the recent improvements

NEVER MIND, Potenza RE92s ARE the stock tires on my car!! LMAO! Didn't even look at what I had on there. I have P185/60R15 84T, 44 psi max, made in April '07. (Impressive since I bought the car in May '07... nice fresh tires!)

[newhavenpatriot]

Okay, so after doing research, I apparently don't have the "Honda Insight" Potenza RE92 tires that everyone raves about. But I did just go outside today and check my tire pressure (was at 30 psi).

So the recommended pressure on the plate inside my door jam says 32 psi, and the max sidewall pressure on my tires says 44. I inflated them all to 40 psi. I'll let you know if that boosts my mpg at all, though I am in the middle of a tank, so the mileage numbers will be lower than if I changed the pressure at the start of a fresh tank.

[user removed]

Top up the tank it will make a difference.

regards
Mech