New to Ecomodding

[hooah212002]

Hey all. I just bought a new (used) 2007 Aveo LS Sedan and found this site in my perusal to attain the best mileage I can. I've never really watched my mpg's before because this is the newest vehicle I have ever owned.

One thing I do love about it is the cheap fill-ups. I used to put the cheap stuff in, but now with the smaller tank I am able to afford at least mid-grade and still fill up with less than $25.

I finally remembered to set my trip OD prior to this fill up and I am at 135 miles at just above 1/2 tank. My last fill up from empty was just shy of 10 gallons. Not sure what gives, but from full to 3/4, the needle is oh so slow. But from 3/4 to 1/2, it seems to fly down.

I've gotten in the habit (just this week after finding this site) of

1: coasting to a stop
2: turning off my engine instead of idling for periods of time
3: I don't let my car sit and warm up in the AM (this warm streak in WI helped on that)
4: I try my hardest to not go above 2-2.2k RPM's in town and drive in the highest gear possible.
5: I have been driving MUCH slower. But you know what? I get where I am going in the same amount of time. I've really tried to go 65 instead of 70 on the highway (80% of my 45 minute commute to work is highway)

Future additions:
1: Scangauge fa sho!
2: Bigger rims. 14 inch stock is toooo small.
3: performance tyres.
4: Nitrogen in said tyres.

[alohaspirit]

bigger rims and tires wont help your mpgs

(youre better off running lightweight 14" rims)


...and what exactly does mid-grade fuel do for your gas mileage?

[hooah212002]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

bigger rims and tires wont help your mpgs

(youre better off running lightweight 14" rims)

Hmm. I'd figured it would be better since the twheels have less rotations to cover the same distance.

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

...and what does the mid-grade fuel do for your gas mileage?

Not sure yet. I've only had the car for 2 weeks.

[alohaspirit]

honestly i think these are hurting his gas mileage not helping it

plus performance tires typically mean wider agressive tread (non RR)

read around the site bro, theres a wealth of info in here

[k.civic.f4i]

stick with your stock rims or buy a lightweight 14" set if you are really intent on buying rims. you'll at least keep your mph reading close to accurate. look for low rolling resistance(LRR) tires too. performance tires are a no-no here. it probably wouldn't help anyways.

i'm always dumbfounded when i see low displacement cars(civics and such) with performance parts because HONESTLY.... these cars weren't made to perform...in that sense. corvettes and vipers were.

welcome to ecomodders. hope you stick around and spread the knowledge you obtain here!!!!

[MadisonMPG]

Few things.

87 octane with that car. Keep stock tires/rims, unless you're going to upgrade to a lighter/better RR tire/rim combo. Block the grille. Scanguage is a good idea though.

[hooah212002]

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

87 octane with that car.

Why?

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by hooah212002

Why?

because thats whats recommended?

[hooah212002]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

because thats whats recommended?

What a misguided fool I am. Here I am, thinking "premium" means better.....A quick perusal of a few sites tells me the only thing "efficient" about premium (or mid-grade) fuel is that the oil companies are efficiently taking my money, faster.

Thanks for the heads-up (even if you weren't trying to). I tried to backup my reasoning with sound evidence, only to find out I am wrong.

For any lurkers reading this, here is a snip from the FTC:

Originally Posted by FTC.gov

the recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane. In fact, in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner's manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit.

Originally Posted by FTC.gov

In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that all octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against the build-up of harmful levels of engine deposits during the expected life of your car.

I would link my source, but I don't have enough posts yet. Smart thinking, admins.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by hooah212002

What a misguided fool I am. Here I am, thinking "premium" means better.....A quick perusal of a few sites tells me the only thing "efficient" about premium (or mid-grade) fuel is that the oil companies are efficiently taking my money, faster.

Thanks for the heads-up (even if you weren't trying to). I tried to backup my reasoning with sound evidence, only to find out I am wrong.

You are correct sir.



Im learning all the time too.

The tombstone will be my diploma.