New Kei car owner, wants better mpg.

[Honda100]

Funny you should mention it, my brother in law I found has a Suzuki Super Carry for his business, manual trans. I asked him how my mpgs he gets and his reply was (13 km/l) which translates to 30.5 mpg US. I guess it's just the country's fault then, because the only thing I know of here that can do any better while still being a "car" are the Kubota diesel swapped Kei trucks. They usually do 50-65 mpg, but I really don't want to drive around in a manual Kei truck all day,

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

Funny you should mention it, my brother in law I found has a Suzuki Super Carry for his business, manual trans. I asked him how my mpgs he gets and his reply was (13 km/l) which translates to 30.5 mpg US. I guess it's just the country's fault then, because the only thing I know of here that can do any better while still being a "car" are the Kubota diesel swapped Kei trucks. They usually do 50-65 mpg, but I really don't want to drive around in a manual Kei truck all day,

Kei trucks can also be available with automatic transmission, altough many still have a 3-speed slushbox, while few ones have an overdrive 4-speed. Anyway, in a front-engine (or mid-engine as some folks quote the Kei trucks) RWD there's still enough space to adapt some auxiliary overdrive unit if you wouldn't mind to mess with the driveshaft. Or could eventually re-purpose a transfer-case of a 4WD Kei-truck just to have lower ratios when needed to compensate for a taller differential ratio in a 2WD one converted with a Kubota. BTW have you never considered a Diesel conversion for the Atos?

[Honda100]

I guess I also forgot to mention that Kei trucks are $6k over here for a bare bones stripped model. My Atoz cost only $2,800 if that gives you an idea of the price gap. Kubotas are $8k.

I thought about it (diesel swap), but there are a few main problems that I've seen with swapping the Atoz, mainly it's space. Even the little petrol 800cc barely fits (this car is very annoying to repair), and then there's the issue of the transmission which has a cast in bellhousing. Of course it wouldn't be a problem if Hyundai had a same bell pattern diesel, but they don't, and I don't see an adapter being able to fit either.

It's alright, I'm not suffering with the fuel mileage, I only find it annoying. If I can break 30 mpg again I think I'll call it good and live with it. After all, the Ranger is pretty terrible as well.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

I thought about it (diesel swap), but there are a few main problems that I've seen with swapping the Atoz, mainly it's space. Even the little petrol 800cc barely fits (this car is very annoying to repair), and then there's the issue of the transmission which has a cast in bellhousing.

I wouldn't disconsider some 800cc 2cyl Diesel if it was easier to overcome the transmission issue. Yesterday I saw a Hyundai Atos in my hometown and started to lurk about a setup similar to those rear-engined autorickshaws from India. There are even some with Kubota single-cylinder 9hp engines (altough I'd rather get a twin-cylinder if I were messing with an Atos)...

Of course it wouldn't be a problem if Hyundai had a same bell pattern diesel, but they don't, and I don't see an adapter being able to fit either.

Hyundai even had some factory-fitted Diesel versions of the Atos, with a 1.1L CRDi 3-banger, but it was only available with manual transmission

[Honda100]

Completely different generation too so nothing really swaps over. This Atoz I have is a lot more similar to the Suzuki Alto than the newer one which I believe is bespoke to Hyundai. Also the 1.1 is a good deal larger than the 800 (this motor really is microscopic) because of the block size, cylinder head height and related accessories, so getting it to fit without would be a nightmare. Maybe I should save up some cash and pick up a diesel 1.1 Picanto. THey're 9 grand still over here but it would save money with fuel .

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Have you never considered to convert the Atos to LPG?

[Honda100]

I did, but then the only place to fit the LPG tank (thought about CNG as well, but there is no CNG here) would be where the back seats are. I would need to keep the petrol tank because there are very few safe LPG refill places here and the boot is too small, even for something like a 10 kg cylinder. Kei cars really are difficult to modify in all reality.

As I've mentioned before, I think I'm just going to get used to the low fuel mileage. It's also worth mentioning that most modifications done to cars here aren't very safe or professionally done, so in a way, I'd rather sacrifice the fuel economy for safety. There have been many LPG explosions on buses and countless other problems when cars get swapped by shops so, I'm happy knowing I have a factory designed car at least. As a small example, my brake master cylinder started leaking so I thought that a shop would at least be able to install that much correctly. Two days later the new unit leaked dry because they didn't tighten down two of the four fittings. Simple things like that scare me away from shops, hence I do ALL of my own wrenching now.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

It's also worth mentioning that most modifications done to cars here aren't very safe or professionally done, so in a way, I'd rather sacrifice the fuel economy for safety. There have been many LPG explosions on buses and countless other problems when cars get swapped by shops so, I'm happy knowing I have a factory designed car at least. As a small example, my brake master cylinder started leaking so I thought that a shop would at least be able to install that much correctly. Two days later the new unit leaked dry because they didn't tighten down two of the four fittings. Simple things like that scare me away from shops, hence I do ALL of my own wrenching now.

Seems like it's time to start saving for a Diesel-powered car
Meanwhile, ride a motorcycle as much as you can, and if you could get a real Japanese Kei car with a CVT don't miss the chance...

[Honda100]

Well, I think I'll have to start riding the bike a lot more anyway, just got in a wreck...

Atoz did pretty well (vs. a diesel truck running red light) but the front is kind of bashed in. Took it to a shop and they can't get it aligned very well because of how much the unibody was twisted. Been financially compensated already but now I need a new vehicle. Well that was short lived.

I'll update when I get something better!

[MetroMPG]

Well, that's a bummer. Sounds like you're OK though... best part.

Get a manual shift car next time!