newby whats mpg improvement

[Hacksaw]

I drive as if my accelerator cable is frayed, broken and about to snap...

Imagine:
"Too much pressure and that last strand of wire is gonna let go...Gotta make it home...Don't wanna be stranded..."

That's how I roll, mentally...

Hacksaw

[trikkonceptz]

If your average speed is 70mph, then the difference between 70 and 60 in that rolling rounded brick will be enough to push you way over the 30mpg mark. I too drive 100 per day all highway and it took me a couple of months to mentally slow myself down to where I drive 55mph on the highway in the right lane. My commute time extended about 15minutes in each direction, but that was nothing a good Ipod couldn't fix. Log wise I went from 7 tanks a month to 5 tanks and reducing. I basically have dropped 20 gallons a month from my budget. It's worth the extra time.

[azraelswrd]

Wow, that's a lot of hwy miles. I concur with the general theme that changing your driving style/habits will translate into the most immediate MPG improvements. Scangauge (or some form of instant MPG feedback) can help.

My sig has the 5 basic areas you can look into to improve upon:

DRIVING STYLE
- what everyone has already said. Make sure to read the 100+ tips on the upper right corner of the page.
- know your car and what it is capable of (automatic vs manual transmission, is it flat-towable, understand your shift points, optimal speed and rpm)

AERODYNAMICS
- smooth out the air your car has to move through with grill blocks, removing drag-producing objects and surfaces such as roof racks, covering over "unsmooth" features, belly pan, front/rear wheel skirts, smooth hubcaps, front/side/rear wheel fairings, antenna removal, passenger side mirror removal, kammback/boattail

TIRES
- increasing tire pressure up to but not more than the max sidewall rating on the tire. I have my tires up to 40psi.
- switching from stock tires to low rolling resistance tires

WEIGHT
- reduce excess mass in and on the car.
- replacing heavier stock parts for lighter replacements

ENGINE
- make sure it is properly maintained as per manufacturer recommendations from oil, oil filter, fluids, tire rotation/alignment, batteries, spark plugs.

[Greenblazer]

Welcome!!!

Later,

Allan Greenblazer

[zx3zetec]

Welcome!
I'm finding the challenge of hypermiling quite enjoyable, and I think you will too!
Slowing down yeilded the best improvements on the highway for me.
Don't forget the basics like a fresh air filter etc!
Looking forward to seeing your fuel log as you progress

[big mcgow]

Wow thanks for the replies. I'm getting milage up to 30 mpg last week thanks to all the info from this site. The biggest factor for me has been slowing down and setting myself behind a semi when I am facing a head wind. This stuff is addicting and has become a competive outlet during my commute.

Dennis

[rshane]

Agreed - driving style is important. Also, get a scan gauge. It's easier to measure what you're doing right and wrong with instant feedback. I added a cold air intake and K&N filter to my 2004 Element with a 2 mpg improvement. It did also fill in the gap in the power curve. As long as you stay off the gas, mileage will go up.

Enjoy!

[Mustang Dave]

Originally Posted by whitevette

5) Place an imaginary raw egg between your right foot and the gas pedal...and don't crush it!

Better yet, place an imaginary rotten egg between your right foot and the brake pedal. How you accelerate is not as important as what you do after you accelerate. Your brakes turn gasoline into heat and brake dust.
Just sayin'.

[mazdaratti]

i like those MPG numbers your getting, I want to lower my 03 std.trans ELEMENT DX.... could you tell us what you did to lower your "truck"...and about what it cost to have it done. Thanks Ed...

[roosterk0031]

Originally Posted by Mustang Dave

Better yet, place an imaginary rotten egg between your right foot and the brake pedal. How you accelerate is not as important as what you do after you accelerate. Your brakes turn gasoline into heat and brake dust.
Just sayin'.

I agree, brisk accelerations isn't always bad, I think generally better than slow drawn out accelerating (atleast with my 3 auto cars), brakes always bad.

Learn how far you can coast into stops so you don't have to use the brakes until about 20 mph, at 20 mph I'm under 30 mpg so coasting any slower uses more fuel than driving fast. So I hold speed a little longer next time I come to that stop.

OP hasn't been here since 12/08, I thought it was funny he lowered it 3', that's quite a chop job.