One mod netted me over 25% mpg increase!

[gtOmologato]

First of all, this was completely unscientific, was only 1/4 tank, the engine/trans were already fully warmed up at the beginning of the run, I was running the torque (pro) app, which had not been fine tuned to the car (just basic set up) and it was my wife's car.

When we take trips, we always (always) get 32 mpg, which is exactly what the epa rates her car at for highway, 22/26/32, 2010 Camry 4cyl, 6AT.


So, for my mod...I kicked my shoes off and was in no rush to get home from vacation.


I drove from southern Indiana to northern Indiana on hilly, 2 lane roads. I focused on DWL, timing traffic, and in-gear coasting up to lights and into little towns. My speed ranged from 50-60mph on the open road, down to 45mph on some of the bigger hills, and slower in towns. We had 2 miles of gravel roads and a little stopping for road construction (never shut off). Acceleration was light and under 2000rpm, I was amazed how easily I could hit 90+% load in her car at low rpm's, this transmission loves to up-shift and hold gears!.
I ran the A/C when coasting and when pointed downhill...and when the wife got too warm. It was 86 degrees today, but the tint helps a lot. The car is bone stock, including tire pressures.


So, my convoluted, unscientific results were....40.12mpg, a gain of 25.375%!!!
I feel like an ecomodder! I never thought I could break 40mpg in this car, especially with the AT and the hills on this trip. I know it isn't entirely accurate, but it motivates me to spend more time on the nut behind the wheel before I start obsessing about other mods!


The torque app said I was at 41.2mpg for this run, which was really close for just doing the basic set up. I am switching to the SGII, but had just wired it into the Civic, and don't have a second cable yet. Wal-mart has the cables for $11, so I'll probably get one (or two) there.
I am abandoning the torque app for daily use because it requires restarting the app every time the car is started in order to see all of the sensors. Sometimes my mpg average is 5-10mpg, sometimes it is 50+mpg, it is a little picky about resetting trips logs when yo are moving. If you have the time to spend to make it work it is a great tool. If you don't have the time to spend, it still gives you temps, and instant mpg after you restart the app.


Thanks everybody for contributing to this site. I have learned so much from so many of you. Long live the search bar!

[cowmeat]

That's definitely the mod that will net you the quickest, most eye-opening results - nice job!

[Ecky]

Nice job!

I find that in my car, slowing down and taking my time has more effect than the accumulation of every other mod I've done.

[elhigh]

As always, adjusting the nut behind the wheel has the biggest results, especially on a per-cost basis.

[gtOmologato]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.
I am still planning on doing a few small mods, but I am slowly changing my opinion of mods because of the per-cost basis and practicality compared to driving habits.
Now I just need to figure out how to get my civic to upshift earlier, I just can't seem to get it into 2nd at anything under 2,500rpm.

[ecocruze]

You have torque app so you can watch your engine load easily. I do this on my Ex and watch The load to keep it in optimal load for efficiency during acceleration. But that goes with your BSFC as well for optimal load. Not positive on mine but most NA v6 are relatively similar if you look in the same performance range. Just my tidbit. Driving my Cruze I made 20-25% gain in Fe as well just driving better.

[MetroMPG]

Congrats!

It's the "shoe delete" mod.

(I was totally expecting this to be a thread I was going to have to move to the Unicorn Corral.)

t it motivates me to spend more time on the nut behind the wheel before I start obsessing about other mods!

There are definitely some quick 'n' easy mods I would do, unless you're specifically trying to see how much improvement you can get from driving techniques alone.

EG: tire pressure, to start.

[MetroMPG]

PS: I've kept stats on the results I've seen in coaching people to use basic ecodriving techniques in 100% sub/urban driving. On average, just the basics are worth a 12% improvement in MPG.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ion-23772.html

I'm not surprised you're seeing 25% using more techniques & dedication.

[gtOmologato]

Thanks MetroMPG,
My title was a bit provocative

I was planning on seeing what I could do with driving technique alone, but realistically, I don't have time for the testing I would like to do for my mods, so I think I will just start modding (the civic, not the wife's car).
I am planning on starting with tire pressure, passenger wiper delete, removing the power steering belt, then doing an upper grill block. As soon as I sell my other car, I will start parking in the driveway and using the block heater on a timer.
If you have any other quick and easy mods in mind, I'm all ears.

I haven't filled up the civic since I installed the SG but, uncalibrated, it showed an average of 42mpg for the drive home today into a slight head wind and I didn't hold traffic up (except when coasting down to stop signs )

I have read a lot on here, including your coaching thread. I was looking for ecomodders and events in the Ft Wayne, Indiana area, I couldn't find anything, but I'll keep an eye out. I would love to drive with someone who has more experience ecodriving!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by gtOmologato

I have read a lot on here, including your coaching thread. I was looking for ecomodders and events in the Ft Wayne, Indiana area, I couldn't find anything, but I'll keep an eye out. I would love to drive with someone who has more experience ecodriving!

Might be worth posting a new thread to see.

I really enjoy coaching people who want to ecodrive. Maybe there's someone on the forum in your area who'd like to.