Hello, and thanks for being there!

[sam]

Hi, I'm new to the site. Saw a short mention of it on the ViroPOP podcast. I am trying to drive slower, and do my bit for the environment (and my pocketbook, and national security, etc., etc.) I am just really glad to have finally found this place online.

We have a 2001 VW bug with the 1.9L TDI diesel engine, 5 speed manual. It gets about 45 mpg on the hwy going 75-80 mph. We bought it used on Earth Day, 2002, to try to save some oil for my daughter's generation. I am going to do a test next week to see how much better I can do going SLOWER on a hwy trip. I get about 40 mpg around town.

We also have a 2004 Honda Element with the 4 cyl gas engine, auto trans. It gets about 20 mpg around town, about 25 on the hwy going 70-75 mph. When we shopped around for the Honda, we tried two other 4 cyl. SUVs out there (Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra) and liked the Element best. I don't think you can even get an Xterra with a 4 cyl. any more.

I'd really like to do anything economically reasonable I can find to make the Element get better mileage. I know, I know, it looks like a toaster on wheels--probably one of the least aerodynamic vehicles on the planet. Some people call them "the packing crate for the CR-V." But, I wonder if anyone makes a pan for underneath to make the bottom less chunky--or smaller mirrors, or even an air dam.... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will pump the tires up to 50 psi or whatever the max. is.

On ViroPOP they showed how some guy put a nose and tail cone on an old Civic and got 90 mpg or something like that... Is that for real?

[SVOboy]

That was a pretty neat video, I'll post it here for anyone who wants to see it: http://www.viropop.com/episode/ZPR_20080116

Anyway, welcome to the site! It's sounds like you're doing pretty good, but there's always room for improvement.

Firstly, your cars are new, so go get yourself one of these:
Scangauge

Are you interested in doing any aeromods? Yes, basjoos's car is the real deal, you will find it on the site in the aerodynamics section,

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

That was a pretty neat video, I'll post it here for anyone who wants to see it: http://www.viropop.com/episode/ZPR_20080116

Some pretty good pub for the site.

To bad about Basjoos not getting any girls with his car. LOL

[sam]

Thanks, I'll get one of those scan gauges to keep better track of my mpg.
I am interested in improving the aerodynamics of my toaster (Element), but I just can't see putting a nosecone and tailcone on it ;-) The other matter is that my wife will not allow me to start duct-taping or pop-riveting a bunch of plastic stuff like basjoos did on his ride--that just won't fly. Not to mention, I doubt if it would pass the annual Pennsylvania safety inspection. Does anyone make aerodynamic replacement parts that look professional, or is it all custom body work at this point?

And yeah, ViroPOP is a nice podcast to subscribe to--good, quick environmental news you don't see elsewhere.

[SVOboy]

It's pretty much DIY at this point. Mehbe one day the movement will grow (and it seems to be starting to), but for now it's all DIY. You can still make it look good though.

PS: If you use the link above you'll be supporting EM,