Rochester ecodriver, currently biking it - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

NateSchiffer · 07-18-2011, 11:31 PM

Hi all, long time lurker first time poster.

I'm a student in Rochester NY who is fortunate enough to be able to bike everywhere. Last year I got rid of my car (1996 Geo Metro 3cyl), but I'm currently the occasional driver of my room-mate's 4spd Toyota Tercel (a 1995 with OBD2!) Unfortunately I don't have mileage numbers, because my room-mate keeps putting gas in without logging it.

I'm a programmer with big interest in HCI and how it can be applied to conservation (see this instructive example, for instance: inhabitat.com/the-energy-orb-monitor-your-electricity-bill/). If you want a lively discussion, ask me why L/100 km is better than mpg, or how speedometers are broken.

Current mods to the Tercel are moderate: tires pressed to max sidewall, cleaned about 100 lbs of junk out of it. On the next change it's getting an energy conserving oil. No grill block, since it's pretty hot right now. Also, the right side-view mirror comes pre-deleted!

pjbgravely · 07-19-2011, 08:38 PM

Welcome. Depending on the vehicle, the grill block may make it run cooler. Try to make one that can be removed for testing.

Paul

PS, no I don't want to discuss why metric is better or worse.

SentraSE-R · 07-20-2011, 12:40 PM

Welcome, Nate. I bicycled to work ~10 years of my working career. That's admirable, not owning a car.

Paul, it's not about the metric system. It's fuel used for distance traveled v. distance traveled for fuel used.

NateSchiffer · 07-20-2011, 06:59 PM

Thanks, Paul. I admit I'm not sure how that would work, but I'll look into it.

And Darrell, thank you for the warm welcome. Did your workplace have shower facilities (lucky :P), or did you find a different solution?

SentraSE-R · 07-20-2011, 07:22 PM

Nate, it was a one-man office, and a 6.5 mile commute each way, in cool Alaska conditions, for the first six Summers. I rode the bus in the Winter. Once I learned sweat doesn't stink (bacteria do), I biked to vanpools in the Bay Area (again, 6.5 miles each way) year-round for 4 years. No shower facilities. At least I didn't have your humidity to deal with.