Started Hypermiling

[brucey]

It's fun to say the least. I made a 230 mile trip through on I-79 through WV and tried some technics found on this site. I averaged around 65 mph the entire trip, and made 2 stops. On large hills I would give the car just enough gas to make it up it at 55 (70 mph speed limit) and going down I would put it in neutral and the car would usually get up to 80 before I'd slow it down with the brakes.

33 MPG average over 230 miles. 25 mpg EPA. I'm confident I can break 35 mpg at this point, so I might try for 40. No mods done to the car either, the CEL came out for the 0420 code (catalytic converter crap) so I dont know if thats effecting mileage or not.

Still not bad for a wagon filled to the brim with tools and cargo, an auto trans, perm awd, 2 tons, and a foot off the ground.



I plan to start doing a few aero mods whenever I get back home, starting with either some nice 3/8ths skid plates or fender skirts. I'm not sure how good the MPG will be while I'm here, as I have to drag some oaks around the farm. Yeah, we don't own a truck.

[SVOboy]

Nice job! Think you'll be able to keep it up, ?

[cbergeron]

Do you have to have those tools for work? If not, you'll probably notice a gain by taking them out.

[bhazard]

Why use your brakes going down hill? Just put it back in gear if you really have to slow down. Brakes just waste energy. Engine braking cuts fuel.

[brucey]

Yeah, I was thinking what was better as far as mileage goes, brakes or engine braking. I'll try engine braking on the return trip.

Cbergeron: It probably would help, but I'm a boy scout and hate being caught off guard. Everytime I haven't packed something in the car I've wished I had it, and all of the extra stuff is probably only weighing 200 lbs tops.

My personal best tank was 34 mpg, and that was on the way to Detroit following a box van doing 80 mph, so 33 mpg on my own is a good start. So for now the short term goal is 35, and long term is 40.

[brucey]

How much do you guys think waxing the car actually helps aero, compared to just letting dust settle on it??

Taking that one step further, how much do you guys think covering the bottom half of the car in bed liner hurts...

Before:



After:



If I had to call the texture, I'd say its about equal to 220 grit sandpaper.

At least this way it will be easier to hide the skirts Just the entire bottom half of the car will be black.

[LostCause]

The CAFE foundation found ~1% increase in aircraft speed through waxing. Your guess is as good as mine in translating that to vehicle drag, but I would suspect a 0.05-0.2% decrease in drag depending on the initial surface roughness.

The bed liner material will create more drag, but I doubt it would be measurable. If you wanted, the sand paper texture could probably be smoothed with a layer of wax.

- LostCause