domestic mid-size new guy

[gutcheck]

Hi all from Dallas.
I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid (in the garage - I am on the ball). I've been lurking for about 2 months. Before I found this site, I was getting consistently 21-22 mpg, mostly city (suburban) driving. In the past 2 months, I've aired my tires up to about 38 psi all around, and adjusted my driving style somewhat. I've gotten 24+ mpg on each of my last 6 tanks, and topped 25 yesterday
This is calculated the old fashioned way - reset trip odometer at fill up, and divide by total # of gallons purchased - I always fill up at same station, usually the same pump. Maybe I'll get a scan gauge soon.
I have 5 kids, so I need every bit of room this car has. If we all go somewhere, we take the wife's expedition.
I love reading about the aerodynamic mods ya'll do. This seems like the funnest part of eco-modding. But it really seems like the biggest gains are found in the "mundane" areas - slowing down, filling up tires, proper maintenance - boooooring.
Looking forward to the learning, and the saving.

[AndrewJ]

Welcome to the boards!

Have you switched over to synthetic motor oil yet? It'd probably be a good idea as the 2.7L V6 has oil sludge issues. At the same time, you could put in some real low-viscosity oil.

Anyway, on the aerodynamics front you're car is pretty good, but there's always plenty of room for improvement

There are a few mods that would be fairly easy, low (visual) impact, and cheap, like wheel spoilers, grille-block, belly-pan, that kind of thing.

[gutcheck]

Thanks AndrewJ.
Definitely yes on synthetic. I've read a lot about the sludge issues. I've always run 10w-30, should I go thinner?
About aero - the aero threads are definitely the most fun. Since every car is different, I would really need to experiment for myself. I love this idea, I just think that since most of my driving is in the city, the gains would be minimal.

[SVOboy]

Welcome to the site! Do you have a mileage goal?

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by gutcheck

I just think that since most of my driving is in the city, the gains would be minimal.

Scangauge!

Technique is the way to go for city driving, and a scangauge will help. A lot.

[gutcheck]

Since most of my driving is city, I'm shooting for 30. I agree, I def need a scangauge.

I set up a nifty little spreadsheet in excel, showing how much $ and gas I save over epa. Just for the last 2 fillups, I'm up $17.28
Methinks I'll need this to convince the wife I need the scangauge.

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by gutcheck

Methinks I'll need this to convince the wife I need the scangauge.

I don't think that'll be too hard.

If you're able to hit 30mpg using a scangauge (totally feasible, BTW) then you'll be saving a lot of money.

So lets say you drive about 1050 miles per month (reasonable according to your fuel log)

At the EPA rated 21mpg, you're using 50 gal/month. At the current Texas average of $3.11/Gal you're spending $155.50 every month on gasoline.

If you continue you're current level of driving, with no scangauge, at 25mpg, you'll be spending $130.62 every month.

If you get a scangauge, and (conservatively) are able to achieve 30mpg, then you'll be spending only $108.85 per month on gasoline.

That scangauge isn't looking too expensive now is it?
Versus the EPA rating the SG will pay for itself in 3.5 months.
Versus hypermiling without a SG, the payback period is 7.3 months.