The White Gnat (1999 Suzuki Swift 1.3L manual)

[LeZX2]

Wow, carson city to sacramento trip, now thats good testing
I wonder if i ever saw you, i was on the freeway east of sacramento at around noon

[wmjinman]

Probably not. I was trying to get to a meeting at 12, so at noon, I was pulling into a parking lot near El Camino & Watt. I was on my way back at about 1:30. Took US-50.

[wmjinman]

This is getting really exciting!!! I did very little of it at 55 MPH, but if it can get 55 mpg at all, maybe there is hope of getting it at 55 MPH!! I'm thrilled!!!

90 day average now 47.93 mpg - waiting for the second tank - at 30-something - to drop off.

[wmjinman]

Still getting better mileage - and range. Hit 57 MPG with the last tank, still have over 100 miles to go before the next fill-up. I have some "prototype" rear fender skirts on it made from coroplast, but they are very crude, and from the protruding edges, etc, I can't help but wonder if it's actually a net gain. HAH!! Guess I need to get busy and make a nice, contoured set.

I'm also expecting to reach the "end" of my mileage improvements soon if I don't take the "next step". Contemplating a kamm-back or boattail next - probably a kamm-back, because I don't think I have the ambition to do the tail light repositioning at the moment.

[MetroMPG]

Congrats on the first 55 and the mileage continuing to go up.

[wmjinman]

Imagine my thrill as this last fill-up got 58 MPG plus change! Between that and the older, worse fill-ups dropping off due to being more than 90 days ago, my 90 day average lept to 54.17, and the % over EPA shot up to 54.77%.

And it even gets better; my last three tanks (maybe 4) were all over 55 MPG if memory serves, therefore, if nothing causes it to suddenly start getting bad, I'm going to hit 55 MPG average from just the older tanks dropping off. I think I've still got one or two in the high 40's diluting-down my average.

I love my 'gnat! - even though no one else I know does!!

[wmjinman]

OK, getting excited! (well, I guess my last post(s) said I was getting excited, already - well, I'm STAYING excited!!) Last fill-up was 59+ MPG!! Then I proceeded to continue on a trip, mostly highway, and after getting over the initial accelerating out of the gas station & town before hitting the "open road", it climbed above 60 (yes, SIXTY!!!) and stayed there!! I'm 300 miles into the tank, and it's still showing 60+.

Trying not to be wasteful, I run my tires down to cords if I can, but I picked up a screw & had a flat. So I did the return trip (110 miles) on the "dougnut spare" & then bought a new tire & put on. (it was already 3/4 bald, just no cords showing yet!!) So we'll see if the new tire effects mileage, as reported on here elsewhere. Maybe that just means I'll have to try even harder.

You know, when I first started this project, I kinda thought the idea of a whole tank (especially including town driving) of 60 MPG was just a crazy wild dream. Now, I'm starting to wonder if I might just actually do it!!!

Many THANX to EcoModder for all the great ideas and feedback!!!

[nemo]

60 MPG, well done. Hope you are able to finish the tank at 60+.

[wmjinman]

Well, maybe not all THAT exciting, but I was reading the mother-in-law's "Smithsonian" magazine yesterday, and there was a short article on the "Predator" drone. Guess what? It was re-named "Predator", but originally called the "Gnat". Maybe my car's "nickname" can be "predator" - HAH!!!

[wmjinman]

Originally Posted by wmjinman

My goal: become another one of the Metros/Swifts to be registering in the 60+ mpg realm. DONE (at least, a couple of times) I want to start doing things that will make a difference, as I can. But my budget's about gone for awhile, so I need to start with the free/cheap stuff. This is my first attempt to "list" them, more-or-less in order:

1) Air up the tires to? 155-80/13 Can they handle 60, I wonder?
DONE - keeping them at 60
2) Front grille block with black duct tape - nicer one later
DONE - nice enough - maybe no need for a "nicer" one
3) Fuel injector kill switch for better EOC-ing
4) Hand throttle control, so I can drive long distances easier
5) Rear wheel/4-wheel alignment. Outsides of rear tires are wearing badly
DONE
6) Engine/oil pan heater. Not super-cheap, but it's winter & I want MPGs!
7) Rear fender skirts - cardboard first for A-B-A testing, then nicer - maybe
DONE - coroplast. not sure if they do anything, though
8) Full belly pan
9) Front & maybe rear wheel covers and/or fairings/spats
10) Kamm-back/partial boattail
11) At some point by about now, I'll need new tires - will try to find LRR
DONE - but not LRR. Couldn't find in 155-80/13
12) When the next oil change is due, go to Mobil-1, 0w20
DONE - sort of. Mobil-1, 0w30 all summer, but about to change oil again and already have the 0w20

Suggestions? Should I change the order of this list? Some things found to be "not really worth it" by other Metro/Swift owners?
Thanks

PS: In looking through the list, it looks like there are no FOUR cylinder Metros/Swifts in the top of the MPG ratings..... Looks like I've got my challenge - gotta change that!!!!

Well, I got as high as 14th place at one point. Currently back down to 20th, but I'm still happy to be on the first page of the "Top mpg gasoline cars"