Who are you more? (Ecomodder or hypermiler?)

[AndrzejM]

There are two threads that are just amazing

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...r-if-3188.html

and

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...hen-19204.html

So I have a question to you, who are you more a hypermiller or ecomodder?

As I understand those terms hypermilles is more focussed on adjustint the nut behind the wheel, and ecomodder is doing so many strange things just to get better mpg at the same cruising speed.

I know most of us are both HM and EM, but if you have to choose which way is closer to your heart what would you say?

Waiting for your votes and comments.

[PaleMelanesian]

Hypermiler. Part of it is that it's easy. You just get in your same car and drive, just drive a little differently. The other part is a bit of pride. It's not the car that's showing the results, it's ME.

[larrybuck]

I'm ditto with PaleM!!!!!

[bestclimb]

more on the Hypermiler side of life. Mods mostly to make that easier. Mods are stuck to one car, hypermiling is portable.

[2000neon]

With my Neon I was more of a modder, with the VX I'm all hypermiler so far.

[slowmover]

I should like to do modifications to my truck as the purpose of it is fairly well fixed. (The use of it; as when we discuss climate, terrain truck spec and use for matters of comparison). Spending money to save money, and when it also relates to greater reliability or longevity of the vehicle as a whole or its components is on the list.

But that will wait until I'm ahead of the maintenance/repair curve . . those, after all, are directly related to FE in minor & major ways. Hurts the wallet, initially, to treat systems as a whole (versus component by component replacement within a system), but really pays off long term.

So I suppose that makes me a hypermiler as, in owning a 7,950-lb pickup, the best way to lowest fuel burn is to run a few longer trips to achieve the ends of many short trips. And to drive the remaining miles with as high a skill level as possible. The goal, here, being to establish a new set of habits around use, not just driving. Smarter driving backed by smarter ownership.

When one looks at the climate, terrain, truck spec under which I operate, a random "other" can also probably achieve 18-mpg around town with only a few changes. But taking it to 23-mpg to achieve the same ends is where this forum makes quite a difference (with several contribuotrs experience prominent to my ends).

The EM side will be in analyzing total time spent at steady state highway speeds (not accel or decel, etc) to see how some aero mods may help. The other items under consideration have to do with, first, reducing warm-up time; and second, keeping fluid op temps high and the higher likelihood of a rear axle gear change. But playing carefully as the rig will be at 17k-lbs or higher with trailer in tow. Terrain & climate rear their heads. Etc. And so forth. A thread or three to be borne of these.

This thread a fun idea. Not sure it is a valid distinction, but I know I have learned a great deal (morale boosting, let's call it) from the EM specific threads!!

.

[AndrzejM]

Don't get me wrong, I have legs on both sides, but I'm a DIY person with a strong need to solve various technical issues. So I'm ecomodding my car because it's a lot of fun and it has very positive impact on the environment and my budget (in a long run of course). I've adjusted the nut behind the wheel I would say drastically, and I'm hypermilling any car I have to drive, but regarding Berta I just want to prove to everybody that Beemer that is in common opinion (at least in Poland) a guzzler, can be fuel efficient.
My goals are clear, my budget is low so it'll take a while to reach the destination, but I'm focused and determined to get there.

[MetroMPG]

As slowmover suggests, I think the answer for most will depend on what type of driving is typically done (how the vehicle is typically used).

So I said both, for me. Mods permit me to hypermile at a higher average speed and still get great MPG.

Getting crazy high MPG numbers is challenging and fun, and I sometimes play the game. But since I predominantly use my car for highway driving, a low average speed isn't as practical.

I've always felt it's reasonable to "spend" a portion of the efficiency dividend gained through mods on a higher average speed - it's good to be able to go at the speed limit when there's traffic.

[UltArc]

I love the look of my car, so it is hard to do mods that hurt the way she looks...
I feel it is equal, but if I had to chose, I would lean slightly towards my mobile mod-brain power.

[Arragonis]

Both, although the "modder" bit is diluted by the "wife approval" factpr, and car insurance limits for mods here in the UK. Its cheaper to go with no mods which affect insurance than mods that do but save fuel for the mileage I do.