Weight reduction
Introduction
As auto manufacturers focus on efficiency, one of the first things they will do to save fuel is reduce vehicle mass. EG. Nissan, Toyota, Ford and Mazda have publicly announced plans to shed weight from their lineups.
The EPA estimates that an extra 100 lbs can mean a 1-2% increase in fuel consumption, with smaller vehicles affected more than larger ones.
Weight reduction can be mild or wild, free or expensive, depending on how far you take it: from simply ensuring you don't carry around unneeded junk in the trunk; to replacing the spare tire with an aerosol can of tire sealant and a roadside assistance plan; to removing unused seats and interior panels; to spending money on lightweight rims/panels; to replacing glass with lexan; to driving only with the fuel tank partially full.
Don't forget that the driver's weight is a factor too! If you're looking for another reason to drop those extra pounds, think of your fuel economy.
Auto makers achieve larger benefits when reducing weight as they are able to reduce the engine size and give the same acceleration due to the lower car weight.
Removing what is not needed is the most cost effective way to remove weight. Upgrading to lighter parts can start out cheap but get expensive to where it costs between $10-$30 per pound. The problem is those dollars spent versus fuel saved cant really ever offer any kind of ROI.
Contents
Instructions for mod
Remove any of the following
- Anything being carried in the car that isn't required
- Carpeting / asthetic parts in the boot
- Carpeting / asthetic parts in the cabin
- Air conditioning parts, compressor, radiator
- Remove side mirrors
- Remove power steering pump
- Remove spare tyre, replace with wheel repair device
- Smaller lighter battery (Note: larger battery may be required for some hypermiling techniques or other mods)
- Remove of unused seats
- Remove radio speakers (only need 1 not 4 to hear the radio)
- Change glass to light weight lexan, windshields or car head lights
Upgrades:
- Light weight wheels
- Swap your cast iron engine or cylinder heads for the aluminum version if possible
- Install light weight aluminum or high dollar carbon fiber drive shafts (RWD and 4x4s)
- Convert from a lead acid starting battery to a lithium (LiFePO4) unit that weighs 1 to 2 kg.
User experiences
Please enter your user name and any relevant data in the table
| User Name | Car Make, Model, Year | Cost of Mod | Time to Perform Mod | MPG Before Mod | MPG After Mod | MPG improvement guess | Instruction Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saand | Theoretical calculations For 50kg weight reduction each acceleration from 0 to 60km/h uses 1.27 ml or 0.00034 gal less fuel Using this info, if you typically do this acceleration change (0 to 60kph) 30 times for every 100km distance that will use 38ml every 100km If you are achieving 6 liters per 100km that gives a 0.636% efficiency advantage |
For calculations see Theoretical influence of weight | |||||
| Oil Pan 4 | Large heavy vehicles around 6000lb | What ever the cost per 100lb | This should be your MPGs gain for highway driving | 0.1MPG per 100lb | http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/online-tool-shows-aerodynamic-drag-rolling-resistance-power-6341.html |
Problems / Consequences of mod
References
Forum thread links
Nissan and Toyota's New Year's resolutions: LOSE WEIGHT
How I lightened up my Geo Metro by 70 lbs
External links
Comprehensive weight reduction list
Weight reduction effects on cars and trucks on the highway and in the city
