Improving fuel economy of bigger and smaller vehicles

[Robbie260]

Alright guys and girls. I'm sure all of us that own a car are starting to feel the pinch more and more when we visit the pumps.

After some ideas to make the fuel go a bit further. In a 1.9 ton Isuzu pickup this is no easy task.

Of course there is the usual:
1. ditch the excess weigh
2. Change for a smother driving style
3. Tyre pressures correct, maybe slightly over inflated.
Etc etc

Been looking at a throttle controller which modifies the responsive Ness of the cars throttle making it more or less responsive. If it were an older style engine I'd look at running it on veg oil diesel mix but I know modern fuel system components can get rater iffy with it.

 

[Bullet2012]

Get a pushbike !

 

[Robbie260]

Get a pushbike !

Have one, Kyle Lochalsh is a bit far for even me to cycle too.

 

[angellonewolf]

drive slower excelerate slower the rest buy a smaller better running car

while getting a smaller car will prob cost you a packet changing to the smaller car with better fuel etc unless you do meny miles you would have to wait a couple years be fore you made money back

 

[Spuddevans]

Dont run your rear-window demister for any longer than needed (in fact, turn it off when it's 75% cleared, the residual heat should clear the rest) - easy 5-8 MPG diff'
If you have a roof rack on, keep it off when it's not in use, even the so-called aerodynamic ones will still suck the MPG's

 

[Robbie260]

drive slower excelerate slower the rest buy a smaller better running car

while getting a smaller car will prob cost you a packet changing to the smaller car with better fuel etc unless you do meny miles you would have to wait a couple years be fore you made money back

Not really thinking of changing, although I will fully admit I don't have any real justification for the truck I do enjoy it and like it too much.

 

[Bornfree]

Try to never use the brakes

 

[Robbie260]

Try to never use the brakes

Already do that where at all possible, engine breaking and lift off throttle early.

 

[angellonewolf]

Not really thinking of changing, although I will fully admit I don't have any real justification for the truck I do enjoy it and like it too much.

i was saying as much dont worry about the fuel unless you do loads of miles why worry



my car does 40 to the gallon buy a car that does 55 to the gallon 15 more miles but the cast of new car is £7000 how meny years does it cost to make the £7000 back better just keep your old one

 

[sako243]

drive slower excelerate slower

Driving slower makes a massive difference on a 4x4. Got bored / curious one evening and went through the calculations for power required to move a Defender (basically a brick) through the air. The extra power required from 55mph to 70mph was collosal (for reference it's a quartic relationship).

I've found that in my Range Rovers (big twin turbo 4.4l V8 diesels) that actually accelerating quickly up to speed and then cruising smoothly offers the best economy in a real world scenario. It also means the engine actually gets a bit of a workout which since cruising at 60-70mph it's only doing 1200rpm or so.

 

[badabec]

Hypermiling is the name of the game. You can get carried away with this malarkey, then come home to find the heating on and the windows open because SWMBO is having a hot flush. Or cooking too much food and throwing some away.

Now I'm pushing 70, I drive faster, I haven't got time to waste.

Hypermiling Techniques - Hypermiler.co.uk

Hypermiling Techniques - Hypermiler.co.uk

www.hypermiler.co.uk

 

[Domdom]

I found the mild remap on mine gave 15% better economy. 2.0 diesel Skoda Superb. Was 170 bhp, now allegedly 205 and a corresponding increase in torque. 300 quid for the remap. Also went down a tyre size to get more sidewall, mostly for comfort reasons but being narrower they have less rolling resistance. And in a pickup the choice of tyre can make a massive difference. Unless it does actually leave the tarmac stick to a full road pattern. Off road tyres are stupidly inefficient in terms of rolling resistance.
All done out of curiosity really, i.e. how good can I make the old barge. Pretty good is the answer, comfortable and averages 55mpg.

 

[a111r]

If it were an older style engine I'd look at running it on veg oil diesel mix but I know modern fuel system components can get rater iffy with it.

Has it got a DPF?
If not, well then you can get a new, messy, fairly dangerous, time consuming, welding-related hobby and make a biodiesel processor.

 

[voipio]

Dont run your rear-window demister for any longer than needed (in fact, turn it off when it's 75% cleared, the residual heat should clear the rest) - easy 5-8 MPG diff'
If you have a roof rack on, keep it off when it's not in use, even the so-called aerodynamic ones will still suck the MPG's

If the rear demister really makes that much difference, then headlights would, too, since the current draw isn't that much different, so turn those off, and the DRLs too, keep the radio off, and don't charge the phone off the car accessory socket. Don't use aircon, either! Take the roof rack off, and drive everywhere at 30mph. Only make journeys if there is a following wind.

 

[JEZGUZ]

When I had my Chevy Blazer (4.3 V6) it would do 25 on a run and 12ish around town. Booting it down the motorway you could watch the fuel gauge slide towards empty at an alarming rate.

 

[indy4x]

I've found that in my Range Rovers (big twin turbo 4.4l V8 diesels) that actually accelerating quickly up to speed and then cruising smoothly offers the best economy in a real world scenario. It also means the engine actually gets a bit of a workout which since cruising at 60-70mph it's only doing 1200rpm or so.

Been there, came to the same conclusion

Driving style has lots to do with it, wife always complains I drive too fast, brake too late and corner to fast on both bends and roundabouts but I get over 5mpg more out of her car than she does

And just for clarification I don't drive too fast, I'm just making progress

 

[Edward Teach]

Always coast in neutral/tickover, when traveling on any downhill

 

[mike 109444]

Ware soft sole shoes. You would be suprised how much you can "feel" through the pedals of what the engine is doing AND how much you can lift your foot up on the accelerator with out the speed dropping (lead footed!)

 

[mike 109444]

Think mith busters did a test on two identical pick ups. Same amount of fuel round a track to see if tail gate down or up used more fuel. can't remember the out come though .

 

[jsf55]

Think mith busters did a test on two identical pick ups. Same amount of fuel round a track to see if tail gate down or up used more fuel. can't remember the out come though .

Many of the drag racers drop the tailgate when racing so there must be something in it !