Run regular unleaded gasoline Not super unleaded or gasoline blended with ethanol
lol, that would be nice .... all gas in CT has ethanol. pretty much every state over this way does too.
Run regular unleaded gasoline Not super unleaded or gasoline blended with ethanol
lol, that would be nice .... all gas in CT has ethanol. pretty much every state over this way does too.
blah blah blah, a bunch of wrong
My mileage with 87 is 18/25, mileage with 92 is 21/31. This was done with the pcm wiped before driving 3 tanks of fuel (1 city 2 highway).
The more power and torque you can make from a set volume of fuel, the better your mileage. Keep in mind that we aren't talking about more max power, but more low end. This is where the stock plenum helps as it smooths out air velocity into the throttle body. You also want a semi restrictive exhaust (read quiet) to keep your low to mid torque band. CAI is a good thing, just be careful about going overboard and hydrolock your motor from a rainstorm. The route I have been toying with is using piping from the bumper up to the stock airbox and plugging the fender hole. Low mounted filters are just asking for trouble.
FIND said:I would suggest the difference is more than likely your driving habits between those tests, 3 tanks arent really enough to get conclusive data anyways.
I've gotta disagree with the above. Coolant is circulated through throttle bodies to prevent icing on cold days.
By having hot incoming air, you are causing the engine to run LESS efficiently. The air is less dense so the computer puts in less fuel and runs less ignition timing. It may improve your mileage to a point. When the intake air is extremely hot, your PCM will dump in MORE fuel to prevent detonation. Also, because the engine isn't running at peak efficiency, you are increasing your emissions greatly.
Cold air lets your engine advance your timing to burn the fuel completely. Because of the advanced timing, you make more power.
Lower your pumping losses by having the throttle plate open an extra 0.005 degrees? I've gotta call bullcrap on that one too.
I also must disagree with your point about not running a higher grade of gas. I get better mileage in my Zetec Contour when NOT running 87 octane. Why? My engine detonates less so it runs more timing and runs more efficiently.
I must also see this study where LEDs have caused a MEASURABLE decrease in fuel economy. LEDs still do not have a high enough lumen/watt ratio to justify the cost over replacing a high-wattage incandescent lamp.
The bottom line is that if you want REALLY good fuel economy, sell your Contour and buy a Festiva.
BP
lol, that would be nice .... all gas in CT has ethanol. pretty much every state over this way does too.
Ok, if you say so. You are OBVIOUSLY the expert. Because I dont feel like getting into an argument today or turning this into a pissing match, I am not going to respond to each of the issues you raised. Instead I encourage you to do some more research, and visit some hypermiling forums.
I will tell you this, whatever LED study you are talking about..... yeah, total falsehoods. LEDs draw less power, which means less load on your battery, which means your alternator cycles on less, which means less parasitic loss on your drivetrain. No it is not much, but it all adds up. As far as LEDs not being bright enough to use...... Nearly every truck on the road uses LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs because of the energy savings and long life. My explorer has all LEDs. I could put an incandescent bulb on one of my blinkers and you wouldnt be able to tell the difference between the two except in comparing the amount of time the light takes to come on.
but yeah, I guess you are right. the few things I have done with my truck so far have only netted me 6 mpg over EPA estimates, and 10-12 over what the average owner experiences. I mean, yeah it would make much more sense just to get rid of a vehicle and replace it with an 81 honda or something like that. And it isnt like Ford built in a little thermostatically controlled flap in the intake on my explorer to switch between engine air and outside air for emissions purposes in cold weather or cold starting, AND it isnt like my 93 bonneville with a 3800 gets 30 mpg stock and circulates coolant through the throttle body to warm the intake air......
Actually, I got a better tip for you to get higher fuel mileage without having to buy a stripped down tiny econo-box. GO DIESEL.
once again, not going to fully respond to that, because it is full of old wives tales. I would suggest the difference is more than likely your driving habits between those tests, 3 tanks arent really enough to get conclusive data anyways. Plus, it really makes no sense, since your car doesnt know the difference between 87 and 92 octane, and your car is tuned from the factory to run 87 octane or possibly slightly lower octane fuel.
All I'm saying is try a couple tanks. You might see a difference you might not. I saw a decent difference.
Ok, if you say so. You are OBVIOUSLY the expert. Because I dont feel like getting into an argument today or turning this into a pissing match, I am not going to respond to each of the issues you raised. Instead I encourage you to do some more research, and visit some hypermiling forums.
1, just your comment about starting a pissing match will make it one.
2, i feel there is a HUGE difference in trying to get better gas mileage (which i think is what the OP is wanting) and drivning like a moron to achieve "hypermileage"
3, last i checked so long as the engine is running and the alternator turning it is on, they don't cycle on and off, it's not the A/C comp. and the alternator is what powers everything while the engine is running, not the battery, also putting LED's in isn't going to make a significant difference in mileage. it's not like people drive around all day with the turn signal on.
4, 30 mpg in your bonnie isn't unheard of, i know a number of bonnie owners that get similar mileage because they mantain the car, crap i used to get 33 mpg in my 92 sable with the 3.0 vulcan. which brings me to kenny
I'm pretty sure BP knows what he's talking about...........
I've gotta disagree with the above. Coolant is circulated through throttle bodies to prevent icing on cold days. Not for emissions. If hotter air really helped emissions, you'd see heat exchangers on cars to pre-heat the incoming air.
....
I must also see this study where LEDs have caused a MEASURABLE decrease in fuel economy. LEDs still do not have a high enough lumen/watt ratio to justify the cost over replacing a high-wattage incandescent lamp.
True. Wanna know the BEST MPG you can get? A bicycle. Well, neglecting extra time and sweat costs, that is.
Your math must be off. It would take less than half a year to pay off $100 bucks. That isn't long. Especially considering how much I drive.Keep in mind though, that with all of these suggestions, figure out how long the pay off period for each mod will be. Spending $100 on this or that will take so long to pay back you are better off just leaving it as is.
L00fa,
Maybe you should adjust your driving habits. :laugh: