How Fuel efficient is your car?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:47 am

The new hotsy totsy diesels can't be imported now due to diesel quality issues here.
Maybe you should wait for those?
Or a petrol equivalent?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:25 am

Coming to the USA

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:11 pm

If you look around, there are lots of used German diesels for sale that have blown the trans. Might be a good idea to look at the reports. Also, the Germans have gone to cellulose based insulation for their wiring,,, nothing but problems underhood.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:55 pm

The Prius has a big problem and Lotus is going to fix it; http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/08/lotus-makes-ele.html

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:44 am

I'm back in Montana after driving out from NY and got some of my best mileage drafting trucks in PA 45mpg! and that's going 70mph up and down PA's I80 hills- WOW!

And I did it by drafting the legal 6 1/2 to seven car lenghts behind!

It also helped that I was surrounded my 18 wheelers.

My worse results were in the infamous Western SD winds- it's always windy there. Though I didn't have a full frontal wind to buck, but a wind coming from the South SW which can be as bad. Here I got 34mph. Overall my little 97 Saturn SW2 averaged about 40mph.

Saturn doesn't make a car like that now even their hybred doesn't come close.

Strangely Gas prices were more expensive in NY, NJ and eastern PA at about $3.85 (where it should have been lower) and cheapest in the midwest at about $3.67 in Indiana and Ohio. That was about a week ago and should be about 10 cents lower by now.

S. dakota and Montana were the highest at $4.10 or more.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:35 pm

That's good mileage, Too bad you weren't filling the tank with water; http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NE ... 13/153276/

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:15 pm

If you look at the simulator I posted, crosswinds at certain angles are far worse than direct headwinds.
The effect is pronounced even with windspeeds too low to be noticed by a driver.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:20 pm

Look at the drag on the silver cockroach; http://www.speedace.info/sunraycer_general_motors.htm

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:54 pm

I think I found a good, cheap air dam material- swimming pool surround plastic.
If you look around, you might find it free.
The stuff I have isn't strong enough without some stiffening, but close.
I may use it as the sacrificial section at the bottom.
I need to attach something to hang the splitter on.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:19 pm

Jack Nicholson gets good mileage; http://www.flixxy.com/jack-nicholson-hydrogen-car.htm

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:47 pm

This electric car can reportedly go years between charges. I'll reserve comment; http://www.peswiki.com/index.php/Direct ... _Supercars

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:42 am

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:32 am

$4.50 a Gallon sez, I'll be Baaaaaccck!

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:46 pm

Progress; http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_ ... elid=LiTmz

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:55 am

My Ranger gets 19-21 mpg, I mostly drive highway and I don't drive balls on full throttle everywhere either.

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 12:38 pm

My Smart ForTwo gets about 35 to 42 depending on city/freeway and whether I use a/c or if I manual or auto shift.

JK

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:22 pm

jkisha wrote:My Smart ForTwo gets about 35 to 42 depending on city/freeway and whether I use a/c or if I manual or auto shift.

JK

OMG JK, you drive one of those little things?!!
I see them on the freeways round these parts and I just shudder. Of course I look at them from an EMS point of view and wonder just how hard it would be to remove from the patient after a crash. Notice I said from the patient and not from around the patient.

What safety features do they have? Especially from the side since there seems to be little room for intrusion.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:36 pm

Sail Man wrote:My Ranger gets 19-21 mpg, I mostly drive highway and I don't drive balls on full throttle everywhere either.

That's what my Ranger got before I moved from the central OR high desert(3800') to the Willamette Valley where I now get 17mpg.

What's the cause? Thinner air and less resistance at higher altitude? Is the Ranger tuned to a proving ground that is 4000' elevation? I don't know.

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:02 pm

Sail Man wrote:
jkisha wrote:My Smart ForTwo gets about 35 to 42 depending on city/freeway and whether I use a/c or if I manual or auto shift.

JK
OMG JK, you drive one of those little things?!!
I see them on the freeways round these parts and I just shudder. Of course I look at them from an EMS point of view and wonder just how hard it would be to remove from the patient after a crash. Notice I said from the patient and not from around the patient. What safety features do they have? Especially from the side since there seems to be little room for intrusion.

I LOVE that car and it's a lot safer than you might think: It has a tridion safety cell; airbags front and side, side impact protection engineering, ESP, ABS, CBC, BAS, ASC and ETC, HSA, tension adjusting seat belts and more. It was designed by Mercedes, don't forget.

Crash at 70 MPH (this is with the european version. There are a lot more safety features in the American Version.
[youtube][/youtube]

smart getting a workout
[youtube][/youtube]

smart vs Ferrari
[youtube][/youtube]

MONSTER smart
[youtube][/youtube]

JK

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:05 am

motskyroonmatick wrote:
Sail Man wrote:My Ranger gets 19-21 mpg, I mostly drive highway and I don't drive balls on full throttle everywhere either.
That's what my Ranger got before I moved from the central OR high desert(3800') to the Willamette Valley where I now get 17mpg.

What's the cause? Thinner air and less resistance at higher altitude? Is the Ranger tuned to a proving ground that is 4000' elevation? I don't know.

Did you buy it at high altitude?
It may have some settings for the altitude.
It's worth looking into.

It may be coincidence.
If your mileage is high enough, see if the mass air sensor has been replaced or at least cleaned.
Fords go into default easily if things are out of tune and mileage goes to hell.
So the change in location could be incidental, or your driving may have changed.
Shorter trips, more stop and go, less highway will all affect the mileage.
Also, was the change to alcohol contaminated gas made in your area?
That costs you mileage right there.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:05 am

I drive old Mercedes diesels.........one with a standard trans.
the biggest one, gets the best highway mileage. It weighs 4800 lbs, approx. and gets high 20's up to 31 on a recent trip to WA and back.......
the others get 25 or a little better, even in town.
they are good, cheap cars that last and last, safe, good for alternate fuels, no tune ups or smog stuff, and, parts and work are not nearly as expensive as many think, and, they don't need work very often.
Of course, all this info is subjective, I drive them kindly.........

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:38 pm

jkisha wrote:
Sail Man wrote:
jkisha wrote:My Smart ForTwo gets about 35 to 42 depending on city/freeway and whether I use a/c or if I manual or auto shift.

JK
OMG JK, you drive one of those little things?!!
I see them on the freeways round these parts and I just shudder. Of course I look at them from an EMS point of view and wonder just how hard it would be to remove from the patient after a crash. Notice I said from the patient and not from around the patient. What safety features do they have? Especially from the side since there seems to be little room for intrusion.
I LOVE that car and it's a lot safer than you might think: It has a tridion safety cell; airbags front and side, side impact protection engineering, ESP, ABS, CBC, BAS, ASC and ETC, HSA, tension adjusting seat belts and more. It was designed by Mercedes, don't forget.

Well, yeah...but does it have EIEIO?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:51 pm

ygmir wrote:I drive old Mercedes diesels.........one with a standard trans.
the biggest one, gets the best highway mileage. It weighs 4800 lbs, approx. and gets high 20's up to 31 on a recent trip to WA and back.......
the others get 25 or a little better, even in town.
they are good, cheap cars that last and last, safe, good for alternate fuels, no tune ups or smog stuff, and, parts and work are not nearly as expensive as many think, and, they don't need work very often.
Of course, all this info is subjective, I drive them kindly.........

Is it really 4800 lbs or is that gvw? ( maximum load rating?)

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:23 pm

Sail Man wrote:

Well, yeah...but does it have EIEIO?

Hell ya! I supply the EIEIO. YeeHaw!

JK

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:51 pm

gyre wrote:
ygmir wrote:I drive old Mercedes diesels.........one with a standard trans.
the biggest one, gets the best highway mileage. It weighs 4800 lbs, approx. and gets high 20's up to 31 on a recent trip to WA and back.......
the others get 25 or a little better, even in town.
they are good, cheap cars that last and last, safe, good for alternate fuels, no tune ups or smog stuff, and, parts and work are not nearly as expensive as many think, and, they don't need work very often.
Of course, all this info is subjective, I drive them kindly.........
Is it really 4800 lbs or is that gvw? ( maximum load rating?)

good call Gyre:

oops, typo.
curb weight is 3800
......so, about 4200 with me and stuff or passenger.....
dang fingers......

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:01 pm

Still impressive mileage if the acceleration is adequate.

It still drives me a little crazy that I can't get my volvo past 24 mpg when fully loaded in the hills.
On the other hand, the engine should be okay without internal work for another million miles or so, judging by everyone's experience.
If I can tweak compression and timing and fix the aero a little, I should get to 30 mpg.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:21 pm

is your car gas or diesel?
Volvos are really good cars.
How do you tweak the compression?
I could see timing. Once, I put a hand throttle,locking aircraft type, on the distributor of a Plymouth arrow I had, and, left the dist loose enough to spin. and, would adjust the timing according to a vacuum gauge I had on the dash, for elevation. also knowing you need to advance the timing, on that car anyway, about a degree or two for every 1K feet in elevation. it got high 30's, and, was rated for 32.

yes my 86 300sdl is the year and model.
the acceleration is good after about 15-20 mph, that's what it takes to get the turbo to spool up, but, even as big as it is, it'll get a little scratch in the 1-2 shift........if floored, of course......but still pretty good for a diesel.

It'll hold 90 mph (only 2 people in the car) up the east side of Donner Summit, on I-80 here, which goes from 5.5k (I think) to 7.2 K feet el. in just a few miles............I think it's close to an 8% grade. might be able to google that one.

I love the old MBZ diesels. but, that's just me, and, I'm in no hurry...............the little 4 cyl ones I have are very slow........and old.
but, I've been driving my 800 dollar 240D 4 speed for 4 years now, with no major problems........and, it still looks good..........if you call pea green "good"...........hahaha

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:53 pm

My volvo is gas, in this model the preferred engine.
The best way to raise compression is with the proper pistons, but you can always build up carbon on the heads.
The engine is 9.5 to 1 lowered from the european settings.
I'll probably change to a better cam too.

I recently found out that the ignition system I have is independent of the bosch fuel injection and identical to a chrysler, so cheaper to replace.
If I can satisfy one cue to the fuel injection, I can ditch the ignition and install my big jacobs system and add a manual advance setting on the dash.
This will also allow me to double the plug gap.

The ultimate tweak will be ditching the fuel injection control for a newer mappable one.
There are plenty available and some add ons for a few hundred now.

This is an option for all older cars now.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:11 pm

jkisha wrote:
Sail Man wrote:

Well, yeah...but does it have EIEIO?
Hell ya! I supply the EIEIO. YeeHaw!

JK

LMAO!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:06 am

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/03 ... neeri.html

60 Minutes alluded to this.

Lotus Engineering, in partnership with Eaton, is working on enabling advanced combustion control based on an electro-hydraulic valve system with full flexible control over valve timing, lift and velocity.

The fully variable valve timing system, known as Active Valve Train (AVT), will allow application of advanced engine control strategies such as HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) systems, mixed-mode implementation of HCCI and convention spark ignition (SI) or compression ignition (CI), fast start, variable firing order, differential cylinder loadingâ€”and ultimately, air hybridization, according to Lotus engineers.

AVT offers the ability to run different valve profiles (trapezoidal or triangular) and to open and close valves more than once per engine cycle. The valve system could support a pneumatic hybrid application in which air is pumped to a receiver during vehicle braking. The engine would then function as an air motor for launch, and have access to enhanced turbocharging capability.

How Fuel efficient is your car?

What is your gas mileage"