Fuel Misers

[mustang1]

A mechanic told me that that doesn't save fuel (forgot the logic) and it can be dangerous as you have less control.

If you are in gear but not using accelerator while going downhill then not using fuel but there is more drag. If gear is in neutral while going down hill, then using idling fuel but able to coast for longer (no drag in neutral).

 

[roadrash]

@User9609 that's according to mrs roadrash calculations and dashboard , unusual to both be around the same but it is

 

[Levo-Lon]

My Octavia is far more economical than the Panda (1.2petrol/5-speed manual)


It's a 1.6Tdi/5-speed (re-mapped)
Before/after figures shown
It's more tractable, quieter, slightly more economical
View attachment 391051

The present (Skoda) 2.0Tdi is rated at 150BHP, & 250Ib/ft, so it's not far off!


That said, I did see this 'average' figure, ona trip down the M1, to East Midlands Airport a couple of years ago (pre-mapping)
It was a 50-55MPH trip most of the way, with minimal acceleration
View attachment 391050


On sadder/scarier MPG figures
I used to have a 90CSW-V8
A genuine factory built V8, not a transplant
I once towed a twin-axle caravan to Cumbria with it, up the A65
Granted it was on LPG, so a slightly less calorific value than unleaded, but a refill-refill measurement came to 8MPG
View attachment 391055

A friend once had a 101FC, still with the (petrol) V8, & that used to see an average of 7-10MPG............... despite it being a lot lighter than a Range Rover
Granted, higher, bluffer fronted
It did sound glorious though
(my old 1969 2A Light-Weight)
View attachment 391056 View attachment 391057


Our old XKR could be persuaded to manage practically 30MPG, as I have done, driving it to Cardiff
On the other hand, in traffic, or playing 'silly buggers' has seen 5MPG
This number, or partially could describe its nature, if mistreated
View attachment 391058

your into Scania mpg there

 

[mustang1]

My DSG gearbox has saved my poor left knee, which was becoming increasingly wonky and painful with the worsening traffic on my commute. What used to be a 35 minute drive is now routinely 60 to 90 minutes, twice a day. It won't be long before something happens that tips us over into taking that giant step to retirement in Scotland, away from the traffic and the idiots who think the law doesn't apply to them.

Many years ago I was in Edinburgh with gf who was driving. We were in a line for 4 (yes, four) cars at red traffic lights and she was throwing a hissy fit about the outrageous traffic.

Me, being in the passenger seat, was looking further ahead and said that I could not see any traffic. She was obvsly referring to the four cars.

 

[mustang1]

Here's a question for those who know about this kind of thing: Is cruise control more fuel efficient than normal driving?

I only use cruise control on the motorway, and then only if it's clear ahead, but I'm assuming that's exactly the kind of situation it's designed for. The rest of the time, I use the speed limiter to encourage myself not to go over the limit.

The normal cruise is, but those radar ones aren't as clever as me at traffic prediction, so no.

 

[marzjennings]

Anyone else here into fuel economy, hypermiling, or even modifying cars for economy purposes?

No, but I've tried. Almost everytime I fill up I think this time I'm going to try and crack 30mpg(US) for this tank of fuel. Heck my car comes with an ECO button and a game that scores you on fuel efficiency. But it also comes with a SPORT button and paddle shifters and I admit I get bored with efficiency pretty quickly.

Also I think to be a successful hypermiler you need a prevailing culture of efficient driving and that does not exist here in Houston. To be the one car in a thousand taking their time to get up to freeway speed, coasting into traffic lights or dropping speed on hills is going to get you a lot of one finger waves.

My friends are happy when their pickup, towing all their gear, makes it into double digit mpg.

 

[raleighnut]

I'm getting worried by all these drivers watching their mpg gauges on the dashboard, look at the feckin road and use yer ears to tell if the engine is labouring and work yer mileage out afterwards by comparing fuel put in (keep your receipts) X distance travelled (from yer odometer)
Preferably on the back of a fag packet.

 

[Jody]

Ie foot off =infinite mpg and giving it a boot full gets you into the low teens or less if you have a big lump up front..

Pedal to the metal in mine reckons 6mpg

 

[raleighnut]

Pedal to the metal in mine reckons 6mpg

Scott next door can get his 'Scooby' down to 4 without breaking speed limits (much)

 

[Jody]

Scott next door can get his 'Scooby' down to 4 without breaking speed limits (much)

I might reach those dizzying heights after a remap

 

[Globalti]

The normal cruise is, but those radar ones aren't as clever as me at traffic prediction, so no.

You're right, the radar control can only see the car in front whereas a human can see several cars in front and anticipate. Consequently the radar control is sometimes a bit jerky. But don't worry, that's just the precursor to smart motorways and platooning. Your car will sit four feet behind the car in front enjoying almost zero wind resistance and the speed of all the traffic will be controlled by the smart technology.

See how it's already working on the open highway here: https://peloton-tech.com/

 

[raleighnut]

I might reach those dizzying heights after a remap

His is mapped with a water spray onto the (bigger) intercooler, over 400 brake on a 'rolling road' dyno.

 

[BoldonLad]

I'm getting worried by all these drivers watching their mpg gauges on the dashboard, look at the feckin road and use yer ears to tell if the engine is labouring and work yer mileage out afterwards by comparing fuel put in (keep your receipts) X distance travelled (from yer odometer)
Preferably on the back of a fag packet.

Good point, here was me thinking that drivers using mobiles was a problem, looks to me like we need an instant ban for knowing your mpg!

 

[Drago]

Pedal to the metal in mine reckons 6mpg

Slip my old 7 series into Sport and stand on the loud pedal and it would drop below 1 MPG for 5 seconds or so.

 

[pawl]

Anyone else here into fuel economy, hypermiling, or even modifying cars for economy purposes?

It's something I have become interested in of late. I use the Pension Book Express as little as possible (the best form of fuel conservation), but lately I've been paying more attention to my driving style with a view to improving economy, and ive added 8mpg to my total average.

Out in the workshop I have a Hot Frog engine preheater removed from one of my olde Landies, and I'm thinking of fitting it to the PBE to reduce cold running consumption.

So what, if anything, have you been doing with your car fuel economy wise?

Whatever happiest to fill her up and two shots of Redex

Then there. was Molyslip I think it was called an oil additive that was supposed to make the oil more slippery so increasing petrol economy.