ICE Fuel Economy

[Metallover]

I've been looking around and thinking about how to get better fuel economy. I think the best thing to do is to get a geo, but there should still be ways to boost the mpg of a gas hog.

There's a problem with the US efficiency requirements. This pisses me off. Many of the tiny diesel engines over in europe that get over 70mph should be used here in the US. The problem is that they don't meed US emissions standards. A little common sense would probably hint that a tiny 1.6l 3 cyllender engine would be less damaging to the envornment as a 5.9l diesel gas hog. Well, by volume, the little engine produces more pollution then the big one, so we let the big one dump crap into the air while the little green car stays in europe. Americans are frickin dumb not to get this. You think there's any way to fix this loophole?

Also, I've found some articles about fuel economy. One is an old opel claiming 376mpg. From looking at the pictures adn thinking, it seems that there is insulation keeping the engine heat in so the energy isn't wasted. Sounds smart. 70% of energy from an ICE is wasted. 40% as heat and 30% to cool the engine. Only about a quarter of the energy is converted to mechanical energy. We need to find a way to harness all the wasted heat energy.

I also looked at additives to the fuel. Acetone looks pretty cool. "Acetone improves the vaporization process and allows good burning to continue without lapses during the latter phase of second stage where cylinder volume is rapidly increasing. Acetone generates a very smooth and complete burn. No ping. No hesitation. No jerking. No stalling. No wasted fuel. An additive, like acetone, is simply something that is added to your gasoline to enhance the efficiency of your engine, fuel system and improve gas mileage and reduce pollution (emissions) as a result." I read somewhere someone had a V8 that got close to 100mpg and tons of HP due to acetone in the fuel. I remember seeing that you had to do something to the O2 sensor or something to make it work good.....

Well post up your thoughts about fuel economy. Post things you've done to increase fuel economy.

[BL_RV0]

I hear some air filters can improve fuel economy by up to 24%. 100mpg though? That sounds way fudged to me....

[lincpimp]

Basic maintenance, and smooth driving are the best bet to good fuel economy. Keep a log too, you will see what works and what does not. If you already have a vehicle and it is paid off, you will never "save" money buy buying a more fuel efficient vehicle. Unless it got 376 mpg (that is ultra bogus)...

Keep in mind that while gasoline is quite potent, it can only release so much energy. Given an ICE's basic design you will get heat, and there is really no way around that. The miller cycle engines are a bit better, and there is another otto-based tweak (can't remember the name) that boosts efficiency a bit, but only in certain rpm windows.

The true electric car that is charged via a non coal burning power plant (solar looks pretty good in the south!) is the only feasible way around burning gas/diesel. I was going to build a full size electric, but have put that on hold... Still doing research.

So for now better fuel economy is just too expensive, and kinda like the latest fashion trend...

[_paralyzed_]

If you're talking specifically about your truck smoother properly inflated street tires will help. A toneau cover would help.

Like Linc said smooth driving (like a 90 yr. old) and up to date maintenance are your best bets.

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by Metallover

There's a problem with the US efficiency requirements. This pisses me off. Many of the tiny diesel engines over in europe that get over 70mph should be used here in the US. The problem is that they don't meed US emissions standards. A little common sense would probably hint that a tiny 1.6l 3 cyllender engine would be less damaging to the envornment as a 5.9l diesel gas hog. Well, by volume, the little engine produces more pollution then the big one, so we let the big one dump crap into the air while the little green car stays in europe. Americans are frickin dumb not to get this. You think there's any way to fix this loophole?

I also looked at additives to the fuel. Acetone looks pretty cool. "Acetone improves the vaporization process and allows good burning to continue without lapses during the latter phase of second stage where cylinder volume is rapidly increasing. Acetone generates a very smooth and complete burn. No ping. No hesitation. No jerking. No stalling. No wasted fuel. An additive, like acetone, is simply something that is added to your gasoline to enhance the efficiency of your engine, fuel system and improve gas mileage and reduce pollution (emissions) as a result." I read somewhere someone had a V8 that got close to 100mpg and tons of HP due to acetone in the fuel. I remember seeing that you had to do something to the O2 sensor or something to make it work good.....

Well post up your thoughts about fuel economy. Post things you've done to increase fuel economy.

One of the biggest reasons is our market here demands HP and SUV roominess. Yes, this has changed some in the last couple years, and I think you will see the offerings from the mfgrs changing to reflect that - examples VW's diesel, diesels in some small SUV's.

Certain "fuels" do give better numbers, but they also lack things like lubricity for your ICE - running on acetone, you will likely be replacing motors every 15K. In the diesel world, propane, water, and meth injection systems are used by some to increase fuel burn - mostly by the high end pullers and drag trucks.

In regards to heat, the I.C.E., like any system, has a certain thermal efficiency band that it operates best in. You can play with yours by changing the thermostat. If you keep good records, you may see a delta in your MPG. However, this may come at a price also. Operating efficiency temps do not always align with the materials used to produce the motors - completely wrapping your motor to retain the heat is only going to kill your motor due to overheating.

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

If you're talking specifically about your truck smoother properly inflated street tires will help. A toneau cover would help.

Like Linc said smooth driving (like a 90 yr. old) and up to date maintenance are your best bets.

Toneau's MAY help. I keep very detailed records, and over the last 14 years, I have yet to see an improvement from any toneau, be it a soft cover or hard cover. Then there is the old myth of dropping the tailgate - doesnt work folks....pickups are designed to utilize the aero push that the tailgate provides.

Your truck MAY benefit from a switch to synthetic oils (motor, tranny, diffs). Its been hit or miss for me on different trucks, different motor sizes. Worked great in my Nissans in the early days, but no gain in full size rigs - gas or diesel.

With a pickup, avoid stop and go type driving for better economy. I have two routes I can go to work. One is 16 miles of 50mph with lights. The other is 18 miles of freeway. The difference is about 2.5 mpg - so I go freeway.

Do NOT buy into the vortex generators, platinum "injectors", and other such infomercial crap.

[Arct1k]

Clio Sport Tourer 2009 Expression dCi 86 - 63mpg combined with a 5 seater car...

Urban Fuel 51.3 mpg
Extra Urban 70.6 mpg
Combined 62.8 mpg

Theoretical Range to Empty677 miles

[crazyjr]

Depending on the car, some hop-ups can increase milage, by increasing efficiency. I picked up 25% on a dodge dakota by just changing the way i drive. I now roll faster to redlights hoping to get a change before i stop, I use the torque more than just stepping on it to accelerate. Driving my old way, i got 14 mpg, this is with a dodge dakota with a 5.2l V8 (318 for the old school). with the new way i have seen over 18 mpg

[Metallover]

Well, I keep a log book. My dad has always kept one and he passed it down to me. I've got a 5.2 RWD Auto Dakota and it's rated for 14mpg combined. I've been "Hypermiling" Last tank was ALL city driving and I got 14mpg. The next two partial tanks had about (300mi total) 50 miles of interstate driving and I got almost 16mpg. The more highway/interstate driving, the better I can do.

I've found a website called ecomodder.com and I joined a couple months ago. They let you have a vehicle profile and keep track of your crap, and they have a forum that is all about getting better mpgs. I feel left out because they all get at least 40mpg, but I still like the site.

I'm currently working on motorizing a bike, probably elecrically. I figured I need a 16:1 reduction on my 20" bike and a 20:1 reduction on my 26" bike. The 26" has disc brakes and suspension and it all works. The 20" bike needs a complete rear wheel/chain, the crank's off, and it's called the General Lee. I could do the reductions with a 4:1 + 4:1 reduction or 5:1 + 4:1 reduction. I just need to find the right belt & cogs & chain & sprockets to use....

Ecomodder also has 65+ Efficiency Mods and 100+ Hypermiling Tips

Some of them I will never do, like this-

107) Listen to slower music
Leave the speed metal at home. Fast paced music can make a driver more impatient, more agressive and likely to speed. At the same time, slower paced music is more relaxing and tends to promote a more sensible driving style while also reducing stress.

But I really like this one-

105) Drive like you ride a bike
For you cyclists looking for a way to wrap your head around the subject of efficient motoring: drive like you bike.

Meaning, if you think about spending energy as wisely in your car as you do when you ride, you should automatically become aware of several of the major tips on this list, such as:

a) Ensuring your tires are properly inflated & vehicle is in good mechanical condition, for reduced rolling & mechanical resistance.

b) Smart braking: you'll spend more distance coasting up to stops (you don't pedal madly towards stop signs and then jam on the binders, do you?)

c) You'll "drive with load" on hills (you don't usually power up hills trying to maintain your previous cruising speed, do you?)

d) You'll reduce speed (because cyclists are highly attuned to the relationship between aerodynamic drag and the energy consumed to travel at high speed).