Fuel Economy

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Ash1, Apr 29, 2011.

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  1. Ash1

    Ash1 Registered User

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    About time we shared tips for reducing fuel emissions on the road to save money considering the ridiculous hike in prices - compared to early last year there has been a rise of around 50%

    To start with can anyone answer me this...

    - When is the best time to change gear? I normally change at 2000 RPM (when I hear it getting louder). My red zone starts at 3000 RPM but I never go near this, as I am under the impression that the louder the engine the more fuel use.

    An interesting tip I heard recently, but not sure if it is worth performing considering the miniscule additional amount of fuel you may get per litre. The idea is you venture out to re-fuel when the temperature is coolest - so say between 9pm to 6am, as the fuel will be denser so you get more for your money.
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  3. Chewy

    Chewy I'd fist it

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    buy a turbo diesel or hybrid. Cheap tax, decent MPG and with a remap good performance
  4. Congay

    Congay Registered User

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    fill up when its cold

    hahaha thats funny, are you really that fucking skint
  5. Ash1

    Ash1 Registered User

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    I have a turbo diesel, and already is a good runner, but just looking 4 ways to fine tune things to save that bit more seeing as I'm always on the road.

    Theres other obvious things such as keeping windows shut, keeping tyre pressure high, regular maintenance.

    Another question...

    - Is it better to run an engine on an empty tank or full tank? I would have said the emptier the better as the load decreases, but I've heard others say when it's full it burns slower?
  6. Ash1

    Ash1 Registered User

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    Ha ha, I'm not that skint but these prices are taking the piss - but as I said it probably does not make that much difference, even if your filling the complete tank?
  7. Conway

    Conway helmet Staff

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    When the tank gets emptier your fuel pump will kick in to pump it through to the engine, so having it running low will probably negate any advantage by carrying less fuel in weight than you'd have with a full tank.

    Coasting downhill helps my MPG a fair bit.

    The book reckons 43MPG for my car, but on runs out with no traffic jams I've managed to get it up to 63MPG.
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  8. Congay

    Congay Registered User

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    wack the veg oil or cherry in. fuck em
  9. Conway

    Conway helmet Staff

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    don't do that with a petrol car though ;)
  10. Congay

    Congay Registered User

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    serves you right if u bought petrol then. I wish i never got rid of my old ford escort van it used to run on 100% veg oil, kwiksave used to do it 30 or 40p a liter about 4 years ago. perfectly legal now too.
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  11. Ash1

    Ash1 Registered User

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    Bet that would smell nice!? Mine says about 40mpg on the dash. I try and coast as much as possible too
  12. Chewy

    Chewy I'd fist it

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    I wouldn't keep the tyre pressure high. Instead regular monitor the pressure so thats all tyres are set to the manufacturers guidelines. Over inflating your tyres will increase wear in the centre of the tyre. under inflated tyres will wear on the shoulders. You don;t want to be trying to save fuel but then buying tyres more regularly
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  13. Chewy

    Chewy I'd fist it

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    How old is your car? i thought there was no benefit of coasting with modern cars as fuel and ignition systems are effectively combined and controlled by one Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Take your foot off the accelerator and the ECU cuts the fuel supply to the injectors anyway.
  14. Chewy

    Chewy I'd fist it

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    some other tips:

    driving smoothly and reading the road in front so the car is constantly moving
    use air con as little as possible
    avoid short journeys
    don't run the engine in idle if stuck in queues
  15. Conway

    Conway helmet Staff

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    It was 11 years old, the new car is three years old with a similar engine and gets similar MPG.
  16. M.C.E

    M.C.E 1981-2013

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    I have a 1997 BMW 2.5 straight 6 which can be a guzzler, but i find round the doors that i can run it at 40mpg & motorways as much as 50.

    Round the doors I usually do 1st/2nd gear up to 3000revs (max 7000) then straight into 5th for 40+ mpg @ 30mph.
    Motorways are by far the most economical for me though, as that's what the Germans do best.
    As conway said, it's better to run a full tank.
    Sitting in idle is better than stopping/starting your engine also!
  17. Chewy

    Chewy I'd fist it

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    how come? The engines on new cars stop automatically when you stop and then restart when you want to move
  18. Ash1

    Ash1 Registered User

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    I think if your sitting idle for more than aroubd 30 seconds then it's worth switching off
  19. Congay

    Congay Registered User

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    I got no smell internally. But have you ever got in a taxi that stinks like fish and chips... well know i know why.

    ps ash. .. what kind of phone do you own?
  20. Ash1

    Ash1 Registered User

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  21. M.C.E

    M.C.E 1981-2013

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    I was always told it was cheaper on fuel to sit idle in traffic jams - i stand corrected, i was wrong!

    You're right, anything over 30 seconds :)

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