RAISE GAS MILEAGE: What have you done to boost your vehicles gas mileage? Any modifications or tips will be appreciated.

[wrcsixeight]

I Agree a new clean K&amp;N filter can improve mileage &nbsp;and power slightly over a very dirty paper filter.<br /><br />***opinion***I do not agree that a K&amp;N filter will improve MPG over a clean paper filter on a fuel injected vehicle. &nbsp;Fuel injected vehicles measure airflow into the engine and adjust fuel ratio accordingly. &nbsp;More air = more fuel. Perhaps at full throttle the minutely less resistance of a K&amp;N might yield more power on some vehicles. &nbsp; Most are limited by the diameter of the intake throat and the running no filter on many such engines will not yield any more airflow/ power/mpg. &nbsp;<br /><br />With Most vehicles built within the last 20 years, &nbsp;the claims of a very dirty air filter significantly reducing economy on new vehicles is false. &nbsp;Less air means the computer adds less fuel to it.<br /><br />Remember everything in our society is designed to make you &nbsp;want spend money for some perceived, yet usually false benefit.<br /><br />Perhaps it changes the feel of the engine at first through the throttle pedal Since more air= more fuel with fuel injection and vis-versa<br /><br />On some carb'd engines, I can see how a free flowing &nbsp;air filter might help efficiency and power to a slight degree.<br /><br />I too once Owned a K&amp;N. &nbsp;Last time I went to clean it my throttle body had a line of dust below the filter, and holding it up to the sunlight revealed pinholes of light everywhere. &nbsp;Silicon( Dust) is the single biggest contributor to engine wear. &nbsp;K&amp;N's filter fine dust poorly and are a poor choice for those in such environments.<br /><br />On every used oil analysis, every engine with high silicon readings &nbsp;also has high wear metal readings as well. &nbsp;<br /><br />When I replaced the K&amp;N with a new paper filter, I felt that same perceived power increase as when I first installed a K&amp;N. &nbsp;Butt Dynos are notoriously biased, and I can no longer take any MPG claims I see online seriously, unless they fall within the vehicle's capability.<br /><br />Time and again I have seen ridiculous claims from people online. &nbsp;I have noticed my own tendency to want to exaggerate. &nbsp;One upmanship is the bane of us all.<br /><br />I saw one claim this morning of 19 city mpg in a heavily loaded g30 van with a 350. &nbsp;Ridiculous.&nbsp;<br /><br />Those HHO systems are a joke of a scam. &nbsp;They could never make enough hydrogen to make a difference. &nbsp;If enough H were actually produced, the engine computer would have to be re tuned to lean out the gasohol/ air ratio. &nbsp;Adding a HHo system to a vehicle just makes the alternator work harder. Every 25 amps the alternator produces takes one engine HP.<br /><br />Now if you want a real scam, google 'electric supercharger'. &nbsp;Some of those are just ridiculous, but the super high dollar ones might actually be capable of producing some boost. &nbsp;I remember thinking about making an electric supercharger 2 decades ago but realized it wouldn't work to any meaingful degree. &nbsp;Later I realized I could have made money designing an ineffective system and making outrageous claims as people are doing now. &nbsp;There is no truth in advertising, and &nbsp;usually no consequence.<br /><br /><br />I keep my engine maintained and running as good as possible, &nbsp;and my tires properly inflated. &nbsp;I combine trips into one outing with as many right turns as possible. &nbsp;I park far from the &nbsp;drooling lazy masses of sheeple drivers and pedestrians who congregate near establishment entrances, and park, if possible, so I need not put it in reverse to leave.<br />&nbsp;<br />My MPG consciousness extends to driving &nbsp;and accelerating slower, and anticipating traffic lights, and avoiding the pack mentality that screams 'hurry up and stop' &nbsp;so I can check my facebook status updates, texts. Who cares when the light turns green, and I fail to respond in a timely manner, I am busy with myself.<br /><br />Uh ohh, I feel my misanthropic tendencies rising again.........<br /><br />On longer journeys I tend to drive through the night to reduce chances of strong headwinds and traffic, but also monitor weather patterns to try and chase tailwinds.<br /><br />A couple hundred feet behind Semi trucks does make a difference in wind resistance and is still safe. &nbsp; I am not promoting tailgating.<br /><br />Keep right except to pass should be enforced.<br /><br /> &nbsp;The left lane mentality of the many depicts a rapidly declining culture as more and more become oblivious to the existence of others.&nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[Bodhi]

Reduce wind resistance, drive naked...

<br /><br />Right on!<br /><br />Peace, Love and Sunscreen! <br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;Bodhi

 

[Bodhi]

&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />The left lane mentality of the many depicts a rapidly declining culture as more and more become oblivious to the existence of others.&nbsp;<br /><br />

<br /><br />This is one of my "pet peeves".&nbsp; Why do we have DRIVER's EDUCATION but we don't teach fuel economy or traffic minimization techniques?&nbsp;&nbsp;And, we have books with rules in them and even some ettiquette but then new drivers live with parents who treat other drivers as non-existant or (even worse) enemies!<br /><br />I, too, see this as a sign of&nbsp;"a rapidly declining culture".&nbsp; Fortunately, there are quite a few young people who are breaking free of this mentality... and to that... I say, "RIGHT ON!"

 

[josephusminimus]

<br />With Most vehicles built within the last 20 years, &nbsp;the claims of a very dirty air filter significantly reducing economy on new vehicles is false. &nbsp;Less air means the computer adds less fuel to it.<br /><br />Perhaps it changes the feel of the engine at first through the throttle pedal Since more air= more fuel with fuel injection and vis-versa<br /><br />On some carb'd engines, I can see how a free flowing &nbsp;air filter might help efficiency and power to a slight degree.<br /><br />I too once Owned a K&amp;N. &nbsp;Last time I went to clean it my throttle body had a line of dust below the filter, and holding it up to the sunlight revealed pinholes of light everywhere. &nbsp;Silicon( Dust) is the single biggest contributor to engine wear. &nbsp;K&amp;N's filter fine dust poorly and are a poor choice for those in such environments.<br /><br />On every used oil analysis, every engine with high silicon readings &nbsp;also has high wear metal readings as well. &nbsp;<br /><br />When I replaced the K&amp;N with a new paper filter, I felt that same perceived power increase as when I first installed a K&amp;N. &nbsp;Butt Dynos are notoriously biased, and I can no longer take any MPG claims I see online seriously, unless they fall within the vehicle's capability.<br /><br />Time and again I have seen ridiculous claims from people online. &nbsp;I have noticed my own tendency to want to exaggerate. &nbsp;One upmanship is the bane of us all.<br /><br />I saw one claim this morning of 19 city mpg in a heavily loaded g30 van with a 350. &nbsp;Ridiculous.&nbsp;<br /><br />Those HHO systems are a joke of a scam. &nbsp;They could never make enough hydrogen to make a difference. &nbsp;If enough H were actually produced, the engine computer would have to be re tuned to lean out the gasohol/ air ratio. &nbsp;Adding a HHo system to a vehicle just makes the alternator work harder. Every 25 amps the alternator produces takes one engine HP.<br /><br />Now if you want a real scam, google 'electric supercharger'. &nbsp;Some of those are just ridiculous, but the super high dollar ones might actually be capable of producing some boost. &nbsp;I remember thinking about making an electric supercharger 2 decades ago but realized it wouldn't work to any meaingful degree. &nbsp;Later I realized I could have made money designing an ineffective system and making outrageous claims as people are doing now. &nbsp;There is no truth in advertising, and &nbsp;usually no consequence.<br /><br /><br />I keep my engine maintained and running as good as possible, &nbsp;and my tires properly inflated. &nbsp;I combine trips into one outing with as many right turns as possible. &nbsp;I park far from the &nbsp;drooling lazy masses of sheeple drivers and pedestrians who congregate near establishment entrances, and park, if possible, so I need not put it in reverse to leave.<br />&nbsp;<br />My MPG consciousness extends to driving &nbsp;and accelerating slower, and anticipating traffic lights, and avoiding the pack mentality that screams 'hurry up and stop' &nbsp;so I can check my facebook status updates, texts. Who cares when the light turns green, and I fail to respond in a timely manner, I am busy with myself.<br /><br />Uh ohh, I feel my misanthropic tendencies rising again.........<br /><br />On longer journeys I tend to drive through the night to reduce chances of strong headwinds and traffic, but also monitor weather patterns to try and chase tailwinds.<br /><br />A couple hundred feet behind Semi trucks does make a difference in wind resistance and is still safe. &nbsp; I am not promoting tailgating.<br /><br />Keep right except to pass should be enforced.<br /><br />&nbsp;The left lane mentality of the many depicts a rapidly declining culture as more and more become oblivious to the existence of others.&nbsp;<br /><br />

<br /><br /><em>"With Most vehicles built within the last 20 years, &nbsp;the claims of a very dirty air filter significantly reducing economy on new vehicles is false. &nbsp;Less air means the computer adds less fuel to it."<br /></em><br />Which says nothing at all about the vehicles older than 20 years many of us are driving.&nbsp; The claims of a dirty air filter significantly reducing economy on those are dead-on.<br /><br /><em>Those HHO systems are a joke of a scam. &nbsp;They could never make enough hydrogen to make a difference. &nbsp;If enough H were actually produced, the engine computer would have to be re tuned to lean out the gasohol/ air ratio. &nbsp;Adding a HHo system to a vehicle just makes the alternator work harder. Every 25 amps the alternator produces takes one engine HP.</em><br /><br />Probably true, at least possibly true, though the reason isn't the inability to produce enough hydrogen.&nbsp; I don't know about cars with computers.&nbsp; On older vehicles that wouldn't be a concern.<br /><br />Producing plenty of hydrogen isn't the problem.&nbsp; Anyone can prove this to himself quickly by building a simple&nbsp;hydrogen generator in his back yard or garage.&nbsp; Not of the sort off the shelf of someone selling them, just a quick, easy one just for testing how much hydrogen gets generated, and exploring the various side issues concerning why commercial ones don't work, or fail.<br /><br />The problem with hydrogen generators appears to be absolutely necessary frequent maintenance and waste heat.&nbsp; Most drivers aren't going to do the maintenance because it's going to be a pain as a result of the generating system being designed, not around the vehicle, but one-size-fits-all.&nbsp; But the frequency of required maintenance will vary depending on the quality of the water used, and how much sludge is left behind when everything else is converted to hydrogen.<br /><br />But the heat is the larger issue.&nbsp; Everything related to that heat as it relates to generating hydrogen to power a vehicle ends up being a compromise of one sort or another.<br /><br />Which isn't to say it couldn't be done by someone determined to do it.&nbsp; <br /><br />Just saying.<br /><br />

 

[PYSCHOWard]

I can't DRIVE 55, unless I'm loaded and climbing a mountian, But I can drive Smart

 

[Willy]

Actually, there's a use for water INJECTION in an engine&nbsp; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_injection_(engines) and synthetic oil is all fine 'n good.. unless the engine is worn/old and or has leaks. Another thing ya gotta watch out for is that the majority of the 'synthetic' oils out there.. aren't. They charge the same high price for them, but they are just slightly modified mineral-based oils. Type in:&nbsp; true synthetic motor oil in Google and it should be the 1st result.&nbsp; ..Willy.

 

[josephusminimus]

Actually, there's a use for water INJECTION in an engine&nbsp; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_injection_(engines) and synthetic oil is all fine 'n good.. unless the engine is worn/old and or has leaks. Another thing ya gotta watch out for is that the majority of the 'synthetic' oils out there.. aren't. They charge the same high price for them, but they are just slightly modified mineral-based oils. Type in:&nbsp; true synthetic motor oil in Google and it should be the 1st result.&nbsp; ..Willy.

<br /><br />+1

 

[Guest]

I remember a friend in Alaska who bought an awesome water injection system out of a HotRod magazine for his 302 Ford van engine...wow, it seemed to work pretty good until about a week after he installed it we had the engine out of the rig and on the engine dolly, to rebuild the heads...and while at it, did the entire engine..Haha, at least we got it finished before winter set in again....<br /><br />I don't know what others think but not something I would venture to install.....<br />Bri

 

[Guest]

I have gone to synthetic in all my personal rigs and am happy with it...I do change the oil filters at 3k miles though. If you go to your local auto parts store and buy their house brand of synthetic it will cost a lot less and be essentially the same as any higher priced synoil. <br /><br />Walmart sells their SuperTech brand of synthetic....as far as it getting better mpg, I don't know for sure...I seldom make an effort to check. I know I get about 19-20 mpg and go with that....I know that good oil, standard or synthetic , and frequent filter changes is the cheapest insurance I know of...<br /><br />This is another subject over-thought and talked to death....<br /><br />I used to laugh at the other mechanic where I worked in Alaska....he was also the guy who came early in the winter, through the snow to plow the parking lot at the headshed and maintenance yard and he had an ancient beater Dodge van with a&nbsp; 318 and his way of dealing with it was to drive it and add oil as it burned and leaked it...if he had to put it on the rack for a bearing repair or brakes, or whatever, he changed the oil filter...it had to weigh ten pounds....<br /><br />This old van started instantly no matter the cold, ran good enough to get him anywhere he was going.... and never, ever failed him....The speedo broke at 300,000 and that had been years past...he used the cheapest oil at Fred Meyers.<br /><br />Just goes to show you that what we do with a rig is mostly for our own peace of mind...it hasn't changed my maintenance schedule for my own rig, but it gave me an awareness about that and was hilarious....we had and kept a rigid PM program for the 50+ passenger rigs, and pickups and the yard full of other equipment of all kinds, but his was his and he did nothing to it...<br /><br />Bri

 

[Willy]

My F250 has a leaky rear seal, so the oil changes itself.. just haveta top it up. The only reason to put synthetic in that puppy is to keep the dust down on the roads.

 

[crazybill]

I come at this issue (mileage) kinda sideways. The vehicles I have are the ones I am gonna have for a long time. I maintain them as good as I can, which is pretty darn good and that is that. <br />&nbsp;I keep my tire pressures at the point that keeps the wear even across the tread for best tire life. <br />&nbsp;I try to watch my speed etc. but I'm only human. <br />&nbsp;As far as MPG goes I tend to think more of GPD, gallons per day. Or even gallons per month. The nearest store or gas station is an hour away. If I can avoid just one trip to town that has more effect on my bottom line than drafting a dozen big rigs. <br />-Bill-