WackyRotary

As stated, I am curious what all people have done to save fuel (particularly in the 1st gen guzzler cars we own if you drive it anything other then like grandma) in the aftermath of sudden price increases in fuel. What used to cost $20-25 to fill up 3-4 years ago, now costs $50-60, and who knows how high it can go and how fast it goes up, and whether it can come back down or how high it will remain in the long run. And for the turbo guys, like I was, how much more premium costs, and if you are also using premix to that gas.

I decided I could no longer afford to drive turbo this late spring for very long, so I took off my blowthrough S4 turbo components off my weber carb/exhuast that yielded 13-14mpg with premium and pre-mix regardless of highway driving/city mostly.

With the engine running with headers and regular unleaded/premixed, no hard acceration with 70% highway driving @ 60-65mph gets 21-22mpg mostly. The savings is big with about 100miles more per full tank.

The savings (for my case) gets even more when you compare the $$ to go equal long distances-ignore the minor cost differences, and just say all fuel is $3.00/gallon:
Turbo engine 13mpg for 300miles with $3.00/gallon fuel = $69
N/a'd engine 21mpg for 300miles with $3.00/gallon fuel = $42

saving of $27!!

Anyway, my main attempt to save $$ is to make sure air pressure is correct in tires, air filter is clean, timing is correct, fuel delievery is correct. One idea I had was to go with a slightly leaner jets in the carb for the main fuel circuit, but really only effects higher then crusing speed throttle position. Another idea if there isn't any rain, take off wipers, as they are a drag for aerodynmics, as is keeping the headlights down untill its really dark if you have to drive at night. Ofcourse, if you didn't have tons of traffic, and don't mind checking your blind spots, you could remove your driver and passenger side mirrors. THEN, to drive only were I HAVE to go, and drive there as slow as traffic will safely allow me. Hopefully around 50-60mph, and NOT floor it going onto the freeway, and let off the gas long before I get to a exit. That last part is hard, most people on highways don't drive slow regardless of the fuel prices, but a lot can be saved from going 80mph, compared to 55mph.

680RWHP12A

drive faster!!!!! less driving = less gas consumption!!!!

WackyRotary

AND oh, no thanks to all who buy from China and India. They are buying oil and stretching the limit of oil being produced in a big hurry in the last 1-2years. Hence, don't buy goods from there! I am trying hard to not buy anything from there, hard to do when it comes to electronics!!!

WackyRotary

Yeah, that makes a ton of cents/dollars in gas in hurry.

lovintha7

Bought a TII motor.

Wankelguy

I disconnected my secondaries.

And I steal gas out of SUVs at night.

rotor vs. piston

I don't drive it... best way to save money on gas.

680RWHP12A

thats better than my comment, your the winner

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

I disagree with that. Instead, blame the government for allowing the trade. Besides, they pay more on gas as their cost of living suck ***.

Just my $0.02.

PS: Save gas? I got rid of my DD gas slurping 99 Suburban 4X4 for a 4 banger TSX that runs 325+ miles per tank and still get 200 hp. Oh yeah, I forget to mention, its 6 speed.

Now, I got extra $$$ to take my RX-7 and RX-3 for a weekend cruise.

WackyRotary

I also agree the US government should not be trading with comunist China. I think any country with no true democracy we should not trade with. I don't like letting other countries starting to prosper at USA expense, which we are allowing.... But I don't write laws, I can only encourage others to not buy from there. Oil is a exception to get from evil dictatorships like Soudia Aerbia, Iran, etc, we need it for gasoline and other things. We should have also made no more SUV's or other large vehicles that are used like cars on the road.

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

Tune it up

MSD6A increased my MPG by 1.

Check tire psi.

Some people increase tire pressure up to maximum pressure of the tire. Less rolling resistance, more MPG. BUT it'll wear the center of the tire faster so is not worth it IMHO.

Midwest 7's

iTrader: (4)

im shifting at 5k instead of 7k.
it makes me feel like a bitch though.

Mechy

mines still in pieces in my driveway so I stopped complaining about driving my '01 escort, especially since i fixed the vaccuum leak in it. When i finish my 7 there isnt a high enough gas price to keep me out of it. Even if i have to get a second job to pay for fuel I will be delivering pizzas in it.

R×7

... Stop complaining :P If fuel(gas) was $3 a gallon there you're still paying less than here. $3 a gallon works out to about $AU1.05 a litre. Prices here at the moment are $AU1.20 a litre or $US3.42 a gallon....

YapaKanichi

I drive my girlfriend's Daewoo, ok now don't dog the daewoo guys all the parts can be bought at GM since they bought them out. Plus it's nice having air........cruise......softer ride........but then again it's a 4-banger and no engine noise....no fast acceleration. Hey it's cool though.

autopaul

i removed the motor,

peejay

No kidding! I'd get better fuel economy driving at 80mph than at 60mph!

More specifically:

First things first, perform regular maintenance! Spark plugs every 5-6k, fuel filter every oil change, air filter every time you do spark plugs (they're only $10, that's less than the plugs!), etc. When was the last time you checked your tire pressure, or had an alignment done? You should check yoru tire pressure while you're waiting at the gas station, and get an alignment done at least once a year.

Then, learn to drive! Don't accelerate slowly, this is actually wasteful. I'm not saying turn every traffic light into a Christmas tree, but get up to speed briskly and then STAY THERE. Slowing down, speeding up, etc waste fuel. Try to drive as "straight" as possible - smooth arcs, minimal correction. This is an old bicycling rule, too - deviation as little as 2 degrees from straight-on causes *massive* friction penalties. Ever watch a Formula Vee race? Those guys know how to conserve momentum and minimize losses! Smooth, smooth, smooth.

Okay now for the stuff that isn't free. Headers improve economy a good deal. Juggling fuel pressure (or jetting if you're so inclined) so that you're running lean at cruise (just rich enough to not misfire) is good too. When you do this, you can see how smooth you drive just by watching an O2 meter... if you're smooth it'll stay lean, if you're not then you can actually see when you're jerky with the throttle because it'll go rich.

Remember how I said I'd get better economy at 80mpg than 60mph? Look at the timing curves versus cruise RPM. The mechanical advance isn't all in when you're going 60, but it is when you're doing 80. Hmm... ! When I went to locked timing (max centrifugal all the time) I found that I could get great mileage at 60mph, and the car could pull really well down there too! Never need to downshift. I should add that the vacuum advance is a *very* important tool, too... use it!

Before I did the locked timing, I'd regularly see 25mpg highway. Afterwards, I'd see upwards of 27-28, maybe higher (hard to tell sometimes). It's 90% driving style and 90% keeping the car well maintained.

imazro_77

stopped driving my excursion(12 1/2-13mpg) and started driving my 7 (18-20ish)

x0ny

7 sits at home and i drive my integra.

Ark1

I've been driving my dad's Fiat X1/9. It's better on gas and handles so much better than the 7.

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

driving a POS honda accord till i get the 7 ready, wont drive that 12mpg beast till after this **** blows over

RustyRotary

iTrader: (2)

It's a common misconception that X1/9's have superior handling, the truth is that they just can't go fast enough to lose traction on a corner =P

Aside from aforementioned things, when on long trips I'll keep the sunroof on and the windows almost all the way up. I love open air but it'll give me a fair increase on MPG on the highway.

85slvrblt

I have the wife and kids harnessed up like reindeer to pull the 7 and me around town...

I try to use the whip as little as possible. No one can say I am not compassionate.

"AND IF YA WANT TO EAT TONIGHT, YOU'LL BEAT THAT VETTE BY TWO CAR LENGTHS!!!!"

YapaKanichi

I like 85slvrblt's gas saving tip the best

autopaul

lmao
i thought my comment was funny

doesnt a free flowing exhoust give you better milage, oh and a k&n has that been said, im actually converting my 12a to fi for better milage,*and performance, and in preperation for turbo,* also wieght reduction helps, allot is in the way you drive too,