Gas Savers

[AdoboRunner]

Im currently looking for ways to save gas with my runner. I pretty much know the usual, inflate tires, aggressive driving, etcetc but as far as aftermarket spark plus and spark plug wires which is the best way to go? And what are some other things I can do so save gas. Thanks

 

[Uneek]

Moved to 4th gen sub-forum.

 

[Methodical]

spark plugs and wires isn't going to help you.

Basically, you covered it all. Tires, and driving habits.

Also remove any dead weight from the vehicle if you have a bunch of stuff in the back.

When you buy tires, buy street tires. off road tires take a 2-3 mpg hit.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Avoid 20"+ rims also.

 

[steve germany]

A/C is the big killer of milage. Avoid at all cost and keep the windows closed as much as possible. Plan route around cities and large hills.

I don't do any of these things but it sounds good!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

A/C on the highway has little effect on MPGs but around town it will hurt a little.

 

[afx604]

Do what I do, make your gf drive

 

[nc211]

For me, one of the best things I've done over several years, and several cars, is to really detail it up. I'm talking spend a weekend busting your butt on making the car as smooth as possible, to reduce wind resistance. I claybar the entire car from top to bottom, front to back, lens covers, glass, rims, etc... Then I put on a coat of polish, then two of wax, then one more of polish "have orbital". I rain-x all glass and lens covers. By the time I'm done, a paper towel can't even sit on the hood, it's that smooth. When driving, I barely have to touch the gas peddle to maintain speed, and the wind noise is virtually gone. Just a pleasant "shhhhh" over the car. I had my old 95' LS400 so slick, that when I sold it at 132k miles and 12 years old, it would still pull down 27mpg on the highwya, 19-20 around town. Plus, I also made sure the engine was in top shape, including the intake being spotless from carbon buildup.

But: if that's really you in your avatar...a simply little wink at any gas station in the world will probably get you a free tank of gas by a flattered guy.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

But: if that's really you in your avatar...a simply little wink at any gas station in the world will probably get you a free tank of gas by a flattered guy.

:headslap:

I bet adoborunner is a dude with a hot chick as an avatar.

 

[s-one]

10 Easy Hypermile Tricks That Save You Gas

 

[nc211]

:headslap:

I bet adoborunner is a dude with a hot chick as an avatar.

Hahaha:lmao: :lmao:
You're probably right. But I did give myself a way out, with "But: IF that's really you..."

 

[CJ3Flyr]

For me, one of the best things I've done over several years, and several cars, is to really detail it up. I'm talking spend a weekend busting your butt on making the car as smooth as possible, to reduce wind resistance. I claybar the entire car from top to bottom, front to back, lens covers, glass, rims, etc... Then I put on a coat of polish, then two of wax, then one more of polish "have orbital". I rain-x all glass and lens covers. By the time I'm done, a paper towel can't even sit on the hood, it's that smooth. When driving, I barely have to touch the gas peddle to maintain speed, and the wind noise is virtually gone. Just a pleasant "shhhhh" over the car.

Really? You believe a lower Cd as a result of wax and cleanliness matters that much?

I would totally buy it if we were talking about 90mph cruising (or are you?:lmao: ) I know it makes a big difference on planes, even slow little ones.

Do you have any idea how much clean vs dirty affected the Lexus?


:cheers:

EDIT: I am not calling BS, I am genuinely curious.

 

[nc211]

Really? You believe a lower Cd as a result of wax and cleanliness matters that much?

I would totally buy it if we were talking about 90mph cruising (or are you?:lmao: ) I know it makes a big difference on planes, even slow little ones.

Do you have any idea how much clean vs dirty affected the Lexus?


:cheers:

EDIT: I am not calling BS, I am genuinely curious.

I know you're not calling BS amigo, and I appreciate the question!

I took two big road trips in the lexus. One was up to Pennsylvania to Hershey Park, and the other was to the Keys. Penn was prior to a full detail, but in the fall "cool clean air, no a/c needed". The other was in August of 05', lots of heavy humid air, lots of a/c. The trip to Penn was shortly after I bought the lexus, prior to a full detail. I averaged on the highway 23-24 mpg. The Keys were after a full detail, and averaged 26-27. Shortly after we returned, I cleaned the intake with a dremel and steel brush. Highway bumped up very slightly to around 28, but city really hoped up to around 20.

I have an 07 Mazda 3 GT. We use to run it down to the coast last summer every 3rd week of the month. I always seemed to average "on the computer" about 27-29mpg. A few weeks ago, I did a full detail as described above, and last weekend for the first time since, I drove it to the coast. Same gas "89" from the same station around the corner, and the computer averaged 33mpg.

I honestly do believe the less drag on the car, the better the mpg. But beyond that, the driving pleasure is enhanced quite a lot. I've always noticed a lot less crosswind push after a full detail, especially when a big-rig goes by, or when I pass a big-rig. No push is felt.

 

[Dbone]

For me, one of the best things I've done over several years, and several cars, is to really detail it up. I'm talking spend a weekend busting your butt on making the car as smooth as possible, to reduce wind resistance. I claybar the entire car from top to bottom, front to back, lens covers, glass, rims, etc... Then I put on a coat of polish, then two of wax, then one more of polish "have orbital". I rain-x all glass and lens covers. By the time I'm done, a paper towel can't even sit on the hood, it's that smooth. When driving, I barely have to touch the gas peddle to maintain speed, and the wind noise is virtually gone. Just a pleasant "shhhhh" over the car. I had my old 95' LS400 so slick, that when I sold it at 132k miles and 12 years old, it would still pull down 27mpg on the highwya, 19-20 around town. Plus, I also made sure the engine was in top shape, including the intake being spotless from carbon buildup.

But: if that's really you in your avatar...a simply little wink at any gas station in the world will probably get you a free tank of gas by a flattered guy.

LOL

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I know you're not calling BS amigo, and I appreciate the question!

I took two big road trips in the lexus. One was up to Pennsylvania to Hershey Park, and the other was to the Keys. Penn was prior to a full detail, but in the fall "cool clean air, no a/c needed". The other was in August of 05', lots of heavy humid air, lots of a/c. The trip to Penn was shortly after I bought the lexus, prior to a full detail. I averaged on the highway 23-24 mpg. The Keys were after a full detail, and averaged 26-27. Shortly after we returned, I cleaned the intake with a dremel and steel brush. Highway bumped up very slightly to around 28, but city really hoped up to around 20.

I have an 07 Mazda 3 GT. We use to run it down to the coast last summer every 3rd week of the month. I always seemed to average "on the computer" about 27-29mpg. A few weeks ago, I did a full detail as described above, and last weekend for the first time since, I drove it to the coast. Same gas "89" from the same station around the corner, and the computer averaged 33mpg.

I honestly do believe the less drag on the car, the better the mpg. But beyond that, the driving pleasure is enhanced quite a lot. I've always noticed a lot less crosswind push after a full detail, especially when a big-rig goes by, or when I pass a big-rig. No push is felt.

:bigok: Cool! I will pay attention and see what I get. I am very intrigued by your 'big rig' comment.

I am familiar with the significant effects of minor surface imperfections as it pertains to airplane wings. The lightest layer of frost can be a killer on some wing designs. The issue is the disruption of the laminar airflow, not the weight. The jet I fly, if dirty, struggles a bit climbing from 43000 to 45000, if clean it zooms right up there and achieves max speed in under 27 minutes. The Mooney can have a 4-5kt cruise speed difference. If it

 

[nc211]

I'm trying to work in the time to tackle the 4runner, as it needs it badly! Running my hand over the hood feels like sandpaper, so much road grime and gunk stuck in the paint, it might take two claybars to clean the whole thing. But with the arrival of my first child last month, and the summer heat now upon us here, it's going to really require some serious grit for me to take it on. Thank God for beer! The Mazda is so light that wind really pushed it around a lot. But now, it slices through the air with minimal turbulance from cross winds and big rigs. Furthermore, before the detail, driving with all the windows down and sunroof open would create so much wind noise in the cabin, that I didn't do it. After the detail, driving with all the windows down and roof open is actually quite pleasant, even at 80mph. The big things I've really noticed in terms of reduced drag and quieter operations is the windows. Rain-x all the glass really makes a nice difference in terms of how smooth they are. Sure, you have to redo the windshield every now and again due to the wipers leaving marks and such, but the rest of the glass won't need to be touched for a very long time. Here is a picture of my old LS400 after I did the whole claybar detailing. It too was very susceptible to cross winds, thanks to it being so long with floaty suspension and sloppy steering. Claybaring and waxing the snot out of it really helped to eliminate this effect. It wasn't totally gone, but reduced by about 75%.