Improving your gas mileage by 10+ MPG??
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: AZ
Improving your gas mileage by 10+ MPG??
A friend sent me this link: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/524517...as_mileage_2x/
I found it interesting, however am a bit skeptical. First off because I've heard the use of an Air Conditioner does NOT affect your mileage. It would be nice to hear from a master mechanic on the subject to confirm or deny this and explain either why the AC costs more fuel, or why it does not.
Regardless, the final piece of this "improve your MPG" is the addition of Acetone to your tank. I found it a bit odd and am curious what affect this would have on the vehicle (if it even does what he claims).
Anyone have any information on this?
Oh, and the reason I'm looking at this is because I would love to stick it to the gas companies that are sticking it to us.
Thanks!
I found it interesting, however am a bit skeptical. First off because I've heard the use of an Air Conditioner does NOT affect your mileage. It would be nice to hear from a master mechanic on the subject to confirm or deny this and explain either why the AC costs more fuel, or why it does not.
Regardless, the final piece of this "improve your MPG" is the addition of Acetone to your tank. I found it a bit odd and am curious what affect this would have on the vehicle (if it even does what he claims).
Anyone have any information on this?
Oh, and the reason I'm looking at this is because I would love to stick it to the gas companies that are sticking it to us.
Thanks!
Driver
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 122
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From: Illinois
The reason people say the AC doesn't use that much is that if you are at highway speeds, the drag caused by having your windows open is greater than the loss of economy by using the AC. They have proven that one, but around town the AC will cost you. When it's 90 degrees out, I could care less about a 5% drop in fuel mileage.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 896
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From: CA
Don't follow behind a Mercedes Benz & Toyota drivers! They're drives way to slow! It doesn't help an improved a MPG! Driving too slow like any an older people doesn't help with MPG! I try so much times! I am driving an 01 Lexus RX300. I always reset MPG info on the LCD moniter. My average speeds around 58mph - 70 mph. I am still getting a 24-25 MPG. One time I hit over 30 mpg highway driving LA area to Palm Spring. No traffic is best the way improved MPG.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 26
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From: UT
The A/C robbing power is an old wives tale. When I had my KA-T 240sx I dyno'd it with the A/C on (belt actually on and turned on) and with it off (belt taken off) and there was ZERO difference HP. Not to mention get the same gas mileage in the LS430 as I do in the winter as I do in the summer with my A/C always on.
The A/C robbing power is an old wives tale. When I had my KA-T 240sx I dyno'd it with the A/C on (belt actually on and turned on) and with it off (belt taken off) and there was ZERO difference HP. Not to mention get the same gas mileage in the LS430 as I do in the winter as I do in the summer with my A/C always on.
You do lose power. You dont get something for nothing. The engine suffers from parasitic loss anytime it has to drive a component.
Plus you have an NA-T, so i'm assuming you're making quite a bit more power. On higher power cars, you'll experience less drag because the drag is little compared to the power you're marking.
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I think they need to move the decimal point one place to the left and then I might believe it. 
2X mileage improvement is absurd, and it's equally absurd to say that the car manufacturers don't want you to get better mileage. If there were a miracle cure like that, the car companies would be all over it as it'd be a much easier solution than lobbying congress not to raise CAFE standards, to get as many vehicles as possible exempted from the calculations, designing new engines and subsystems to eek out another couple MPG, etc.
2X mileage improvement is absurd, and it's equally absurd to say that the car manufacturers don't want you to get better mileage. If there were a miracle cure like that, the car companies would be all over it as it'd be a much easier solution than lobbying congress not to raise CAFE standards, to get as many vehicles as possible exempted from the calculations, designing new engines and subsystems to eek out another couple MPG, etc.
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Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 518
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From: Ca
GSteg hit it right on the nail. There is a loss of power, but at wide open throttle the compressor goes offline (in modern cars).
Mythbusters did an indetail experiment on this a while back. They ran a car with a certain amount of gass in it, on the same track, same temps, ect. Higher speeds, the wind drag was worse that running the A\C. At lower speeds, windows down was mor efficient.
At the price you guys paid for your cars and for oils changes and services, saving a few pennies on gas should hardly be where you are trying to cut corners. Try selling your LS and opting for a Prius!
Mythbusters did an indetail experiment on this a while back. They ran a car with a certain amount of gass in it, on the same track, same temps, ect. Higher speeds, the wind drag was worse that running the A\C. At lower speeds, windows down was mor efficient.
At the price you guys paid for your cars and for oils changes and services, saving a few pennies on gas should hardly be where you are trying to cut corners. Try selling your LS and opting for a Prius!
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From: AZ
As I mentioned, it's not about saving money as much as it is about finding a way to fill up less. I was just curious if these techniques really worked - if so, it will allow me to buy less fuel from a corrupt government-supported "machine" that is currently using their monopoly free of legal accountability to gouge Americans.
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From: AZ
Gas has always been much more expensive in other countries. I do not compare where we should be to how "bad" it is other places.
That's like saying "do you know the murder rate in Mexico is 5x that of the US? Be happy it's only 15,000 people a year here!"
Point in fact Gas prices in this country are being manipulated, and it has nothing to do with how much gas costs in Europe.
That's like saying "do you know the murder rate in Mexico is 5x that of the US? Be happy it's only 15,000 people a year here!"
Point in fact Gas prices in this country are being manipulated, and it has nothing to do with how much gas costs in Europe.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 36
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From: MA
Last weekend I discovered that the wind may significantly affect mileage. Friday night, no wind- 29.7 mpg average at 70mph average. Saturday, the wind was whipping at 15-20 knots. I witnessed the mpg calculator fluctuate with every gust. Seldom more than 28mpg. Same trip in the opposite direction yielded 24.5 mpg. Still pretty good though! (IMO)
Last weekend I discovered that the wind may significantly affect mileage. Friday night, no wind- 29.7 mpg average at 70mph average. Saturday, the wind was whipping at 15-20 knots. I witnessed the mpg calculator fluctuate with every gust. Seldom more than 28mpg. Same trip in the opposite direction yielded 24.5 mpg. Still pretty good though! (IMO)
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,337
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From: Miami, Florida
I can tell you on the track, 1/4 mile, use of headlights, radio, a/c and definitely windows open will affect your time.
The acetone thing I have been hearing for a long time, but I had a friend who tried this not too long ago and got no additional...anything.
The acetone thing I have been hearing for a long time, but I had a friend who tried this not too long ago and got no additional...anything.