Get an extra 5km per litre easy peasy!

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

And who actually wants to drive changing gears under 2,000 revs all the time?? I try doing this from time to time (to save fuel), but after about 10-20 min of do that I get the shits & go back to changing around 3-4000 revs.

I'd rather spend a little more on fusl & enjoy the way I drive!!

I require my licence for my job as well as doing a fair bit of driving during the day between sites - if you don't flog the crap out of your car, you find you're a lot more relaxed at the end of the day.

I'm also pretty sure that I'd probably be over the speed limit at 3-4000rpm in 3rd gear on 95% of the roads I have to negotiate.

[mickyyyy]

Good tyre pressure and wheel alingment and slowly accelatrating of the mark saves abit of fuel in my auto XR6 and lpg helps alot

[GS608]

fill er up in the morning when the underground tanks are cold, fuel is denser and you get more for your buck :alien2:

[DJM83]

If you want to save fuel dont own a V8......

[Bucknaked]

I was getting around 12 or 13 in the AU. I had to reduce this. Through careful planning, I managed to get it to 4.0/100. Solution was simple. Sell the car and buy a motorbike.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by prydey

actually thats not quite true. you don't have to go so slow that you are holding up traffic. just drive WITH the traffic flow, even when accelerating.

anticipating the traffic conditions is a safer way to drive also, and the fuel savings are just a added benefit.

i still give my v8 the odd burst but more often than not these days, if i'm in traffic or know i'll be in traffic, i allow plenty of time to get where i need to be and just doddle along with the traffic.

Good post, and that's a great point you make. If people, especially the younger generation, conformed to this "style" of driving instead of being erratic and stupid, there'd be a lot less tears shed.

I've tried the below and find it quite rewarding/satisfying, plus it keeps one in a relaxed state of mind, as hastiness can be quite a vice.

Originally Posted by Grobbo

Sounds boring but it was actually quite fun - it also made the odd burst of full noise that I allowed myself so much more of a treat

Good thread!

[vztrt]

I remember driving around for a week to get the most amount of fuel. Had my old BA down to 10.2l/100. I thought it was great but the fact that it was boring I just said i'll pay the extra amount. lol

[Davebro]

Well that don't work for me in my BF XR8, ZF 6 speed.

I noticed that when I drove round like a nana, I was using more fuel around town.

When I accelerated harder up to the speed limit, the average fuel usage went down. Also when I gave it the odd good thrash it didn't seem to affect it.

So yeah, usually you would think the slower and more gentle you drive its better. But didn't work out that way for me! I only use BP 98 as well.

Strange.

[Dodge]

mythbusters made a car body with golf ball dents , the dents actually cause the car to travel with less drag, hence why a golf ball travels futher than a smooth ball .
the test was with a dent free car over a distance with X amount of fuel, the golf ball dented car did the same test but using less fuel for the distance covered at the same speed...

[Franco Cozzo]

Another problem is if you try driving like that in a 4 cylinder car, you can make the car use more fuel by grabbing the next gear too early and it struggles.

Thats only for us guys missing 4 cylinders, unfortunately we can't just go from 1st, then at 10km/h change into 6th and cruise along without the car dying in the *** haha.

[Grobbo]

Originally Posted by zdcol71

What are peoples ideas,(or the facts, if anyone knows), on the effects on fuel economy in a ute with or without lid??

Yeah I never thought of that. I don't have a lid, plus half the time I'm carrying a dirt bike... Can't be too aerodynamic!

[drew`SEVNT5]

I remember getting trained at Mercedes-Benz for driving the trucks to the maximum efficency...

and zee square heads drummed the theory into me:

'Get to your cruising speed as quickly as nessacary, and then use cruise control'

Something along the lines of 10 seconds accelerating hard will use less than 30-40-50 seconds of slowly coming up the revs.

Has worked in all the trucks Ive ever done fuel comparos in...

Its not often the squareheads are wrong

[LTDHO]

I agree with all the above ideas other than turning the engine off! That is stupid.

Originally Posted by DJM83

If you want to save fuel dont own a V8......

Funny thing is I upgraded my 1992 XR8 on LPG for a 2002 Laser SR2.
The Laser costs more to run a week then the XR did! Naturally I'm not impressed.

Keep the V8!

[ZA-289]

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

10 seconds accelerating hard will use less than 30-40-50 seconds of slowly coming up the revs.



Its not often the squareheads are wrong

SPOT ON

I proved this in my BA.

[Davebro]

As I have in my BF!

And its more fun.....

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Good on you, mate. Soon you'll start noticing the ones who jump to the next red light and you gently pull up next to them or pass them as the lights go green on your approach. .

a well set up traffic light timing system will turn green if you sit on the speed limit, which will also punish those who speed (by getting more reds).

[mrbaxr6t]

when I am cruising in my BA XR6T (yes I cruise in it OK) I find that cog skipping (manual) makes the car more economical I am at a loss to explain why my routine is thus - takeoff 1st gear goto maybe 2.5-3k revs then third get to 50/60 then 4th and coast I do this with minimal throttle application too and it returns an average of 12l/100 - now when my wife drives the car I got no idea what the heck she does wrong but it blows this out by 2l/100 sometimes more - and I been in the car with her and she by no means thrashes it BUT grabs every gear on the way up (6 speed manual). When I slow for a corner but don't stop I go back to 2nd then build speed gentle throttle application then 4th and coast at 50/60 - if speedlimit is 80 I usually hit 4th build to 80 then into 5th and if speed is higher than 80 I use 6th it works for me in terms of economy and I keep pace or exceed the pace of other cars around me on the road without a problem.

NOW on the subject of utes hardlids etc make a massive difference I have an old XF ute that is on LPG and the tonneau cover had the hooks on the rear of it stretched to buggery and at 80 kmh plus it would cave the rear of the tonneau into the tray creating a horrendous amount of drag I really do mean alot we are talking reduced the tank range by about 60-70 km when that car will only go around 450- (ish) to a tank of LPG a drop of 60-70 is sizable people in utes that are chasing economy try driving with the tonneau/hardlid off and dropping the tailgate removing the drag completely - guarantee you will notice it over 100km driving esp at highway speeds. Or if you can remove the tailgate and drive with it like that (I have experimented with the ole ute alot believe me) I find the most economical way to drive that particular car is no tonneau and tailgate down - why this is better than off I have no idea but it seems to be so.

Oh and do the other stuff mentioned above as well ;)

[StrokedXT]

Id rather just drive normally and enjoy it rather than worrying about a few dollars at the pump.

[glavas]

Originally Posted by jeep_by_ford

Id rather just drive normally and enjoy it rather than worrying about a few dollars at the pump.

thats the way mate!!!!


i dont understand why people bother about fuel usage. if your dont wana use alot of fuel dont buy ya v8 go and buy some little buzz box. and i dont understand the point of the v6 i think there antiquated. a v8 can get better fuel econamy then a v6.

[Quicksand]

Originally Posted by DJM83

If you want to save fuel dont own a V8......

This isn't the case any more. The average consumer wants power + economy + features + safety etc in everything they buy. This also applies to the V8's now.

E.g. Ford opting for a smaller, lighter and technically advanced forced fed V8 instead of following GM's charge and simply upping the capacity. E.g. BMW etc with their smaller, high-tech V8's etc

It's just not that simple any more...

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by DJM83

If you want to save fuel dont own a V8......

Can't I have the option of driving my V8 while enjoying some economy by utilising simple techniques?

[ReVd_uP]

Remember changing TOO early is gonna load up your engine, you'll use more fuel..... 2000rpm is a little early me thinks..... to the OP think you are getting too old.... your engine is gonna clag up in no time..... if you love the car set it free to someone who'll drive it like its supposed to be driven

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Inducted_Breeze

This isn't the case any more. The average consumer wants power + economy + features + safety etc in everything they buy. This also applies to the V8's now.

E.g. Ford opting for a smaller, lighter and technically advanced forced fed V8 instead of following GM's charge and simply upping the capacity. E.g. BMW etc with their smaller, high-tech V8's etc

It's just not that simple any more...

Your talking about cars (Ford) that arent on the market yet, the euro V8's are. Although i do agree with what your saying though. Newer V8's are smaller more high tech and economical. But with current Aussie V8's Windsor, BOSS, 304 GM and LSX engines my theory still applies

Originally Posted by Rodp

Can't I have the option of driving my V8 while enjoying some economy by utilising simple techniques?

Go for it but IMO economy and V8 dont belong in the same sentence. Ive had a V8 for near on 4 years, not once have i worried about fuel econ. Only when i go away ill see what the lowest L/100 i can get, not because of cost though.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by ReVd_uP

Remember changing TOO early is gonna load up your engine, you'll use more fuel..... 2000rpm is a little early me thinks..... to the OP think you are getting too old.... your engine is gonna clag up in no time..... if you love the car set it free to someone who'll drive it like its supposed to be driven

The auto driven lightly will change around 2000rpm. Its fine and not gonna load your engine up.

[tranquilized]

The latest Mazda 6 has a completely flat undercarriage if I'm not mistaken.

The whole "I've got a V8 so who cares about fuel" attitude is a bit stupid. Even if you like to drive a little faster and accelerate a little harder thats fine, I often do myself, but paying attention to traffic ahead, coasting upto red lights etc, will save fuel, and brakes as well - with absolutely no time or fun penalty. I always laugh at the morons who insist on racing to the red light barely 50 metres ahead. Does anyone actually find doing that fun?

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by tranquilized

The latest Mazda 6 has a completely flat undercarriage if I'm not mistaken.

Half mistaken as it happens. Just looked it up and the Mazda 6 has covers beneath the engine and passenger compartment - only the rear suspension and exhaust is left exposed. Impressive for a mainstream car.

[[CaSeY]]

Originally Posted by mrbaxr6t

when I am cruising in my BA XR6T (yes I cruise in it OK) I find that cog skipping (manual) makes the car more economical I am at a loss to explain why my routine is thus - takeoff 1st gear goto maybe 2.5-3k revs then third get to 50/60 then 4th and coast I do this with minimal throttle application too and it returns an average of 12l/100 - now when my wife drives the car I got no idea what the heck she does wrong but it blows this out by 2l/100 sometimes more - and I been in the car with her and she by no means thrashes it BUT grabs every gear on the way up (6 speed manual). When I slow for a corner but don't stop I go back to 2nd then build speed gentle throttle application then 4th and coast at 50/60 - if speedlimit is 80 I usually hit 4th build to 80 then into 5th and if speed is higher than 80 I use 6th it works for me in terms of economy and I keep pace or exceed the pace of other cars around me on the road without a problem.

NOW on the subject of utes hardlids etc make a massive difference I have an old XF ute that is on LPG and the tonneau cover had the hooks on the rear of it stretched to buggery and at 80 kmh plus it would cave the rear of the tonneau into the tray creating a horrendous amount of drag I really do mean alot we are talking reduced the tank range by about 60-70 km when that car will only go around 450- (ish) to a tank of LPG a drop of 60-70 is sizable people in utes that are chasing economy try driving with the tonneau/hardlid off and dropping the tailgate removing the drag completely - guarantee you will notice it over 100km driving esp at highway speeds. Or if you can remove the tailgate and drive with it like that (I have experimented with the ole ute alot believe me) I find the most economical way to drive that particular car is no tonneau and tailgate down - why this is better than off I have no idea but it seems to be so.

Oh and do the other stuff mentioned above as well ;)

im pretty sure mythbusters proved that closed/open tailgate don't effect fuel usage, but i could be wrong

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Go for it but IMO economy and V8 dont belong in the same sentence. Ive had a V8 for near on 4 years, not once have i worried about fuel econ. Only when i go away ill see what the lowest L/100 i can get, not because of cost though.

I do 40,000kms on a light year, I do worry about economy and I do love my V8. Perhaps you don't feel the sting in the back pocket but some of us do. I like to own my V8 as well as reduce fuel bills where possible.

To claim I shouldn't care about fuel economy because I own a V8 is spurious at best.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by [CaSeY]

im pretty sure mythbusters proved that closed/open tailgate don't effect fuel usage, but i could be wrong

From memory that is right... most of the airflow seperation happens right behind the cabin. It sits behind the cabin and rotates like a vortex, rest of the stagnent air then litterally sits in the tray.

[nipper575]

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

Something along the lines of 10 seconds accelerating hard will use less than 30-40-50 seconds of slowly coming up the revs.

I have experienced this myself. When I first bought my ute, I tried to drive it as economically as I could, no excessive revs, accelerating slowly etc. This was just for the sake of seeing what I could get out of a tank. Now it must of had something to do with all the stop start traffic because I returned around 17l/100km, which I think is great (better than my old 4 cyl Alfa, haha).

Only problem is that it feels like my car is telling me "HARDEN THE ******** UP!" I don't know, it's just a miserable car to drive excessively softly imo. So I've gone back to driving it normally, changing at 3000 - 4000, accelerating at a normal pace (for a V8) and putting it in 6th on the highway and motoring along. Turns out I get the same economy and have a far more positive driving experience, doesn't feel like the car is choking up.