Gas Saving Techniques?

[henk4]

one should also realise that european continental trucks have a speed limiter, officially set at the legally allowed 80 kph, but mostly somewhere between 85 and 90. This is fully at odds with my experience in the USA where putting the cruise control at 70 mph, you will be regularly overtaken/blown aside by trucks. For us thererfore a truck is something that you want to pass as quickly as possible rather then getting stuck behind it.

[Bob]

Yes, the trucks here go just as fast as the rest of the traffic, faster if the driver is in a hurry. And almost all do have closed sides. Also, we americans drive tanks around, and its much easier to notice a difference in an unaerodynamic suv than it is in a sportscar.

[beejium]

When accelerating you should have top gear and press the gas pedal all the way. This way you don't have the pumping losses. BMW owners don't have to do thet, as they have Valvetronic.

The above works with cars that have injection. Carburated car owners should press the pedal gently (like they have an egg between their foot and gas pedal) and keep the RPM a bit below top torque rpm

on the carburated idea, try a stiffer spring so u have to push the gas pedal a little harder. i did this on my truck and i just rest my foot on the gas and go. it may take longer for u to open up the carb, but if u open the carb too fast u will flood and or choke the engine wasting gas.

[Esperante]

Gas Saving Technique #1
Take Public Transit

[werty]

i just read an article in the most recent "Popular Mechanics"

they gave a review on the "Air Tornado", a device you stick into your intake and it supposedly gives you 5 more mpg and up to 20% horsepower increase

So they put it to the test on a dyno in 5 different trucks

results: zero hp gain, and average loss of about 10% fuel efficiency

so dont buy one and take it out if you got one already

[henk4]

on the carburated idea, try a stiffer spring so u have to push the gas pedal a little harder. i did this on my truck and i just rest my foot on the gas and go. it may take longer for u to open up the carb, but if u open the carb too fast u will flood and or choke the engine wasting gas.

Actually as strange as this may sound, fully opening up the carb for a short period is more efficient that opening it half for a longer period. So the best technique is to give full throttle for a short time, shift up early, and repeat the procedure until you have reached the desired speed.

[Egg Nog]

Actually as strange as this may sound, fully opening up the carb for a short period is more efficient that opening it half for a longer period. So the best technique is to give full throttle for a short time, shift up early, and repeat the procedure until you have reached the desired speed.

Interesting, I've never heard this before.

What is it like with fuel injection?

[henk4]

Interesting, I've never heard this before.

What is it like with fuel injection?

I found this in the latest number of Auto Motor Und Sport, and they also call it a paradox. The issue is about the butterfly valve, if it is fully open then the engine gets its air more freely. I presume that they are fully aware that all engines are fuel injected these days, so that the principle is valid there too

[Matra et Alpine]

Actually as strange as this may sound, fully opening up the carb for a short period is more efficient that opening it half for a longer period. So the best technique is to give full throttle for a short time, shift up early, and repeat the procedure until you have reached the desired speed.

THis really only works for an engine setup for economy.
It's not necessarily a hard and fast rule.
Generally for twin-barrel webers, keeping off the throttle enough to not bring the second barrel in is the most fuel efficient.

For example in a setup with twin twin-webers eg 45s then the fuel-pump in the carb as you floor the throttle throws SOOOO muhc fuel in that is' quite normal for some of it to appear in the exhaust unburnt. In fact the Escort used to put so much in that it appeared at the exhuast tip !!!! Mind you on events it got about 6mpg

[henk4]

THis really only works for an engine setup for economy.
It's not necessarily a hard and fast rule.
Generally for twin-barrel webers, keeping off the throttle enough to not bring the second barrel in is the most fuel efficient.

For example in a setup with twin twin-webers eg 45s then the fuel-pump in the carb as you floor the throttle throws SOOOO muhc fuel in that is' quite normal for some of it to appear in the exhaust unburnt. In fact the Escort used to put so much in that it appeared at the exhuast tip !!!! Mind you on events it got about 6mpg

you might want to read the previous post on the fuel injection stuff. Webers were never famous for their fuel economy

[Matra et Alpine]

you might want to read the previous post on the fuel injection stuff. Webers were never famous for their fuel economy

yeah injectino is a whole differnet kettle of fish with monitored delivery.

I was only referring to carbs and REALLY ONLY referring to twin barrel as an example of how sometimes full throttle isnt' "ideal"

[henk4]

yeah injectino is a whole differnet kettle of fish with monitored delivery.

I was only referring to carbs and REALLY ONLY referring to twin barrel as an example of how sometimes full throttle isnt' "ideal"

Auto Motor und Sport, said "near full throttle"

[Matra et Alpine]

Auto Motor und Sport, said "near full throttle"

you've been taking lesssons from a well-known UCPer haven't you

You said "full throttle" first time

We agree that drving 'hard' up to speed is better than pottering around....

[henk4]

you've been taking lesssons from a well-known UCPer haven't you

You said "full throttle" first time

We agree that drving 'hard' up to speed is better than pottering around....

when I first posted I had not gone back to my source. I admit the error (unlike a well-known UCPer )

[eyebrows]

ride a bike