GasSavers.org

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:22 pm

I have been over at http://www.gassavers.org/index.php and been following/testing some of the techniques for increasing fuel mileage. I thought it would be kewl to get a couple more CRDs in the mix.

I have increased my mileage by 18% over EPA so far and that is with a lift/bigger tires and a full skids (Although mine are lightweight aluminum). With fuel prices climbing to new all time highs, I decided to try driving better...to get more mileage.

They also have a fuel log page that is very helpful. You can track your mileage and if you input the New Epa Ratings for your vehicle you will get the % increase over EPA automatically (just fill out the from in the "Garage"). It has been very interesting reading...some of those guys/gals are getting over 100% increase and getting 100+mpg

Tinman · **Joined:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 308

I'm gonna have to give that a look see.

JIMMY JEEP · **Posted:** Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:46 pm

So what steps have you done to increase your gas mileage by 18%?

AZ CRD · **Posted:** Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:00 pm

Nice site. Thanks for the link!

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:58 pm

Really changed driving habits...look ahead to see what traffic and lights are doing. Coasting...have tried key off/neutral/left in Drive coasting...left in Drive coasting works just fine since a diesel burns very little fuel at idle and rpms drop to 750 fairly quickly whn you lift off the pedal. Airing up to 50psi lowers rolling resistence and seemed to be one of the biggest improvements. Easy accelerating...smooth transitions...G force turns (stay off brake pedal whenever possible)...keeping rpms below 2000 on the highway...

Seems like common sense for the most part but you have to make it a habit...but the rewards are $$$ in your pocket. On the HyperMiling Forum they do much more and I am still working on stuff. I have made a straight thru 3" catback exhaust with no muffler. I have also been working with the 2002 Air Box and a custom intake system. The SEGR is going on this weekend and then an InMotion Tuning Module to increase mileage. I have just started all this so I am gaining mpg every step forward.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:12 am

Speaking of the new EPA MPG ratings -

As far as diesels, they're an absolute joke. It was well known before that most gas vehicles averaged some percentage lower than the EPA ratings, while nearly all diesels averaged well above the EPA ratings.

I checked over on fueleconomy.gov . Those idiots reduced the MPG ratings for both gas AND diesel vehicles - instead of raising the MPG rating of diesels to reflect reality, they dropped them by roughly the same percentage as they did for gas vehicles! :shock:

One example - for a '03 Jetta TDI, they reduced the original MPG estimates by 4 mpg for both city and highway - from the original 42/47 to 38/43.

The more I see as time goes by, the more inclined I am to give credence to reported statements attributed to some with the EPA that they would as soon be rid of POV diesels and have everyone driving ethanol-fueled hybrids.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:43 pm

I think for most people, the new ratings are pretty close. On the CRD it is 19/21/23...If I drive like a noraml idiot...the 19/21 is pretty close...the 23 is low. My last fill up of city/mixed I got 24.15mpg with a lift and bigger tires...I am happy with that. Tomorrow I go to meet gmctd to install my SEGR and do some testing...mostly all highway...I will be interested in the results. Plan on holding 62.5-65 mph to get the best mileage I can.

Bill.Barg · **Posted:** Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:35 pm

Did Darby just call me an idiot by inference? Yikes.... I will lie about my mileage from now on!
Just kidding... no offense taken, Founder.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

I'd concur... American drivers never learn anything about driving for efficiency. My wife's 06 Jetta TDI is rated at 30 and 38 under the new EPA ratings (34 and 42 under the old).

With her driving habits, she's been getting 30-32 in mixed city driving. I know its capable of much better, but trying to talk her out of jack rabbit starts, coasting instead of breaking at the last minute, etc... is a lost cause.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Nov 10, 2007 8:06 pm

Bill.Barg wrote:

Did Darby just call me an idiot by inference? Yikes.... I will lie about my mileage from now on!
Just kidding... no offense taken, Founder.

If I drive like My normal idiot self, I get the New EPA Ratings pretty much :wink:

I changed because if I can get 4 more mpg for 20 gallons @ just $3.00 per gallon, that is 4 "free gallons" (80miles/20mpg) a tank...= $12.00 every tank.

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 10, 2007 8:25 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

Really changed driving habits...look ahead to see what traffic and lights are doing. Coasting...have tried key off/neutral/left in Drive coasting...left in Drive coasting works just fine since a diesel burns very little fuel at idle and rpms drop to 750 fairly quickly whn you lift off the pedal. Airing up to 50psi lowers rolling resistence and seemed to be one of the biggest improvements. Easy accelerating...smooth transitions...G force turns (stay off brake pedal whenever possible)...keeping rpms below 2000 on the highway...

Seems like common sense for the most part but you have to make it a habit...but the rewards are $$$ in your pocket.

Ah ha!! You learned what most of us in trucking have known for a long, long time (at least those of us who want to stay in business and make a profit). Guess that is why I average over 7 MPG in a class 8 truck (industry standard is 6 MPG) and take home an extra $10K a year that would otherwise go out the stack at the present fuel rate.

Good Luck!

AZ CRD · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:19 am

Cowpie1 wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

Really changed driving habits...look ahead to see what traffic and lights are doing. Coasting...have tried key off/neutral/left in Drive coasting...left in Drive coasting works just fine since a diesel burns very little fuel at idle and rpms drop to 750 fairly quickly whn you lift off the pedal. Airing up to 50psi lowers rolling resistence and seemed to be one of the biggest improvements. Easy accelerating...smooth transitions...G force turns (stay off brake pedal whenever possible)...keeping rpms below 2000 on the highway...

Seems like common sense for the most part but you have to make it a habit...but the rewards are $$$ in your pocket.

Ah ha!! You learned what most of us in trucking have known for a long, long time (at least those of us who want to stay in business and make a profit). Guess that is why I average over 7 MPG in a class 8 truck (industry standard is 6 MPG) and take home an extra $10K a year that would otherwise go out the stack at the present fuel rate.

Good Luck!

Not to mention giving the finger to Middle East oil. :wink:

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:58 am

Like I said before on another thread - high school drivers ed no longer teaches kids how to drive, just how to pass the drivers license exam.

Had to do a 10 mile round trip last night. Since there was very little traffic, I tried seeing how far I could let that beast coast before it dropped below a reasonable speed, ie, more than I usually let it coast when in traffic.

When I pulled in the driveway, with the heater running, my coolant temp was below 165 F.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:44 am

Cowpie1 wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

Really changed driving habits...look ahead to see what traffic and lights are doing. Coasting...have tried key off/neutral/left in Drive coasting...left in Drive coasting works just fine since a diesel burns very little fuel at idle and rpms drop to 750 fairly quickly whn you lift off the pedal. Airing up to 50psi lowers rolling resistence and seemed to be one of the biggest improvements. Easy accelerating...smooth transitions...G force turns (stay off brake pedal whenever possible)...keeping rpms below 2000 on the highway...

Seems like common sense for the most part but you have to make it a habit...but the rewards are $$$ in your pocket.

Ah ha!! You learned what most of us in trucking have known for a long, long time (at least those of us who want to stay in business and make a profit). Guess that is why I average over 7 MPG in a class 8 truck (industry standard is 6 MPG) and take home an extra $10K a year that would otherwise go out the stack at the present fuel rate.

Good Luck!

Got to thinking about this over the weekend...
I bought a 10ft roll of aluminum flashing at HD. Cut portions to fit behind
the grill to block off areas not directly in front of the fan. Basically the two
slots on each side leaving the center three open. Zip tied them in place.
Pretty much the same principle as the truckers use with the canvas over
the grill with only portions left open.
Only cost a few bucks and we will see how it performs.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:06 am

flash7210 wrote:

Got to thinking about this over the weekend...
I bought a 10ft roll of aluminum flashing at HD. Cut portions to fit behind
the grill to block off areas not directly in front of the fan. Basically the two
slots on each side leaving the center three open. Zip tied them in place.
Pretty much the same principle as the truckers use with the canvas over
the grill with only portions left open.
Only cost a few bucks and we will see how it performs.

All the guys/gals at GasSavers.org block the grills. One for aero reasons and the other to get the engine to temp faster and a bit more temp. "Lund" actually sells some Stainless Steel grill inserts that are easy to take off...thinking about them.

http://www.fasterthanthem.com/product.p ... 063&page=4

Say they fit up to 04'...wonder if they would fit 05/06 CRDs?

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:32 pm

Well I made the TOP TEN for % over EPA Combined MPG...I made #7 in the Diesel section:

http://www.gassavers.org/garage/topten

I guess since there are only 11 Diesels in the "Garage" it is not that impressive, but what the heck!

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:38 pm

flash7210 wrote:

Cowpie1 wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

Really changed driving habits...look ahead to see what traffic and lights are doing. Coasting...have tried key off/neutral/left in Drive coasting...left in Drive coasting works just fine since a diesel burns very little fuel at idle and rpms drop to 750 fairly quickly whn you lift off the pedal. Airing up to 50psi lowers rolling resistence and seemed to be one of the biggest improvements. Easy accelerating...smooth transitions...G force turns (stay off brake pedal whenever possible)...keeping rpms below 2000 on the highway...

Seems like common sense for the most part but you have to make it a habit...but the rewards are $$$ in your pocket.

Ah ha!! You learned what most of us in trucking have known for a long, long time (at least those of us who want to stay in business and make a profit). Guess that is why I average over 7 MPG in a class 8 truck (industry standard is 6 MPG) and take home an extra $10K a year that would otherwise go out the stack at the present fuel rate.

Good Luck!

Got to thinking about this over the weekend...
I bought a 10ft roll of aluminum flashing at HD. Cut portions to fit behind
the grill to block off areas not directly in front of the fan. Basically the two
slots on each side leaving the center three open. Zip tied them in place.
Pretty much the same principle as the truckers use with the canvas over
the grill with only portions left open.
Only cost a few bucks and we will see how it performs.

Or you could....

http://www.gofia.com/index.cfm?pageID=1 ... ar=&step=1

Might be a little bit more in investment, but also might be better looking.

And it IS what truckers do!

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:07 am

flash7210 wrote:

Got to thinking about this over the weekend...
I bought a 10ft roll of aluminum flashing at HD. Cut portions to fit behind
the grill to block off areas not directly in front of the fan. Basically the two
slots on each side leaving the center three open. Zip tied them in place.
Pretty much the same principle as the truckers use with the canvas over
the grill with only portions left open.
Only cost a few bucks and we will see how it performs.

This works...had blocker plates behind the grill on mine most of last winter. This is probably the best thing I did to my CRD (other than selling it). Made an additionl set for the 3-slots in front of the fans with holes to just partially block airflow. Made mine out of heavy black plastic (sacrificed a wastepaper can).

What this does is keeps the engine temps high enough to get efficient combustion, thus improving fuel economy. You will notice an immediate improvement, starting with warm-up time. This will have two mechanical effects: 1. Elevate water temps. 2. Decrease the cooling efficiency of the CAC slightly, raising the intake air temps (it is possible to over-chill charged air causing decreased fuel economy). This is something I know from years of bus fleet maintainence where thermostatically controlled radiator shutters are used to control this function.

Anomious · **Posted:** Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:17 pm

Cardboard is cheap!! :lol:

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:21 pm

Anomious wrote:

Cardboard is cheap!! :lol:

and falls apart when wet!

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