Gas saving techniques!

[moseng]

I recently bought a 2001 pathfinder (well, 2 actually but the first is totaled) and coming from a much smaller non SUV type car find it to be well... a gas hog! Not that I didn't expect it but WOW!

I have been looking for ways to try and squeeze a few extra mpg. Short of riding my bicycle I have been surfing the net for suggestions. Hmmm, what people will come up with from magnets on the fuel line, to acetone in the tank, to little tubes of who knows what going who knows where! I mean none of this stuff actually works does it?

I decided to try a radical new approach! Oh, I will be selling an ebook on this if you're interested! Really though, just the basics like regular maintenance, not stepping on it at every light, etc.

So, how do I monitor my gas mileage? I could just record the number of miles and divide it by gallons used but I was thinking something real-time might help me notice my lead foot action. After looking at a number of devices I have pretty much decided on a Scanguage II http://www.scangauge.com/ . I think this and a little common sense will help me shave a few dollars at the pump! Oh damn! now I have to figure out how many gallons I will have to save to pay for the Scanguage!!

Do you (assuming you try) have any gas saving techniques?

[SixGuns]

So you can take my free advice, put it in your ebook and turn around and sell it back to me? Man, I'd feel pretty dumb when I see exactly what I wrote pop up on there and I'd have to say, "Golly, that was a dumb move!" Or you could just not be a douche and post your findings on the forum for $Free.99 just like everybody else around here. See, the internet is a funny place..just like the real world, you can find p0rn for free if you look hard enough, and if you're a d!ck, people aren't going to believe or like you. So don't be a d!ck, just post the results of your scanner if you actually do it. Ah, f*ck it, I'll bite. Know what the best way to boost your MPG in a vehicle with fuel economy as sh*tty as ours? Don't push the motor over 2k RPM. It's a PITA and you can't go faster than like 60 but it will save you at the pump. There. Post that in your damn book. (I'm gonna feel real stupid when I buy that b*tch...)

[larryt]

For tracking mileage, buy a GPS. For fuel-saving techniques, methods have been thoroughly explored here. I think the consensus was to buy a Prius. I hope you were kidding about the ebook.

[sicwitit]

yeah..this thread needs to be closed on principal alone...

[moseng]

Ouch! I didn't think it was a bad idea to see if it were possible to save a few $ but I guess I hit a nerve here. I get it, I didn't buy a Prius!

I think keeping my pathfinder under 2k rpms would be like driving a Lamborgini the speed limit. Still, I do agree that would save MPG's!

The Ebook thing was a joke! Geez! The things being sold on the internet just amazed me so much I figured some people are gullible enough to buy magnets and acetone so why not an ebook with basic common sense in it!

Anyway, thanks for the replies. I think my idea to buy the Scanguage (or something like it) will be the best approach and has the added benefit of telling me when something is going wrong as well.

[ascdesigns]

If you have a roof rack with attachments, pull it off if you're driving above 40mph for long distances. I've made attachments to transport my mtn bike inside the Pathy and when I go skiing, I only take a total of 3 folks so I fold down the 40% seat and lay the gear there.

By removing my racks, I've been able to increase my fuel economy by 1-2mpg. Combined with my Warn hubs, I've been able to increase my FE by about 3-4 mpg. Typically, while driving 65mph or less on the highways and using the typical "green" ways of accelerating, using cruise, etc. I've been pushing 20-22mpg.

Also, I'm running 30x9.5 tires which aren't as "cool" as the 31's, but they provide nearly the same clearance (1/2" less) and roll with less friction/inertia.

If I really wanted to "hypermile", I'd get really skinny tires with a smaller diameter, pull off my bug guard, ride my bike everywhere and hug a tree!

Hope this helps ya!

- Al

[QX4ME]

On some Honda Oddysey, there is the Variable Cylinder Management which will turn off I think three cylinders at highway steady speed.

If you could install a switch to manually turn off the fuel injector like #1, #3 and #5, or #2, #4 and #6, as well as their corresponding spark circuits, that might be a good gas saving way. I know nothing in details how to do it, but just an idea from Oddysey.

[pathfinder9035]

I recently bought a 2001 pathfinder (well, 2 actually but the first is totaled) and coming from a much smaller non SUV type car find it to be well... a gas hog! Not that I didn't expect it but WOW!

I have been looking for ways to try and squeeze a few extra mpg. Short of riding my bicycle I have been surfing the net for suggestions. Hmmm, what people will come up with from magnets on the fuel line, to acetone in the tank, to little tubes of who knows what going who knows where! I mean none of this stuff actually works does it?

I decided to try a radical new approach! Oh, I will be selling an ebook on this if you're interested! Really though, just the basics like regular maintenance, not stepping on it at every light, etc.

So, how do I monitor my gas mileage? I could just record the number of miles and divide it by gallons used but I was thinking something real-time might help me notice my lead foot action. After looking at a number of devices I have pretty much decided on a Scanguage II http://www.scangauge.com/ . I think this and a little common sense will help me shave a few dollars at the pump! Oh damn! now I have to figure out how many gallons I will have to save to pay for the Scanguage!!

Do you (assuming you try) have any gas saving techniques?

Suck it up! it has 250 hp and is smooth as silk.

14-17 mpg is all u need in life for such a capable vehicle.

I get 15 average and 18-21 highway. I think that is plenty otherwise u should have bought a CUV, the murano (wanna be suv).

[pathfinder9035]

On some Honda Oddysey, there is the Variable Cylinder Management which will turn off I think three cylinders at highway steady speed.

If you could install a switch to manually turn off the fuel injector like #1, #3 and #5, or #2, #4 and #6, as well as their corresponding spark circuits, that might be a good gas saving way. I know nothing in details how to do it, but just an idea from Oddysey.

[SixGuns]

On some Honda Oddysey, there is the Variable Cylinder Management which will turn off I think three cylinders at highway steady speed.

If you could install a switch to manually turn off the fuel injector like #1, #3 and #5, or #2, #4 and #6, as well as their corresponding spark circuits, that might be a good gas saving way. I know nothing in details how to do it, but just an idea from Oddysey.

Any gain in efficiency by not spraying fuel on 3 cylinders would be then lost by merely compressing air with no return value. Only way you can "shut down" cylinders and not completely suck is to then intruduce a variable-lobe camshaft so you're running the intake valve open on 2 of the 4 cycles and the exhaust open on the other 2. You're still losing efficiency, tossing dead weight around, but if fuel economy is ALL you're after, I suppose it would do the trick. But efficiency isn't on most people's minds. And sorry, moseng..didn't mean to come off on you hard, I thought you were being for real about the ebook douchenozzlerie. You can strip weight, make the pig as "aerodynamic" as possible, you're still never gonna get better than like 22 mpg. Hell, I have the full roof rack, lights across the top, whip antennas, my spare tire and I run fat A/T tires and I still average 19 mpg. I used to get 16. I also used to drive 80-85mph everywhere in Cali. Now I'm running 60-70 on the roads here in NC. It's all in the final drive RPM. As soon as you bump over 2k on most any motor for long periods of time, your fuel economy goes to sh*t.

[TheReplay]

my methods are as follows

Keep a reasonable highway speed ... usually dont go over 65, but keep it around 60 or so... im sure 50-55 would probably be ideal, but then you are impeding most traffic.

Anticipate stops a la tractor trailer mode... (im inclined to think tractor trailers do this more so because they dont want to stop and start again through the gears but it helps mpg too) --- if you ever see a tractor trailer driver through the city, hes always scanning ahead for the next stop, red lights, traffic, they always slow to a crawl in order to keep their forward inertia and avoid stopping completely.

Tires, both compound and proper inflation, along with balance and alignment matter a good deal. Less friction and rolling resistance = better mpg. Id be amazed when i would switch to my summer wheels/tires on my other car and notice my mpg drop a couple miles - they were much wider and much stickier than my all seasons id use in the winter. I thought the offset in weight (aftermarkets were considerable lighter) woud help and im sure they did, but it wasnt enough to offset the footprint and compound of the tire.

Also keep regular alignment throughout the year.

Avoid unnecessary idling.

edit: There are a lot more i use, but i cant be sure they affect gas mileage all that much... but i refrain from adding unneccesary crap on the outside of the car --- i.e.. i would love to buy my buddys brushuard and tail light guards, but i justify not spending the money because i think it might hurt mileage and i really dont need them or want to start modifying this vehicle.

The same with windows up on the highway and A/C on --- im not sure the difference is anything more than negligible.

[moseng]

Suck it up!.

Heh! I guess that is the best advise so far!

I would like however to ask one more question, hopefully without getting slammed! Regular or Premium gas?

[pathfinder9035]

premium!

Why run regular when u get worst gas mileage, and horrible engine performance. In the end, u loose money running regular. Its only and extra 5 at the pump.

Heh! I guess that is the best advise so far!

I would like however to ask one more question, hopefully without getting slammed! Regular or Premium gas?

[jsm02cpa]

Premium here is $.20 more a gallon and gives no noticable benefit, so why waste the money. I use regular in all my vehicles. IF it starts to buck or have problems off the line, then consider the mid-grade, but for the diff in cost in my state, it's not worth it. We haven't seen better gas mileage with a higher grade of gas. That has been my observation, others may get different results. If you are tromping on the pedal, you may notice a diff in performance with better gas, that would be one benefit.

[QX4ME]

Yes, I have compared regular and premium on my 94 Altima, 96 Maxima, 00 RX300 and 02 QX4. No difference at all, idle smoothness, mpg, acceleration, etc. I always said to others that with a professional meter the difference might be seen but I don't care that little much. It is my foot that affects mpg the most.

Only one time I got nearly 19 mph mostly highway at 85 mph average. My average is 15.5 mpg mostly city drive.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Can anybody explain why Nissan suggests that most of North American should use 91 octane fuel in the VQ35DE (part highlighted in yellow below)?

This is straight from the Pathfinders owners manual...

[sicwitit]

because the fuel in the good ol US or A is weak, watered down if you will. you can thank the tree hugers and EPA for it. research the differences between US, Japan, Europe, and Saudi fuels.....I'd like European fuel to hit the us...we all would mysteriously make more HP, and probably get better MPG too.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed, but back in say, 1995 I could do 400+ miles pr tank in my 93 Honda accord. in 2001, I started averaging 330mpt, then 2003 (after many changes) I was down to about 250-280 pr tank. Oh, and my MR2 turbo that was pushing 380-400hp back then, had a custom fuel system. tell me why I had problems with the regulator, and when I called Aeromotive, they told me over the phone the reason why my FPR went out on me is because of a different chemicel being added to the fuel in the US. they replaced it for me, and told me the new one had a stronger material for its diaphram. this is to handle the new chemicals being used in the us.If I had a lab, and some crud oil, and some beakers and bunsen burners, and a chemistry deg, I'd make my own fuel and leave Exxon and Shell behind. I'm rambleing, I can go on and on about those two bandits!!!

[K03sport]

Interesting outlook on the N. American fuel there sicwitit. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but it sounds like it makes sense. I know there are summer blends and winter blends and CA blends, so this detergent thing is plausible.

Here are some MPG adders for your online book "moseng". The idea behind them is to save fuel, so they may not be too practical in other respects:

1. Air tires up to 45psi cold.2. Buy skinniest tires you can find in your wheel size that will support the load of the vehicle, then see idea #1.3. Never drive over the speed of 45 mph, never over 40 mph would be even better. (Air resistance increases by a factor of 4 as speed doubles.)4. Remove as much extra weight as possible - no spare tire, not tools, no jack, etc. 5. Never tow anything.6. Always drive with the windows up and sunroof closed.7. Never go through a drive-thru window anywhere, even if you are the only car...go in and get your food, etc. 8. Shut engine off at prolonged stops - railway crossings, long red lights etc.9. Change your spark plugs every 12 months, regardless of mileage.10 Change your air filter every 12 months, regardless of mileage.11. Switch all fluids to synthetic - diffs, transmission, oil, T/C if 4WD12. Buy smaller, 11lb racing battery.13. Always back into parking spaces. Your engine is warm and buring efficiently when you arrive. When you leave, you can drive forward and not have to waste time backing up. (It's all the rage in Japan...seriously, they do this.)14. Replace hood with carbon fiber replica.15. Never fill tank over half full. If 1 gallon of fuel weighs 7lbs, a 1/2 tank will save you about 56lbs of unneeded weight.16. Never stop moving once you are driving. Steady state cruising nets you the best mileage. Its the starts and stops that bring MPG down.17. Anticipate red --> green lights, but don't hold up traffic.18, Get off the gas sooner when approaching stops. Let momentum carry you and if you are lucky, you may not need to stop completely.

In the end, it is cheaper to drive normal, do regularly scheduled maintenance, than to try and squeeze 50-75 more miles out of a tank. If you truly want to save fuel with your Pathfinder, use it to go pick up a Vespa and then use that as your primary vehicle.

Black helicopters...I've never seen any black helicopters...

[KyooX4]

Cruise control when applicable helps.

[sicwitit]

13. Always back into parking spaces. Your engine is warm and buring efficiently when you arrive. When you leave, you can drive forward and not have to waste time backing up. (It's all the rage in Japan...seriously, they do this.)

Most of you know I live in Tokyo Japan for most of the year, and this is so true. Actually the best way to tell if someone is a gaijin (outsider) is they are the only ones who don't back into parking spots.

[moseng]

Thanks K03sport, but number 7 is a deal breaker!!

Really though some good ideas!

[K03sport]

Most of the items in my list have merit, they just have to be used properly.

In the end, you will spend more money on trying to save fuel, the the money you would have spent on the fuel in the first place.

Saving fuel and driving a Pathfinder/QX4 so not belong in the same sentence.

The skinny tires thing would work, but you would need a 245/75 or a 235/75 for it to even be remotely effective. That is as skinny as one could go that could support the weight of the vehicle.

When I drive, I don't try to save fuel, but I don't try to needlessly waste it either.

[Kvolk]

You guys really get in the 20s I get 11 Mpg

I just added a http://www.performancechipsdir...inder/says you get 3-6 better and i am hoping it works

[fueler]

Interesting outlook on the N. American fuel there sicwitit. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but it sounds like it makes sense. I know there are summer blends and winter blends and CA blends, so this detergent thing is plausible.

Here are some MPG adders for your online book "moseng". The idea behind them is to save fuel, so they may not be too practical in other respects:

1. Air tires up to 45psi cold.2. Buy skinniest tires you can find in your wheel size that will support the load of the vehicle, then see idea #1.3. Never drive over the speed of 45 mph, never over 40 mph would be even better. (Air resistance increases by a factor of 4 as speed doubles.)4. Remove as much extra weight as possible - no spare tire, not tools, no jack, etc. 5. Never tow anything.6. Always drive with the windows up and sunroof closed.7. Never go through a drive-thru window anywhere, even if you are the only car...go in and get your food, etc. 8. Shut engine off at prolonged stops - railway crossings, long red lights etc.9. Change your spark plugs every 12 months, regardless of mileage.10 Change your air filter every 12 months, regardless of mileage.11. Switch all fluids to synthetic - diffs, transmission, oil, T/C if 4WD12. Buy smaller, 11lb racing battery.13. Always back into parking spaces. Your engine is warm and buring efficiently when you arrive. When you leave, you can drive forward and not have to waste time backing up. (It's all the rage in Japan...seriously, they do this.)14. Replace hood with carbon fiber replica.15. Never fill tank over half full. If 1 gallon of fuel weighs 7lbs, a 1/2 tank will save you about 56lbs of unneeded weight.16. Never stop moving once you are driving. Steady state cruising nets you the best mileage. Its the starts and stops that bring MPG down.17. Anticipate red --> green lights, but don't hold up traffic.18, Get off the gas sooner when approaching stops. Let momentum carry you and if you are lucky, you may not need to stop completely.

i like most of these - the ones having to do with weight reduction as well as modifying driving style. intelligent driving with minimal stopping is EVERYTHING - not only for MPG but wear and tear on your vehicle as well!!! and it gets you places faster!!

[sicwitit]

face it, our vehicles are a utility class automobile, not an economy class vehicle. if you want economy, then buy something that saves fuel from the get go. this is part of the problem with society today, mainly in America. there is a whole economy set up to make people worry about things like this when the real problem is people arn't making smart choices to begin with.

Sure you can save a couple dollars at the pump, or squeeze one more days driving out of a tank with all these things, but in the end whats the difference. Learn how to combine your trips, set waypoints to minimize the actual distance traveled. conserving energy is what needs to be practiced, not how to raise efficiency by only .08%

I have a number of vehicles, My IS300 when at full throttle, might on a good day get about 6-7MPG with all the work done to it. My pathy 15-20mpg. Each has a specific purpose, and I expect nothing but. I also have a couple motorcycles, I have seen 1 gal last me for 70 miles with consevitive driving on my R6, so with a 3.5gal tank, that will take me close to 200 miles of driving with a couple of wheelies here and there.

aww hell, what do I know anyway!

[Pwnin O'Brien]

face it, our vehicles are a utility class automobile, not an economy class vehicle. if you want economy, then buy something that saves fuel from the get go. this is part of the problem with society today, mainly in America. there is a whole economy set up to make people worry about things like this when the real problem is people arn't making smart choices to begin with.

Sure you can save a couple dollars at the pump, or squeeze one more days driving out of a tank with all these things, but in the end whats the difference. Learn how to combine your trips, set waypoints to minimize the actual distance traveled. conserving energy is what needs to be practiced, not how to raise efficiency by only .08%

I have a number of vehicles, My IS300 when at full throttle, might on a good day get about 6-7MPG with all the work done to it. My pathy 15-20mpg. Each has a specific purpose, and I expect nothing but. I also have a couple motorcycles, I have seen 1 gal last me for 70 miles with consevitive driving on my R6, so with a 3.5gal tank, that will take me close to 200 miles of driving with a couple of wheelies here and there.

aww hell, what do I know anyway!

Well said. If I wanted to save gas I would have purchased a Honda civic. However, if there is one tip that I could give that probably save the most gas of all these tips it's use a GPS unit. When I first got GPS years ago, I was surprised how inefficient my driving routes were. Even the small routes around town, the one's I thought were the fastest or the shortest turned out to be some of the longest. A lot of GPS units allow you to set the route to shortest or even economical (I think Garmins have this feature) so it will give you the flattest route or the route with the least amount of stops. I started using GPS for every little trip I made just to learn the shortest routes around town.

[sicwitit]

Well said. If I wanted to save gas I would have purchased a Honda civic. However, if there is one tip that I could give that probably save the most gas of all these tips it's use a GPS unit. When I first got GPS years ago, I was surprised how inefficient my driving routes were. Even the small routes around town, the one's I thought were the fastest or the shortest turned out to be some of the longest. A lot of GPS units allow you to set the route to shortest or even economical (I think Garmins have this feature) so it will give you the flattest route or the route with the least amount of stops. I started using GPS for every little trip I made just to learn the shortest routes around town.

I also own a garmin, and use these features.