mt2man
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,366
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Nov 12, 2012 12:57:35 GMT
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Just wondered if anyone had any idea if this would make much difference?! I am sure i read online somewhere that somone had a 5mpg increase when he lowered his car but i cant remember which car or where i read it haha. I am looking at trying to increase the MPG of my 1.8 CVH Sierra, i don't really need too but just because i can! I wanted to lower it anyway so its work a try  Anyone experienced this or have any other ideas of simple ways to increase MPG?! Jack |
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Nov 12, 2012 12:58:42 GMT
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Anyone have any other ideas of simple ways to increase MPG?! Strip the interior out and drive everywhere in a really boring way. |
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Nov 12, 2012 12:59:37 GMT
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I don't think so, sorry. At most it would reduce your frontal area, but by the tinyest miniscule ammount it would be less than negligable. do it any way though. low sierras are good.  |
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mt2man
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,366
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Nov 12, 2012 13:04:21 GMT
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Haha yeah i stripped my old panda and used to drive boring occasionally just to see what mpg i could get, its also good being stripped because its more fun and lighter when you want to boot it too!  But i agree low sierra's are always good |
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bl1300
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,678
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Nov 12, 2012 13:11:48 GMT
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^ second that. The best way to increase MPG is to remove unnecessary weight. That includes rubbish and junk in the boot.
Also giving the engine a good service and making sure all the settings are back as they should be will make it run more efficiently.
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Current fleet.
1967 DAF 44
1974 VW Beetle 1303s
1975 Triumph Spitfire MkIV
1988 VW LT45 Beavertail
1998 Volvo V70 2.5
1959 Fordson Dexta
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mt2man
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,366
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Nov 12, 2012 13:19:46 GMT
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The sierra is my "sensible" car, so i need all the seats! But i shall remove all my curse word from the boot and the spare wheel and that extra added weight of the coils that are not needed in the suspension . Might possibly look at aerodynamics too, although not too sure what could be done on the front of a sierra to aid aerodynamics. I may give it a good service and may turn the fuel mixture down a tad as i am sure it is running abit rich as it is anyway which doesnt help. It has a aftermarket exhaust too which I'm sure doesnt help mpg but it sounds good |
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Nov 12, 2012 13:21:59 GMT
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Theoretically, a lower car could be more economical. It is doubtful that it could make as much difference as 5mpg though I'd have thought.
It is also pretty complex, meaning some cars will see no benefit.
It's not about reducing frontal area as much as reducing the amount of air travelling under the car, and therefore, reducing drag. It's pretty complex stuff however, and would be best to test on your own car to come to any conclusions. Lowering a car with a current very high ground clearance, such as a 4x4 can actually make matters worse, as more of the air can become 'trapped'.
Making the underfloor of the car smoother, adding an undertray behind a front spoiler, fitting bonnet venting to allow under bonnet air to exit out of the top of the car, rather than beneath it, adjusting rake etc. have all been tested to have some effects.
The main enemy of good mpg is weight and drag, so the detail just follows on from those factors.
Lower it anyway if you like the look but don't expect big gains in mpg.
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Nov 12, 2012 13:22:31 GMT
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and another one for the stripped out interior. on my 1L polo with a stripped out interior, I can now get up hills arround here in 4th gear instead of having to drop it to 3rd gear.
also over inflating tyres slightly may also reduce their rolling resistance, which may increase fuel economy a tiny amount
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Nov 12, 2012 13:31:30 GMT
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put thinner tyres on, strip the interior and drive carefully.
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,934
Club RR Member Number: 108
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Lowering a car to improve MPG?EmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Nov 12, 2012 13:41:31 GMT
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Pog is 100% correct. Folded rear seats also increase bhps and aerodynamics. In fact if you fold your mirrors in you will get supertripledouble mpgz. Fact. Also overinflating tyres and covering the front of the car in duct tape will save you hundreds of thousands on petrols. Remove any mudflaps and stick cardboard pizza bases to your rimz too.
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,128
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Nov 12, 2012 13:42:52 GMT
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Stop eating donuts
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,934
Club RR Member Number: 108
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Lowering a car to improve MPG?EmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Nov 12, 2012 14:05:30 GMT
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^ this is incorrect. If you eat MOAR doughnuts, you will lower the car, thereby increasing mpgz.
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bl1300
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,678
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Nov 12, 2012 14:34:53 GMT
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Another one that makes a big difference keep the windows shut, the increased drag caused by open windows can make a big difference to mpg. In some situations even more so than having AC on.
Also keeping your car clean can make a difference in the long run, mind a very small one, as a slippery surface creates less drag.
Oh and as top gear tell you shaving off a moustache will save a couple of pence a year ;D
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Current fleet.
1967 DAF 44
1974 VW Beetle 1303s
1975 Triumph Spitfire MkIV
1988 VW LT45 Beavertail
1998 Volvo V70 2.5
1959 Fordson Dexta
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Nov 12, 2012 14:36:27 GMT
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i weigh 20 stone and i gets way more MPG in the wifes car than the 14 stone biarch ever does so i would tend to agree with eating moar doughnuts idea |
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,954
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Lowering a car to improve MPG?stealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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Nov 12, 2012 15:15:33 GMT
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Eibach iirc used to market their lowering springs as increasing mpg. The theory of it is sound. Sierras are pretty aerodynamic anyway.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,542
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Nov 12, 2012 15:20:01 GMT
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Mk1 Sierra hubcaps are a must.  |
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Lowering a car to improve MPG?Robinxr4i
@robinxr4i
Club Retro Rides Member 143
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Nov 12, 2012 16:42:07 GMT
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Mk1 Sierra hubcaps are a must. That reminds me! The original Sierra concept called the Probe, had a boxed in rear wheel.....  ....lots of the guys on the Eco Modder do this to reduce drag and increase MPG. Eco Modded Civic....  |
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Last Edit: Nov 12, 2012 16:43:07 GMT by Robinxr4i
Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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mt2man
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,366
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Nov 12, 2012 17:10:38 GMT
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That eco modified civic is soooo ugly haha.
Sierras are quite aero dynamic as standard i suppose, I'm not sure how i feel about boxing the rear wheels in though, wouldnt mind creating a flat floor under the car to aid aerodynamics though. I have a spare pair of bullet mirrors in the shed but i think a sierra is too big of a car to pull of tiny mirros like bullets, they would probably be more aerodynamic though haha
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mt2man
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,366
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Nov 12, 2012 17:17:26 GMT
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"2.7" ground clearance is a good minimum height to shoot for. According to Mercedes, "Lowering the ride height at speed results in a 3-percent improvement in drag."" See if Mercedes recomend lowering a car to improve aerodynamics it must be true |
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