My First Ecomodder Resolutions

I've decided to become an ecomodder. What and why? Ecomodding is not just hypermiling practice. People are drawn to ecomodding for many reasons. The "eco" in ecomodder suggests concern for the environment & conservation;but "eco" also points to the economic factor - the desire to save money through reduced energy consumption.

In true gearhead fashion, ecomodder enjoy the considerable technical/mechanical challenge of improving a machine & its driver, and some revel in the sheer sport of it! Squeezing the greatest distance from the least amount of fuel is an ongoing game against ourselves and other like-minded efficiency enthusiasts. Of course, no two ecomodders are alike. People bring different combinations of interests & motivation.

Ecomodding is not the unquestioned adoption of dubious additives or magic bullet add-ons. Ecomodders value the experimental method, and are skeptical of those who make claims and draw conclusions from observations made in uncontrolled conditions

"Wrench smart - drive smarter - save fuel"

As a novice ecomodder, these are my resolutions:

1. Use the lowest recommended octane. The lower octane gas is cheaper (read my previous posting on using lower RON)

2. Stay away from newly refill tanks. If i know that a station has just been filled by tanker, steer clear of it for a day or two. When the tanker dumps its thousands of litres of fuel into the containers below the station, the sediment and old fuel get stirred up. This sediment and bad fuel gets sucked into the cars that fill up first, and can cause a decrease in fuel efficiency, as well as wear and corrosion of the spark plugs in my vehicle.

3. Fill the tank full. If I need to fill up, fill up all the way. The more money i try to save by adding RM50 today and then RM30 tomorrow will be wasted since each time i will have to travel to the station and wait for a pump. Instead, i do it all at once to save time and money.

4. Stop at first click and don't top off the tank. It is wasted money and bad for the environment since the extra gas evaporates in 10 minutes of driving.

5. Throw...err..clean out any unnecessary items in the car. If my car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where I’m going (spare your passenger, ok?).

6. Avoid idling. While idling, my car gets exactly 0 km, while starting the car uses the same amount as idling for 6 seconds.

7. Reduce speed. Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed. The most efficient speed is my car's minimum speed in it's highest gear, since this provides the best "speed per RPM" ratio.

8. Take off slowly from a full stop. This is one adjustment that will have dramatic effects on my gas mileage. (Refer to step 12 afterwards)

9. Stay away from shops where i will spend significantly more time idling and waiting for parkings, pedestrians and other vehicles to move.(e.g Tesco Ampang during weekends..hehe).

10. Increase tyre pressure from in the manual which are for comfort rather than fuel efficiency. Generally speaking, a slightly higher pressure will improve fuel mileage and handling, but too high will degrade traction and wear the tires rapidly, as well as being unsafe.

11. Listen to slower music. Leave the speed metal at home. Fast paced music can make me more impatient, more agressive and likely to speed. At the same time, slower paced music is more relaxing and tends to promote a more sensible driving style while also reducing stress.

12. Constant throttle position cruising. Once up to speed, pick a throttle position and hold it.

13. Make fuel economy a game/challenge. Competing against myself (or others) to get the best possible fuel economy can do wonders for increasing motivation to learn more, refine my skills, and try harder.

14. Adjust my automatic transmission practice:

• key off, then Park. Save a few drops of fuel by modifying shutdown procedure: when parking, turn off the key *before* shifting to Park and setting the parking brake.
• highest gear/lowest RPM for posted speed. When cruising, drive the the speed that allows the lowest RPM for the speed zone we are in.
  EG. if the posted speed is 60 kmh and your car shifts into 3rd at 65, you may be able to achieve the 3rd gear shift, then reduce and hold 60 without causing a downshift.
• torque converter (TC) lockup. Drive at the speed that allows the TC (torque converter) to lock up. This is often around 75-80 kmh. Speeds just above this typically return the higest cruising fuel economy.
• neutral when stopped. Shift automatic transmissions to neutral when stopped (assuming i'm going to leave the engine running). Remaining in drive wastes fuel as the engine continues to try to creep the car forward while being held back by the brakes.
• upshift coaxing. Some automatic transmissions can be coaxed to upshift sooner when accelerating by briefly releasing some throttle pressure, then re-applying to continue accelerating.
• use OD (overdrive). If my transmission has an "OD" (overdrive) button or position, leave it engaged to ensure the transmission will shift into its highest gear as soon as possible.
• use economy mode. If my automatic transmission has a "power/economy" button, leave it in economy mode. This usually results in earlier upshifts and later downshifts, saving fuel.
  
• to be continued...