ICantDriveFiftyFive's Forum Comments
Showing all comments by ICantDriveFiftyFive.
A preview of our new site for Earth Day!
It OK, not grate - I don't like adds.
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive May 9, 2011 at 7:43 PM
fuel economy question
Oh, And make sure the, Oil/ Gear Lube you use, is the right kind. Try synthetic and the right weight (use, 75W-90 appose to just 90, and 5W-20 Vs, 10W-30 (examples)...
I found that the oil change places, use what they have, not what you need...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive December 27, 2009 at 5:31 PM
It's that time of year again!
Yah, happy whatever you celebrate...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive December 27, 2009 at 5:23 PM
fuel economy question
On my commute (45 Miles, one way), I've noticed its not the speed I go, but other things that cause worse FE.
Like, having a head (or cross) wend, traffic (if everyone is passing me, the drag goes up and down (I go at least 5 MPH over), A/C on or off (AC is on for the Defrost and maybe the heater), and more in-town driving...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive December 27, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Premium gas for 2010 Honda Insight
Car's can detect the octane of fuel used, indirectly. It called the ping (knock) detector. If an engine has a particular CR (compression ratio) by advancing timing, till it pings, which is why the ping detector is there, the cars computer could calculate the octane that is used. By advancing the engine you are increasing the CR. It's common way to increase HP, by increasing the timing.
The bottom line, rarely using higher octane, is a cost effective way to increasing fuel economy.
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Engine size + RPM + MPH = Best MPG?
Yes, speeding up is what effects FE. Or worst having to stop and start from a stop. If all the stop signs were converted to traffic circles, I'd expect the see my in-town FE go from 23 to 25 MPG.
I think stop lights need to be redesigned to maximize through put. And, Laws set regarding yellow to red timing. As I don't like to see red when I leave the intersection, that when my car was interring the intersection, it was yellow?
I'd like to see traffic enforcement for slow driving, because this forces others to pass, and drive faster (wasting fuel), and making the drive, less safe...
These things will have a grater effect, than what gear, or speed you drive (assuming, you going at least the speed limit)...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive October 30, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Premium gas for 2010 Honda Insight
Well most car do have a knock censor. The car computer, should advance the timing as far as long as knock dos not occur. I suspect manufacture have not taken this as far as they should...
Most cars I've owned, do get better FE on Premium Gas, and have no ill-effects, and some have ran better - but not enough to make up for the added cost...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive September 30, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Windows vs. A/C
I Have a 2001 Honda Accord, the AC really sucks the power, I think my car must be the worst case for FE loss at ~3 MPG. I think manufactures need to find more efficient ways of cooling the interior of the car, like low-e glass (and make it available to the after market too), and better lighter insilation...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive September 30, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Engine size + RPM + MPH = Best MPG?
Also, to consider, when purchasing that car, the smallest engine my not be the most fuel efficient. Often car manufactures, have three engine options, "Cheap, Good, and Faster." The "Cheap" engine, is likely to ware out sooner, and not necessarily get the beast fuel economy. It likely to be of an older design, and made of cast iron (very heavy). The "Good" option will be more optimized, likely will be fully made of Aluminum (lighter by a lot). And "Fast," is the HP option, not always the worst fuel economy...
If your commute requires you to drive over a mountain pass, the "Cheap" engine will require you to flore it, to dive at that roads minimum speed limit, it will likely get the same fuel economy as the "Fast" option. The Good option is likely give the most balanced between fuel economy and enough power, and reliability. I've owned only used cars with 100, 000 miles or more. The Bottom Line; the bottom line engine will be beat - heavy car, little engine, has been stressed (thrashed) all it life - these cars are the worst...
posted by ICantDriveFiftyFive September 30, 2009 at 1:32 PM