Improving MPG?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
One cheap easy way to increase mpg, check your tire pressure. Add about 5 psig to what is called for. This decreases the rolling resistance and gives more mpg.
Believe it or not, at least half of your gas is used to overcome wind resistance. To keep the wind resistance at a minimum, do not drive faster than 40 to 50 mph. The best mpg is probably around 30 mpg.
Way back when they used to have the "Mobil Economy Run" some of the tricks used allowed the drivers get 60 to 80 mpg driving regular cars and trucks.
They would drive not over 20 to 30 mpg, then turn engine off and coast as far as possible then restart and repeat.
Keep all windows closed
Remove all exterior devices that cause wind resistance like mud flaps etc.
Wash and polish the exterior to make more slippery thru the wind.
They pressured tires to 80 to 100 psig.
Re pack wheel bearings with synthetic grease.
Lighten the truck by removing all excess weight (wife?) or other stuff.
Less weight equals higher mpg.
Believe it or not, at least half of your gas is used to overcome wind resistance. To keep the wind resistance at a minimum, do not drive faster than 40 to 50 mph. The best mpg is probably around 30 mpg.
Way back when they used to have the "Mobil Economy Run" some of the tricks used allowed the drivers get 60 to 80 mpg driving regular cars and trucks.
They would drive not over 20 to 30 mpg, then turn engine off and coast as far as possible then restart and repeat.
Keep all windows closed
Remove all exterior devices that cause wind resistance like mud flaps etc.
Wash and polish the exterior to make more slippery thru the wind.
They pressured tires to 80 to 100 psig.
Re pack wheel bearings with synthetic grease.
Lighten the truck by removing all excess weight (wife?) or other stuff.
Less weight equals higher mpg.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Hey, BigRedF-150
I jimwww was using Imperial gallons per mile, not u.s gallons. There is a big difference! 1 U.S. gallon = 3.78 litres, 1 Imperial gallon = 4.54 litres. In Canada, we use metric (at least the government thinks we all do), but the old standard of measurement was Imp. Gallons. Bigger gallon, so it seems to get more mpg.
Here is an obvious one that you have all missed! Put on an airflow tailgate, or take it off altogether!! That will easily add about 1/2 to 1 mpg. You will definately notice a difference in the long run with reduced fuel usage over a given number of miles. At 60 mph, the main drag is airflow. If you want to reduce this, reduce the frontal area. The endgate is like a small parachute, increasing your frontal area, aven though it is not sticking out. A Tonneau cover reduces drag as well. Lowering the truck will reduce frontal area, reducing the mirrors, etc. People may be surprized how much reducing drag will help!
Consider this: Take a small 4 person sport airplane that cruises at 120 mph on a 140 H.P engine (pretty typical). If you wanted to double the speed of the plane, you can do either one of two things: reduce drag, or increase H.P. To double the speed of the plane to 240 mph by H.P. alone, you have to quadrouple the engine power (560 H.P.!). Or, you can reduce the drag on the plane by half. Much easier to reduce drag. Same applies to vehicles.
I jimwww was using Imperial gallons per mile, not u.s gallons. There is a big difference! 1 U.S. gallon = 3.78 litres, 1 Imperial gallon = 4.54 litres. In Canada, we use metric (at least the government thinks we all do), but the old standard of measurement was Imp. Gallons. Bigger gallon, so it seems to get more mpg.
Here is an obvious one that you have all missed! Put on an airflow tailgate, or take it off altogether!! That will easily add about 1/2 to 1 mpg. You will definately notice a difference in the long run with reduced fuel usage over a given number of miles. At 60 mph, the main drag is airflow. If you want to reduce this, reduce the frontal area. The endgate is like a small parachute, increasing your frontal area, aven though it is not sticking out. A Tonneau cover reduces drag as well. Lowering the truck will reduce frontal area, reducing the mirrors, etc. People may be surprized how much reducing drag will help!
Consider this: Take a small 4 person sport airplane that cruises at 120 mph on a 140 H.P engine (pretty typical). If you wanted to double the speed of the plane, you can do either one of two things: reduce drag, or increase H.P. To double the speed of the plane to 240 mph by H.P. alone, you have to quadrouple the engine power (560 H.P.!). Or, you can reduce the drag on the plane by half. Much easier to reduce drag. Same applies to vehicles.