I have been asked by the local rag to come up with a list of tips on how to increase the average miles per gallon on a vehicle. This has come about through a friend who works in the media office who wants to pick up on my technical knowledge. This may also become quite a useful thread for some and save us a few pennies because we all know too well fuel isn't cheap at the moment nor does it look like it is going to come down for some time.

I think the tips can be broken down into three categories as I have done below.

Here are a few tips to get things started:

Common sense
Do not carry any excess weight

Check tyre pressures regular

Ensure car is serviced/tuned regular


Technical

On a 'V' or Boxer engine the exhaust requires a balance pipe (a link between each bank) if you replace this with a mandrel x-pipe you can increase torque & bhp thus improving economy.

A dirty air filter element will lower your mpg considerably

Driving technique
Coaster car when safe to do so

Always leave a distance between you and the car in front to avoid excessive braking (remember, a good driver hardly uses the brakes)

Think up ahead and predict the unpredictable to avoid unnecessary braking

 

Leave the roof up. Most Boxster drivers have already got that one covered, of course.

 

I've heard elsewhere that coasting doesn't do that much for fuel economy.
IIRC it's because you have to accelerate again at some point, negating the freewheeling affect.

I / they could be wrong though

 

Smooth is good - but boring!

 

JC mentioned it when he was trying to get from London to Edinburgh and back on just one tank of fuel.

 

If you want to improve your mpg, drive downhill as much as possible.

 

I coaster down hills or if I see traffic way up ahead and I know I can roll up to it.

I have reset the AVMPG on the computer and gone for a thrash achieving 18.3, then reset drove normal to achieve 27.2 then reset yet again and drove using every technique I could like taking the race line on corners etc and achieved a decent 32.5mpg

 

Think ahead. Avoid using the brakes as much as possible. Build up speed on downhill and bleed off speed uphill. Think ahead. Low revs higher gear.

switch aircon and fans off. No seat heaters or anything like that.

Windows up

lay your spare seats down. It lowers the CoG and reduces mpg as you don't have to slow down as much for corners.

 

Hi Lloyd,

Keeping the car in closed loop lambda control helps

Using A/C drops mpg.

There are some tips in most owners manuals about tyre pressures etc too.

Might not be a good idea to advise on exhaust changes as you may get into warranty issues, should readers not be aware.

Not sure I would feel qualified to write an article on this subject though...

PS - I don't like the idea of this petrol price thing making everyone drive even ****ing slower and spoiling my fun!

 

Stop eating pies.