Gas Prices Are Going Out Of Site This Summer They Say

All this engine fuel mileage is confusing. By the way the honda civic weighs 2500lbs I think. So it would weigh more than .5 tons.

1 US ton = 2000 lbs
Honda Civic = 1.25 tons
Jeep Liberty(US Model) = 3955 lbs ~2 Tons (Spec Curb weight)
Difference in weight =1455 lbs ~ .75 tons

The .5 ton I mentioned is the differance in weight between 2 vehicles.

That isnt fuel mileage (which is an easy formula

(Miles/Gallons of Fuel= Fuel mileage)

) but rather projected fuel consumption (in other words I can figure out how much fuel or air it would take to run an engine (either gas or diesel) at a certain (reasonable) wattage with out ever seeing the engine or anything other then the "White Papers" on it).

... I can figure out how much fuel or air it would take to run an engine (either gas or diesel) at a certain (reasonable) wattage with out ever seeing the engine or anything other then the "White Papers" on it).

Probably, but that does not exactly equate to the MPG an automobile would get, since it doesn't take into account such items as the weight of the vehicle, the gear ratios, the wind resistance of the vehicle at various speeds, the size (and proper inflation) of the tires, and more.

This guy or website wants you to feel all bad now doesnt it? Its a guy posting about what a website said:
http://forums.macnn.com/95/political-war-l...not-the-answer/

According to them nothing we do is going to help and we are all doomed to fail and go back to the horse and buggy age until further notice.

Probably, but that does not exactly equate to the MPG an automobile would get, since it doesn't take into account such items as the weight of the vehicle, the gear ratios, the wind resistance of the vehicle at various speeds, the size (and proper inflation) of the tires, and more.

No. thats not the point of this formula, which is actually used for Generator Sets where none of those things play into account. The fact that it works on vehicle engines is just an added bonus. This formula gives the minimum fuel consumption for an engine. It can only get worse from that point.

Probably, but that does not exactly equate to the MPG an automobile would get, since it doesn't take into account such items as the weight of the vehicle, the gear ratios, the wind resistance of the vehicle at various speeds, the size (and proper inflation) of the tires, and more.

No. thats not the point of this formula, which is actually used for Generator Sets where none of those things play into account. The fact that it works on vehicle engines is just an added bonus. This formula gives the minimum fuel consumption for an engine. It can only get worse from that point.

I understand.

The same engine, in two cars with different weights, different gear ratios, different tire inflations, etc. would get very different miles per gallon results though.

That's why we have to take the "whole package" into consideration when determining whether an automobile, such as a Jeep Liberty or a specific SUV will get a certain MPG rating.

Just some more info for you all out there.

A guy on youtube did some tests with his GEO which is like a Honda DX its a hatchback car that can hold 4 people with the 2 up front snug and the people in the back probably cramped. Anyways...

He gained 1mpg without side mirrors on the freeway.

Keeping windows closed at high speeds makes a difference.

Also with his on demand mile per gallon tester(ScanGaugeII or I not sure) he was able to test what different speeds got as far as fuel economy.

At 35mph he was able to get 78mpg or so! At 45 he got 65mpg and at 65mph he got 42.1mpg. So by going slower you save a lot of fuel. So if in the future you cant afford to drive just drive slower and you can double(or more) your fuel economy on your current car by just driving 35 and not with a moped ha ha.

Not using the AC is also good.

On another site
www.gassavers.com people found out by not using your alternator you could get a 10% increase in fuel mileage. But this only worked on short trips as your cars computers and such used power and would drain the battery after maybe a 2 hour drive or less??

Regular led acid batteries need charging AS SOON AS they are drained so you would need to charge it when it went down which would make this whole thing about impossible. People were thinking of trying deep cycle batteries instead.

A few good Ideas to help increase your fuel economy:

1) Get a tune up every 50,000 miles. Spark plugs and Wires start go go bad at about 50,000 miles (dont let your mechanic hype you into getting Platinum, Iridium, or Multi-tipped plugs they dont do enough more to justify the price increase. All start hving problems with corrosion and build up at 50,000)

2) Fuel System Cleaner. Cleans up your injectors and carborator. makes things work better.

3) If your Check engine light is on see what the problem is (many parts stores offer a computer scan for free) Oxygen sensors control the amount of fuel flow to the engine if they are bad your going to either starve your engine (causing damage to your engine) or over feed it to much wasting your dollars. A little mechanic secret 95% of all check engine light causes are caused by the emissions control system (the reason the light was put on your car in the first place) or fuel system.

4) Octane Booster/ Cetane Booster. Every once and a while its a good idea to pour a can of this in your tank to help clean out your engine (will increase combustion chamber temperatures helping break down deposits in your engine) Cetane booster is for diesel engines

5) Air Conditioning increases fuel economy over windows at speeds over 35 miles per hour. Under 35 windows are best.

6)The higher gear your in the more fuel economy you will get. but remember to pick a gear that will give you plenty of power at the speed your driving. The more you switch gears the more fuel you spend.

7) Shift gears at lower RPMs for a gas engine if you shift at around 2000-3000 RPMs you will increase your fuel economy and save your engine from excess wear and tear.

Happy motoring!

I needed to revive this old thread as it is getting really ridiculous out there. I'm not understanding how folks are to remain productive at 4 going toward 5 /gal. A 16 gallon tank is 64 going to 80. How often does one fill up? There's going to be cut backs in spending or just not getting to work. Sorry about all this joy but this is said without considering the high price of milk,electricity and wheat.

This was just about a year ago.

Apr 20 2006, 08:33 PM Post #72
US Dollars
June06 contracts
Crude oil 73.17
Unlead RBOB $2.15 on N Y Mercantile exchange
Pump price(Nat'l avg) 2.82

TODAY
Apr 08 contracts
Crude oil 119.31... = +46.14
Unlead RBOB $3.01 on N Y Merc....=+.86
Pump price(Nat'l avg) 3.52...=+ .70... $4.02 in NYC

I've been thinking and tinkering with the idea of what the Mythbusters did in one of their episodes. Buy a cheap used diesel vehicle and just run it off of used used vegetable oil.

Source1
Source2

Edited by yano, 22 April 2008 - 04:29 PM.

Hey all, Gas prices are 1.88/L here ( new zealand ) going to hit 2 bucks soon.

I found this thing called " Browns gas " do a google for it. I havent read much about it yet but seems like an interesting read.

Down here in Australia it is around the 120c - 150c mark. A tip if you are living in Australia is to buy fuel on Tuesdays as it is the cheapest day

Another tip is that if you have a 4WD, is to sell it and buy an economical car. A good choice is a 4 cylinder car as it gets you from A-B, saves tons of petrol and a full tank can last you atleast 3 weeks (Depending on what car)

This is getting out of hand though

$1.56.9 a litre in Sydney to-day.That.s around $6 US a Gallon. I must drive 700 KLMS week,and it's starting to really hurt the wallet. No public Transport, to my wife's workplace,which I must drive 130KLMS daily.Time our Governments started investing in alternative fuel research, seriously. They aren't in a hurry, as the Government is reaping huge amounts, in Fuel Taxes.

Trucking companies are being hit hard here in the US. Our bottom lines have been cut to paper thin. alot of companies that have contracts with set rate and very little room for excess fuel surcharge are running on no profit or in the red at this point. We cut our new fleet order this year in 1/2 (from 200 trucks and trailers to 100 each) and are going to continue running the older equipment that we would normally sell to independents. As for selling my 4wd thats not gonna happen anytime soon (16mpg is good for me anyway)

Not buying so many new Trucks,BS,is seriously going to effect your economy,in the long term,if all Trucking Companies are forced to reduce their orders. Will start to effect new cars sales also,if Fuel costs don't come down,quickly.
Here in OZ Taxi Drivers are seeking higher rates allready.All goods will cost more to cover the cost of higher transportation costs.

I knwo that for a fact these jumps in petrol prices have already caused a difference in the price for cars. Cars like 4WDs that take up a lot of fuel are getting cheaper and more economical cars are getting more expensive.