How to get a few more MPG out of a 123 5cyl
 

Anybody got any good non-bogus ideas on how to get a few more mpg out of my 85 300td. I wonder about the whole KN air filter, bs. Or perhaps, an intercooler, or perhaps Elsbett injectors, or any ideas?????
thanks THE Kid

well the easiest and cheapest way to improve mpg is to drive with a light foot. Also consider leaving the A/C and going windows down (assuming you have A/C to begin with).

And of course, make sure everything is in a good state of tune (from valve adjustments to tire pressure).

-Alan

Inflating your tires to a higher psi will get you a few more mpg, as well as a bumpier ride. I've heard 34psi in the front and 36psi in the back will get you a little better mpg. Sometimes, a leaky fuel fill cap can lead to worse mpg. It may need replacing.
-Joe

Biodieselkid,

Put an egg between yout foot and the accelerator pedal.

P E H

[QUOTE=P.E.Haiges]Biodieselkid,

Put an egg between yout foot and the accelerator pedal.

that was jackie stewarts suggestion 20 years ago also.

[QUOTE=83-240D]Jackie Stewart could afford to eat a lot of scrambled eggs.

Everything I've ever read suggests to leave the windows UP at highway speeds, as the air drag created with windows down uses more fuel than windows up and A/C on. Around town, or lower speeds, windows down are good.

'Course I've never owned anything with actual working air, so I can't speak from experience...

Yep on the highway you are betting off with the windows up. Not to mention it is a little loud with the windows open at 80 or so.

Just make sure your car is in perfect tune, and don't carry much crap in it. These two things along with using a light foot will get you the best mileage possible.

What kind of mileage are you currently getting?

Back the ALDA all the way out. Dunno why but it improved my milege from 25 to 27something.

you could plug a fuel filter....restricted fuel = less useage :D
I guess it would just equate to you going much slower :)

Just got back from a 271 mile trip. Almost the entire trip I was heading into the wind which was gusting 35 mph. I drove 70 to 85 mph. When I got back I fueled up, checked my mileage and I did 28.25. I can't wait to check the mileage under normal conditions.

Momentum is your friend.

Try to 'time' traffic so you neither accelerate nor deccelerate, but maintain a steady speed. It costs fuel to accelerate, which you don't get back unless you drive a hybrid with regenerative braking.

Oh, regenerative braking is also how hybrids get such good city mileage, and not much better highway than a VW TDI...

Best Regards,
Jim

Get the vehicle up to snuff... adjust them valves, new fuel filters, and well... that's really about it.

Drive about 70mph on the freeway yields impressive economy, I got just a tad over 30mpg doing that in my SD recently. I usually get upper 28s to low 29s.

Windows up on the freeway, that's less drag. Run the A/C the least amount. No WOT from a stop light. I have my ALDA up so I don't have to go WOT to get moving.

Proper tire inflation has been said, don't have a truck full of 500lbs of crap... more weight is bad. Just use common sense!

I put a K&N on my 240d and 300sd and noticed no difference in gas mileage. Going slower definitely increases the mileage.

I went on a 304 mile round trip today/tonight, and I averaged right around 28.5-29mpg! I did a steady speed of 74mph the whole way, didn't mash the pedal much, and only about 5% of the trip was city driving, probably less than 7 minutes of total idling too, not bad! :D