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

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/119226-1982-300d-sale-post852260.html

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

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

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

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.

__________________
currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

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

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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


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"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol

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...

__________________
1991 GMC Sonoma Ext Cab w/Isuzu diesel (converted March Mar 2003) - sold
1994 S10 Ext Cab w/Isuzu diesel (converted Mar 2008)
1998 Toyota Sienna XLE
B6100HST Kubota CUT DIESEL

1994 S10 with Isuzu diesel and 5spd
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...S15/SigPic.jpg

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?

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

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

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

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

maybe you want to scale that speed back to legal limit............or less. this takes great discipline. you gotta remember the time in auto history these cars were built in. the nation was still at a national limit of 55.

'I CAN'T DRIVE...FIFTY FIVE!!!" means bad fuel mileage.

__________________
currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

for the most part I do drive the speed limit, but you have to remember I live in the west, wide open spaces. One other thing these cars, regardless of age are German=Autobahn=no speed limit=the Germans designed them for Germany where there is no speed limit and people drive them as they feel comfortable. Yes I do have an issue with breaking the law, speeding today, selling crack and cheating on my income taxes tommorrow, then a little securities fraud, then who knows what, a slippery slope for sure. I wish I could mellow out and set the cruise at the speed limit. Thanks for the tip, it is causing me to reflect. I remember when I was in Switzerland a few years ago, people just do not break laws like here, and look at what a cool society that is, virtually no crime, some would call it boring, but it sure was refreshing not having any fear of crime or for kids. The Kid

Well if we're talking strictly Highway then yes windows up is better. You could use the Econ mode then.

Although you could use the windows down to your advantage. When it gets too loud then you know to back off a little. It'll help keep your overall speed down

-Alan

__________________
2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

Call me crazy but I think you should be able to get like 35mpg out of these things. I mean just a few tweaks and you can grab a few mpg here and there. So I was thinking the following

Synthetics in the oil, tranny, and diff
Take the cross bars off the rack
Intercooler
correct tire psi
bigger overdrive gear, either when rebuilding tranny or at the differential
normal driving
preheat the diesel fuel to increase the spray pattern and density
plug the egr vacuum line so it doesnt recirc exhaust gases
I mean Elsbett claims to have gotten 68/90 mpg on a 190D with his modifications

any other ideas
The Kid

If you can arrange your trip so you always drive downhill your milage will be much greater.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche