To help all members reduce fuel consumption on almost any vehicle, through simple tested reality based methods.


Mechanical issues must be addressed first:

- Make sure your tires are properly inflated = check every 30 days.
- Check for bad wheel bearings, bad calipers, dragging brakes, bad steering/wheel alignment, any of these mechanical issues will cause MAJOR MPG loss.
- Keep up to date on routine maintenance, Fuel filter, spark plugs, oxygen sensors, etc.
- Oil changes, Synthetic oil will reduce internal engine friction =less energy required for each revolution = lower fuel consumption.
- Keep your intake air filter clean, dust and pollen fouling intake air flow will adversely affect MPG.



These behavioral changes will net better MPG:

- Slow, gradual accelerations from stop.
- Use cruise control Drive the posted speed limit on the highway for maximum fuel efficiency.
- On uphills, focus on keeping your engine RPM constant, not your speed.
- If you drive a stick, you can coast on highway downhills.
- Realize that every time you touch the brake = you're converting energy into waste heat, you can anticipate future stops and let the car coast to a halt or near-halt without much braking = you'll save fuel.
- Preplan your route, getting stuck in traffic or construction zones wastes fuel.
- A slow-but-constant speed is preferable to lurching along, three feet behind the car in front of you.
- Typical fuel-economy difference between aggressive driving and very passive driving can reach 10 MPG, depending upon your vehicle year, make, model.
- Combine errands.
- Above 35 MPH Keep the windows closed while driving = more aerodynamic, less wind resistance.


here is a good link to study:
Fuel Economy
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106842/article.html

Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

For those willing to modify your car for better MPG's check out ecomodder.com. Tons of useful information for your everyday person and those willing to go above and beyond.

a few other observations:

Synthetic oil in gearboxs/rear ends can't hurt.

Ease up/coast to upcoming red lights and try to anticipate when they will turn green. Remember- it costs money to push the brake pedal when you have momentum going ( years of driving underpowed cars)

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Geez, all those rules take the fun out of driving. Big time.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I like going WOT from stop lights....

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

If we follow these steps would this have adverse efect on carbon build up on valves and injection system ( i.e. acheiving high RPM is needed to keep valves clean!)

__________________
Omar
UAE
1997 silver , Avantgarde
E320 W210
101000 km

Every month you do one:

Italian Tune up
Italian Tune up

Read the directions first.
For best results the engine must be at full operating temperature, before you begin.

Blocking the EGR will also have a positive effect on your economy.
Getting rid of the slushbox automatic for a manual will reduce drivetrain losses.
Installing a higher ratio differential will reduce the RPM needed to maintain speed.

Why bother with all that nonsense, sell the darn car and buy a bike. : My motto pedal to the metal.
What do the letters S.T.O. & P mean on a STOP SIGN????? What Are You Required To Do...???
S .....SQUEEL:
T .....TIRES
O......ON
P.......PAVEMENT

Let her fly boys ....MERCEDES were meant to go not stop.

Blocking off the EGR will not improve fuel econony. It would however, increase the chance of engine 'ping'.

__________________
1990 300CE. Garage kept all its life. Looks & Runs Like New. Everything works. White w/Palomino int. Pioneer 12 CD player in the boot. 17" Enkei LX-F Chrome wheels w/Falken Azenis ST-115 225-45 tires. Tinted windows. Black sports grill w/Euro clear front lamps.

He was referring to all MB Diesel 1985 and earlier.
The data is correct, no risk of ping.
Cleaning the intake manifold, and cylinder head intake ports, combined with blocking/deleting the EGR does improve Diesel MPG and performance.
Newer models will not gain as much, and CDI units should not be altered from stock.

Only because the engine computer will freak out and kill performance. Any CDI engine tuning company should be able to take care of that.