Speedtuning Chip First Trip Results '98 E300

[nhdoc]

I just returned from a quick trip to NJ with my newly "enhanced" E300 after I got the ECU chipped with Speedtuning's stage 2 upgrade. The total miles driven were 641 and I used about 21.5 gallons of fuel for an average MPG of 29.8. About 100 miles of the total were more stop and go while the balance were highway miles. I did have to sit in traffic in downtown Hartford this morning because the interstate was closed when a guy decided he'd threaten to kill himself after he stopped on I-84, so I'd say without that extra 30 minutes of idling I'd be just above 30 MPG. That's not dramatically different than before the chip upgrade but it is a little better, maybe 1 MPG or so. For winter driving this is the best I have done so far with this car though.

The extra power is most clearly evident around 2000-3000 RPM and the nice thing is being able to accelerate at highway speeds without having to downshift and rev up the motor, especially if you are on a steep grade. You just gently press the pedal down about 1/2 way and it just pulls you up - before you know it you are at 80+. The extra power is not as obvious above about 3500 RPM, in my opinion but is dramatic at lower revs.

My next experiment will be new injectors which I have on hand and will install and see if I can squeeze another MPG or two out of it. I also noticed it running a little cool at about 168F or around 75C during most of the trip so I may replace the thermostat and see if I can get it closer to the design temp of 80C. That might also help it run a little more efficiently.

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by nhdoc

I just returned from a quick trip to NJ with my newly "enhanced" E300 after I got the ECU chipped with Speedtuning's stage 2 upgrade. The total miles driven were 641 and I used about 21.5 gallons of fuel for an average MPG of 29.8. About 100 miles of the total were more stop and go while the balance were highway miles. I did have to sit in traffic in downtown Hartford this morning because the interstate was closed when a guy decided he'd threaten to kill himself after he stopped on I-84, so I'd say without that extra 30 minutes of idling I'd be just above 30 MPG.

You should have popped in for a Coke or coffee, even a restroom stop, on your delayed way by! Apparently the guy surrendered.

The upgrade sounds promising! Look forward to seeing how it works in the long haul.

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

You should have popped in for a Coke or coffee, even a restroom stop, on your delayed way by! Apparently the guy surrendered.

The upgrade sounds promising! Look forward to seeing how it works in the long haul.

It was a very weird thing...I was approaching Hartford from the west at about 10:00 and the electronic signs were warning "I-84 closed - seek alternate route - 3 mile backup exit 48" and as I approached the West Hartford exit I could see it starting to backup so I got off there - I headed east on the side roads that I could find that paralleled the interstate all the way until I got to Main Street in Hartford - then I went north through downtown and got back onto 84. Traffic was bad and it took about 45 minutes to go about 2 miles.

Looking in the rear view onto I-84 there were no cars coming and the traffic was also stopped going west. There was nothing about it on the radio - I called home and my wife found a story on the 'net about it. I am only thankful that I managed to get off the highway - people were stuck there for HOURS! It only inconvenienced me for about 30-40 minutes. I bet there were a thousand people that would have gladly shot that guy stuck on I-84 all that time!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29221757/

If I had known anyone from the group was in that area I'd have gladly stopped

[SwampYankee]

Your timing was perfect as far as getting off goes. A 1/2 hour-45 min. delay isn't bad considering. You ventured through some of the more scenic parts of Hartford, where having a gun isn't really a bad idea. I'm about 10 minutes just south of Hartford.

Glad you made it through that mess without too much hassle!