Improving MPG, not driving style related.

17th October 2011, 17:31

I used Wynnes Petrol Injector Cleaner the other day, filled it with V-Power (to work with the injector cleaner better) and I can honestly say it's greatly improved the MPG.

Whilst I've read the sticky above, I'm aware that there's other ways to improve MPG but want to find out what they are. For example, checking wheel balancing and checking your fuel cap seal are said to be important. Would things like renewing spark plugs or using Castrol Magnetic oil help with the MPG in any way? Any certain thing I could maintain, service or renew in the engine bay that would help?

So before you say 'wtf search it', I'm asking out of curiosity if there's anything you've found that helps MPG.

Cheeeeeeeers.

17th October 2011, 17:40

Most likely if parts are worn or dirty then performance will be affected. Clean oil is certainly better. If spark plugs are fouled then maybe

17th October 2011, 21:43

Properly inflated tyres helps as under inflated tyres causes drag=more fuel needed.Driving with your windows down also causes drag.

18th October 2011, 02:06

A new proper (Bosch or NTK) lambda (O2) sensor will probably improve MPG.

18th October 2011, 03:13

I tend to over inflate the tyres by 0.2 bar roughly, I'm don't drive like a loony so can get away with a bit less grip. But things I recommend are:
Millers XFS Oil
Fuchs synotoid (or whatever it's called - gear oil)
Best tyres you can afford

18th October 2011, 09:55

Would higher priced tyres actually make a difference on a 1Ltr, rather than economical ones?

18th October 2011, 09:56

And another thing.. what about using cheap supermarket fuel? Such as Tesco's, Morrisons, etc..

18th October 2011, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

And another thing.. what about using cheap supermarket fuel? Such as Tesco's, Morrisons, etc..

I found that doing this REDUCED my MPG, I heard that supermarket fuel can be cheaper because they put fewer octanes in or something, its basically crap fuel at the end of the day, go to Jet or something, they are the cheapest and I have always bought my fuel from there

18th October 2011, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenM508

I found that doing this REDUCED my MPG, I heard that supermarket fuel can be cheaper because they put fewer octanes in or something, its basically crap fuel at the end of the day, go to Jet or something, they are the cheapest and I have always bought my fuel from there

Well that's what I was wondering. I've been treating the engine lately - Castrol Magnetic, Wynnes Injector Cleaner, V-Power etc. I know V-Power doesn't do much on un-tuned engines but if you're using a product like Wynnes it actually helps it work better (or so I was told). I had far better results. Now I've been filling up at Tesco's and my performance isn't that great at all.

To put it into perspective, in my 1ltr with my girlfriend in the passenger seat doing 70mph I was still accelerating up a slight gradient in 5th, and got over 80mph. Now on the way to work this morning, a similar gradient but with just me in the car, it was actually decelerating with my foot planted to the floor. The only difference was the fuel! :O

18th October 2011, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

Well that's what I was wondering. I've been treating the engine lately - Castrol Magnetic, Wynnes Injector Cleaner, V-Power etc. I know V-Power doesn't do much on un-tuned engines but if you're using a product like Wynnes it actually helps it work better (or so I was told). I had far better results. Now I've been filling up at Tesco's and my performance isn't that great at all.

To put it into perspective, in my 1ltr with my girlfriend in the passenger seat doing 70mph I was still accelerating up a slight gradient in 5th, and got over 80mph. Now on the way to work this morning, a similar gradient but with just me in the car, it was actually decelerating with my foot planted to the floor. The only difference was the fuel! :O

headwind - its windy out recently!

18th October 2011, 11:14

+ 1 on avoiding supermarket fuel. I did notice worse mpg + some tesco fuel damaged my cat + fucked up lambda sensor. Then do 70 instead of 80, the difference in mpg is about 15% at that speed.

Another thing is about keeping your car clean, that's another 2% as dust and dirt increases drag.

18th October 2011, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

+ 1 on avoiding supermarket fuel. I did notice worse mpg + some tesco fuel damaged my cat + fucked up lambda sensor. Then do 70 instead of 80, the difference in mpg is about 15% at that speed.

Another thing is about keeping your car clean, that's another 2% as dust and dirt increases drag.

Good point, I've also considered wearing lighter socks.

Lol on a serious note, the fuel is actually that bad?! Looks like I'll be aiming for better fuel stations. It's a pitty because they're in very convenient locations.

BTW just checked your website Manu, 'tis wicked

18th October 2011, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

Good point, I've also considered wearing lighter socks.

Lol on a serious note, the fuel is actually that bad?! Looks like I'll be aiming for better fuel stations. It's a pitty because they're in very convenient locations.

BTW just checked your website Manu, 'tis wicked

lol, why do you think all racing cars are squeaky clean

(cheers buddy)

Tesco fuel fucked up my car, took weeks and several tanks of V power to clean the engine and get back to normal. Dead cat converter + dead lambda sensor so pretty heavy bill for 10 liters of water laced with silicone. I noticed the engine choking up on several other occasions before that, so selling me shit that damages my car equals you won't see me again. From a customer point of view I pay way too much for petrol so the stuff better be there. Now total tesco boycott since their recent big price con.

Some other time I filled up at Sainsburys. Did a couple of miles and noticed my fuel gauge dropping, stopped the car to check for a fuel leak. Turned out I lost about 12 liters, aka they are selling warm fuel. So effectively I paid for 12 liters of air. I only go back there to get the free air that fills my tyres up and they won't get a penny from me ever again.

18th October 2011, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

lol, why do you think all racing cars are squeaky clean

(cheers buddy)

Tesco fuel fucked up my car, took weeks and several tanks of V power to clean the engine and get back to normal. Noticed the engine choking up on several other occasions.

Some other time I filled up at Sainsburys. Did a couple of miles and noticed my fuel gauge dropping, stopped the car to check for a fuel leak. Turned out I lost about 12 liters, aka they are selling warm fuel. So effectively I paid for 12 liters of air. I only go back there to get the free air that fills my tyres up and they won't get a penny from me ever again.

Nothing wrong the tescos 99 if you ask me.
12 litres is a lot to lose from it being warm, how did they get away with that?!

18th October 2011, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

Nothing wrong the tescos 99 if you ask me.
12 litres is a lot to lose from it being warm, how did they get away with that?!

it was during summer, I filled up at about 4 pm. actually a good thing to know: always fill up early in the morning.

Then about the tesco 99, not impressed either. They lost my trust and my custom anyway, they sold me some shitty fuel on several occasions. They probably stock their petrol in dirty tanks too.

18th October 2011, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

it was during summer, I filled up at about 4 pm. actually a good thing to know: always fill up early in the morning.

Then about the tesco 99, not impressed either. They lost my trust and my custom anyway, they sold me some shitty fuel on several occasions. They probably stock their petrol in dirty tanks too.

What car do you drive?

18th October 2011, 12:34

slightly modded VTR and Merc class A, previously driven a fair few others with all sorts of engine sizes. I had that shrinking fuel problem with sainsburys on a 106 gti, then also not impressed with their diesel either from when I had a laguna 2.2 dci (the trip computer confirmed a 10 mpg loss, from 42 to 32)

18th October 2011, 13:17

Careful with tesco 99 stuff. It's part bioethanol - it's in low quantities but it's highly corrosive to certain engine materials.

18th October 2011, 13:18

Also can vouch for diesel supermarket fuel being garbage too. My gfs 206 hdi does around 5-15 mpg less compared to shell diesel.

18th October 2011, 13:18

^^^ double correct, cars are not designed to burn alcohol.

18th October 2011, 13:34

Sorry on iPhone (4S

). AND going back to tyres. Yep, they're the only thing in contact with the ground. Shitty ones tend to have big wear rates and make up for poor tread design by having a compound of high rolling resistance - these have high hysteresis (main factor to rolling resistance) but also contributes to the increased wear. With better tyres you have:
Better compound - low rolling resistance but reacts to sideslip by adhering to road (basically you don't suffer from low rolling resistance when you need the car to grip)
Better tread design - helps in wet weather mainly, this where most shit tyres fail badly, but also affects the grip in summer if it's too 'tready'
Low hysterisis - already covered
Lower road noise - basically due to the construction as low hysterisis does increase road noise typically.

There was a thread recently asking about tyres, toyos t1rs are a good example of a cheapo tyre - good grip in the dry, but high rolling resistance and wear rate, iffy in the wet. Pilots, eagles etc have lower resistances and last much longer than the toyos. My last pair of pilots lasted, and I shit you not, just under 80k :o they cost more but long term theyre cheaper than any 'cheapo' tyre.

18th October 2011, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry123

Sorry on (4S

). AND going back to tyres. Yep, they're the only thing in contact with the ground. Shitty ones tend to have big wear rates and make up for poor tread design by having a compound of high rolling resistance - these have high hysteresis (main factor to rolling resistance) but also contributes to the increased wear. With better tyres you have:
Better compound - low rolling resistance but reacts to sideslip by adhering to road (basically you don't suffer from low rolling resistance when you need the car to grip)
Better tread design - helps in wet weather mainly, this where most shit tyres fail badly, but also affects the grip in summer if it's too 'tready'
Low hysterisis - already covered
Lower road noise - basically due to the construction as low hysterisis does increase road noise typically.

There was a thread recently asking about tyres, toyos t1rs are a good example of a cheapo tyre - good grip in the dry, but high rolling resistance and wear rate, iffy in the wet. Pilots, eagles etc have lower resistances and last much longer than the toyos. My last pair of pilots lasted, and I shit you not, just under 80k :o they cost more but long term theyre cheaper than any 'cheapo' tyre.

80k from a set!? Even on the hardest set of recycled plastic camacs I've known people only get 40k

18th October 2011, 13:56

I drive slow.

18th October 2011, 14:05

80k?! That's incredible!! I'm seriously going to have to invest in some better tyres (but probably on my new car). I think I've got Continental's at the moment. Can't say anything about them though, had nothing to compare them to.

Back on the subject of fuel, I think I'm going to have to avoid them completely.. even if it's for the peace of mind that I know my engine is getting good treatment.

My girlfriend's got a 1.3 Luxury KA. When she had it from her cousin (who had it from new) the idle was very lumpy to the point of excessive steering wheel shake, the MPG was also horrific. A week of V-Power, some injector cleaner treatment and Castrol magnetic oil worked an absolute charm.

That's the Wynnes stuff that I've used, honestly I swear by it. It's about £12, and although RedX is only £2 or £3, that didn't do shit for me.

18th October 2011, 14:15

Magnetec is semi synth oil and thus garbage dude.

18th October 2011, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry123

Magnetec is semi synth oil and thus garbage dude.

Oh. Shit..

I've filled the oil up with magnetic part synthetic to about half way. Have I made a crucial mistake? :/

18th October 2011, 14:21

naaaa don't worry at all. When I say 'garbage', I mean it's not quite as good as fully synth. I have a pet hate of the Castrol stuff as they insinuate heavily that it's fully synth without actually say it, so it's a bit misleading when people are trying to choose. When the next service comes up get yourself some Millers

18th October 2011, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

Oh. Shit..

I've filled the oil up with magnetic part synthetic to about half way. Have I made a crucial mistake? :/

No, you'll be fine. Its 1.0l you are running in the car, not a turbo'd track weapon

18th October 2011, 14:24

Actually percentage wise it's probably better with the 1.0 than the turbo'd beasty to use good oil. 5% less wear on both, one car gets 21 as opposed to 20 mpg and the other gets 55 instead of 50 mpg.

18th October 2011, 20:11

80k is feasible on michelins sports, I achieved 60k on a pair of michelin energy. The old energy design, the new ones seems even better and they improved the thread design by having bigger grooves in the middle of the tyre.