This is not for everyone.

[Fiesta48]

Obviously to get better gas mileage you have to drive at reasonable speeds. The 2nd most important thing to do is learn not to be changing the throttle position (accelerator pedal) during most terrian changes. This can be judged by a vacuum gauge or the TPS reading on a Scan Guauge II.
1. Everytime you add throttle a shot of extra gas is put into the engine to avoid a bog. (lowered mpg)
2. Everytime you let off the throttle you have to open the throttle again.
3. I never use the OEM Cruise Control, "they waste gas". Especially in hilly country and every up/down bridge.
4. I hold the pedal still, or nearly still, up and down moderate hills.
5. Of course on steep hills I gain some speed before going up. Going down may require lifting the foot some.
6. I've added a hand throttle that holds the throttle in one position. It can be shut off instantaneously by releasing a clamp or just pushing it in. And it is conveniently placed. I only use it when lack of traffic permits.
7. Now with the hand throttle set I monitor the TPS setting. Just 1 point lower adds .2 to .5 mpg overall.
8. Another trick is to have a stiff foot throttle so you don't move the position much. This alone added .1 mpg for me.
With threats of gas going to $5/gal. I'll use any technique to save big at the pump. I get 9-9.5 mpg.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

1. Everytime you add throttle a shot of extra gas is put into the engine to avoid a bog. (lowered mpg)

Only if its not a 'smooth' transition and/or too quickly...

[blackf3504dr]

I used the hand throttle in a GMC road tractor I drove years ago, no cruise, no AC and a screaming Jimmie 238....

[jlyon69]

Ive never been much of a MPG watcher nor speed limit complier

But after retiring and racking up the miles with gas prices being what they are, Im changing my ways a bit.

Looking foward to finally using my Scanguage and seeing what I can do. Im figuring on watching TPS and LOD, etc to find my rigs sweet spot. Since Ive always liked gagets, Ill probably get more enjoyment playing with it than the gains I get

[IMDSailor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlyon69 Looking foward to finally using my Scanguage and seeing what I can do. Im figuring on watching TPS and LOD,

What is "LOD"?

Thanks,

Stewart

[jlyon69]

Engine loading...it displays the percentage of current load you are using to what is available. So the way I take this, if you are running at 90%, your sucking a lot of fuel.

[IMDSailor]

Thanks for your response, is this a seperate piece of kit or is it part of Scangage or something like Silverleaf?

[jlyon69]

It's part of Scanguage....which gives you additional custom gauges depending on your vehicle you can program in yourself. They call it X-Guage. I have added trans temp, barametric pressure and LOD so far on my Ford v10.

[wa8yxm]

You speak of the shot of gas provided by the accelerator pump on old fashion carburetors, I'm not so sure that is the case with modern computer controlled fuel injected engines.... (Or in somewhat simpler language.. I DO NOT KNOW).

I do use cruise control. Though you are right on hilly ground it can move the pedal around a bunch.. on flat ground it holds it very steady.

[LVJ58]

If it ever comes to the point where I'm so concerned about my fuel mileage, I guess it's time for me to give up RV'ing.

Applying all those steps enumerated would totally eliminate the enjoyment of cruising down the highways and byways in our RV.

However as stated, "This is not for everyone" Which I totally agree.

Best of luck and safe travels

[Fiesta48]

Driving especially long distances is boring. The Scan Gauge, Vacuum Gauge, Altimeter, rear view camera, GPS, and improved Radio/CD player I added are for entertainment value. I still pay close attention to the road.
And being an engineer I love the challenge of beating the averages i.e. Most of you get 6-8 mpg on your gassers and I get 9+
These tools are/were fun installing, programming, and using.

[mfire1339]

Sure you must take all the down hill routes!!

[tomwalt]

9+ MPG on a 2004 V10 is impressive. Thanks for sharing your ideas and results.

[LVJ58]

Just curious, what's the weight of your 05 Fiesta coach loaded for travel, and tow vehicle weight?

The reason I ask, is our coach loaded for travel with 2 bodies weighs 21,230lbs and our tow vehicle weighs 3,600lbs.

The average mpg over 12years of ownership has been 7mpg which I'm OK with based on power to weight ratio.

Thanks