posted on Oct, 3 2008 @ 07:02 PM
Sorry guys but i had to butt in on this discussion. I am currently training to become an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic. In terms of fuel efficency in
a powerplant (engine or motor) you must take a few factors into consideration.
1. Weight
2. Rolling Resistance
3. Air Resistance
4. Driving characteristics
5. Engine displacement (the amount of Fuel-Air mixture your engine uses every time the crankshaft makes two revolutions.)
6. Engine Weight
7. Frame Weight
8. Useful Load (Passangers,Cargo,Fuel, and the Driver.)
9. Quality Of Maintenance
10.The Richness Of The Fuel-Air Mixture (a ratio that compares fuel to air in a fuel-air charge.)
Now taking these into consideration we can come up with some guidelines.
Your fuel metering system(carburetor or fuel injection.) Uses a richer mixture when you use more power in the form of accelerating. This uses more
fuel. Gasoline weighs 6 pounds per gallon. For a 15 gallon tank thats 90 pounds almost like having an extra person. Dont get a full tank when you fill
up. the more your tires flex and the less round they are the more energy you waste trying to roll a car on squares. Get stiff, low rolling resistance
tires and keep them inflated. If you can afford it you should replace your car's body with carbon fiber paneling its stronger than steel and very
light. Get a smaller engine. Large engines with a bigger block size and more cubic centimeters of piston displacement use more fuel. Try for an
aluminum engine as opposed to a steel one because aluminum is lighter. One last word. The grade of gas affects its anti-detonation (anti-knock)
properties only! A higher grade of gas has the same amount of chemical energy (about 20,000 BTU's per gallon) as a lower grade. Get the lowest grade
your engine will run on.