How to improve mileage of Honda City (current: 18 kmpl; goal: 23 kmpl)?

MODS TO DATE: (hardly any, but here goes the list

1. removed spare tyre

2. removed boot floor

3. put michelin energy xm-1 tyres on all 4 wheels

4. pumped them up to 50 PSI

5. Thinking of the following:

a. Wiper delete (at least remove blades and put in boot)

b. side mirrors delete (replace by small inside ones)  is it illegal in Indian Context?

c. corrugated plastic underbody panel

d. rear wheel skirts

e. front bumper airdam (maybe, just maybe, depends on feedback)

f. removing floor carpeting.... and it goes very down hill from here onwards....

Let me know if I am on the right track...

PS: I said 'some money' ... not 'a lot of money'

a-avoid at all costs

b-maynot amount to much savings

c-might work

d/e -quite possile-will add weight(which we are trying to decrease)

f-might save few KG's not much

Pete does power up remaps-do contact him for the possibility for a 'lean remap' here

I feel that the best way to get optimum milage is to use a Moped. If anyone feels so conservative about milage, he or she should rather pull out a bicycle than drive a car.

Pumping up tyres to 50 PSI is extremely dangerous and I as a person would discourage this practice. Driving conservatively is different and doing something insane like this is different. Everyone including me here understands the importance of perishable sources of energy like Petroleum and wants to use it judiciously, but doing something like this is not acceptable to me at any level.

For people who are concerned so much about Gas (read Hypermilers), I present the automobile posted below.

Weight reduction at its optimum....

Advantages of this innovative automobile over Traditional Cars :-

No Doors

No Windscreen

No Boot

No Engine

No Gearbox

No Bonnet

Uses only one source of power - Man Power... Dig a hole on the Floor and go rolling.... its a good exercise for legs too...

P.S - Take this post with a pinch of Salt.. No offence intended

lol.

Tyre pressure upto 50 PSI is a very wrong practice.Could I know who suggested this? Our tyres will burst. Evcen my article says just 1-2 PSI above but inflating to this extent, reduce it or the later expense might be too high, and it isn't at all safe.

Post edited to remove quote of the immediately preceding post-Mods.

*clears throat*

Guys, cool it about 50 PSI....

I know from my experience, these two words evoke strong emotions... for proof see this ver thread in the beginning... but I have researched it well, and am not about to change this part of it. Only one thing can make me change it to the 'standard' 32/30 PSI for fronn/back - telling me with concrete proof, that doing so improves milage.

For general education purposes, please visit this very interesting thread. You won't believe this tyre has done over 100k miles (> 160k km)!! Hyperinflated to 60 PSI all its long life!!!

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/hyperinflating-tires-2582-7.html

I am only concerned with low rolling resistance. My speeds are always in control, and I keep enough clearance for braking. 50 is less than sidewall max (51). So I am aware what I am doing, and that should be enough. lets not go off-topic, FE.. FE... FE...

@Binoy, thanks for the link... I will check it out. Also thanks for the comments on my mods. I will check what can be done for the underbody paneling during / around next service, due around this month end.

I left out one point that I could act on, but that bit is only in later stages of desperation... Front passenger seat delete...probably could go on to AC delete and AC components removal... but you know, I'm already portraying somebody on the verge of losing it (which I am not), so I let it rest.

PS: Hey Moorthy, I have a firefox bicycle too, needing no fuel,  but this is something to keep my gray matter alive.  Flintstones are cool, though!

Update from alibaba, but its mixed feeling here...

I am glad to get your inquiry via Alibaba.

Honda Diagnostic System kit is a professional kit used for the Honda.

As to the funtion you have required it all has,but it must be operated on a computer.So it is not convinient for you to run it while driving.

Price is 350USD/set.

Now howz dat for instant feedback ?

-350USD seems to be a lot for the info dont you think Krishna-try to shoot a letter to Honda perse-for some help

-do check the Insightforum(Honda) also-might throw up some pointers

@Moorthy-nice one there-well written!

wow !!..to many things happening here guys ...

Flint stones ?...ALibaba!...

omg !!.....

@Binoy...ya dats rite..n infact HOnda mite b interested ....dey r d ones who get the best average in there cars !!..rite ?..ne1 listening ?..

Of course, $350 can get you a lot of stuff, and pay for my fuel for the entire year, but thats besides the point...FE...FE...FE...

Main issue is "it is not convinient"(sic). Can't afford realizing my insurance sum assured+accident 'benefit' driving around with eyes on a laptop on the passenger seat.... A UMPC - ultra miniature PC would help... but then the solution cost would go sky high...all this is for the feedback only... tinkering extra...

Looks like I have to write to honda, maybe for a pinout details of their interface, so that an adapter cable can be made for a stock scangauge. And then I would scour junkyards for a standard OBD-II connector from a totalled car for the adapter. The other side looks like an RJ48 connector like the standard LAN cable...

From the pictures, it looks like the Honda interface module also takes the same approach. The main module in the photograph DOES have a standard OBD-II connector. But the car contains a custom connector, so they convert using an adapter cable shown next to the main module. Does anyone have access to the adapter cable to note the connectivity? That would free me from the compulsion to writing to Honda (They may respond early but I am sorta reluctant to be dependent on something helplessly) please write back if you can help.

@Karan, Honda might NOT be interested in allowing OBD-II use or tinkering by individuals, and that is the reason for the custom connector. Got it?

Got work lined up... will keep you guys posted...

Dude, I believe that milage is not everything in life. If you are so concerned about conservation then I would suggest you not to use a car and curse the people who use gas guzzlers. Even better, buy a Reva and be happy but don't do something insane like this.

As far as over inflation is concerned, check the illustration below :-

Image Courtesy - tyresite.com

If Over inflated, the following disadvantages will occur for sure

1. Uneven tire wear :- more center wear if overinflated.

2. Less Traction :- Since your Tyre contact with tarmac would be lesser, the traction would reduce drastically.
3. Affect on the suspension / chassis components, the lower arms could be damaged by over inflation.
4. Ofcourse ride quality, I find my car a little harsh even for a 1 PSI increase.

The manufacturers are not fools to specify the Psi limits on their tyres. I read the posts on the forum link which you had given. If some bloke achieved 160 k+ kms on over inflated tyres it cannot be taken for granted. Lets not forget that this kind of tyre life with over inflation was achieved in Texas where the roads are as smooth as child's cheeks but we live in India where pothholes & uneven road surfaces are day-to-day affair.

Don't do things like these which would risk your and your dear ones life travelling with you.

Doing such modifications on a car is like killing its weight distribution which would adversely affect handling. You don't want to see your car with hyperinflated tyres fishtailing & toppling after losing control do you ????

Probably the money which you are gonna save from fuel would be invested in getting new tyres & repairing the damages to your chassis every now and then.

I apologise if I sound harsh but I feel that safety is of utmost importance, car manufacturers spend millions of dollars in safety & crash tests. We should acknowledge their efforts and be responsible toward road safety. Mods, please feel free to delete the post if it sounds offensive but I would still stand by my words.

We as responsible members of a Knowledge forum should discourage such practices. Remember one thing.. Posts that we type in here would stay for ages and would affect any other person visiting the forum.