Suggestions for tame eco-mods?

[Canoehead]

Seems to me based on what I have read here that the best fuel efficiency will be achieved with a base model (less mass, narrower tires, more aerodynamic).

Starting with this, and without any radical or expensive alterations what would improve mpg (car only, not driving style)?
I'm thinking maybe:
Smooth wheel covers
Removing any excess weight (if there is any left!)
Smoothing the airflow under the car
Block heater to warm the engine before driving
Synthetic oil?
Increased air pressure in tires

Put another way, if someone gave you a new base Mirage, $500, and one day's labour, and the goal was a best mpg contest - what modifications would you make to the car?

[kalifornia]

remove passenger & rear seat and spend the 500 at the gentlemens club

[fifteenwindow]

I think all those are great ideas, Canoehead. I would add to that list:

gap sealing
grille block
warm air intake (up for debate here)
LED lights where they are cheap to replace (parking, front side marker, license plate...)
remove or swap radio antenna for a smaller one (?)

One of the first purchases I would make out of that $500 is a scangauge or ultra gauge to give me real-time mpg numbers and a way to monitor my coolant and intake air temperatures. Great for tracking how modifications are affecting your car.

[MetroMPG]

Ooh, fun.

+1 on instrumentation that gives you an "instant" reading

I'd say the next most important mod would be an engine kill switch mounted to the shifter (assuming a manual trans). Mimicking auto stop/start will bring the biggest in-city fuel economy gains.

And since we're going all out ("goal was a best mpg contest")...

- transmission oil heater
- lower ride height (this would probably be the most expensive thing to do, and may not work for you -- I seem to recall you drive on rutted roads)
- delete passenger mirror; replace with interior wide angle convex or smaller outside mirror
- zero-toe alignment (that may already be spec for this car -- I'm not sure.)
- lawn edging air dam (I'd investigate this even after doing a full front-to-back undertray)
- daytime running light on/off switch (they're not always needed -- ie. on divided limited access highways they offer little safety benefit)
- order the Euro spec final drive gears

Synthetic lubrication will help some when the outside temperature is cold. Not so much of an efficiency advantage in summer.

[MetroMPG]

remove passenger & rear seat and spend the 500 at the gentlemens club

Ha!

I wonder what else could be pulled from the car without going as far as gutting panels, sound insulation, etc.

- If you pull those seats, you could also pull the seatbelt components.
- rear wiper assembly
- spare tire/jack/wrench if you're willing to risk going with a can of fix-a-flat instead
- rear speakers

[Ares]

Can't believe you guys are still complaining after how good this car gets.

Just saying. If you want any more, then buy a hybrid?

[RedDE5Spd]

^lol...........but I would be interested in LED lighting, underside panels, 100% smooth hub caps, kill switch, and the "Euro spec" gears.....no complaints, but these improvements would potentially get me back to driving 70 rather than 60 without losing the economy I have now.

[MetroMPG]

I like the idea of splitting the difference: half the gains for better mileage, half for more cruising speed.

[m4v3r1ck]

Can't believe you guys are still complaining after how good this car gets.

Just saying. If you want any more, then buy a hybrid?

I know right? You guys just try beat my record of 63 MPG or 27L/km or 3.7L/100 km on standard equipment, then you can try to mod your car to achieve better mileage, try getting the most of it first on standard.
I bet even hybrid can't get the same mileage easily.

[Dorifuta]

A grille block-off is a HUGE improvement, but keep an eye on the water temp.