Harry's unscientific ECO-Normal-Power-Lucas additive test runs

OK, so after much back and forth I'm going to do a four week test run as follows.

Week 1- Eco mode
Week 2- Normal mode
Week 3-Power mode
Week 4- Whatever mode I end up using with Lucas fuel treatment added.

I'll start each week with a fill up at the same station and try and use the same pump. I'll set tire pressure on Monday morning as well, and I'll set the cruise at the same speed each day. Week 4 will be with the Lucas in whatever mode I end up choosing, which will probably be normal.

For info, My commute is about 1 mile to the interstate, 53.5 miles of highway, and a couple blocks of city to our parking garage. Ends up being 110 miles a day, so I'll have to fill up again once during the week. I'll do it on the same day each week. I just changed the air filter last week and the oil is mobil synthetic hybrid with about 5k on it. The tires are not LRR, but I'm not changing them until they wear out. Does anyone want me to modify or add anything to the test? I'll put the results up and I'll add heat and ac use for reference, and I won't drive it for anything else for the test period other than driving on the weekend.

 

No problem Jim. Do you want me to do it before or after I go to the Lucas?

 

I may do the lower grille blocking as well.

 

How often should I update this? Daily, weekly, at the end only?

 

I'm tempted to just put it up daily so I don't loose any data....
Right now I'm taking a picture of the dash at the end of every trip, and I might forget. And my kids already got a small side trip in, had to go pick them up from the rec center last night!

 

OK, new plan.
Week four will be grill blocking. Week five will be with Lucas fuel treatment at 4 oz per tank. That will give the car a little more time without it before the run with it. I'll probably do that run in normal, but if eco actually beats normal by a bunch, I'll run it in eco. If it doesn't, then it'll be in normal. Anyone want any other runs in?

 

Grill blocking is supposed to give you a bit better MPG. I think there are two arguments about how, one is just better air flow efficiency, the other is that the car warms up faster. I just figured I'd try it out and see what happens.

 

Its been about 65-70 most mornings and 80-85 on my way home.

 

Maybe I'll just skip the grill blocking, at least until I get a scan guage or moniter. Ill try the Bluetooth one I have and see if it'll work.

Not going to do a block heater. Looks like way to much hassle.

 

I really thought that the logic was air flow, or drag. Most of the hypermilers block everything they can.

 

ECO-Filled tank Monday AM to start trip, BP at hwy

Day 1. To work-Intermittent rain/wipers, 73deg., headlights on, defrost at the beginning, no heat or air, cruise set at 72 to NV, about 65 from belt way in, traffic light to medium. 52.9 miles, 47.3 mpg, 62 mph avg speed. To home- clear, no headlights, no heat or air, radio on, about 65-70 out of NV, cruise at 74 after, traffic medium, daily commute total-106.9 miles, 46.4 MPG, 62 mph

Short trip to pick kids up from rec center- 113.2, 46.6 mpg, 58 mph

Day 2. To work, 70 deg, headlights on, defrost at the beginning, no heat or air, cruise set at 73 to NV, then about 65 from beltway in, traffic light to medium. 53.8 miles, 44.2 mpg, 63 mph avg speed. To home-clear, 86 deg, no headlights, intermittent ac on low, cruise on 74 after NV, traffic medium to heavy, one 10-15 minute slow down from accident, daily commute total-107.9, 44.1 mpg, 50 mph

Day 3. To work-65 deg, no headlights, defrost at beginning, no heat or air, cruise at 72 to Nashville, about 60 from beltway in, traffic light, 53.8 miles, 45.9 mpg, 62 mph. To home- clear, 85 deg, no headlights, intermittent ac on low, cruise on 74 after NV, traffic medium heavy, had to stop for gas on the way home, 113.2 miles, 46.6 mpg, 58 mph.

Day 4. To work-64 deg, clear but wet-ish, headlights, defrost in the beginning, no heat or air, cruise at 72 to NV, then about 65 in, traffic light, 53.8 miles. 44.7 mpg, 62 mph. To home-86 deg, clear, no headlights, intermittent ac, medium heavy traffic, cruise on 74 after,107.9, 45.6,57mph

Day 5-To work-65ish, clear, no headlights, defrost in the beginning, no heat or air, cruise at 72, then 65 in, traffic medium, 53.6 miles, 46.9mpg, 65mph. To home-78, clear, medium heavy traffic, intermittent ac, cruise on 74 after NV, 108 miles, 44.5 mpg, 53 mph.

 

Summary

Day 1-106.9 miles, 46.4 mpg, 62 mph
Day 2-107.9 miles, 44.1 mpg, 50 mph
Day 3-113.2 miles, 46.6 mpg, 58 mph
Day 4-107.9 miles, 45.6 mpg, 57 mph
Day 5-108.0 miles, 44.5 mpg, 53 mph

543.9 miles, 45.44 mpg, 56 mph. NOTE. I did not weight the averages, it is a 5 day total avg only.
Actual gas used was 12.42 gallons for a real world number of 43.79.

 

Week 2 summary coming tonight when I get home from work.