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I'll be renting a car in a couple weeks, and was wondering if anyone had any tips or warnings for hypermiling a rental. I'm planning to take my SG-II along. Has anyone had issues with a SG-II at airport security in either a carry-on or check-in baggage? I ask because it will be an unfamiliar electronic device to security personnel.

How about the car itself? I plan to pack a tire gauge and pump up the tires to max sidewall. Before I return the car, I'll lower them back to door placard level (plus a little to account for increased pressure due to driving). Hopefully there will be a manual in the glovebox, and I can check towing requirements to determine FAS limitations.

As for learning the car, I'll be sure to test FAS and P&G when it won't impact or endanger traffic or myself.

Although I should start off with a full tank, I may do an initial fillup just so I can check exact distance and gallons from pump to pump. I'm obsessive that way. ;)

Anything I'm missing?

Rent a Hybrid!

I really don't think a scangauge should cause any problems with security. It will show up in a x-ray machine as just a PCB board and some chips, nothing for them to get in a huff about. I would probably take it as carry-on, as checked-bagged often gets lost or it can happen that they'll search through your stuff and damage/steal things.

Obviously, drive the car off the rental lot before you start messing with it...

And definitely ask about the option of a hybrid. Often it's only like $5 more/day, which can be quite economical if you're driving fairly far.

I travel with my Scangauge in my DSLR backpack that I carry on. It goes through the x-ray without any problems.

I sent my ScanGauge in checked baggage his weekend, but hand-carried my GPS. I didn't do anything special to hypermile. Rental cars come with widely differing versions of "full" gas gauges, so you'll have to fill the tank to start hypermiling. I got about 30 mpg indicated in a Mazda 3 AT on a 2 day weekend in Phoenix, with most trips under 10 miles. Wish I had wide 45 mph city roads with minimal traffic like that where I live!

I sent my ScanGauge in checked baggage his weekend, but hand-carried my GPS. I didn't do anything special to hypermile. Rental cars come with widely differing versions of "full" gas gauges, so you'll have to fill the tank to start hypermiling. I got about 30 mpg indicated in a Mazda 3 AT on a 2 day weekend in Phoenix, with most trips under 10 miles. Wish I had wide 45 mph city roads with minimal traffic like that where I live!

GPS an the plane could be fun, if.... :rolleyes: a guy could just have it on during take off and in flight.
If… ;) :rolleyes: you could only use it in the plane. A GPS it’s self is only a receiver, so it would not cause any issues.

Watch speeds during take off! 300-400mph at life off! :eek:
Location during flight.
Speed during flight 550+mph

United Airlines? planes have GPS displays on their individual LCD headrest displays. It's neat to get 550-600 mph speed, altitude, and direction displays as your flight is in progress. You can also get miles and hours traveled, miles and hours to destination, wind direction, net groundspeed, and maps showing the plane's location.

i played with a rental a few months ago - had onboard MPG ( did not have SG)
I tried a EOC in an auto... restarted as soon as i had a hint of toasty tranny fluid... do NOT recommend doing that in a rental...

I would recommend ONLY going up to max sidewall pressure - you have no idea what these tires have gone through.. i have seen people BEAT rental cars..

Steve

I have taken a SG through airport security numerous times (always in carry-on, as I do with all my valuables) and never had a problem.

At least when you reserve in advance, it always seems like hybrids cost twice as much to rent as what the rental agencies refer to as "compacts", but you can probably get a better deal at the counter. My practice is always to reserve the cheapest car available, then dicker on "upgrades" when I get there and we know what cars are actually in the garage and available for rental.