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My name is Rich and I'm a gasaholic. :) I found this site while looking up info on the SG-II. (Which seems like a must-have gizmo).

I live near Boston MA, retired last year and lately, I put more mileage on my bicycle than my car. It's a 1999 Honda CRV 5sp MT w/ 32,000 miles on it.

I don't drive much, but I would like to get the best mileage possible when it's time for a road trip.

This Spring, I was having some problems with my RT4WD and decided that it wasn't worth the cost to repair or replace.
(Due to early retirement, my SS checks aren't all that).

Since it put a load on the engine even when 4WD was not engaged (and it's heavy), I decided to yank out the rear wheel drive stuff.
When you retire, you can decide not to drive when it's snowing. :)
I've noticed the car wants to go faster now. Shifting feels different and the Cruise Control surges noticeable now.

During and After pics.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f147/Xringer/itBleeds.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f147/Xringer/CRV/D066.jpg

I've got a feeling that it's going to get better mileage now.

I've been thinking about one of those SG-II units, since I need a code scanner anyways. And I really like the idea of having a MPG gauge..

Cheers,
Rich

Hi and welcome to the site. The scanguage is a great tool. I use it everyday. I highly recommend getting one.

Hi Rich:

___Welcome to CleanMPG!

___I am very interested in hearing about your CRV’s capabilities given it has a stick and with the 4WD removed, I bet it glides like the wind … When there is not a head wind that is ;)

___Definitely read the Why’s and How article, press up the tires, get a new air filter, swap to some synthetic, remove any extra weight and install a Scan Gauge when the time is right. From there, the basics will shoot you up with the advanced stuff taking you to a level you would not believe! Since you have a stick, it is certainly capable of some obscene numbers and since you are probably not in a rush to get from point A to point B, all the better :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

My CRV’s capabilities might have improved more than I know. (yet).
Since I don't drive a lot, I'm at a loss regarding MPG. But, I did have a weird experience while hauling about 550 pounds of wood chips (landscaping etc) home the other week.

When I got onto the main road, I noticed my old 'V' was driving and shifting like it did before. And, the cruise control wasn't surging anymore. I had my old 'V' back!

That kinda told me something about the RT4WD's load on the engine..

Welcome to the group! You can do very well with the CRV if you read the basic articles here.

Does your CRV have a roof rack? If so, you may want to consider taking it off. I took mine off in 10/07 and haven't missed it yet.

Yes it does. I installed the OEM Roof rack shortly after buying the car.

And I do use them. Last summer hauling PVC pipes and rugs. This spring I needed
to bring home some long lumber. It would be messy without those racks.

I did remove the side tubes (step tubes). They were heavy and must have been adding to the drag a bit.

It seems like the main wind load on those things would be the two cross members,
and those have a nice air-foil shape. So, I'm thinking maybe the spare tire on the back door
might be causing more drag than the roof rack.

My main plain for cutting drag, so far has been to drive <= the posted speed limits.

I wonder if anyone sells aerodynamic body add-on panels etc for gen1 CRVs?
The only thing I've ever seen is that tail end thing mounted on top of the rear door.
What does that thing do anyways? (Besides being a brake light).

I took the roof rack off in part because the CRV is so high, I wanted to trim some of the height. I still have it in the garage for when I need it - I just haven't recently.

Slowing down makes a big difference. So does pulse and glide driving.

Do you have a scangauge? That has helped me more than I can say.

Have not placed an order yet. I'm still looking at the 'ElmScan ISO USB Scan Tool'
http://www.scantool.net/products/product_info.php?cPath=8_1&products_id=41

The price is right and it can do the trouble codes. But, all the features on the SGII just blows everything else off the road. It's got the whole package!

I'm seriously thinking about getting in on the next buy.. :)

Where did you mount yours??

In my Elantra I've got it mounted via Velcro (included with the gauge) to the dash centered right above the steering wheel. That way it is in easy reach if I just lean forward a little and it is a quick glance from the road and back to keep tabs on my progress. Other people have mounted them over in the corner of the windshield to the left of the steering wheel and in empty slots (such as for radios or other accessories) in the center console. Some have them mounted right in front of the gauge cluster or on the steering column.

I do recommend putting it somewhere you don't have to look too far from the road to see, though.