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Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires are doing what they do best...
Saving fuel. :)

Back in May 2010, a friend of mine bought a 2001 Chrysler Voyager minivan off Craigslist. It's a shortie with dual sliders and it has the 2.4L four cylinder and 3 speed automatic transmission. It was the last year for the 3 speed, and so that was the one we wanted. He didn't have much money to spend (only the tax refund) and needed a minivan for the kids, so this was the best option for the money. The prior owner used synthetic oil throughout the life of the van, and so it still is running synthetic. All maintenance is up to date and it runs like a top. To date it has been completely trouble free.

He bought it knowing it needed tires, and I told him that the FuelMax tires were the way to go for saving fuel - to the point of paying for themselves over the life of the tire. So he got a set, and we pumped em up to 44psi. The van rode great and it would glide for quite a while.

So the hardware is in place for some good numbers!

Leading up to the purchase last May, I would drive him down to check out the van and decide if it was worth buying, and then back to complete the transaction. Along the way, I would demonstrate what we would know as beginner and intermediate techniques. He was fascinated by the aFCD on the dash and I showed him a recent fuel receipt showing the numbers from the last tank. He said it was unbelievable, and I told him to start believing, because anyone can do this in any car. Soon after taking delivery of the van, he had the new tires installed.

Once he had the Fuel Max tires on the van, I started really hammering home the basics. Accelerate to 35 (40 zone), and back off the pedal and let it glide. And glide it would. Let me tell you - I wish there was a faster way to say "take your foot off the pedal!" - both gas and brake. I don't know why people have this compulsion to push either pedal - or even both!

Within a month of buying the van, he was laid off. Money got really tight. The van started coming in very handy, but there wasn't much cash to fuel up. He started seriously applying what I taught him. And he started noticing that he was able to go four or five days without adding gas instead of only two or three. But since he wasn't really tracking gallons or miles, there was no target for him to meet-n-beat.

On 2/1/11, he was over here and I had him stop for gas. A big storm was coming and he was under 1/4 tank, and facing a 30 mile trip home in flurries and freezing rain. I swiped my credit card and filled the tank to first click. Took 15.755 gallons. That was good to know in that the 20 gallon tank seems to have a few extra gallons in reserve. I reset the trip odometer and sent him on his way.

Earlier today, he wrote this to me in an email -
The gasoline is still in there and Im approching 400 miles-definitely will get 20 maybe 22 mpg all local.
Now tonight, with the gage just under 1/4, he stopped by and I told him I needed to go to the post office to mail my e-File tax signature forms, and so he can drive me. Knowing the gas gage was low, my plan was to get him out in the van again so we could stop and I could fill the tank and get the #gallons. And so we did.

Now, for this van (2.4L, 3AT), the EPA estimates are as follows:
18/22, 19 combined on the 08 EPA
20/24, 22 combined on the 85-07 EPA (window sticker)

So I figured his "20 maybe 22" for mostly suburban stop-n-go would already be hitting the EPA if not slightly exceeding it.

So we get to the gas station and fill 'er up with regular E10 sludge and get some numbers.
Trip Odometer - 405.1 miles
Gas pump reads - 16.284 gallons
Tank MPG - 24.88 MPG :D

You have to imagine this - We pump the gas, and we are sitting in the van. Engine off. I am looking at the numbers - "16 gallons over 400 miles is 25. This is about 16 and 1/4, and at 25MPG, 1/4 gallon takes you 6.3 miles, and you're at 405.1, so you're just a tick under 25." And he's saying, "No way! That's impossible" I told him the numbers don't lie - same pump, same direction, first click. Gage read over F when the key was set to "on".

He sounded like a kid on Christmas morning. He was really trying his best to use everything I taught him and he really wanted to tell me how well he did because he figured if I bought him a tank of gas, he knew I would want him to stretch it as far as he could. But he was thinking, "400 miles, 20 gallon tank, is 20mpg, but it doesn't show empty so maybe I got 22." I think he's been hanging around me too long, he's thinking of how to stretch MPG every time he turns the key. Within the past week, he checked the tire pressure and was upset to see it at only 36. I told him that was because it was 15 degrees when you checked it, and 80 degrees when we added the air last year. As we all know, lower temperature means lower pressure. What impressed me most is that someone who is definitely not a car guy is out there in the arctic blast checking his tire pressure, and working fervently (and getting pretty good) at light timing - to get a few extra miles on a tank.

So I told him that he beat the hell out of the EPA in the dead of winter, with temperatures between 10F and 35F, including a few days with Wind Advisories, and a snow storm within the two weeks since last fill . And he drives about 80% around town - not much available in open-road options. I told him that - in terms of fuel economy - local driving isn't a death sentence, but it is a fight to the death. And you can do it if you really want to.

I am really proud of him. His 80/20 city/highway mix beat the highway pre-08 EPA. Compare to the '08 EPA's 19mpg combined and he's at 131%.

When he first got the van, I told him that if he made the commitment to change his driving, he should expect no less than 20 city, 25 average, and over 30 on the highway. He had that "yeah, right" look on his face. I don't think he was doubting me but rather doubting himself and his skills. Well, tonight, I reminded him of that conversation and I told him that an open road trip in the low 30s, in fair weather, now seems pretty achievable, doesn't it?

After being depressed while thinking he was pushing his limits and getting 20 or 22, thinking his best attempt wasn't good enough, he was ready for battle by the time he got the real numbers. With renewed encouragement, he's ready to do battle on the next tank and beat the current numbers.

Epilogue - While we were discussing the numbers, I was watching the light at the corner. We reset the trip odometer by keying on while ICE off. I told him to start the engine and drive - just off idle - and only when I tell him to. He asked why and I said, "Just wait and you will find out". So I tell him when and he started the engine and drove off, goosing the accelerator to get the van to walking speed and then off the pedal. Rolled out of the station and into the right lane. "No pedals", I said as the van entered the lane. There was nobody behind us for half a mile. So he rolls along and as we get close to the three cars stopped ahead, the light changes to green. I said again, "No pedals", and he rolled up to the car ahead just as it started to move. I then told him that I was watching the light as we chatted and that I figured the right time to start the engine so we could get out on the road as the light changed. I said that is one of many tricks you use to avoid idling. We turn the corner and get to the next traffic light that has a sensor. I tell him roll up and slow to almost stopped (but don't stop) when I tell you and then off the brake. We do this as I point out the sensor in the road. Then we roll forward at idle creep and the light goes green. Again, he laughs in amazement. I tell him, "Traffic lights only trash your fuel economy if you have to stop for them. Part of the strategy is learning how to minimize that effect".

So as of tonight, he has another full tank and is ready to push the limits of his newfound skills.

That is an awesome story Chris, thanks for sharing... I can't wait until I have a friend that has the same fervency as yours to learn this stuff! :) Thanks for the encouragement that they are still out there! And those will definitely be the tires I'll be looking into when I'm due for 'em.

Hi Chris:

This is such a great success story that I just had to tweet it for others to consider as well. That anticipatory/rabbit/light timing solution was simply brilliant and classic at the same time :)

Wayne

The light timing is critical for the (sub)urban jungle. Once it becomes a part of your routine, riding in a car with someone driving at or over PSL all the way to the light until they have to brake can drive you crazy. They're just throwing it away - twice - in that they're paying for the wasted fuel and also for more frequent brake pad replacement.

I think I am going to add a mileage log for his van and have him call in miles and gallons so I/he/we can keep track of his progress.

While we were out, we talked about warm up time, considering that we've had "Sarah Palin's Alaska" here in the northeast for the last two months. He said that, even on this great tank, he was starting the engine and allowing it to warm for one to two minutes before driving. I resisted the urge to slap him, and explained that the engine warms much faster when it's under load instead of just freewheeling. I continued to talk about my warm up strategy, which is to start the engine, and then get the car moving within about five seconds. With the fast idle, I just let the car move with no throttle as long as nobody is on my tail. I will use different side streets to avoid stop signs and let the car move as fast as it wants while it is warming. For longer uninterrupted stretches, a brief tap of the pedal boosts speed to 15-20 to cover more ground without burning any additional fuel. Using this strategy, I can almost get to the highway in that minute or two or three that he'd just be idling away. So starting with this tank, he will do the same, amending the route to keep the van moving at fast idle with minimal stops. Now that our area is experiencing Thawpocalypse (it was almost 60F here today), his next tank should reveal some welcome improvement.

He is definitely trying with everything he's got. And he was genuinely sad to think he was getting only 20-22, as if it all that effort just wasn't working. Nothing like having to make it on unemployment checks to make real-world fuel costs come into very sharp focus. He even leaves the two rear seats out, replacing them only when it needs to be used for passengers rather than cargo.

The next step for this year - if they get enough back from Uncle Sam - will be a small car to add to their driveway. His wife is driving her mom's SantaFe (V6 AWD) to work, and I really don't want to say what the aFCD read the last time I saw it, because it'd cause dancing in the streets in the OPEC countries. Now that he is finding out what the van is worth when driven properly, he is open to the idea of getting a small car to save even more. I found a $2k Chianti red '02 Elantra with 85k in great shape and perfectly maintained, but they won't have their check for another month or so. Too bad. With an '08 EPA of 21/30, I'm sure he could wring out high 30s. The money they save in fuel would pay the insurance on the car, too.

Fantastic, Chris!! :woot:

I installed these tires on my HCH2 . What a improvement over the OME Tires. GY assurance fuel max. H

Love these tires on my Odyssey.

Awsome. Just goes to show, you don't need a hybrid to improve FE (but it helps), you don't need a Scangage (but it helps), all you need to *want* to improve your FE, maybe a friendly coach, and be willing to change old habbits.

Thanks for the report. Excellent learning story, wish more were open to it. Thanks for the confirmation on the tires. Considering these for the Ody.

I wrote my friend to give him the numbers shown in the original post, and congratulated him on being an official hypermiler - someone who beats the EPA in whatever they drive.

He wrote back to be just before:
Hi Chris-I just read through your e-mail again with more time to digest it. That is SO COOL. months ago when you first started talking about this (hyper miler concept) i didn't quite get it. But after learning from you some of your driving techniques-then being able to actually practice them was neat but once you filled the tank up the first time i was more excited to see what i could get- and it is addictive, i have to say. I was absolutely floored to see 24.9 - i have never gotten that driving anything before,and knowing it's helping the environment i wonder why most people aren't learning-so thanks again for the update.

What I sent him in the email is the observation that he exceeded the "unrealistic" pre-08 EPA highway estimate by driving 80/20 city/highway in Siberia. I told him that even if he got that 24.9mpg by driving 100% highway - meaning driving a constant 55mph in his driveway, through playgrounds, church sanctuaries, shopping mall promenades, through red lights and stop signs, and across open drawbridges, he still beat the pre-08 EPA. Getting that 24.9 with the wipers and heater on full tilt while slow driving on the narrowed slick streets makes the number that much more sweet.

Great sharing Chris. Maybe we will get to welcome to the site in the near future ;)

These tires are on our 2003 HA LX 2.4L 5sp. They helped me get 42 MPG on a trip to Mississippi 2 years ago. I could have made it all the way to my sisters house on one tank but I didn't want to chance it with the family in the car (for 13 hours at that point). They glide really well when they are at sidewall max and allowed to just roll.

Great success story, Chris. It should be required reading in all driver education classes.

Your story is an inspiration to me! Good job!

Boy what a crazy three weeks in the "FuelMax Voyager". Last tank was on 2/14, and on 2/19, the right rear tire went flat. With no shoulder on the road, and the steel cable holding the spare rusted solid, Tom drove at low speed to the nearest gas station. Bad news for FE and not good for the tire. I ordered a new replacment tire from TireRack but then he got the flu. So he wasn't in shape to come for the trip to the tire shop to have the tire installed. It was still used on short trips, with both of them driving, and whenever they got any fuel, they got the receipt (I trained them well!)

Long story short, just tonight, on 3/7, we got the new tire mounted. After a pit stop at a burger shop, we pumped up the tires (sidewall front, 85% of sidewall rear) and filled the tank. I added all the receipts together and then the grand total on the trip odometer, so we have a "very large" tank that is accurate for miles/gallons.
Miles driven - 690.5
Overall gallons - 29.165
Tank average - 23.767mpg

This is lower than the last tank, but 2/3 of the miles were driven on the TempaSpare, and several times during these few weeks, his wife took the van to work. And that introduces traffic issues and relative lack of techniques used.

To kick the next tank up a notch, we decided to do a little review and how-to, consisting of a round trip with Tom driving first, and then me driving the same route. The UG was set at the start of each, and the same route was driven each time. Tom averaged 22.5mpg when we swapped. Driving the same route, I finished with 27.2mpg. Along the route, I had him watch the numbers on the gage and explained what everything meant. The end result is a better grip on the different techniques and how the same van can deliver 27+mpg after offering 22+mpg ten minutes earlier.

Coming soon - Another student signing up.
Tom's wife has been noticing that fuel costs have been almost halved, and she wanted to know why. He has been teaching her the basics as well, and when they get some new tires on their SantaFe, I am going to plug in a gage and see what it's worth (hint - aFCD is currently showing under 14). Perfect opportunity to see some major improvements!

14 in a Santa Fe? Ouch... pretty common for the average driver I'm sure, but I found myself wincing at the thought of... "14". :p I'm sure this will be another one for the books!

I showed Tom the EPA estimates for the '01 van and the '08 SantaFe. Van is 18/22. SantaFe is 17/24. So I said, "It gives up 1 to the minivan around town, but it gains 2 on the highway. Overall, you should be able to get the same average." And if it were to match the minivan's average, that'd be a 75% improvement.

The real awakening for him was seeing the instant mpg in the 40s on the highway. And seeing the 0.00 sitting at a traffic light was a reminder of why you want to avoid idling. And he saw how easy it is to drive the same route with an average over 27 instead of over 22. He's psyched and ready for The Next Tank.

UPDATE - Continuation of CleanMPG success story.

This past Friday, the friend's '08 SantaFe Limited V6 AWD (EPA 17/24) went out on the roads here for a little lesson time. The owner said the aFCD has been in the low 13s to low 14s throughout its life, and it was at 14.0 when he arrived here. He wanted to see what I could do with it, and with some coaching, what he could do with it. He came here so we could head down to the local shop to have new tires installed and perform an oil change.

The goal - I explained that the Voyager van, with an EPA of 18/22, is in the 23-25mpg tank average range, and so the SantaFe, giving up 1mpg city and gaining 2mpg highway, should be able to do at least as well in mixed driving.

New tires are in place - Yokohama Avid ENVigor. Goodyear's Assurance FuelMax CS is not available in the correct size, and the ENVigor press material states it has a special tread compound and design that offers "ultra low rolling resistance" (although it is curiously not rated by TireRack as a LRR tire). It was the best option in the stock tire size, so they were selected. They were set at 45psi front and rear (50 max).

Plugged in the gauge, and we were off on the same route we took during the minivan test.

I headed out first on the route, and I knew the SantaFE was doing well because Tom, in the passenger seat, was laughing and saying "I don't believe this". The iMPG was bouncing around from high 20s to mid 30s, spending most of its time in the low 30s. With some well timed NICE-on's and keeping up with traffic, I ended the run at 27.2mpg average.

Then it was his turn. Same route. He ended at 26.3mpg. The car's aFCD showed 24.1mpg, but that included idle time at the shop when they did an oil change (full synthetic 5w30) and installed the tires, plus the two miles of nasty late-rush suburban clog from the shop to the diner where we'd start off.

He learned some new tricks and refined some others with real-time coaching. I sent him on his way, and he actually called me from his driveway when he arrived home to tell me that the aFCD was at 25.3 after the drive home. He had NEVER seen it that high before, and couldn't believe you could see those numbers from a 2+ ton SUV. I reminded him that weight isn't so bad once you get it moving, but getting it moving will really drain the tank.

End result: 14.0mpg average -> 25.3mpg average = 81% improvement

Next step - The SantaFe is overdue for inspection, but has a cracked windshield that will be replaced early this week. After it's replaced, the car will come back here, this time with Mrs.Tom stopping by, to get the inspection done. Afterward, we will have some clinic time, and we'll see how she (the primary driver of the SantaFe during its 13-14mpg average) does with the basics. If she can get to 25-26, we will have a 90+ percent improvement.

Slashing fuel consumption by roughly 50% is definitely a CleanMPG success story! :)

Fantastic work Chris. As the message spreads about your great teaching, I'm sure you'll soon end up doing a clinic with Kevin Bacon.

Fantastic work Chris. As the message spreads about your great teaching, I'm sure you'll soon end up doing a clinic with Kevin Bacon.

...and Charlie Sheen.

...Hypermiling?

Duh! Winning! ;)

The Yoko Avid ENVigor's are CRR = 0.00905. My buddy got 'em for his Accord, and didn't even know they were LRR. While not particularly low, they're still a 'performance' tire - so they're the lowest RR of all tires in their class, which is around 0.011~0.012.

He was like "What? Eco Tires!? NO!" But now he loves them. I called Yoko up to get the CRR number. Sales guy on the phone had to go look it up, but was VERY nice/helpful!

Ugh. Some people never learn...

Last night, the SantaFe was filled up. This is the same tank used for the exploratory drive to see what it could deliver using basic techniques. The result was 27-28mpg. Then the car went back into the hands of Mrs.Tom since it is her daily driver. Driven for five daily commutes, the aMPG display read 15.6mpg. :( Granted, two days had serious bumper to bumper traffic, but I imagine that the Frankenstein Boot was used to close any gaps and keep others from cutting in ahead.

When Tom took the keys to drive over here so we could get the car inspected, he found the A/C was on. Temperature outside was 62F when she was driving it. So he told her somewhat sternly that using A/C drops fuel economy even lower, and opening windows is a better idea for low speed traffic. He seemed a little upset after seeing what the SantaFe could deliver, only to find a final average of 15.6 on the dash, and 15.3 measured on fillup. The gage may be accurate because we added a bit more after first click and so there was more fuel measured for the distance driven. Since he drove 50 of the 184.x miles, her average is probably in the 13.x range, which is what the gage showed when he started looking into the root cause of the issue.

So Mrs.Tom is at a crossroads. She is very interested in paying less at the pump, but claims there is so much stress in life that she tries but then goes back to driving 'normally'. She needs to decide if she really wants to be a safer and more fuel efficient driver or succumb to stress and burn what little cash they have and allow the resulting stress to aggravate the vicious cycle.

He's afraid to give her the keys to the minivan because he doesn't want her to sink the tank average with the same 'stressed out' driving style. And I told him that I am not going to help anyone who refuses to be helped, and she is going to be wasting almost $160 a month by not keeping her damn foot off the pedals. In the meantime, his van hasn't needed gas in the (almost) two weeks since it was filled.

This is worth sharing because we all know people who gripe about the money they're pouring into the tank, yet they refuse to admit the problem is their own, or they admit it yet they claim they are unable to do anything about it.

Here's a nice contrast between those who commit to changing the way they drive, and those who don't...

The Voyager - 2.4L 3AT (EPA 18/22) - http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/3639.png

The SantaFe - 3.3L 5AT (EPA 17/24) - http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/3659.png


What not to wear on your right foot, unless you want to slash your fuel economy by 50% relative to what your vehicle offers when driven with basic hypermiling techniques:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/658/FrankensteinBoot.jpg

Mrs. Tom complains of stress, but since I've started driving slower I've actually found that my stress level is lower while driving than it used to be. Instead of trying to watch for everything at 80 mph (highway) I'm now watching at 55-70 mph depending on how quickly I want/need to get somewhere. I also have chronic back pain and have found that when driving slower with less stress my pain level is lower even though it takes a little longer to get to my destination.