A Chinese idea for better fuel economy

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 09:33
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - John F

Simply remove the opposing two of the four wheel bolts, thus keeping the wheels balanced. Wheel attachments are heavily over-engineered, so for normal driving, taking corners gently, two bolts are sufficient to hold the wheel in place. These eight bolts are quite heavy, and the energy required for continually increasing and reducing their rotation speed and centrifugal force is considerable. This is described in a research paper by Prof. Lo Lai from Hong Kong’s University of Science’s Department of Anticyclonic Forces Technology, who claims a 1% fuel saving. For cars with asymmetrical five bolts, counting from the top clockwise, remove numbers one and three from the nearside wheels and numbers two and four from the offside wheels. This will ensure no vibration from the out of balance wheels as the imbalance forces will cancel each other out.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 09:45
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - CHarkin

Sounds like a great idea. I have just gone out and removed eight bolts from my wheels and Im off for a blast up the motorway. I will let you know how I get on.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 09:59
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - gordonbennet

Having checked on the sidewalls of my tyres, the maximum pressure allowed is 51psi, now all set at 51 (i've let the air out of the spare to lessen weight, bonus) and with 3 of the 6 wheelbolts removed form each wheel, could go down to 2 each but that might be frowned upon, my journeys will now be much more economical, helped by the rare contact to be had with the ground, win win.

Next stage is to remove a litre of engine oil, min is plenty, and replace all transmission oils and CV joint grease with sewing machine oil, at this rate the fuel stations will be paying me to refill their tanks.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 10:36
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - Sofa Spud

Another tip is to coat the brake discs with oil or grease. Brake pads are usually in light contact with the discs all the time, even when the brakes are off. This causes a small amount of friction that uses extra fuel. Lubricating the discs reduces this friction considerably.

An added benefit is that stopping distances are greatly increased when you use the brakes, so you need to drive very slowly (max 15-20 mph), which also saves fuel.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 10:54
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - badbusdriver

Another good idea, at least for top end cars, is to remove the leather/heated/electric front seats. Replace with plastic garden chairs with the legs cut to fit as appropriate. This would save probably around 100kg of weight and would almost certainly gain at least a 1% increase in mpg. And, as with Sofa Spud's suggestion, you would definately be driving slower due to the garden chairs moving around, plus the worry about where you will end up in an accident, so a win win?.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 11:11
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - daveyjp
I seem to remember Prof Lo Lai also brought us the first film of the spaghetti harvest.
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Mon 1 Apr 2019 11:19
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - FP

Do we have the name right? I thought he was Prof. Lai Lo. He's been pretty quiet until now.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 11:38
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - landmarked

Another tip - enable Cylinder Deactivation on vehicles when this is not managed automatically by the ECU.

On today's congested roads, drivers use a maximum of 50% of the available power/torque available. Nevertheless, in all but the most modern engines, fuel and electricity is wasted firing all cylinders even when idling in traffic or in conditions of light load.

Removing two HT leads in a four cylinder engine, or three in a V6, saves energy with a small compromise in refinement and drivability.

In case maximum engine power is required (A-road overtaking, responding to a road-rage incident, obtaining dash-cam footage) the driver can re-enable the deactivated cylinders with a simple roadside procedure.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 11:59
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - KB.

I was about to suggest that a process called "trepanning" would be helpful. Once the hole has been formed one has access to the various parts forming the cerebral cotices and brain cells can subsequently be removed and discarded. The weight saving achieved will be noticable thereafter.

But then I looked at the calendar.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 12:05
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - Avant

Prof Li-lo (who has an inflated idea of his own importance) is in association with the famous Scandi academic Loof Lirpa.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 12:39
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - nick62

Removing two HT leads in a four cylinder engine, or three in a V6, saves energy with a small compromise in refinement and drivability.

Nah,better to take three spark plugs out altogether, the loss of compression means you only need the one cylinder firing, (you may need to wear ear-plugs though).

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 13:19
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - FoxyJukebox

Brilliant-I was ever so nearly taken in by this.....do hope nobody tried any of it!!!

Very funny

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 15:30
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - dan86

Brilliant-I was ever so nearly taken in by this.....do hope nobody tried any of it!!!

Very funny

we all know it's a April fool's but I do hope no one comes on here and actually tries any of it.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 16:55
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - Andrew-T

<< we all know it's an April fool but I do hope no one comes on here and actually tries any of it. >>

I thought that by now, given the OP's identity, we might have heard from Sk*dp*n himself ... :-)

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 17:20
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - Avant

"....you only need one cylinder firing...."

I'm about to spend a happy hour being propelled by one cylinder.

The grass will look nice when I've finished.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 17:43
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - badbusdriver

Given how we live in a fairly wet climate, another (ahem) 'helpful' tip is to switch off your wipers when going under a bridge in the rain. This would save about 0.2% fuel over the course of the average UK year.

:-)

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 18:09
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - paul 1963

I've just used a disc cutter on my car, amazing how much all that bodywork weighs, I've also taken all that glass and trim nonsense out.

is it legal to fit cars with sails? good breeze here today.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 18:47
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - Andrew-T

is it legal to fit cars with sails? good breeze here today.

Unless you are pretty clever at tacking, it would tend to restrict your direction of travel ?

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 21:01
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - bathtub tom

I reckon you want to remove the spark plugs and put a few ball bearings down each plug hole, before replacing the plugs and going for a drive. The resulting de-coke will leave the engine feeling completely different.

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Mon 1 Apr 2019 22:48
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - nick62

I reckon you want to remove the spark plugs and put a few ball bearings down each plug hole, before replacing the plugs and going for a drive. The resulting de-coke will leave the engine feeling completely different.

Easier to put some grinding paste in the petrol, saves loads of time not having to lap-in the valves.

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Tue 2 Apr 2019 02:20
A Chinese idea for better fuel economy - edlithgow

I reckon you want to remove the spark plugs and put a few ball bearings down each plug hole, before replacing the plugs and going for a drive. The resulting de-coke will leave the engine feeling completely different.

Seriously, I've seen rice grains suggested for that. They are supposed to rattle around abrading the deposits and then burn off/blow out the exhaust.

Dunno, but I'd guess white rice. Brown might have harmfull levels of silica.

The Chinese connection (mine and the rice's) is coincidental

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