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Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:14 pm
by JOWETTJAVELIN
You won't need an alternator for an electric fan, the reason being it is simply a motor not doing much much work (unlike the wipers which draw far more current) and the fan will be on only when the temp creeps up - hopefully not too much then.
Alternator belts need to be much tighter than dynamo belts.
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:31 pm
by moggiethouable
You live and learrn, I wondered because I had a bitzas once that had the Rover SD1 electric fan wired through the same fuse as the high beam and needed a 30 amp fuse fitting before it would stop blowing.
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:57 pm
by MarkyB
I think the research has already been done by people with much more money and much better facilities than we have.
Is there a modern car that doesn't have an electric fan?
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:18 pm
by moggiethouable
Well, chains have made a comeback over cam belts and replacement paper filter elements instead of spin ons for oil too, so you never know

Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:55 pm
by chesney
Isn't that just because these are deemed better for the environment?
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:19 pm
by MarkyB
Cam chains can last the life of the car if properly specified, as Chesney says environmental reasons probably explain the return to paper elements.
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:54 am
by moggiethouable
It would be lovely to think that car companys sat and detailed all the parts with the environment in mind, but its more likely they want the vehicle back in the garage for servicing,or that it just worked better.
Environmentally it cant be better to add an additional bearing, housing, motor, thermostat and electrics to power an electric cooling system can it?
Call me an old cynic but selling cars is their raison detre and dealers want you back for service,certainly if modern cars mean reliability to such an extent that you never go back for repairs.
Its a difficult quandry for them, to build a vehicle that has longer service intervals and is more reliable than the competition,meaning less revenue in spare parts and servicing, but continuing to sell cars to make a profit and survive when the average joe does not want to be swayed in to buying prematurely what he recognises he doesnt need.
Creating the want to override the need is the key .
See, youve set me off on one,what was the thread? ah yes how to improve fuel consumption.........stay on the computer

Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:20 pm
by MarkyB
The market modern car makers are mostly aiming for is the fleet market where service intervals and costs are important considerations.
Certain things are now be coming law with regard to the recycleability of the materials that cars are made from too, this will have more weight than any environmental thoughts they might have.
Can't think of another MPG tip to bring this thread back on course

Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:02 pm
by JOWETTJAVELIN
Can't think of another MPG tip to bring this thread back on course
Magnets on the fuel tank?

Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:19 am
by MarkyB
Indeed, remove any magnets or other unnecessary weight from the petrol tank and elsewhere on the car.
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:50 am
by JOWETTJAVELIN
Re: Tips on increasing MPG
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:03 am
by lambrettalad
maybe it's miles per penny that counts
so save coupons from supermarkets ,ETC
I also have an app on my phone which looks for the cheapest (not always the best ,I know)
very useful if you drive an LPG motor ,as you can see the locations that sell it