The Taurus was rear ended last week with my wife, daughter, son, and niece in it. It blew the transmission and caused body damage, and gave my wife and daughter really bad whiplash.
The insurance company totaled the car because of (minor) body damage, not to mention that the transmission was blown. So, I have to find another car. I just got this one 6 months ago! Oh well. Its time to find something that is more suited for my family, I hope.
On the DIY front, this week I finished the Meridian bicycle and will be commuting 20 miles round trip on it next week. See my Photo Gallery for details.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Grill Blocks on my Taurus
In a recent post I explained in simple terms how I jumped from 17mpg to up to 23mpg. In the quest for even better mileage, I put grill blockers on my 1998 Taurus. For the upper grill I just used clear packing tape, and for the lower grill I used cardboard taped on with the same clear packing tape.
I drove for 300 miles like this (one tank of gas) and it made NO difference. I came to find out that although it does work on many cars with poor aerodynamics, the Ford Taurus that I have as a Cd of .30 which is VERY good to begin with.
I am still contemplating other mods, but I really hate working on car mechanicals so we'll see how far I go.
I drove for 300 miles like this (one tank of gas) and it made NO difference. I came to find out that although it does work on many cars with poor aerodynamics, the Ford Taurus that I have as a Cd of .30 which is VERY good to begin with.
I am still contemplating other mods, but I really hate working on car mechanicals so we'll see how far I go.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
How I went from 17mpg to 22-23mpg
Yes, its true. I didn't do anything out of the norm, really. My car doesn't look any different. It doesn't drive any different. In fact, I didn't do anything to the car itself.
The car: 1997 Ford Taurus SE with the V6 and an automatic.
WHAT I DID
First, I changed my tire pressure. I put 55lbs in on each tire. Or, 5lbs over the posted sidewall limit. That gained me 2mpg. Then, I read this article and applied everything I could. This guy runs ecomodder.com and actually knows what he's talking about. Then, I gained 3mpg on my next fill up, and 2mpg on the following fill up. Its very amazing really and I am thrilled to have gained so much.
Next: Grill block and windshield wiper covers.
The car: 1997 Ford Taurus SE with the V6 and an automatic.
WHAT I DID
First, I changed my tire pressure. I put 55lbs in on each tire. Or, 5lbs over the posted sidewall limit. That gained me 2mpg. Then, I read this article and applied everything I could. This guy runs ecomodder.com and actually knows what he's talking about. Then, I gained 3mpg on my next fill up, and 2mpg on the following fill up. Its very amazing really and I am thrilled to have gained so much.
Next: Grill block and windshield wiper covers.
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