Getting Started in a 1999 CRV

[Minibear453]

Hey guys, I'm just starting to drive, and I've received a 1999 CRV. What can I do to save gas? It's automatic, and I'm not sure if P&G will work, nor do I want to go in neutral all the time (I'm just starting).

Also, how can I mod the car to save gas? I'm thinking of wheel covers, rear wheel skirts, possibly a dam, or a belly pan, but does a dam do a belly pan's work and vice versa? Also, any more suggestions on mods?

[IndyFetch]

The easiest and cheapest way to start is to find ways to remove items, such as roof rails, if your CR-V is so equipped.

[yaryarbing]

Increase tire pressure to maximum permitted on sidewall.

[vxdude]

you gotta get a scangauge...

[theholycow]

Welcome.

You can do these modifications:
- Maximum tire pressure (as yaryarbing said)
- Scangauge (or the much better-priced Ultragauge) (as vxdude said)
- Of course the mods you listed
- Roof rack and other accessory delete (as Fetch said)
- Grill block
- Kammback, maybe
- Certainly some other things I forgot
The tire pressure and SG/UG will produce the best results among those mods. Keep in mind that any investment of money may take a long time to pay for itself.

Even without any neutral coasting you can practice these (and more) techniques:
- Keep a detailed gaslog and use accurate filling habits
- Drive as if you have lame brakes; instead of stopping at red lights, slow far ahead so you can roll through the green light.
- Conserve your momentum by not slowing down unnecessarily (for turns, bumps in the road, etc)
- A 2-3 second draft behind a big rig on the highway is the legally proper distance and the best place to save fuel
- Lower speed, of course, always helps
- Experiment with different acceleration rates
- With a UG or SG, try to become familiar with your car's DFCO behavior and you may be able to take advantage of that, although if you're not comfortable with neutral then you probably wouldn't be comfortable downshifting to extend your DFCO

[bowtieguy]

forgive me if this an unacceptable alternative, but i often think out of the box...

unless the car was a gift and has sentimental or unforeseen value, why not sell it for a small car? honda has a GREAT following, and you could get top dollar for it.

if you truly want exceptional fuel economy, you may have to find something else.

[Minibear453]

How much would wheel skirts, wheel caps, air dams, belly pans, or blocking off the grill do for the car?

[bowtieguy]

too difficult to even speculate. i suspect, even with ALL of those mods, you wouldn't reach 30mpg.

[theholycow]

EPA rated 20/23, should be possible to reach 30 with tire pressure and P&G...without P&G, maybe still possible with all that stuff and very patient driving.

[Minibear453]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

too difficult to even speculate. i suspect, even with ALL of those mods, you wouldn't reach 30mpg.

So in other words, the effects of those mods are negligible?

Also, is it possible to P&G with an automatic? Without going neutral and back?