odd test results

[kitcar]

I had an idea last night that involved several adult beverages and the combination of two additives that I've been playing with for an episode of my video show.

The results that I got were unexpected.

Here's the vehicle; 2000 Dodge Dakota, 4.7L H.O., 5 speed manual, 3.55:1 limited slip rear axle, towing package, air dam, side skirts, bed cover. Airraid filter, Mobile 1 oil, hyper mileage driving techniques (short shifting, clutch in down hills, light pedal pressure, fillups at same pump at same station, mileage checked through stock computer and manual figuring). Please note that the crankcase oil is very due for a change - typically I gain another 1-2 mpg with fresh oil.

Without any additives, just the air dam, etc., regular gas, Mobile One oil we're getting 18.7 to 19.2 mpg. With additive 1, mileage is 20.8 to 21.5. With additive 2, mileage is 20.7 to 20.9. The test course is 7.2 miles (city) all on open loop (not long enough to get to closed loop) The highway loop is 12.8 miles, closed loop. This is the breakdown:

Additive 1:

City: 20.5 to 20.9 (7 stops, speeds from 25 mph to 55 mph)
Highway: 21.2 to 21.5

Additive 2:

City: 19.9 to 20.5 (7 stops, speeds from 25 mph to 55 mph)
Highway: 20.2 to 20.8

So I think to my self after the application of adult beverages that I should try combining them. I measured them out, combined them (resulting in a milky white fizzy mixture) and poured them on in.

Today, the results are as follows:

Combined additives:

City: 25.8 (7 stops, speeds from 25 mph to 55 mph). This is the highest result I've ever achieved.
Highway: 24.7

I'm flummoxed at this point. These two chemicals added together amount to nothing more than they do separately. In other words, they are not additive in nature. I'm not sure that using this mixture long term will not harm the fuel system, like clogging the injectors or harming the fuel pump but it's a weird result I thought I'd share and see if anyone would like to attempt to replicate.

[RoadWarrior]

How are you sure they're not additive? For instance, some metallic compounds will catalyse some alcoholic or organic solvent compounds.

[DRW]

I'm not sure if being inebriated is the best way to conduct an experiment. You might overlook something like accounting for the volume of the additives in the fillup.

[1993CivicVX]

Lots of things seem like good ideas when you're wasted.

drinking another beer always seems like a good idea when you're wasted.

[theholycow]

What are the additives?

[kitcar]

What are the additives?

At this point I'd rather not say until I put at least one tank through the system. The mixture smelled God awful. All I'll say is that one was the Acetone. I played with that deal until I settled in on 4oz per 20 gallons of Meijer gas and 7.5 oz per 20 gallons of Marathon gas, the two brands I buy. Note to self: Don't forget this is the summer formulation, not the winter! Research additives in the base stock.

Also, it could be that they are additive/reactive, especially when mixed with a hydrocarbon chain.

Seriously, I wasn't entirely wasted; after all, I was able to see the markings on the measuring cup without closing one eye, a sure indicator of sobriety.

The combination was 4 oz of one additive and 2 oz of the second. I'm going out later today to run through a 10 mile loop (if my fuel system hasn't dissolved into a mass of goo). My first order of business was to double check what the overhead was telling me about the mileage - it's spot on still. Engine temp. is running slightly cooler (10 degrees). Photos to follow.

[kitcar]

Just to double check what I'm seeing, with the tank 6 gallons down, I topped up with Meijers gas this morning while out and about without adding anything else.

Before fill: 25.7 avg.
After 6.1 gallons to fill: 22.4 avg.

Since I have to go out again in an hour (I need a fill shot of a warning siren going off) I'm going to add the appropriate amount of the concoction.

[SD26]

Do you have mandated ethanol or RFG in your area?

[DRW]

This sounds promising. Please fill us in on the concoction when it's finalized.
Or if you need beta testers.

[RoadWarrior]

Well acetone probably helps mothballs dissolve better.... and probably helps with stuff like butyl stearate which has a higher melting point.

[kitcar]

Do you have mandated ethanol or RFG in your area?

Well, you see the mighty state of Michigan "allows" up to 10% ethanol BUT the station isn't required to tell you. What I've found is the less expensive gas in Michigan (Valero, Clark, Etc.) are 10%, which is why my mileage goes down. If I stick to the more mainstream "expensive" gas, I keep better mileage. For my truck, Meijer gas at the Ann Arbor store gets me the best mileage. Valero gets the worst. Speedway/Marathon is "okay".

Alrighty, the testing is done. 500 miles of testing from Saline, Michigan to Gaylord, Michigan this weekend, 250 miles each way. This is the same route I drive to the shack (http://www.northernmichigansolar.com) every summer at the same speeds in the same weather. Cruise on the entire boring, long trip. Now I'm utterly convinced if any of these clowns bothered to use the computers in their vehicles they'd see what kind of mileage they're getting. Gas is $4.19 a gallon and these idiots are still blowing along at 80 miles an hour. Good luck eating this week. Idiots.

Where was I? Oh yeah:

Air temp. on first leg, 52 degrees, humidity 44%, winds light, variable. Speed, 65 mph for 245.8 miles. Mileage: 23.1. Highest coolant temp. reached: 195.

Return trip, 77 degrees, humidity 52%, winds 25 mph, gusts to 40 mph, all side winds. Speed 65 mph. Mileage 23.8. Highest coolant temp. reached: 210.

Short report: stock (aero mods, Mobile 1), no additives, 19.8 mpg.
With Acetone, 22.5. Flat road, 24.
With mystery additive 21.6. Flat road, 22
Combined additives, 23.8. Flat road, 30.

I noticed that mileage up hills is the same. Hauling a Dakota up a grade takes a bit of power. Darned things weigh like a million pounds - not to mention I have the towing package, heavy duty suspension and that big 4.7 liter engine (a side note: the 4.7 is actually a Hemi engine but has a 1mm flat spot in the cylinder head on purpose because Mercedes designed it and well, you can only have one Hemi. So it's called the "Semi-Hemi" by us Dodge guys.). Plus I was carrying two gas cans, 1 lawn mower, 2 deep cycle batteries, clothes, 15 gallons of water, a dolly, 50 pounds of tools, a cooler of food, my laptop and my cordless tools.

I calculated the correct mixture of the two additives and added them before I put the gas in. Now, I also took all my own gas with me from Meijers, all bought at the same time. I filled the generator and put the rest (about 9 gallons) in the tank which got it back to the full mark on the gauge.

Video to follow later tonight (5-26-08) or tomorrow of a Dodge Dakota with a 4.7 liter getting 29-30 mpg on a flat road at 60 mph. That rocks.

[RoadWarrior]

So, did you spill in another thread what the 2nd additive was, if so I missed it.

Just curious, came across a similar sitch here, methanol by itself does nothing or hurts mpg, TC-W3 outboard oil by itself does nothing... put them together and bam 8% gain.

[kitcar]

So, did you spill in another thread what the 2nd additive was, if so I missed it.

Crap and dammit. I touched on the combo in the first part of the gas mileage episode of This Old Shack (http://www.northernmichigansolar.com/2008episode2.htm). You can either download it or watch it and annoy your spouse.

I'm just about done shooting the second part of the episode, by the way. I'm going to discuss low rolling resistance tires and aero modifications as well as how to cut apart 6 pack plastic rings to prevent birds from choking. I also find a beer in a tire. Several times.