Lighter car? : what items to remove to make VIBE lighter

[godar1990]

With these gas prices hitting close to $2.75/gal I'm thinking of making the Vibe lighter to improve gas mileage. Any non-essential items that can be removed to make the vehicle lighter and possible improve gas mileage? Thanks

[ragingfish]

i honestly don't *think* removing anything small will make that much of a difference on fuel economy.obviously, the best, and easiest, way to improve your fuel consumption is to adapt your driving habits. avoid full-throttle starts, travel the speed limit instead of going above it, avoid using the A/C or defroster modes (which automatically kick in the compressor), if you have remote start capability, don't use it. you could also check your tire pressures, make sure they're where they should be, maybe throw a bottle of techron fuel system treatment in.also, many people don't realize how much fuel they waste in their daily errands. if you can systematically plan out your stops to reduce the total mileage you cover, it can help. instead of going back and forth across town to different locations, whenever possible, try and plan out your stops so that you go around in a circle and take the path that gets you everywhere the fastest.that being said, if you still want to remove weight, you *could* jettison the spare, but i'd certainly hope you don't develop any issues on the road. if you have the roof rack crossbars, you could probably also remove those to reduce drag.

[Whelan]

-The Hatch (Make CF one)-the Backseat-spare tire and the whole well it sits in-lighter allot wheels (i.e. Volks)-lighter flywheel if you hae a standard-plexiglass windows instead of glass

[Vibr8tr]

Heck, if we are doing that much work, and getting that "hard core" into it, take out the radio and all the speakers, passenger seat, dash (not instrament panel), maybe loose the center consol, the passenger side air bags, the glove capartment, and leave cell phones and wallets at home (that will save you at least 6-7 OZ.), oh and loose a few LBS, take a poop, and don't eat before you drive.... When all is said and done, you will have a 900 lbs vibe going down the road, lol

[VforVIBE]

well, there's always:The ACinside door panelsvents, heater core, bumper supports,the bumpers,door support beams,roof racks,speakers, radioBTW, looked at you gut lately?and on and on and on... you'd be a coffin on wheels when you're doneEdit: Vibr8tr, you beat me to it

[Vibr8tr]

I am good like that. Always before the woman.... I mean... wait.... that sounded like.... I post first... yea... post is what I mean.

[Whelan]

Eat some grape nuts and take a big one, you can save 3lbs.!!!!

[ColonelPanic]

Easiest and SAFEST fix: Dump the Vibe for something smaller, lighter, and more fuel efficient.There are many things that weight a bit on your car now that are there for safety reasons. Please don't take anything off that will hurt you, your passengers, or the people who you hit (or who hit you.) It's kinda senseless to take out things that can cause you to be hurt just for the sake of ~1-2 MPG at the most.Just don't do the ricer thing - rip all of that crap out to save weight and then add 1000 pounds of fart cans, spoilers, body kits, stereo equipment, huge and heavy wheels that are many sizes too big...

[JohnC]

Just buy/build one of these. They don't have anything extra, and you will have the quickest car in town.http://www.arielatom.com/

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by godar1990 »With these gas prices hitting close to $2.75/gal I'm thinking of making the Vibe lighter to improve gas mileage. Any non-essential items that can be removed to make the vehicle lighter and possible improve gas mileage? Thanks1. Remove driver2. Disconnect battery3. Get bus route4. Get up earlier to catch bus

[VivaVibe]

Gee, I couldn't ask for better with this size car. Reliable, safe, comfortable, stylish, roomy, flexible, and good mpg. I average 30 mpg in the city and my first road trip was at 40 mpg. You can get something smaller and lighter with a bit better mpg, but it won't be nearly the package you get with the Vibe.