I have a Honda Accord 2000 v6 97k miles, bone stock. Recently someone I know suggested I get a chip. They claim I can get better fuel economy. Which I would much dearly enjoy. Though after looking around the Internet I learned a little bit about them. Though I'm here to ask your opinion.

My goal is better fuel economy. If I can somehow get better fuel economy I'd love that.


Also, does cold air intake increase mpg? Heard that around too, and does anyone recommend a good exhaust system? I'd like the car to sound a little more beefy.

Thanks for all the help.

 

Nope no chip for your car, and the generic chips that are available on the market for the various cars are junk anyway. Only thing they usually do is advance the timing, requiring higher octane fuel to prevent pinging.

CAI will DECREASE MPGs.
A short ram style system boxed to ingest hot underhood air would be be MPG friendly as hot air is less dense. Requiring more thorttle input to maintain a given power level, with the throttle open more there is less pumping losses for the engine. Which equates to better MPGs.

• Verify engine is in good condition. Fuel, Ignition and EGR functionality will greatly affect MPGs.
• Verify transmission is in good condition. Not slipping.
• Change driving times. Avoid rush hour. Drive when the road is clear, and preferably when warm out, midday before rush hour.
• Change driving speed, normally do ~70MPH?, reduce to 60-65MPH. Increase in speed exponentially increases fuel consumption.
• Quickly getting up to desired speed reduces fuel consumption.
• Throttle discipline. Know your terrain/route. Find out where timed lights are and at what speed they work, let everyone else 'beat' you to a red light. If a known lane slows from a normal 65-45 due to congestion at a given time/spot, no need to approach the known congestion at 65. Let off throttle and cruise down to 45.
• Stop & Go traffic with Automatic, put car in 2nd and creep.
• Stay in the Right lanes, avoid passing unless need be.
• Do not let traffic behind 'push' you to go faster than the speed limit, if there is a trail of more than three cars behind you on a single lane road, pull over and let them pass.
• Get behind a larger vehicle or professional drivers(semis) for better aero, less drastic change in driving.
• Avoid bad roads, smooth roads/lanes give least rolling resistance.
• Verify road conditions before/during a trip. Have alternative routes for traveling in case of excessive congestion/accidents.
• Verify mirrors are positioned correctly, should have a panoramic rear view, should be able to see cars in your blind spot and only need to turn your head slightly to see all traffic around you. If you can see the sides of your car your mirrors are not focused out enough. This makes lane changes much easier/less dramatic.
• Carry speed through corners. Learn to apex correctly and safely.
• Use brakes less, if you are often on the brakes, you are driving too fast.
• Excessive braking is loss of momentum, increasing fuel consumption.
• Increase tire pressure to maximum sidewall PSI COLD(before the car has been driven/sun has warmed tires, early morning) for reduced rolling resistance.
• Remove junk from car, books, tools, anything that is not needed for daily routine/emergency useage. Have full road side assistance, toss the spare tire and jack.
• Verify toe and camber are 0° for reduced drag.
• Fix any body damage.
• Drive with windows/sunroof closed to improve aerodynamics.
• Remove wheel spats or mud guards from rear of wheel wells.(aero drag)
• Remove window/sunroof 'rain' guards.
• Remove any added 'trim' that is not factory.
• Install Vacuum gauge or Scan Gauge(OBDII) to increase minute throttle changes for better economy.
• Remove any add on body kit garbage, book shelf wings, parachute pants rear bumpers. Buick Fender escutcheons from the fenders, that rad stick on hood scoop from the Otterzone dressup aisle.
• Remove team flags/banners from doors/windows/fenders/antenna.
• Remove/relocate external body components, antenna, windshield wipers, mirrors.
• Reduce rotating wheel weight, some aftermarket wheels can be heavier than factory wheels, full chromed wheels are usually 3-5lbs heavier than clear coated or silver painted wheels.
• Improve rotating wheel aero, moon eyes wheel covers will improve MPG 1-3MPG depending on existing wheel style. Open spoke/deep dish wheels are not aero friendly.
• Lowering reduces drag overall, but reduces ground/accessibility clearance.
• Installing an air dam to improve aero around the car.
• Installing an full length undertray to reduce drag.
• Blocking the upper grille.
• Partially blocking the lower grille.
• Install wheel spats in front of wheels to improve airflow around tires/wheels.
• Fender/wheel skirts to improve air flow around the body.
• Tuft testing/experiment installing vortex generators to improve laminar air flow over body.
• But the most important is to drive smoothly.