Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

[nimrod.sixty9]

Other than a normal tune... Plugs, plug wires, fuel filter, air filter, oil change, tranny filter, and Seafoam. What else can be done to not just restore mileage lost, but to actually improve? Such things as 5 speed, rear gear... That being said I remember my 99 Camaro I once had, did much better than my current 2000 Bird [Camaro: 163,xxx M5 3.08] [Bird: 163,xxx A4 3.43 LSD], and both are/were 100% pure stock. yeah Im pretty much asking did the tranny back have anything to do with it.

Ive also read on other threads ppl mentioning exhaust, CAI, and new oxygen sensors will help. I was confused on the sensors though, if there was anything wrong, shouldnt I get an SES light? Also, what about Royal Purple, any improvement?

Answer, add, correct, or take off anything on my list would be greatly appreciated.

[kristen]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

well if you had 3.08 gears in your old car and 3.43 this this car that is something that will deff make your mpg lower. the larger the gears the worst the mpg. then a manaul will get better gas millage than an auto since you have that 5th gear. exhaust and a intake will help you out a little bit since your increasig your air flow. the oxygen sensor can help also. and just because you can put a new one doesn't mean that your ses will go on. royal purple will not help your gas millage but its a good oil for your car.

[landj]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

You can switch to narrower tires, but you'll sacrifice grip. Weight reduction will help too (new years resolutions anyone?). Don't drive like a bat out of hell (that one gets me every time). Don't brake.


Wife only drives it 4 miles to work, so our mileage isn't that big of a deal to us.

[josh98bird]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

check the air pressure in the tires often... make sure the fluids (including oil) are changed in a timely manner, and you've named everything else. Try coasting more than usual and also try taking off a bit slower. When you are about to go up a hill, try speeding up before you reach the hill. Small things like that can really change your mpg

[IwannaCamarosoBad]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

check the air pressure in the tires often... make sure the fluids (including oil) are changed in a timely manner, and you've named everything else. Try coasting more than usual and also try taking off a bit slower. When you are about to go up a hill, try speeding up before you reach the hill. Small things like that can really change your mpg

I've heard that cruise control in spots you know the speed is the same helps out a lot

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

well if you had 3.08 gears in your old car and 3.43 this this car that is something that will deff make your mpg lower. the larger the gears the worst the mpg. then a manaul will get better gas millage than an auto since you have that 5th gear. exhaust and a intake will help you out a little bit since your increasig your air flow. the oxygen sensor can help also. and just because you can put a new one doesn't mean that your ses will go on. royal purple will not help your gas millage but its a good oil for your car.

Thats what I was guessing. Id hate to goto 3.08, but would be really happy with a 5-speed again! And now I have more reason to get the intake and exhaust! CAI??? Gut cat??? O btw I have no emission checks here. Can I clean the O2 sensors? Sorry if its a dumb question, I just dont know anything about them.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

check the air pressure in the tires often... make sure the fluids (including oil) are changed in a timely manner, and you've named everything else. Try coasting more than usual and also try taking off a bit slower. When you are about to go up a hill, try speeding up before you reach the hill. Small things like that can really change your mpg

Any recommendations on what brands to buy (for the things I mentioned)?
Coasting, check! I don't need to worry about hills and all that, <<< South Fla...

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

A4 to M5 shouldn't make much difference, seeing as the 5th gear in a manual is about the same as 4th in the auto. The gears can definitely make a difference though.

o2 sensors read your a/f mixture and decide whether it needs adjustment. When they get old, they become less accurate and can cause decreases in mpg, you won't necessarily get an SES if they are going bad.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

A4 to M5 shouldn't make much difference, seeing as the 5th gear in a manual is about the same as 4th in the auto. The gears can definitely make a difference though.

o2 sensors read your a/f mixture and decide whether it needs adjustment. When they get old, they become less accurate and can cause decreases in mpg, you won't necessarily get an SES if they are going bad.

Damn, I needed a good excuse for the 5 speed. Damn you ratio LOL! I will lose accel if a put in 3.08, correct?

I think the O2 sensors may be my main issue, because MPG is steady getting worse, even after a tune up. I also think my EGR maybe a bastard in this as well.

I also like Kristens idea of exhaust and intake. Can I get an exhaust from an LS1 LT1 car and have gains, or can I gut the cat? Also what CAI should I get, can it be that make it yourself piping with a K&N on the end?

[Blue02]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

Idk about the gears, some folks on here have went to 3.73 and even 4.11's and still getting amazingly good mpg. Does not make sense to me though.
(Please don't make me dig up those posts.):(
What kind of gas mileage are you getting? The way you drive these cars makes ALOT of difference in the mpg you get. My max so far is 27.5mpg on 3.42 gears and stock everything. But it's REALLY hard to not hammer it a couple times per tank though.:burn: On the other hand, my old CRX Si(RIP) didn't make much difference how you drove it 30-33mpg no matter if you drove mostly 55 or mostly 85+

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

Idk about the gears, some folks on here have went to 3.73 and even 4.11's and still getting amazingly good mpg. Does not make sense to me though.
(Please don't make me dig up those posts.):(
What kind of gas mileage are you getting? The way you drive these cars makes ALOT of difference in the mpg you get. My max so far is 27.5mpg on 3.42 gears and stock everything. But it's REALLY hard to not hammer it a couple times per tank though.:burn: On the other hand, my old CRX Si(RIP) didn't make much difference how you drove it 30-33mpg no matter if you drove mostly 55 or mostly 85+

Well I drive it the same Ive always have. It used to get 26-27 all day long, now its a max of about 24... So now Im leaning more towards old O2 and EGR. My goal is to not only regain my lost MPG but improve it. Which is why I was asking about gears and intake/exhaust.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

Anyone out there know my unanswered questions?

Thanks for the posts ppl!

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

My goal is to not only regain my lost MPG but improve it. Which is why I was asking about gears and intake/exhaust.

The only parts that will definatively improve your MPG are bolt-ons and consistant driving habits. Dropping your gear ratio to 2.73 would boost your highway mileage as well.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

The only parts that will definatively improve your MPG are bolt-ons and consistant driving habits. Dropping your gear ratio to 2.73 would boost your highway mileage as well.

2.73?!
Wow, didnt even know we had them that low. Thanks for the info!

[Blue02]

Re: Fuel Mileage... How do I restore-improve?

Before you get 2.73's just buy a Geo Metro/ Yugo... cuz that's what you're going to accelerate like.