Almost 40 mpg!

dbm123 · Post by **dbm123** » 08 May 2011, 10:27

I get 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway...

Post by **jt74** » 12 May 2011, 05:55

My mileage sucks balls. 15mpg, with new plugs, wires, rotor, cap, fluid changes, flushed tranny, tires inflated to 36 psi..... I drive aggressively but not constantly. Anyone can tell me what I should check next? Thanks.

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 May 2011, 07:12

My mileage sucks balls. 15mpg, with new plugs, wires, rotor, cap, fluid changes, flushed tranny, tires inflated to 36 psi..... I drive aggressively but not constantly. Anyone can tell me what I should check next? Thanks.

How many miles? What kind of driving? Running A/C?

Stoplight to stoplight driving, running A/C...that's probably about right. City mileage is just awful on these things. First gear is incredibly tall, and it's heavy.

Have you ever replaced your O2 sensor? Cleaned the MAF sensor? Changed your air filter?

axlaxl · Post by **axlaxl** » 12 May 2011, 08:43

jt74 wrote:My mileage sucks balls. 15mpg, with new plugs, wires, rotor, cap, fluid changes, flushed tranny, tires inflated to 36 psi..... I drive aggressively but not constantly. Anyone can tell me what I should check next? Thanks.

I was getting 10-12mpg city, but I live in Brooklyn and drive very aggressively. 98 S70 base auto trans. I made the following changes since I got the car a year ago, new struts, shocks, control arms, axles, brakes and a front end alignment. New plugs, wires, rotor, cap and air filter. Alignment and axles were done a week ago.

On my current tank of gas i used regular fuel but tossed in a bottle of octane boost and lucas fuel treatment I got on sale. Did not change driving habits and am now around 20mpg.

I noticed the biggest change after I had the axles and front end alignment done. Not sure if the octane boost is really helping as I used to use 93.5 octane from Sunoco, but since I got it on sale it was much cheaper to spend $2 on higher octane gas in a bottle rather than the 40 cents per gallon x 16 gallons for the 93.5.

So if your suspension is all good, it might be worth checking out the alignment. Just my 1/50th of a dollar on the issue.

Post by **jt74** » 12 May 2011, 09:35

Yeah, a lot of city driving and run the AC 50% of the time. Not more than 250 miles per week. I get some highway but it is mostly sitting on a ten mile stretch of parking lot during rush hour. Boo.

O2 sensors are next on my list, air filter is brand new, and I will need to get the MAF cleaned. Suspension is almost done, just need to get some new spring seats ( IPD HD, thanks J. xD) and then I can do the alignment. I only run 92 or better. Hopefully after I do these things I can at least get it to 20mpg+. Thanks for the tips fellas.

Woot!!! I'm not a "new member" anymore. Yeah!!!!

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 May 2011, 07:00

1000+ miles of driving on my trip to the Outer Banks this weekend. It was beautiful - if you're in the non-automobile forum, I'll post up pictures at some point, so be sure to drop in!

34.5 mpg from here to VA beach this weekend (over 300 miles) - 65-75 mph, interstate driving, windows down. I was getting 37-39 for the first 100 miles or so.

27 mpg driving around the islands in NC (windows/AC sometimes); lots of stoplights and terrible drivers.

30 mpg even from VA Beach back to here last night (windows down again) - 65 mph most of the way, but on a different highway.

I think my car knows what I've been thinking about - and it's trying to compete with little-car MPG. And honestly, after all that driving with it, I'm not so sure I could ever want another car!

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 31 May 2011, 07:48

Well done!

I think part of getting better MPG is simple wanting better MPG. But your car isn't going down without a fight!

Post by **tjts1** » 31 May 2011, 08:29

MatDesign84 wrote:(Taking the 100 pounds of steer manure out of my trunk would probably help mileage, too.)

YIKES! OMG!

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 May 2011, 12:49

Keep in mind that increasing tire pressures takes a bit of rubber off the road from what the car is designed for! I never do that because it does make handling squirrely and wears out tires faster. If you buy into it, possibly inflating them with pure nitrogen may increase your MPG a little bit. I already chew through a set of tires about once a year, so I'm not about to make them last any less long.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 31 May 2011, 13:47

The nitrogen thing is a gimmick. I get it only because Costco gives it to me for free, but I'd never pay for it. I figure with all highway driving (with heavy loads I might add), the tires will be fine with the added pressure. I've gotten very normal wear out of them so far, so I'm not too worried...

(You saying something probably means my tires are gonna blow up on my next drive!)

Almost 40 mpg!

Re: Almost 40 mpg!