Tips to improve highway MPG economy with an S60
Tuneups, tire pressure, average speed changes, air filter… these are all things that affect fuel economy of our Volvos. What can you do besides these tips? Should you go all the way to an expensive performance ECU upgrade or an exhaust upgrade?
cryo13 » Hey all, I’m new to volvo ownership. bought an 05 S60 R 3 weeks ago. I drive a ton of miles, 3.5 to 5k a month, 90% + freeway miles for work. I really want to see if i can improve on the 23.5 to 26 mpg i get avg, 70-80 mph. I’m in Nevada, at higher altitude, 4200-5000′. Car is stock, 38k miles now. I’ve been reading a lot, all sorts of mods that people are doing to their cars. ECU flashes, in various stages, to downpipes, cat backs, cold air mods, HD TCV’s. running uber fluids (Royal Purple), etc.. I don’t mind spending some money, i drive so many miles that every mpg i increase, will be like 250.00 bucks in my pocket annually. Gaining performance is fine, but making that mpg get up to 26-29 cruising on the freeway would be awesome. I am not very mechanically inclined and there are no volvo clubs around Reno. Closest is Sacramento, 150 miles off. Any help/ideas on improving those highway miles would be greatly appreciated.
JDS60R » There is a sweet spot. I have the 6 speed so I can’t tell you where it is in the 5 speed. Try around 72-75mph. In flat conditions I get 28-29 mpg and from all the boards I have read that is pretty good for an R.
If you get an IPD flash and a down pipe the milage is reported to go up about 2mpg. I haven’t done this so I can’t attest to it yet. Just running a cat back did not help with mileage.
If you are in a high heat area an improved intercooler may help out as well. The upgrade, pipe and intercooler will run far more than you will save so its not a mpg only mod.
Also – use the Volvo air filter. I get better mpg on it than a K&N.
On a stage zero you have to keep up on the trans fluid in the 5 speed auto. Its only good for 30K max unless you move to a top quality synthetic. 5 speed auto’s did have a trans overheat issue for long term/high speed runs. They made an additional cooler you can add in or just make up your own.
improving highway mpg S60 R 05 5 sp auto
Last Updated on August 8, 2022
