How do I improve my gas mileage?

Zem is absolutely correct

I have stated this fact so amny times I did not want to repeat myself.

 

[xSauronx]

get a moped

 

[thedarkwolf]

Run the codes
How to run the codes and what they mean
They might tell you if something is screwed up and its easy to do.

If the o2 sensor has never been changed it probably needs it. If your worried about cost don't be. You can get a bosch o2 sensor from just about any parts store for a little over $30 or the Mopar version from any Chrysler dealer for around $60. The Mopar one is better but since yours isn't a turbo don't worry about it.

My carbed 85 plymouth duster use to get around 26mpg overall and my current 89 turbo caravan gets around 18mpg overall and around 20mpg highway but its a big heavy box with a turbo .

 

[Ultima]

ran the codes, the only code it gives me is 33-55 which is what it gave me when the timing belt broke. I guess I'll just live with the low gas mileage... blame it on the age

 

[her209]

Things that affect gas mileage:

Dirty Oil
Old Spark Plugs
Bad Air Intake Filter
Bad Alignment
Bald/Unbalanced Tires
Weight of your car
Aerodynmics of your car
If you run A/C

Last but not least, the way you DRIVE!!!!

EDIT: Added more stuff.

 

[geno]

You can try the O2 sensor - I replaced mine in my old N/A 2.2 and it helped out. Also - check your tires if they're underinflated, that can hurt your milage somewhat.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: Ultima
ran the codes, the only code it gives me is 33-55 which is what it gave me when the timing belt broke. I guess I'll just live with the low gas mileage... blame it on the age

55 is normal - it'll always pop up. Disconnect the battery for 10-15 mins (to reset the computer/codes), and reconnect it. Drive the car for a couple days - see if that 33 comes up again.

 

[Pepsi90919]

"33 Air conditioning clutch relay circuit open or shorted (may be in the wide-open-throttle cutoff circuit)"
"33 is normal on earlier models if you don't have air conditioning."

http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html

 

[hagbard]

Tell all your family that a local gas station is carrying out terrorist activities and has a cache of arms they're going to use against them. See if you can get neighbours involved. Then go kill the ower and kick the crap out of the attendents, and help yourself to the gas.

Hey, it works for GWB, it should work for you to.

 

[KGB1]

I was dooshed by my friend to buying stuff for my dads Bonneville.

1. K&N Air Filter - Much smoother and quiter engine now = $70
2. The Air Tornado for the Air Filter, better performance = $45
3. Z-Max, awsome, just awsome. Better Mileage, LESS ENGINE HEAT (below 190F degree in summer) = $45

Total I spent $160

Now for the pay off, He does not have to buy 93 octane anymore for "performance" boost
Car passes all Emissions.
Less work will go into engine NOW in the long haul

I will buy that Stuff for my Chevy Astro also. Its new so I wanna KEEP it like that. I already got the K&N Air Filter. I will purchase the rest later. When spring comes and I get an oil change at 21K. Man I'm gonna rip it in my Astro RWD MAN OHH YEAH!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: KGB
I was dooshed by my friend to buying stuff for my dads Bonneville.

1. K&N Air Filter - Much smoother and quiter engine now = $70
2. The Air Tornado for the Air Filter, better performance = $45
3. Z-Max, awsome, just awsome. Better Mileage, LESS ENGINE HEAT (below 190F degree in summer) = $45

Total I spent $160

Now for the pay off, He does not have to buy 93 octane anymore for "performance" boost
Car passes all Emissions.
Less work will go into engine NOW in the long haul

I will buy that Stuff for my Chevy Astro also. Its new so I wanna KEEP it like that. I already got the K&N Air Filter. I will purchase the rest later. When spring comes and I get an oil change at 21K. Man I'm gonna rip it in my Astro RWD MAN OHH YEAH!

The "Tornado" restricts airflow and reduces both efficiency and performance. Z-Max is snake oil, there are much better systems available (Chevron Techron for a fuel system cleaner, there are also much better "water wetters" for your coolant, as well as better molybdenum (sp?) additives for oil). K&N air filters do flow more air than paper filters, but more airflow means that there is less filtration and less filtration means more particles being brought into the engine. You got hosed.

ZV

 

[ElFenix]

ok ok... you work the equations for heat engines and they're more efficient when they're sucking colder air because the more they heat up the air the more useful work you can extract from the heat engine. given the same fuel burning at the same operating temp in summer and winter the heat engine is more efficient during the winter.

technically running the heater/wipers/accessories is useful work and doesn't count against efficiency.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
ok ok... you work the equations for heat engines and they're more efficient when they're sucking colder air because the more they heat up the air the more useful work you can extract from the heat engine. given the same fuel burning at the same operating temp in summer and winter the heat engine is more efficient during the winter.

technically running the heater/wipers/accessories is useful work and doesn't count against efficiency.

The engine will still use more fuel in cooler temperatures because the ECU will compensate for the denser air by injecting more fuel. And we're talking about different measures of efficiency. Even if the extra fuel creates enough extra power that the efficiency isn't affected, more fuel is still being used, which means that mpg decreases. So while the engine is not technically less efficient when considered in isolation, the entire car is less efficient in terms of mpg.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

Little late but since some people started talking about air temps. How hot does the car run? If its running to cold like if the thermostat is stuck open that can hurt fuel mileage pretty badly since the computer may never go into closed loop.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Little late but since some people started talking about air temps. How hot does the car run? If its running to cold like if the thermostat is stuck open that can hurt fuel mileage pretty badly since the computer may never go into closed loop.

He's already said that the car's coolant is reaching proper operating temperature. Thermostat's not stuck open.

ZV

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: KGB
I was dooshed by my friend to buying stuff for my dads Bonneville.

1. K&N Air Filter - Much smoother and quiter engine now = $70
2. The Air Tornado for the Air Filter, better performance = $45
3. Z-Max, awsome, just awsome. Better Mileage, LESS ENGINE HEAT (below 190F degree in summer) = $45

Total I spent $160

Now for the pay off, He does not have to buy 93 octane anymore for "performance" boost
Car passes all Emissions.
Less work will go into engine NOW in the long haul

I will buy that Stuff for my Chevy Astro also. Its new so I wanna KEEP it like that. I already got the K&N Air Filter. I will purchase the rest later. When spring comes and I get an oil change at 21K. Man I'm gonna rip it in my Astro RWD MAN OHH YEAH!

You paid 90 for a decrease in performance. Good Job!

 

[Zenmervolt]

To the people who might think that ZMax is a good idea: The FTC has taken the company that makes ZMax to court for false and misleading advertising..

ZV

 

[StageLeft]

Quicker you're there the less time the engine is on, so drive as fast as you can.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: KGB
I was dooshed by my friend to buying stuff for my dads Bonneville.

1. K&N Air Filter - Much smoother and quiter engine now = $70
2. The Air Tornado for the Air Filter, better performance = $45
3. Z-Max, awsome, just awsome. Better Mileage, LESS ENGINE HEAT (below 190F degree in summer) = $45

Total I spent $160

Now for the pay off, He does not have to buy 93 octane anymore for "performance" boost
Car passes all Emissions.
Less work will go into engine NOW in the long haul

I will buy that Stuff for my Chevy Astro also. Its new so I wanna KEEP it like that. I already got the K&N Air Filter. I will purchase the rest later. When spring comes and I get an oil change at 21K. Man I'm gonna rip it in my Astro RWD MAN OHH YEAH!

Oh man don't do the tornado or the Zmax stuff. At least definitely not the tornado. And anything he did sure as hell doesn't allow him to skip out on a higher octane gasoline. His engine is still running at the same compression so it needs the high octane (if the owner's manual says it does).

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: KGB
I was dooshed by my friend to buying stuff for my dads Bonneville.

1. K&N Air Filter - Much smoother and quiter engine now = $70
2. The Air Tornado for the Air Filter, better performance = $45
3. Z-Max, awsome, just awsome. Better Mileage, LESS ENGINE HEAT (below 190F degree in summer) = $45

Total I spent $160

Now for the pay off, He does not have to buy 93 octane anymore for "performance" boost
Car passes all Emissions.
Less work will go into engine NOW in the long haul

I will buy that Stuff for my Chevy Astro also. Its new so I wanna KEEP it like that. I already got the K&N Air Filter. I will purchase the rest later. When spring comes and I get an oil change at 21K. Man I'm gonna rip it in my Astro RWD MAN OHH YEAH!

i hope you're joking. $160 out the window and you're damaging your engine.

 

[BennyD]

aerodynamics is important, remove any roof rack when not in use.
even giving the car a polish can help to decrease wind resistence.

what about fitting a 5' arrowhead to the front of your car to cut the air?

 

[nick1985]

good idea