Gas Mileage Checklist, let's start an official thread

[lbrowne]

Lets start a thread about certain maintenance items you know of, tips you can provide to help those who want to squeeze out the most mpg from our KAs. I've seen some gas mileage threads about what people get, lets see what you've done in correspondence to what you squeeze out of your tank.

Here's my current checklist:

1990 5 spd Hatchback 167k:

New air filterNew exhaust, 2.25". no more clogged cat, aftermarket baffled resonatorNew plugs and wiresNew tires (you'd be surprised, tires can help mileage if replacing old shoddy ones)

I try to ensure I shift before 3k unless I'm pressed for space merging in traffic. Downshift to slow and brake as easy as possible.

The only thing I haven't done yet is keep my wife from driving the car to work, she has a heavier foot than me I think. Plus a little harder on the brake.

So far I can only muster about 280-297 miles to a tank of city driving. Granted I fill up before the light comes on, probably about 1/16 of a tank.

Fuel capacity is what, 15.8 gallons or so?

I'm considering seafoaming the KA...but I'm a little nervous on a higher mileage car.

[180fan]

I seafoamed at 144k on my old SOHC, unless you've some real deal issue, seafoam shouldn't do squat to your oil seals and stuff.

I'm surprised you're only gettin ~300 miles tops. IIRC I was getting about 400 on my tank with my old sohc after doing a complete tune up. dist cap/rotor, aurora ignition wires, ngk iridium ix plugs, ngk o2 sensor, tps adjustment, idle adjustment, cts, timing set to 15 btdc dead on, iacv cleaned and adjusted to ~750rpm, and maf cleaning, on an k&n drop in filter on an otherwise stock engine with a gp sports spec d catback.

[lbrowne]

PCV will be next. But based on the 15.9 gallon tank, if I'm getting around 300 miles to a tank thats darn close to 19 of the advertised 20 mpg. Once my wife goes on maternity leave and never drives the car, I'll get a very accurate reading.

Your 400 to a tank is about 25mpg, very close to the highway mpg rating. I can only wish. (my tank rating is constant city driving, on the way to work and back its heavily stop and go)

[kahumper]

I too just seafoamed my engine wich im not even sure how many miles it has on it due to the old digital speedo. being a pos (prolly about 200k ish) and I have yet to see anything harmful come of it, however if youve got excessive build up you may need to replace plugs and the o2 sensor after.

[lbrowne]

I've replaced the CTS, no noticeable difference. So I guess my old one was still good

[lbrowne]

My front injector is leaking! (the closest one to the front of the car)

I should have some used ones arriving within a month to change this one out.

[lbrowne]

Update of what I've done now, incase others are also looking for some maintenance items to do. I get about 22-23 mpg consistently, all city driving, and this is on the lowest grade octane at the pumps.

New air filterNew exhaust, 2.25". no more clogged cat, aftermarket baffled resonatorNew plugs and wiresNew tires New CTSNew O2 sensor

I think next would be a new fuel filter, and new cap and rotor. I might even try a higher octane fuel for a couple of tanks.

[gumby74]

Well, this is all very interesting. I average between 22 and 25 mpg. I want to say 2/3 of that is highway about 70mph. I also drive like an old lady shifting at or before 3k. Heres what I got:SOHC rebuilt last year. 2 12" e-fans, aluminum underdrive pulley.No emmissions, egr, heated intake mani.Pacesetter header (wrapped) stock cat, SSAC dual n1 exhaust fresh O2 sensor.Fresh cap, rotor, wires NGK V power plugs 18* timing.K&N filter with gutted box and 3" aluminum tubing. All stock plastic was shot.New belts, clutch, water pump etc etc.Run 245/40 17's rear 225/45 17's front or 225/50 16's all around.I have been thinking of getting an AFC or something to maybe get a couple more mpg or a couple more horses for the same fuel consumption. Any thoughts on that?