What are good driving habits?

[Jesda]

At this rate, I put about 3000-4000 miles per month on my 92 Q, with almost all of it on the highway at 65-75mph.

What are some good habits for improving reliability? I try to warm up for 1-2 minutes and take off and shift gently when the engine and transmission are cold.

Is there anything else you guys can recommend? Are high speeds and WOT harmful to the motor and transmission?

Thanks!-Jesda

[AZhitman]

You're doing everything right. WOT runs on occasion and some triple-digit escapades are good for the Q.

Maintenance is key, and you're in the right place for that!

[4cefed]

Mobil 1

[elwesso]

As long as you keep on its upkeep and use premium, they can take about anything you give it.

It is better to run those 4000 miles on the highway than in the city.

[PalmerWMD]

1)I try to warm up for 1-2 minutes and take off and shift gently when the engine and transmission are cold.

2) Are high speeds and WOT harmful to the motor and transmission?

1) Exactly the right thing to do.2)hi speeds no, within reason dont hurt, except deep in the triple digits, might hurt a transmission that doesnt carry a transmission cooler.

WOT is a bit higehr wear on the enginme but many here doa lot of that with no discernable ill effects.WOT on transmission is somewhat harder for wear and tear.

Add good oil chnage habits.

Fred...

[greg_atlanta]

If you're in heavy traffic going 45-60 mph, best to shift into 3rd gear to save the transmission from making excessive shifts from 3-4. Burns a little more fuel, but fuel is cheaper than a new transmission. Also saves on brake pads a little (but if you use brakes a lot on highway you're probably following too close).

[Q45tech]

Oh the joys of getting services once per month [3-4k mileage per month].........oil /filter changes, tire balancing every month, and rotor turning every other month.

Used to do this in 6 month increments for 3 years [needed 6 months to recover each time].

High speeds are in the 130-150 mph range, everything is loafing along at 75 mph [2500 rpm].

When you are in the car for 8 hours little vibrations become more noticable and you start chasing things to make the ride more perfect.

Hopefully you are getting 33 cents per mile from your work because you will need every penny to keep the car functioning.

Change your diff fluid NOW and every year as you don't want to replace it at 200k.

[don85259]

Hopefully you are getting 33 cents per mile from your work because you will need every penny to keep the car functioning.

...which is still not enough to cover depreciation. The IRS reimbursement rate is now 36 cents per mile, BTW.

One tip: Always let off the gas and coast when you see obstructed lanes in front of you, or when you are approaching a red light. By driving judiciously, in this manner, I can coax something like 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

I downshift to use engine braking when slowing in some circumstances to help reduce my speed gradually.

--don

[Q451990]

...I can coax something like 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

In a Q? Wow!!!

Heath

[don85259]

In a Q? Wow!!!

Heath

Well, it helps not to stomp on the gas and drive like every other schmuck at top speed towards a red light, then slam on the brakes and stop. Meanwhile, I come drifting up behind you as the light turns green, and I either gently tap the brakes or never have to do so at all as traffic moves off. Repeat at each successive intersection.

This is one nice thing about Phoenix: wide, mile-grid streets with (for the most part) well-timed traffic lights. If you stay near the speed limit, you will usually not have to stop for a red light.

--don

[Jeff Williams]

.Quote »One tip: Always let off the gas and coast when you see obstructed lanes in front of you, or when you are approaching a red light. By driving judiciously, in this manner, I can coax something like 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. [/quote]

I do all those things, and more, but only get, at best 21 MPG on the highway. Now, if I drive 65 MPH, I can get 24 MPG.

Who wants to drive that slow! I typically cruise at 78 MPH.

I am in the process of running a few gallons of fuel injector cleaner through my car, and I have cleaned the TB (without removing it) twice.\I also have the Boshc Platinum +4 plugs, which I don't know whether they help or hurt

[maxnix]

I also have the Boshc Platinum +4 plugs, which I don't know whether they help or hurt

If you read the posts, you would pull them before you ever drove it again. Guaranteed.

[Jeff Williams]

Quote »If you read the posts, you would pull them before you ever drove it again. Guaranteed.[/quote]

I read, and I will. Although, I do have 50,000 trouble-free miles out of the Bosch Platinum +4 plugs. I have been using Bosch Platinum plugs for 15 years in my Mazda, Honda, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Infiniti cars. Driven nearly 1,000,000 miles.

I have only esperienced rough idle, when the MAF sensor is dirty with K&N oil. Most of the time, I have to look at the tach, to see if the car is even running.

I hope my mileage goes up. A well as performance.

Thanks for the info.

By the way, Rock Auto does not even list the NGK, when I do a search for my Q.

[elwesso]

The best prices for NGK are going to be with joe anyway.... I checked it out, and the suppliers for my relatives marina are 14-15/plug. Joe is at 8.40 or so.

[Jeff Williams]

I found them on eBay, and here is the response I got from the seller:

Quote »$47.00 total.

yoshi

>From: [email protected]>To: [email protected]>Subject: Question for seller -- Item #2416141400>Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 08:04:38 PDT>>Any chance I can get 8?>>I happen to have a 1994 Q45, and it has 8 spark plugs for some reason.>>Thanks,>>Jeff>-------------------->>>Question from: ts12c53>Title of item: 6pcs NGK Laser Platinum Spark Plugs PFR5G-11>Seller: yoshisakura16>Starts: May-19-03 17:42:35 PDT>Ends: May-24-03 17:42:35 PDT>Price: Starts at $37.00>To view the item, go to: >http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...1400.[/quote]

[AZhitman]

SSSSMOKIN deal!

See if "yoshi" wants to become a NICO member - He could be our exclusive NGK supplier.

[Jeff Williams]

Already ahead of you (Possibly the only time).

Waiting for his reply.

[elwesso]

That'd be golden... Ask if he has any more, I am in need....

[Jeff Williams]

Shoot him an email. His address is in the thread, above.