[}:D]  You are SOOO evil, 1GUNRUNNER!

Semper Fi!

Ken Little

I do, as a matter of fact over inflating the tires works for me too (but only to 36 psi for 1/2 to almost one MPG).

Take the tailgate off if you've got a PU (don't just leave it down), it's good for a LITTLE better MPGs, but not much. Anyone see the wind tunnel tests? Kinda hard to explain, you should see it though.

Fill up as early in the morning as possible - the fuel as a little denser after it cools overnight, 6 PM to 4 AM is the worse time.

No idea about the high octane fuel thing, I've tried that on a lot of cars - in "Cost Per Mile" but I've never been able to tell any difference.


Best (or most stupid?) advise of all - keep a 6' length of 3/8 garden hose in your trunk!  [:D][:D][:D]

Some things are only relative to what kind of car you drive. Splitfires are good for performance applications wich have high output ignition systems and higher compression. A fresh tune up is a must and a simple air filter upgrade to a K&N will help a lot. Most cars, including many performance models are very restricted when it comes to air intake through the factory intake unit and stock air filters. This restriction robs you of power and also contributes to poor fuel economy. K&N makes drop in replacements for almost any car and it is worth the price. Of course you need good tires properly inflated...Remember the pressure in your tire increases as you drive and they get hot, so I would not recommend 45psi if you tire only has a max of 35psi on the sidewall marking. this could cause premature or complete failure. Some tires have a higher max psi, so check the sidewall. In a perfect world, where you get what you paid for, 93 octane gas will actually burn cleaner and give you a more complete combustion, hence giving you the benefits of higher MPG and less valve/piston deposits vs 89 octane gas. One great trick(WILSON beat me to it)is to buy your gas during the summer in the early morning when it is still cool out because you actually get more gas than you would at high noon. Poor driving technique is also a contributor to bad fuel economy...Try to keep it steady and control your throttle foot if it is made of lead[:D]

K&N Oil Filter and Mobil 1 synthetic oil will make a noticable differance.


Plus you can run the Mobil one about 10,000 miles between changes no problem (before the anti-synthetic oil types pipe in and say BS, I ran some tests using an oil anaylisis service and they reported my oil was good to go up to 12,000 twice in a row, now I don't test I just change at 10,000. My engine is just under 320,000 and still runs like new.)

The K&N filter alone isn't enough.  Most intakes are designed to pull in air from the front or bottom of the car, where the air is cool.  If you replace the stock system with a K&N that sits in the engine compartment, it can pull in more air, but it will be much hotter, less dense air, and very little overall gain will be had.  The way to do it right is to get an intake tube that places the K&N down under the car, or as close to the front as possible (i.e., where the stock system pulls air from).  This costs a bit more, but you actually get the benefit you're paying for.

Re: Splitfires

These might work marginally better than regular plugs down at sea level, but if you take your car up into the mountains, you'll have no power.  For best results, stick with the factory brand & model of plugs, as your engine was tuned for them.  Buy quality plug wires (most factory wires are much higher quality than the cheapy auto-store types, so either use them or spend the money for "real" hi-perf wires).  Keep your engine tuned up.

I recommend keeping your tires within 2psi of max rated pressure (no more than 37 psi in a 35 psi-rated tire).  Check/fill the tires in the morning, preferably before you drive, which heats up the tires.  If you overinflate them too much, you'll wear the center of the tire faster than the edges.

Keep your windows closed, your pickup bed covered if possible, or the tailgate down if not.

Clean out your car to prevent carrying around excess weight.

And buy the lowest octane gas that will run in your car and not ping.  Higher octane gas isn't "better" or "cleaner", just higher octane, which means it burns at a different rate.  Those with turbochargers MUST buy 92 octane, or you risk burning up your turbo.  Most of the rest of us are better of with 87, unless your car pings.  If a tune-up doesn't get rid of the ping, step up to 89.

-Troy

Personally I'd rather drive a big,rear wheel drive,full frame,V8 car..much like the 92 Chev Caprice in my driveway[:)] then one of those piss pot [b]cab over lawnmowers[/b]. I want some metal around my family if they are involved in an accident. When I got married I went from a 1978 Jimmy with a 400/4bbl full time 4X4 to an 87 Escort 2 door due to a sudden change in disposable income. I've never hated a car so much in my life. When it came time to upgrade I told my wife what I want(see above). If you keep your car tuned up, do regular maintainence on it and avoid driving like you stole the car your mileage should be decent for what you own. Gas mileage has never been a concern for me. If it needs it..I buy it. Driving something I fit in comfortably that is roomy and provides the most protection for my family is a concern. Unfortunatly the Dept. of Motor Vehicles denied my attempt to license a Leopard tank[:D]