Something interesting

[alittleoff]

I did myself a favor way back in the mid-70's when I was old enough to drive and at the advice of my Dad.
It was to never check MPG. He said it would discourage me from driving like a normal person.
Give it the skinny pedal when I need/want it and let off when I don't.
The only thing that I used as a measurement of consumption was with my old Suzuki 250 Enduro, I set the trip meter to zero and when a hundred miles came up, I filled up the gas tank.
I've never checked any other vehicle that I've owned. Not any of the Toyota P/U's, or the FJ-40 that I drove around for 34+ years.
Remember, it's the smiles per gallon when cruising with the top down or off in our case.

YMMV

 

[Rickyd]

Too much work, I just complain about bad MPGs knowing my speedo is really off (low)

If I drive 50-55mph and baby it at 1/8 throttle I get 17mph out of my 10.2:1 280 cube stroker. It makes lots of torque around 2000rpms.

Trouble is i usually drive 65 on two lane roads passing idiot tourists from the city driving 30mph so I normally get 15mph.

 

[lBasket]

If I drive 50-55mph and baby it at 1/8 throttle I get 17mph out of my 10.2:1 280 cube stroker. It makes lots of torque around 2000rpms.

Trouble is i usually drive 65 on two lane roads passing idiot tourists from the city driving 30mph so I normally get 15mph.

Dang that's good. Interesting how the bigger engine gets better MPGs.

I am interested to see how mine change with the new gears. Although I suppose they probably will no matter what since my speedo will be closer to accurate

 

[Rickyd]

Dang that's good. Interesting how the bigger engine gets better MPGs.

I am interested to see how mine change with the new gears. Although I suppose they probably will no matter what since my speedo will be closer to accurate

The high compression and a slightly smaller cam than the golen strokers has to do with it too. Efficiency at lower rpms.

Years ago I swapped an Explorer 4.0l into a 91 ranger with a 2.9l. It also got better mpg's.

If the torque required to move a vehicle(especially a lifted one) is outside of a smaller motors efficiency range it is possible for a larger motor to get better mpg if it's fuel consumption is lower at that torque output.

Your gears will be awesome,especially in 4lo or pulling grades.

 

[lBasket]

The high compression and a slightly smaller cam than the golen strokers has to do with it too. Efficiency at lower rpms.

Years ago I swapped an Explorer 4.0l into a 91 ranger with a 2.9l. It also got better mpg's.

If the torque required to move a vehicle(especially a lifted one) is outside of a smaller motors efficiency range it is possible for a larger motor to get better mpg if it's fuel consumption is lower at that torque output.

Your gears will be awesome,especially in 4lo or pulling grades.

Yeah makes sense, and it doesn't have to run as rich to get the power to keep going? I do wonder what MPGs my MR2 will get, that motor got like 35mpgs in a 4000something pound Camry, so it might be similar to your ranger.

I am so stoked to drive it with the new gears!!! I have a feeling the break-in miles will be a fun excuse to drive the crap out of it

 

[NashvilleTJ]

If I drive 50-55mph and baby it at 1/8 throttle I get 17mph out of my 10.2:1 280 cube stroker. It makes lots of torque around 2000rpms.

Trouble is i usually drive 65 on two lane roads passing idiot tourists from the city driving 30mph so I normally get 15mph.

I think I could coast down The Grapevine, in neutral, drafting a semi, with a tail wind - and I would still get 10…

 

[Rickyd]

I think I could coast down The Grapevine, in neutral, drafting a semi, with a tail wind - andI would still get 10…

10 smiles per mile!

 

[hummerbk]

I did myself a favor way back in the mid-70's when I was old enough to drive and at the advice of my Dad.
It was to never check MPG. He said it would discourage me from driving like a normal person.
Give it the skinny pedal when I need/want it and let off when I don't.
The only thing that I used as a measurement of consumption was with my old Suzuki 250 Enduro, I set the trip meter to zero and when a hundred miles came up, I filled up the gas tank.
I've never checked any other vehicle that I've owned. Not any of the Toyota P/U's, or the FJ-40 that I drove around for 34+ years.
Remember, it's the smiles per gallon when cruising with the top down or off in our case.

YMMV

Gas prices are what they are, I'm not driving out of my way to save a few cents.
But, if I notice my milage dropping I can start looking around to see what is causing it.. Air filter, catalytic converter etc. It's more an indicator of overall engine condition.

 

[LONGJP2]

How does one determine their MPG? I guess it’s something I’ve never thought about as I know in a Jeep it sucks lol but now I’m curious.

Also, do not use the fuel gauge to determine your MPG.

 

[tr21triton]

WOOSH


Mac is referencing a now legendary thread where somebody claimed massive mileage or HP gains after switching to a fram oil filter. I haven't collected enough data to neither confirm nor deny their claim. ;P

I've searched trying to find that post, I remember it started a few years back though !

 

[bbaldwin237]

I really had high hopes the third fill up would be in the 16s.

Nope! Back to my usual 15.5 mpg.

I probably haven't filled my Jeep up 3 times in the past 3 months! lol

 

[tr21triton]

I probably haven't filled my Jeep up 3 times in the past 3 months! lol

Must not be running ! What codes is it throwing?

 

[Rickyd]

Must not be running ! What codes is it throwing?

Lonely sos codes from out in the garage!

 

[bbaldwin237]

Must not be running ! What codes is it throwing?

Lonely sos codes from out in the garage!

It's an extra vehicle for us, and I have a company truck. In the winter it mainly sees little trips to the store if we don't have snow.

 

[hummerbk]

I've owned my TJ for two years and have always kept track of milage. I have a Fairly similar routine. It has varied between 15.1 and 15.8mpg.
I replaced the spark plugs with Champion Platinum's when I bought it.
I read here that the best plug is a double Iridium plug so I put some in last month.
My first two fill-ups averaged 16.8 and 16.4mpg.
That's just too much to call it chance!

I really hesitated to revive a thread that I thought had died, but...I filled up the fourth time since changing the spark plugs and got 16.45 gpm.
In two years of driving I only broke into the 16s once, barely, and now three out of four fill ups are mid 16s .

other than the plugs the only thing that might have changed is the blend of gas I use. Same station and I'm pretty sure they don't run a winter and summer blend.

 

[macleanflood]

I'd drive my 11.75 mpg Jeep down for your miracle cure but I don't think I can afford the trip. =)

-Mac

 

[hummerbk]

I'd drive my 11.75 mpg Jeep down for your miracle cure but I don't think I can afford the trip. =)

-Mac

Autolite XP985. this was my fix.

 

[turbodave]

Are you filling at the same station and the same pump ? Not being at the same level will change when the pump shuts off. You also may be seeing different levels of ethanol in the gas.
Dave

 

[hummerbk]

Are you filling at the same station and the same pump ? Not being at the same level will change when the pump shuts off. You also may be seeing different levels of ethanol in the gas.
Dave

Good thinking. Same station but I take any available pump.
I know one mile per gallon is not much improvement, but after monitoring my milage for two years, to see that improvement immediately after changing plugs was interesting.

 

[KennethS]

got 16.45 gpm.

Holy hell, that's a full tank per mile! And I thought mine was bad.