Ways to help with gas milage???

[Nebraskan_Withapassion]

I have an 89 side kick 1.6 Is there any conversions, tune up's, or anything like that?? If so what would be a good fit for more gas milage? my zuke dont have overdrive so its at 3500 rpm at about 60mph, anything i can do to help with that a kit for overdrive??? thank you...

[w4ett]

Make sure you have a well tuned (good quality cap, rotor, plugs and wires) tracker, don't forget to change your PCV and air cleaner too. Make sure you have checked the timing, and all the vacuum lines are intact and the emissions gear is working properly. If that pesky check engine light is on, pull those codes and fix whatever is wrong. Tire inflation is another thing to consider, especially if all you do is highway driving (the higher the inflation level, the less rolling resistance= better MPG)

Driving style probably has the most to do with fuel economy...no jack rabbit starts and stops, slower acceleration and easier braking do wonders.

Good luck!

[jtgh]

3 speed autos are the worst , they slip and slipping eats energy in the form of heat.
4 speed auto is vastly better (plusTCC) and 5-sp manual is tops.
Autos can come close to manuals at cruise only, (note Lexus 8 speed)
Lexus, GM and BMS7 all have 8 speeds, to recover this vast waste in a autos.

MPG-not

note, you cant even do the cut fuel coast trick to save gas going down hill.


dont let RPM bother you, each engine has its best economy points.

on this car 40-50 mph is the best economy range, (you can buy a guage that measures fuel , by distance).
monitors Injector Pulse width and VSS speed sensor and does the calc.
on 96+ cars you can get a SCANGUAGE-II for OBD2 port and just press the MPG button and watch LIVE.
any faster , MPG drops, but , on a side kick it drops slower, due to its lower weight and effecient engine.

the relationship of bore and stroke determine performace, google, "under square and over square engines."
then you will under stand. (John Deer or Hayabusa.org) vastly different, see.

[bmjwright]

What MPG are you getting now? my 90 Tracker (3spd AT, 4x4, conv.) gets 25 mpg at it's best.

[kubik1981]

i have a 90 8v 5sp man. and i am getting about 18-19 mpg i live in mi. but i have about 18 stoplights to deal with everyday

[dcross]

I have a 94 4dr 4x4 manual and get around 28 mpg if I drive between 55-60. Worst I have gotten is 23 mpg but that was going down the interstate at 75 with a headwind. Tires are 215 R75 @ 34 lbs. I also weigh about 275 lbs. I figure if I lost 50 lbs. my milege would improve a couple of mpg. LOL

[woodydog]

I have a '92 5 speed and get just under 30mpg in mixed driving, I don't spend any time over 60mph, average speed limit of my 35 mile round-trip commute is 40mph. I drive with a pretty light foot. What kind of mileage are you getting Nebraskan?

[Nebraskan_Withapassion]

rite now im pretty sure im gettin rite around 20-22 mpg.. i put about 4 gallons in her and i got about 55 miles out of it, doin about 60 for the most part.. she still needs new plugs wires and cap, any brand out there better than others???

[bmjwright]

Originally Posted by Nebraskan_Withapassion

rite now im pretty sure im gettin rite around 20-22 mpg.. i put about 4 gallons in her and i got about 55 miles out of it, doin about 60 for the most part.. she still needs new plugs wires and cap, any brand out there better than others???

20-22 is not bad...it may improve with new plugs, wires, & cap. I wouldn't worry about which brand to use...they're all about the same.

[Wuppy]

In them warm summer months I get about 30Mpg with my 97 4 door 4x4 auto/w OD. I drive with a light foot and most of my driving is around 80 - 100 KpH. (55 - 60Mph). I always keep good quality plugs, wires cap and rotor on the engine.