New + Question

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:45 pm

Hello. I'm new to 2gn (just bought my 05' SXT MTX last September). So far I have 5,500 miles on it, and I had a question about fuel economy. It seems that no matter how I drive it (granny style or not), I always seem to return 25mpg each tank. This 25 mpg also stays the same no matter if I do a lot of highway miles or hardly any at all. I understand the engine needs to break in and all, but when can I expect to see these numbers climb up towards the 29 / 36 on the window sticker? In terms of mods, all I've done is a K&N Drop in filter and although I notice a little bit more power, same fuel economy. Also, in terms of spark plugs, it seems everyone here uses NGK V-Powers... would that be a good thing to look into for a little more power / economy?

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:57 pm

the window sticker numbers are only an estimate. if you look below those numbers the fine print gives you a range as to what is normal. you should get a little better fuel economy than that, but if its in the range then it is normal.

also how are you calculating your mpg?

remember:

MPG = MILES DRIVEN/GALLONS PUT INTO THE TANK

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:02 pm

After every fill up, I reset the tripometer and then after I refuel I calculate miles driven / fuel pumped. It seems that my tank although is 12.5 gallons, I get a report of "dead empty" at 9.5 to 10 gallons, giving me a 2.5 gallon leeway... supposedly a common design issue...

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:08 pm

lol Yep.. My light Flashes at me when I have 2 gallons left.

Your lucky to get 25..

I get around 18-23.. But I do some WOT runs at least 4 times a week and I go out past the City lights and take some corners at high speed.

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:09 pm

Yeah I basically drive around town and cruise. I rarely take it past say 3500 rpm... unless maybe I want to show off or something but this car is pretty much your typical daily driver.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:23 pm

how long are you driving the car at a time. short trips whether they be on the highway or other wise will not yield the best economy. the engine either doesnt get to operating temp or is not their that long on short trips (less than 15 or 20 miles.

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:31 pm

I say 75% of my driving is for 10 miles or less. I know this can be a mpg killer... but when you refer to operating temp, I notice that my car gets to and stays at operating temp fairly quickly while driving (3 minutes maybe).

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:49 pm

thats coolant temp. there is a difference. the coolant may be up to temp but the rest of the systems may not be.

with your such short trips i would say you are getting great fuel economy. i am on the highway 50 miles a trip and get between 31 and 35 mpg. this varience is from when i run into traffic.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:30 pm

First yank out the cheapo champ coppers....
DCx has fased out the champions already for the 2.4 PT motors in favor of NGK's.
Im running NGK iridiums personally....
What grade gas are you running?
Try running 89octane w/ a new set of plugs, granny shift at 2750rpm-3k rpm and see what happens

When gas prices hit over $3 a gallon last year for the cheap stuff, I put 87octane in my R/T with one bottle of octane booster. I never revved it past 3krpm(babied it) and got over 30mpg!

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:39 pm

I looked up some info on those iridium spark plugs and from what I've read I'm already a fan

. When I find time I'm going to pick some up (Kragen has them for $6.99 USD each.. says retails for 15 normally each). So I also hear these plugs last wayyy longer than your cheap-o copper ones.. how many miles do you think would be a good replacement interval?

OB · Post by OB » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:45 pm

theres a ton of threads around with lots of good info on MPGs and whatnot, try lookin around a bit. I do have some new info that i recently read in a magazine tho. apparently, most auto companies do the testing for their cars economy under much different conditions than we, the consumers, normally do . they do highway mpg tests at an average of 40mph, and they go no more than 62mph at peak speed during the test. In a neon, 62 in fifth (or top gear in an auto) is in the low 2000's rpm wise, netting pretty good mileage. of course, NO ONE drives under 62 on the freeway, unless theyre 100+ years old

. therefore, the tests are indeed ACCURATE, but they are NOT realistic. 25-30mpg in a daily driven neon is average to good. Ive personally got as low as 22mpg, and as high as 29.

So heres the basics: if you want good mileage:

1- shift below 2500 rpm as much as possible
2- make sure tires are inflated as much as safely and comfortable possible.
3- Never use WOT; try to accellerate slow and be super light on the throttle.
4- avoid cruising over 2500 rpm (aka dont speed on the freeway), and use neutral to coast occasionally to save a bit of gas.

those are my basic steps to getting good mileage. some people who baby their cars manage to pull over 30 mpg, but most of us drive these cars the way they are supposed to be driven, spiritedly!

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:50 pm

Yeah see I live in California and even though the "suggested" speed limit is 65, that translates to really "at leat" 85....

On a side note, I noticed you have the Mopure STS with Boogers... how do you like that setup?

Nick Drake · Post by **Nick Drake** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:54 pm

Yeah my atx only gets 24 mpg average and it RARELY sees anything over 3k rpms.

Also, not to hijack but what's the most you can safely inflate our stock tires. Mine always look low but they're 32-35psi.

OB · Post by OB » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:57 pm

yeah im in CA too and i average about 70-75 in good traffic, but i only get to exceed 70 at night, cuz highway 80 is packed pretty much all the time in my area. what part are you from?! sweet, new cali dude here! haha, my name's derek i live in Napa (norcal); us CA neon dudes have been workin on getting together for a meet, are u interested?

the mopure sts is heaven, and the boogers just put it over the top. its a full assembly and it bolts right up, takes some muscle for some parts, but its real simple and works amazingly. they can be made to accept the stock knob as well, and any other custom work is dont free of charge. I had the shaft cut 3/4" and the stock spring deleted, and the throw is super short, prob close to 50% reduction id estimate (stock mopure sts is 40). if you need more info please PM id love to tell you more about it. also, theres a how-to that i made about installing the STS ahwhile back (in my gf's car). look it up.

OB

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:59 pm

^^^
read the sidewall, if it says max inflation 40psi then do it...cold or hot
Its not the proper setting, but thats what my 03 sxt was set at for 15k miles and the tires were perfect when I traded it in...

OB · Post by OB » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:01 pm

mine are rated at 44max psi stock, and i do 38front 40rear and works fine. stiffer ride and good even wear. mileage is 26-28 average.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:12 pm

they are now revising the tests to determine epa mpg.

you wont truly know your highway mpg unless you go out on the highway for a good distance. i just went up to ny and got 37 on the way up and 36.5 on the way back. this is going up RT - 83 and RT - 15. for those that dont know RT - 15 has its fair share of hills.

i really think its the short trips that are killing you and the way to fix that is to drive longer trips.

lolelectricbluesxt · Post by **lolelectricbluesxt** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:21 pm

Ah another Cali neon, welcome to 2gn. I get pretty good gas mileage pretty much by following what OB said while driving. Mines also a 05 sxt mxt and it just recently seemed like it started getting better mileage. I think it's probably because the engine is nice and broken in now.

Oh and yeah, 85 MPH seems about right for these freeways here in Cali ;p.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:26 pm

I remember the days of 90mph down highway 99..

How bout 155+ in the Eclipse on 99 through Atwater.. Oh those were the days.

lilolneon · Post by **lilolneon** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:40 pm

i never have really calculated my mpg... but on a full tank, i can go about 250-275 miles and thats mixed city and highway

OB · Post by OB » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:59 pm

same here^ i fill up shortly after the light comes on usually and its almost always around 250

reppinthe2.0 · Post by **reppinthe2.0** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:04 pm

i fill up at a quarter tank, and last me about 180. I dont like to use my fuel all the way till E.

OB · Post by OB » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:21 pm

The light comes on just before the red zone, and it is not actually on "E", but rather about 2 gallons short of it. I usually squeeze about 9.5 gallons in at the light, and the tank is 12.5 gallons, so u get the picture. its a good way to do it, and its consistant.

lilolneon · Post by **lilolneon** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:26 pm

my needle has hit the stopper and i kept on goin lol

03sxt · Post by **03sxt** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:26 pm

Welcome to 2GN.org!

Enjoy your stay - It'll be hard not to.

RopeRat1 · Post by **RopeRat1** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:46 am

Cody
Welcome to 2gn.

I'm averaging 27-29mpg on my '04 R/T (2.0 Magnum with the 3.94 MTX).

I'm still running the copper Champion extended gap RC9YC4 (stock #430) and I've added a K&N air filter and the Maddog STS w/ Shift-Tite bushings.

The only other change I've made is the B.F. Goodrich 215/50-R16 tires to replace the 195/50-R16 Goodyears on the original wheels. I'm running them at 38psi.

Jonathan (RopeRat1)

Codyman · Post by **Codyman** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:36 am

215's... speaking of tires... I think the stock tires, the "Eagles" or whatever, are too skinny for my liking. On my old car, I had 205's and loved them.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:27 am

AHHHHHHHH! Another MPG thread!

Sorry, had to do it!

I get between 26-29 now in my ACR, and I do NOT drive it lightly. I do several WOT bursts, mostly when getting on the highway, and usually in front of work. All In all, I do about 60% city and 40% highway. Usually, when I fill up I do it by how many miles I have on the car and not by my gas gauge. I fill up at 260-280 miles on the trip OD, and that usually nets me anywhere between 8.5-10 gallons (I am on a budget and can only buy gas on Saturdays).

Like OB said, driving "Ms. Daisy" is the best way to gain good MGP in our cars. I did a test once, using recommended octane (91), and 35 psi in tires, over the period of 1 month I drove as such:
shifted between 2500-3k rpm
did not drive above 3200 rpm on highway
coasted when I could (drops rpm to 1k)
in city, I drove in fifth gear to get the rpm to 2k

Then, I did the opposite, and drove normal, spirited driving, and 32 psi in tires for a month like so:
shifted above 3k
drove at 5 mph above speed limit
stayed in 3rd or 4th gear in city
never coasted

The first 'test' gained me 31mpg, consistently while the 2nd 'test' gained me between 25mpg and 29mpg.

What did I learn from this? Well, watching HOW you drive in extremely important. When I shifted wherever I wanted, gave it some WOT, and lowered the psi my MPG fluctuated by as much as 4! At first, that may not be to big of a deal, but look at it like this:
If I spend 2.529 on a gallon gas (current price for unleaded 87), and I get 25 mpg but loose 5 mpg because of inconsistent driving, I am loosing out on 50 miles if I fill up with 10 gallons each time. That is 2 more gallons of gas I can save, or 5.06 dollars. Over a period of a year, that amounts to (on average of 250 miles a week) 2600 miles, or 104 gallons, for aproximately $263.00!!!

So anyway, I am done rambling. I just had to get that out of my system. Even after looking at all this, I still drive bad.

Floyd · Post by **Floyd** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:33 am

Codyman wrote:215's... speaking of tires... I think the stock tires, the "Eagles" or whatever, are too skinny for my liking. On my old car, I had 205's and loved them.

Then get some 205x55x15's and toss them on the stock wheels like i did. if those are not wide enough then i think you can fit 215x50x15's

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:20 am

kc2002acr
Could research and clarification, I did the same test and still drive spiritly too

And 93octane is 2.99 a gallon here in WNY again