Better MPG

Yet another question from me. What would be the best way to go about and get better gas mileage. I have a 2000 Cavy with a tank capacity of 16 gallons. I bought one of those mufflers from Advanced Autos here in my town. it was about $70 or so. I get about 18-20 MPG.:mad: I just installed one of those K N & N cold air intakes yesterday from Advanced Auto as well. Will that help? Any suggestions? And also it seems like when I start my car up it doesn't want to start. But then it does. Would new spark plugs and plug wires fix that or a new battery? :rolleyes:

Do a tuneup:

Plugs
Wires
Fuel Filter

Also remove the lead shoe from your right foot.

yeah i like your reply blaze

I can get around 300 miles per tank without rhomping on the gas at all.

That is horrible for that engine.

do you have the check engine light on?

Have you ever done a tuneup?

My check engine is on because i don't have my O2 sensor hooked up. I just got an oil change yesterday. Like i said, the only reason i could think of why it would be like this is becuase of that muffler i have on there, I THINK. What does a tune up consist of? That's a stupid question, but i don't know.

Oh for the love of christ, why do you not have the O2 sensor hooked up for?

The computer needs that sensor to calibrate fuel mixtures.

There is your problem, hook the damn thing up!

i just recently unhooked it on saturday, but this mileage problem has been a problem for quite some time

Well, I have no idea why you think unhooking it will improve anything.

I have a cold air intake i put on saturday, and it don't have a plugger inner deal for the O2 sensor ( i think that is what is unhooked. I know that when i had my original intake tube and filter on my car, it was a KN&N filter, and i had the muffler on and i was getting around 300 miles to a tank without "rodding" it around.

That is not the O2 sensor.

That is the IAT sensor.

Intake Air Temperature Sensor.

I didn't know that. I feel like a dumbass now. But then my O2 sensor should be hooked up, because it has not been messed with to my knowledge.

Any other modifications or sensors that are unhooked?

If anything, just hook the sensor to the wiring harness and have it safely hang inside the engine compartment out of harms way and outside the of the CAI.

The engine needs that sensor to work properly so don't just unhook it and leave it.

Also, what plugs do you have in your car and have they ever been changed?

I don't know what type of plugs i have in my car, i got it in april. Usually when i get a car, i replace the plugs and wires within a year of getting it. THere are no other mods or sensors unhooked.

Hook the IAC back up.

Remove the plugs and replace them with AC Delco Platinums and have the plugges gapped properly.

Do not just take them out of the package an install them. They have to be gapped.

I know in the past with past vehicles, they already came pre-gapped. Are these going to be like that, i know you said have them gapped properly, but what should they be gapped to.

You need to find out what they should be gapped to.

Also, NEVER EVER assume they are pre-gapped for your vehicle and engine. Having them perfeect out of the package is almost impossible.

Hey Blazer, thanks so much for helping me out. I found out today I have a bad alternator. My lights inside and outside dim when i push on the brake as well as my cd player shutting off and heater not working properly as well. THANK YOU

Do you happen to know what the gap should be? If not where can I find out what they should be gapped to?

should be on your firewall or on the stickers inside your engine bay soemwhere

AC Delco Platinum Plug Model # 41-948

Gapped: 0.040

So what could i do to get better gas mileage. I think we got off the subject a bit. I dont rod my car around all the time. i drive normal and i only get 300 miles to a tank

How many miles on your car?

about 60,300

Ye, you are in need of plugs and maybe the O2 sensors could be replaced also.

you might want to replace your pcv valve as well

Very true.

I got those spark plugs you suggested Blazer, and it said on the box they were pre gapped to .040. And what is the PCV valve?

Try the plugs first and then go to the PCV valve.

What is the PCV valve.

positive crankcase ventilation? hmm that doesnt sound right... google! i was right!

How much would it cost to replace that and what does it do?

Positive Crankshaft Ventilation valve.

blazer! that is NOT the proper acronym! http://www.autosite.com/garage/encyclop/ency08b.asp <-- a description

How about you relax a bit, it was a typo.

Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

Should I just put on my OE muffler and take off my performance muffler to gain that mileage. I guess I would rather have better MPG than sound, unless there is an alternative and new spark plugs and plug wires will help a bit, which im sure they will. but how much will they help?

As stated earlier, a performance muffler usually yeilds better economy.

The OE muffler is restrictive and is made to be quiet.

Ahhh...sorry, didn't catch that earlier