Improving gas mileage

[RatLabGuy]

Hey guys, I have a '95 Tracer (Escort Wannabe) w/ the 1.9 and 5 spd.
Has 198k miles on it. I'm currently getting about 32 mpg, 75% highway... Been like that for months now.
when i got it last summer, was more like 35 mpg.

Just curious what misc things you guys have found that directly impact the mileage, I'm about to replace the PCV valve, any other small things that tend to "stop up" these motors?

Have also been thinking of replacing the airbox w/ a cone-style K&N or look-alike, anybody noticed mileage diffs after this? As an aside on this thought, what is the sensor that sticks into the bottom of the airbox there just below the filter? Haven't figured out what to do w/ that fella if I dump the box for a cone...

I know even 32 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, but w/ gas prices what they're expected to be in a few months it makes a difference to my wallet, but maybe more importantly I like have a well-tuned motor or at least know if I have at issue, esp w/ this kind of mileage on the car.

[fishing1000]

Your millage is very good already. I dont know how you improve it.

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by RatLabGuy

Hey guys, I have a '95 Tracer (Escort Wannabe) w/ the 1.9 and 5 spd.
Has 198k miles on it. I'm currently getting about 32 mpg, 75% highway... Been like that for months now.
when i got it last summer, was more like 35 mpg.

Just curious what misc things you guys have found that directly impact the mileage, I'm about to replace the PCV valve, any other small things that tend to "stop up" these motors?

Have also been thinking of replacing the airbox w/ a cone-style K&N or look-alike, anybody noticed mileage diffs after this? As an aside on this thought, what is the sensor that sticks into the bottom of the airbox there just below the filter? Haven't figured out what to do w/ that fella if I dump the box for a cone...

I know even 32 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, but w/ gas prices what they're expected to be in a few months it makes a difference to my wallet, but maybe more importantly I like have a well-tuned motor or at least know if I have at issue, esp w/ this kind of mileage on the car.

I put the k/n in my car and not a stich of differnce.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by RatLabGuy

Hey guys, I have a '95 Tracer (Escort Wannabe) w/ the 1.9 and 5 spd.
Has 198k miles on it. I'm currently getting about 32 mpg, 75% highway... Been like that for months now.
when i got it last summer, was more like 35 mpg.

Just curious what misc things you guys have found that directly impact the mileage, I'm about to replace the PCV valve, any other small things that tend to "stop up" these motors?

Have also been thinking of replacing the airbox w/ a cone-style K&N or look-alike, anybody noticed mileage diffs after this? As an aside on this thought, what is the sensor that sticks into the bottom of the airbox there just below the filter? Haven't figured out what to do w/ that fella if I dump the box for a cone...

I know even 32 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, but w/ gas prices what they're expected to be in a few months it makes a difference to my wallet, but maybe more importantly I like have a well-tuned motor or at least know if I have at issue, esp w/ this kind of mileage on the car.

Not bad mileage but with the mileage decreasing, your engine may be running a little bit rich. Sometimes this is due to O2 sensor/s becoming sluggish. Allowed to go on, they will eventually fail. The O2 sensor provides the input to the computer to regulate the fuel mixture (feedback control loop).

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by A. Souphound

Not bad mileage but with the mileage decreasing, your engine may be running a little bit rich. Sometimes this is due to O2 sensor/s becoming sluggish. Allowed to go on, they will eventually fail. The O2 sensor provides the input to the computer to regulate the fuel mixture (feedback control loop).

.

I forget alvin is there a way at home to test the o2 sensor? what is the life expectance you have found for them?

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by chevyn0va1

.

I forget alvin is there a way at home to test the o2 sensor? what is the life expectance you have found for them?

BACKGROUND: The O2 sensor produces very small voltages and can be checked for operation with a DVOM however, the readings jump around (5 times per second) and are hard to see. To check the sensor properly requires a PC based scantool with graphing capabilites. O2 Sensors become sluggish, not bad enough to set a fault code but not good enough to prevent increased fuel consumption. IMHO the preventive maintenance is the best way to go.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: My manual suggests the following:
Unheated 1 or 2 wire sensors - 1976 - through early 1990s -30K - 50K.
Heated 3 & 4 wire sensors - 1985 - 1995 - 60K.
On OBD 11 equipped vehicles (1996 & Up) 100K
*Check exhaust manifold, doughnut gaskets, and exhaust system for leaks. Any leak upstream of a 02 sensor will affect the F/A ratio.

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by A. Souphound

BACKGROUND: The O2 sensor produces very small voltages and can be checked for operation with a DVOM however, the readings jump around (5 times per second) and are hard to see. To check the sensor properly requires a PC based scantool with graphing capabilites. O2 Sensors become sluggish, not bad enough to set a fault code but not good enough to prevent increased fuel consumption. IMHO the preventive maintenance is the best way to go.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: My manual suggests the following:
Unheated 1 or 2 wire sensors - 1976 - through early 1990s -30K - 50K.
Heated 3 & 4 wire sensors - 1985 - 1995 - 60K.
On OBD 11 equipped vehicles (1996 & Up) 100K
*Check exhaust manifold, doughnut gaskets, and exhaust system for leaks. Any leak upstream of a 02 sensor will affect the F/A ratio.

great info thanks again

[DarkblueTA]

don't get a K&N filter. Get a new air filter(if your current one is really dirty) and cut a hole out of the bottom of the air box. I did that and you wouldn't believe how well the car runs and I was getting 37mpg on the highway. I used autolight plugs(I think they're 5144s but don't quote me on that, look them up at the parts store), a new 02 sensor, new plug wires and the filter/box cutout that I described above.

Also, if you're using one particular gas station, try another one in the area. The type of gas(between summer/winter) might be why you're getting lower gas mileage. Each gas station(shell/exxon/chevron/etc), the gas is all a little different with their own specific detergents/etc in it. Your car probably doesn't like the winter gas as much as it likes the summer gas, that's normal. Also, do you let it warm up a little bit more before driving it, that might be a little too. All i know is I'm getting mid-high 30s in mine.

[chevyn0va1]

IMHO the preventive maintenance is the best way to go.

What is preventive maintenance for an O2? or did you mean the engine maintenance. My car has 88k so is it safe to guess im safe? was like $60+ hard cash to shell out.

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by chevyn0va1

IMHO the preventive maintenance is the best way to go.

What is preventive maintenance for an O2? or did you mean the engine maintenance. My car has 88k so is it safe to guess im safe? was like $60+ hard cash to shell out.

once you put in an 02 sensor...just make sure its hooked up and the wires are not hanging low enough to catch on anything or going to get burned/pinched by anything.

As far as the rest of the car, change oil when needed(3-5K miles depending on driving habits), coolent and transmission fluid/filter every 35K(automatic only.....manuals do not have filters and you can go ever 50-75K with their fluid).

Change plugs/wires when you feel a miss or your mileage goes down or they look really bad. I haven't changed my plugs on the TA in over a year and over 20K miles and I use TR6 plugs for that car. the Escort was done in Nov. and its had 11k miles on it using autolights(5144 I believe) without any problems.

[RatLabGuy]

Thanks guys... so the cone-style air filters just don't do much for these cars? In talking to folks it seems to be hit and miss across vehicles, just depending on whether the air flow is really a restrictive design for a specific vehicle. If I did do it, I'd go w/ the generic $20 deal rather than the K&N anyway, I just don't think their worth the hefty price tag.
If you have access to an oscilloscope (I know, thsi is pretty rare, but I can "borrow" oen from our lab" you can read O2 oscilations w/ that, too.
I have no idea how many miles are on the O2 sensor, car has almost 200k on it... its definitely been replaced before though, it has an aftermarket plug....
DarkBlueTA, just how big of a hole did you cut in the box?

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by RatLabGuy

DarkBlueTA, just how big of a hole did you cut in the box?

Basically, I took the bottom of the air box off and cut most of the bottom section out. the 91s are divided into 2 areas...one that's about 1/3 the surface area of the bottom of the air box and the other is about 2/3 the surface area. the bigger section is basically all cut out. Woke up the car up like you wouldn't believe. That with the other basic tuneup stuff the car runs like a champ.

[OverBoardProject]

You MUST read this thread
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...8&page=2&pp=15

It'll suprise you!

[RatLabGuy]

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

You MUST read this thread
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...8&page=2&pp=15

It'll suprise you!

I don't know, I'm skeptical. I can see how if you're getting 12 mpg something like that might make a difference, but it just seems unlikely when you're small-gas users like use 4-cyl guys. Has anubody tried it?
I'd be less worried about tha damage to my seals, o-rings etc than just the general PITA of dealing w/ the stuff. Acetone is nasty, who wants to carry it around in their car to add at the pump? And if you're going to, you'd have to dilute it into a small gas tank first, else just pooring it in straight/pure would definitely be bad news for the line going down into the tank...
.

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by RatLabGuy

I don't know, I'm skeptical. I can see how if you're getting 12 mpg something like that might make a difference, but it just seems unlikely when you're small-gas users like use 4-cyl guys. Has anubody tried it?
I'd be less worried about tha damage to my seals, o-rings etc than just the general PITA of dealing w/ the stuff. Acetone is nasty, who wants to carry it around in their car to add at the pump? And if you're going to, you'd have to dilute it into a small gas tank first, else just pooring it in straight/pure would definitely be bad news for the line going down into the tank...
.

sounds to good to be true, probably is. I doubt this doubles your gas mileage, I would be hard pressed to see a 10% gain out of it. its like buying the tornado....its a waste of $$$. anyone who buys one should be slapped up side the head.

anyways...just do a tuneup, use good gas and keep regular maintenace up on the car and you're good to go. Oh, and easy on the gas = better mileage.