Questions on how to increase MPG's?

[regalfriend]

1) Will increasing tire pressurefrom 30 psi to 36 psi help milage alot...can it damage tires?
2) Currently i use 93 octane...what is the absolute minimum requirement octane for the 3800 v6 with the supercharger? i was told 91 octane....
3) by using K&N filter can it increase MPG's a noticable difference?
4) Are Iridium plugs known to increase MPG's?
5) When traveling at highway speeds, is it more cost effective to roll up the windows and use the A/C?
6) By using the cruise control once cruising speed is reached, is this very effective?
7) By asking my girlfriend to go on a diet, will this increase my milage?
just kidding...she's hot, and would probobly kill me if she read this....

i know alot of these will help increase MPG's but would like to know how effective each one is, or if some of them are not worth it...

i also know that if you lay off the gas and try to get the car to upshift at lower rpm's and try to coast more often at a further distance when approaching red light and stop signs, it helps alot....any other suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated...
P.S I'm still going to punch it out once in a while, for fun, just not as much...

[BNaylor]

Personally, I don't think running tire pressure at 36 psi is classified as overinflation. In my Regal GS, I run mine at 33 psi. The ride feels fine.

Using the cruise control is a good idea, whenever you can use it, because the computer does a lot better job of controlling the accelerator than our foot.

On 91 octane, that is what is recommended by GM. Personally, I think you can get away with running mid-grade and going to one range colder spark plugs. I'm going to start doing that this weekend. IMO - The platinum plugs are just as efficient as the iridiums but it probably won't hurt. A lot of the newer cars have iridiums stock.

Its always a good idea to keep the windows closed and minimize use of the A/C. It chops at least 2 - 3 mpg off the mileage per gallon.

Another suggestion is to get to cruising speeds above 45 mph, whenever possible, to make sure the torque convertor release kicks-in while in overdrive.

On your girlfriend's diet, exercise caution : Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman's Scorn....lol. BTW - We probably could all go on a diet and lose weight. Every little bit counts.





Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

[richtazz]

make sure that your tires are equal and properly inflated , but don't overinflate. Tire pressure increases with temperature, so that's why they tell you to check with the tires cold. Overinflated tires will wear out prematurely, and ride like crap, so the advantage of better fuel economy will be offset by more rapid tire wear. Keep your air cleaner, fuel filter and pcv changed on a regular basis, and get the lead out of your right shoe, it's a bigger problem than your girfriend's curvy figure, and won't hit you with a frying pan if it reads this.

[BNaylor]

Or he could take the advice of our Prez and don't get any gas unless you have to???? Do you think that will save a bunch.




Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

[regalfriend]

tell me...what do you think of a 3800 motor/hybrid/supercharged/intercooled...as the I.C.E idles, the electric motor gains increased M.P.G's under light to moderate acceleration. Under harder acceleration both combustable and electric motors engage to increase to a maximum HP and tourqe. I think it would be more difficult to do on a FWD...

[richtazz]

Hybrid technology works better with multi-valve engines, due to their more efficent cylinder filling ability. The 3800, (absolute GEM that it is), wouldn't gain as much from hybrid tech than a more modern design multi-valve engine would. Also, the supercharger drag on the drivertrain (at low RPM/part throttle) would negate much of the gains of the electric motor. I still can't believe the efficiency and reliability that GM has squeezed out of a 40 year old design (albeit with MANY MANY revisions), so much so, that every attempt they have made to replace it (3.4 DOHC, 3.5 OHC, Northstar, etc...) has had it's ass handed to it by the3800 and the guys at Buick. My dad works at the assembly plant here in Flint, MI and takes pride in this engine. I believe it's the best V-6 made in America, if not the world.

[StevePT]

The biggest factor of all is your driving habits. Slow down and keep it under 65mph. Drag increases exponentially with speed.

Other things not already mentioned:

O2 Sensors
Fuel Injectors cleaned
Oil Change