How to improve engine performance while saving more gas?

[Marik123]

Hello:

I'm just wondering if there is anything i can do to improve my engine performance while saving gas. Gas expensive these days.... I talk to a car expert, he said these following can be done. What I'm looking for is cheap ways to squeeze more horse power without sacrificing MPG...

1. Replace regular NGK spark plugs with platium ones. I checked for GI JOES, they are bosh platium for $1.99 a piece... He said NGK can burn upto ~80% of gasoline while platium can burn upto ~90% of gasoline and last way longer than regular spark plugs. (I replaced my spark plugs 1 years ago)
2. Replace the regular air filter with K & O air filter @ $44.99 for each. They suppose to double the air flow like upto 780+ CFM vs regular air filter, topped at 390 CFM.... He said it's suppose to improve overall horse power by 5% and gas can save upto 10%. Well... I can drive upto 348-412 miles when filled 12 gallons of 89 octane Shell gasoline... Which is not that bad, but if I can save 10% extra. That means I'm getting ~370-450 miles, which is exceptional. (I replaced it with new regular air filter 1 years ago... Is it time to change?)
3. Replace the regular spark wires with premium ones, which can go upto $100+

Is there any other cheap alternative ways to improve my engine performance without sacrificing MPG?

Sincerely
Mark

[RAAZ227]

Not really. intake and exhaust systems won't change your MPG very much if at all. In some case it will make it better. You will only notice a big difference if you go turbo.

[uclap5]

the problem with intake and exhaust is that you push it more since its more fun ;)

[osudewd]

I got a little better gas mileage when I changed my gear and motor oil over to synthetic. Maybe it smoothed things out, I don't think I gained any noticeable power though.

[Gen1GT]

Exhaust is the single biggest way to improve milage. Big free-flowing exhaust will minimize pumping losses AND give you more power. From the factory, it's just quiet and cheap. He's right though, you will drive faster and rev more with good exhaust.

[rustychops41]

1. Check your tire pressures at least monthly, cuz they do "bleed" a little with time.
2. Don't carry un-needed weight in the car or trunk.
Neither will give you big gains, but at $2.35 a gallon, it can't hurt.

[Gen1GT]

1. Check your tire pressures at least monthly, cuz they do "bleed" a little with time.
2. Don't carry un-needed weight in the car or trunk.
Neither will give you big gains, but at $2.35 a gallon, it can't hurt.
Maintaining tire pressure is crucial to milage. $2.35 a gallon? Psshht! I'm paying $1.04/L here for Sunoco 94, which is over $4/gallon....

[osudewd]

Maintaining tire pressure is crucial to milage. $2.35 a gallon? Psshht! I'm paying $1.04/L here for Sunoco 94, which is over $4/gallon....
Thank your government for taxing the crap out of it.

[Gen1GT]

Thank your government for taxing the crap out of it. Honestly, I don't mind. I wish gas were more expensive than it was. If gas cost $3/L here, than people would stop driving SUVs and we would start getting some of the awesome small cars that Europe gets. (yes)

[osudewd]

What? You mean some of the people that drive SUV's don't really need them? I think a lot of the people that drive them know they don't need them, they know it will cost them an arm and a leg, but either they have the money or don't care. Really people won't stop driving them in masses until it's no longer 'cool' to do so. But yeah, getting some of those small cars would be sweet.

[Gen1GT]

Hehe...guess what the number one complaint of Hummer H2 owners has been? You guessed it, gas milage. What the hell did they expect? It's like eating Bic Macs and then complaining you're getting fat. Besides, if you have $60Gs to spend on a car, don't bitch about the gas milage.

[Stormtrooper77]

Keep your car clean! All that dirt causes air resistance that will affect your aerodynamics.

[sam1]

haha. you know you could always get one of those tornado intake things=). hahaha. theyre supposed to improve hp and gas mileage by like 20%. lmao.