Increasing Gas Mileage?

[protegerider18]

I have a 03 Protege DX and wanted to know if anyone has any suggestions on how I can increase my gas mileage (bolt-on accessories?) cuz I think the mileage I get now sucks for a 4 cyl.

Thanks

[jersey_emt]

Only thing that will really increase your gas mileage is to change your driving habits. I can squeeze 38-40mpg out of my MSP when I need to.

[Stormtrooper77]

Bolt on a block of wood under your gas pedal.

[osudewd]

fresh spark plugs, synthetic oil in the motor and tranny, put a couple extra psi's in the tires, then you should be good to go.

[Stormtrooper77]

Icrease the efficiency of your engine. That is, intake and exhaust. But it really all comes down to what Jersey said.

[cai]

What about a K&N Air Filter? I just got a used 2000 Protege ES auto and it gets around 26 mpg :( I'm buying a k n air filter soon, heard it does help!

[RobMP5]

I increase my gas mileage by accident. I was driving to work one day a couple of weeks ago, and was driving next to a semi when all of a sudden I see a dog run out in front of it and right into my lane, there wasn't anywhere to swerve where I wouldn't hit anything else, so I clipped the back half of the dog with my front end at about 40 mph. The dog survived, but my lower grill has seen better days, it was cracked really bad on the side where I hit it. There wasn't any point trying to glue it back together so I just took the whole thing off all together. Since then, I get about 50-75 extra miles to the tank. I'm not sure if it is because more air can get to the radiator or what, but now I'm not in a big hurry to get it replaced.

[Installshield 2]

The main thing is to keep the ECU out of open loop...so stay out the upper revs, but particularly keep it in a gear that allows partial throttle...

One thing some people miss is that fuel efficiency is mostly a function of engine load, not engine speed...engine speed does have an affect but not nearly as much as the load on the engine...and this is why you can use less gasoline when climbing a hill in 4th gear at 5000rpm than you could in 5th at WOT, despite being at a lower engine speed...

Also our ECU goes pig rich in open loop...and the ecu goes into open loop at high loads...You can get terrible gas mileage even when always keeping the revs down...when you do this you are normally giving much more throttle than you would if you shifted into a lower gear...So downshift often and NEVER give it WOT...

I have seen nearly 40mpg on the highway out of my P5...just like Jersey...it can be done, you just have to watch what you are doing

[Dreeza]

holy shyat...40mpg??

i get like 20...

right now im trying real hard, and driving very nicely...im at like 185 miles and already at 1/2 tank

[Marik123]

I would try to buy some fuel additives and mix it when fuel every time you oil change. Also I'd been notice different gasoline does make a difference...

I always filled up with 89 octane gasoline and tried many different type

76 - ~30/35
Taxico ~31/38
Shell ~32/40
Chervon ~29/32
Arco ~22/30 (I heard they put alot of water and alcohol in it)

So play around with different brand of gasoline and try out different octane

87 ~22/30
89 ~32/40
92 ~30/38

[PimpxJuice]

Only one downside to that, a report was done on the news, that the gas stations buy gas from each other, so it doesn't really matter what station you are buying from, its pretty much the same gas, except Chevron who doesn't share their gas. I use reg gas so I an actually fill up my tank, right now I am in between 1/2 tank and 1/4 with about 190 miles, would increasing the octane really make a difference in the mileage?
Also, what fuel addatives would you recommend?

I would try to buy some fuel additives and mix it when fuel every time you oil change. Also I'd been notice different gasoline does make a difference...

I always filled up with 89 octane gasoline and tried many different type

76 - ~30/35
Taxico ~31/38
Shell ~32/40
Chervon ~29/32
Arco ~22/30 (I heard they put alot of water and alcohol in it)

So play around with different brand of gasoline and try out different octane

87 ~22/30
89 ~32/40
92 ~30/38

[Marik123]

I tried out few fuel additives, they all work the same for me.

(These are all complete fuel cleaners...)
STP
Chervon
V-line
Slick50
start with letter G but I forgot the name

wow between 1/2 and 1/4 @ 190 miles, wow thats low... mine is 190 miles @ between 3/4 1/2

The reason why I get lower milage with 87 is my engine knocks frequently under heavy load. When i switch to 89 it knocked less so that should explain why I got better milage. If your car doesn't knock with 87 octane gasoline then 87 should give u the best milage. What motor do you have? I have the Protege LX 2000 1.6L Auto... If you have 1.8L and 2.0L, they should consume more gas. Also, if you turbo charged ur car, it will consume more gas as well.

[PimpxJuice]

I have the 2.0L engine. So far, thanks to Miami's temps, I've only gotton about, 250 miles in b4 I had to fill back up the tank, mostly city driving. Thanks for the tips :D

[Marik123]

If you use AC on all the time, it will also consume more gas. If temperature seems to be the problem, maybe you should think about a cold air intake kit and maybe install a bigger inter-cooler. I also installed a K&N air filter into my car and I also removed the black box on above the radiator. I was planning to get a cold-air intake kit, but it way too much work so i just remove the box. I think it suppose to allow more air to get into the engine. Now i have a big air-pipe hole, hopefully water doesn't go in there.... ;)

[wingnut12]

I currently get around 340 miles to a tank driving almost entirely on the highway @ maybe 65 mph on average. I have the 1.8l motor. True, it's not great mileage, but I don't think this engine is known for that. But, after 4 years, I'm still getting the same mileage as when I first bought it.

When I had my Neon, I replaced the wires, plugs, added a SRI, and fuel additive. It gave me a bit of power, but also gave my about a 10% gain in mileage. I was thinking about doing this in this car, but I'll probably replace it next year.

[PimpxJuice]

I'm now getting around 310 mpg. Slightly more hwy driving...kind of, but traffic still cathes me (wow) . I have the 2.0L motor. Everythings stock.

[uclap5]

I'm now getting around 310 mpg. Slightly more hwy driving...kind of, but traffic still cathes me (wow) . I have the 2.0L motor. Everythings stock.

310 mpg eh? thats pretty spectacular. (hand)

[wingnut12]

I rechecked my mileage. Up at around 370 miles per tank. Not as bad, but still below where it should be.

I changed my plugs, added a drop in K&N filter, and an oil additive. I'll let you know what happens in a few days, since my driving habits don't change much.

[PimpxJuice]

I rechecked my mileage. Up at around 370 miles per tank. Not as bad, but still below where it should be.

I changed my plugs, added a drop in K&N filter, and an oil additive. I'll let you know what happens in a few days, since my driving habits don't change much.

(boom07) yeah that makes my 310 look like..... (hah)
I predict either a drop in K&N filter for me.......or if I find the dough, CAI! (thumb) At least protege's get decent gas mileage, and can whoop the occasional civic.....chevy lumina....(nana) and no, I don't street race :)