MPG guys...

For the folks concerned with MPGs (me included, that is why I did it)

I made a trip the local parts store to pick up some MAF cleaner. I used the CRC brand as recommended by the previous posts here. I pulled the MAF sensor and sprayed the piss out of it................several times. I let it dry and re-installed it. I hope the nice cleaning will produce some improvement in MPGs. I have been averaging around 17.? - 17.9 (basically, LESS THAN 18 MPG). I find that odd since my 2000 truck, outfitted the same as this 2001 truck, pulled 20-22 MPG consistently. Anyway, we'll see what happens. I hope to post some improvements in a week or so. It was pretty easy to do, only took 15 minutes and that included time to dry.

BTW...CRC MAF cleaner is more expensive than CRC electronic parts cleaner (by quite a bit actually). From what I have read, CRC electric parts cleaner will do the same as MAF cleaner and at a fraction of the cost. Someone else can chime in to correct me (or validate) as needed.

 

Might want to clean out your throttle body while your at it. that worked for me.

 

Any suggested steps for that? I used Seafoam through the brake booster a while back. Not sure if I missed something.

 

driving style is key ive gotten like 14 - 20 depending on how i drive

 

Was getting 11 cleaned maf and throttle body completely and im getting about 14.5 with 35s

 

Cleaning your MAF and TB will help your MPG'S. I average 18 MPG according to my Scangauge. And when I first bought the truck I cleaned out almost everything possible. And I dont always have a light foot on the pedal.

 

When I got my truck it avg'ed ~15MPG. Changing the spark plugs increased MPG to ~17 (low). I then cleaned the MAF, cleaned the throttle body, seafoamed the engine, oil, gas tank, changed the diff fluid, did an engine flush and MPG increased to ~18 MPG.

I have a pending P0420 code which means my O2 sensors are going bad. Replacing these should boost MPG up to 19-20MPG. Hope this helps .

 

I drive this truck (2001) pretty much just like my 2000 and get 3-5 MPG less. Maybe this truck has an odd program glitch in the ECU. I just don't know.
Since I bought the truck I have changed the rear diff, trans and transfer case fluids. I also changed the plugs, seafoamed the intake via the brake booster (as well as a few cans through the gas tank here and and there) and installed the deck plate. I'll just keep up the maintenance and hope it keeps running forever. Maybe I'll buy a commuter car and park this until I need to tow something or the snow starts falling again.

 

Yep, clean air filter, MAF, TB and keeping the rpm's under 2k will help the most!

I'm getting 15.6 with mine (v6) and that with 35's and stock 4.10's still!

 

What I have notice that made the biggest difference on my truck for fuel millage is taking off the mechanical fan and putting on a electric one and disconnecting the power steering.
If you get one out of a 02 Hyundai Elantra it will almost bolt up were the fan shroud did. You will have to make a bracket for the other side.

 

id like to do that mod. i just cant find the fan suggested in this write up( FLX-210 Flex-a-lite),neither summit or jegs carries it. http://www.samsonfab.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=11

 

I get 20 mpg in my '97 5spd, but its like a constant game for me to try to get the highest MPG I possibly can and beat my last tank. I drive in 4th gear thru town, never accelerate fast, and always coast to stops in neutral. Every little bit helps

 

I'd like to do that next. What other parts did you need? Thermostat, on/off switch?

 

Hello all I was thinking if I raised my gear ratio from stock (4.10 I believe) to 3.73 or 3.55 if my MPGs would be better for hwy speed. I have a mild 3" or so lift, 32" mudders intake and exhaust. I want to lower my RPMs for long HWY trips. I know my tranny will heat up a bit on the hills and in town driving so I was thinking about a tranny cooler as well. Also I wanted to help the acceleration since it will diminish with a higher ratio with an STS turbo kit. I dont have a heavy foot so I wouldnt run a lot of boost. Any thoughts?


Ps I used this chart
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ahsfab.jpg

 

A change in gearing would change your MPGs, but if it costs $500 to do both axles (I have no idea if that is the cost). A gain of 3 MPGs at a cost of $3.50/gal (current $ here) would take 12900 miles to recover. Not too bad, but if the cost of gearing is more, the recover time is higher and who knows what will happen to oil/gas prices in a year. Not to mention how your truck will perform on the different gears. I'm not saying 'Don't do it', just things to think about.

After cleaning my MAF, I did see a change in MPGs. Nothing huge, but after a half tank I had almost 1 MPG increase. I'll run a full tank and see what happens. Nothing extreme, just basic maintenance that most folks overlook. Next I should look at getting into the throttle body, I suppose.

 

I can set my own gears so really all I am out is a third member to swap in and the gears to experiment with. I am hoping to drop my RPMs by 400 on the hwy.