So i finally hit the 30mpg mark last week, and then some! I hit 35.4mpg I felt so happy, it had to be all the highway driving I was doing. Then again I drove with my windows up, and did some other hyper mile techniques. I guess my K&N Intake helped out too...


I noticed that when you set the air to in cabin air, and the direction of the air to the windshield, it activates the AC. Of course this is with the air on without the AC button pushed. I wonder how much or less strain on the AC system it is using that.

ANYWAYS it feels great finally getting to the 30+mpg mark, i was always around 27 and even went all the way down to 19.9.

 

congrats

we have'nt done any better than 28 mpg

 

really? my old ZX2 would do that, and a couple other cars I've been in but I never noticed the box do this. It's just plain warm air that comes out until I turn on the A/C button...
hmmm......

 

You can leave it in the windshield position just keep the fan off and the A/C will not run otherwise it runs the compressor even in the freezing wintertime. If you want a little on the windshield you can run it half a click away from the windshield+floor position and some air still goes up to the windshield but the compressor stays off unless you push the A/C button on. If you had gotten the Polar White color you would be a lot cooler in the hot summer sun - mine barely gets warm on a sunny day.

You all need to check your tire pressure and put some more air in them, then your mileage should go up. A good slippery wax job also helps let that air slip over the body too.

 

Yeah I know about that for the air, its just something cool I found out about. It's better to run the Air than have the windows down on the highway anyways. That's the only time I use it like that. I was just wondering if it used the AC system as much if i pressed the AC button or not... Then again I hear the belts squeal everytime I use it just as if i pressed the AC button. (I know I know, I gotta change my belts).

Thanks for the tire tip but I check mines all the time. 32 psi at all times even though the sticker on the door is a bit lower....30 psi i believe?

 

Not high enough - I run about 42psi - makes a big difference. One time my left rear caught a nail and leaked down to 32psi I lost mileage and could see it right away. Pump them up more and watch what happens. Try like 35psi at least - they are rated for 44psi at maximum load weight and that is cold pressure.
Oh and tighten the belt - they should still be good for years. A 20lbs push on the long span of the belt should deflect it about 1/4 inch when warmed up - if it moves more than that it is loose.

 

eh no thanks I like them at 32 psi, I've tried them that around that pressure, the ride is alot better at 32psi.


Oh good tip on the belt.....but the thing is my car is an 04 and started to squeal over the past 6 months, I think it's about time to change, then again I only have 44,000 mi on her... hmm I gotta try that out....

 

I keep mine at 35psi, just a few extra and it works out.
no matter the mileage, belts wear over time. Especially with extreme temp differences from the seasons, they aren't that $$ so I'de swap them out if it were me.

 

Check the tension on the belt first - an 04 belt may have worn and stretched by now so maybe a new belt is in order. It is a little tricky putting it on as it goes over 4 pulleys. Alternator, engine crank, A/C Compressor and tensioner pulley.

If you want - try the high tire pressure on a highway trip so the bumps don't bother you so much and you can see the gas savings a lot quicker that way too. I have a friend that actually runs his softer than recommended because he likes the soft ride and gets really poor mileage. Met another guy using his xB for Network/Phone business hauling heavy equipment in it all the time and had the edges of his tires wearing out because he didn't have enough pressure in them for the weight.

 

Oh yeah I know about the belts...I'm changing them for sure, I bought the belts a while ago, lol kinda too late to return. Just never got the chance to do them...

In the winter I'm up in Frostburg, MD and boy does it get cold, so yeah the huge temp differences are there. Around the winter time I got a taste of the HUGE belt squeal a couple of times. So they're going tomorrow, gonna change the oil too.... I guess I should change the belts before that and get the oil nice and warm afterwards for the change...(Very dirty after a few miles driving without the airfilter on the intake..... Came off on its own sigh)


Thanks for the tips though Jan06xB

 

I've been averaging 38mpg, but I live in the boondocks, so I do about 50mph everywhere I go, and my drive to work is almost all downhill.

My tires are rated for 50psi max, and I generally keep my pressure in the high-40s. That makes a huge difference.

I also installed a Rostra cruise control a few months ago, and it helps a little on the interstate (it will be a long time before I make that $200 back in gas savings). However, it makes the xB vastly less stressful to drive, so that's a big plus.

Of course, in the winter, my mileage drops to 32-33mpg, so I complain for five months about how much gas I use.

 

34 mpg still driving 100 miles per day

 

You know for those winter months you should block off the grill and keep the engine and tranny nice and warm that way. All it takes is a small opening in the bottom to cool the engine and running the heater will do the rest when the temps are below freezing. I was out in 10 degree weather and getting high 40's mpg with too much heat coming out of the heater just by blocking off the grill. I used two strips of white foam plastic 1/2 inch thick packing foam - see the photo in my profile. I made a small opening behind the liciense plate which works well unless going up really long steep hills or more than 55mph on the highway. Temperature goes up and I just pull one of the foam pieces out. IT IS a good idea to have a temperature gauge when blocking the grill - I use my ScanGauge. The idea of blocking it out front is so the electric radiator fan still work should you get up to 205 degrees - air still gets around the grill area.