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About the only thing you can do is the recommended maintenance at recommended intervals.
Not sure about the wheels. Cost might take months if not years to recover, if you even save gas at all.
Respectfully, Performance Chips are a rip off. Your computer will learn to self-adjust for spirited driving or economical driving, depending on your personal driving habits.
Cold Air Intakes typically advertise performance, not economy.
As for fuel additives, your gas is already formulated for top engine performance and fuel system cleaning. Today's gas is a big improvement from the old days.
According to the mfg, long life Iridium Spark Plugs should be changed at ~120,000 miles. Your actual miles may vary. If you don't have Iridium, I'd change what you have according to the recommended interval.
About the only thing you can do (semi-regularly) to improve MPG is to clean the Throttle Body, Throttle Valve and the MAF Sensor. Walmart sells a kit with one small can of Throttle Body Cleaner and one small can of MAF Sensor Cleaner for less than $5. If your Throttle Body and MAF Sensor are dirty, these cleaners should improve MFG. If they're not very dirty, you'll see less improvement.
To clean the MAF Sensor:
The MAF Sensor is a delicate instrument so use care when cleaning. Carefully unplug the MAF Sensor electrical connector and remove the mounting screws. Carefully pull the MAF Sensor from the Breather Assembly. Hold the MAF Sensor up to the light to locate all the glass bulbs inside the plastic housing. Spray the glass bulbs and the plastic housing with cleaner. Let the MAF Sensor air dry for 15 or 20 minutes. You'll probably have lots of left over MAF Sensor Cleaner. Every 30 to 40 thousand miles should do the trick.
To clean your Throttle Body and Throttle Valve:
Remove your Breather Assembly from the Throttle Body. Be careful opening and closing the Throttle Valve. The valve gears are made of plastic. The Throttle Valve itself is metal and sharp enough to cut skin so be careful. Spray the Throttle Body Cleaner inside, everywhere you see dirt. You can use a rag and/ or small brush to help remove all the dirt you can reach. If it's really dirty, you may need more than the small can of Throttle Body Cleaner. The large can is probably in or around $10. It's probably good for 4 to 5 cleanings. Every 30 to 40 thousand miles is a decent cleaning interval.
Another thing that will improve mileage is proper tire inflation. A couple of pounds per tire is all it takes to affect MPG. Electronic tire pressure sensor warning systems are great but you might lose 6 or more pounds before the sensor goes off. This can add up, depending how long your tires hold proper air pressure. It's best to check air pressure and or add more air in the morning or the coolest part of the day. Heat, particularly summer heat can cause incorrect readings.
Last edited by 62Fender; Jun 24, 2021 at 02:44 PM.
Put in a bigger fuel tank.
I believe these cars are rated at 30 MPGs. Is your eng. in proper tune? What is your mileage right now? I've driven big V8s for most of my life. I'm use-ta getting 12-15 on a good day. When I drive a vehicle getting over 20, I'm elated. Drive a big V8 truck for a few months, then you'll appreciate your little 4 cyl. more.
Driving technique makes biggest difference to MPG. I can get anywhere from 25-38 MPG based upon my driving style. Here's good site for ideas https://ecomodder.com/
12 sounds like a Chevy 350. 15 sounds like a Ford 351.
LOL. My Chevy C-30, gets 20 MPGs, with a 4'10 rear gear, and no OD. Also an SM465 stick-shift gearbox, (granny low), but the Good mileage is due to a 6.2 diesel. I know, not much power, but for a 1 ton dually truck, (2WD), I like the mileage. I was thinking of installing a Scion 4 cyl, to maybe up it to 30? What-da-ya think?
Upping MPG..
