a bit dissapointed
 

so as you can see i have entered the first of the gas log entries for the sunfire. i was hoping for a bit more. but then again it was 6 more mpg over the EPA which is good.
i was happy on how long the tank lasted. normally i have to fill up every week or week and two days. i was able to get three more days on the tank. i think that i will be buying a scan gauge.

boofighter -

As others will tell you, MPG is a long term project, so you'll have better fill-ups over time.

CarloSW2

just keep it up it will take a while to get the best skills and learn what works for you

Keep up the good work! It will pay off...

6 mpg over? That's not bad at all. I have the worst luck with FE.

Just last week I tried wheel skirts, higher pressure tires, EOC-ing, and then I end up getting a screwed up tank which gave me 20 mpg for a METRO. Then this week I had to take the wheel skirts off because they were rubbing up against the tires. EOCing still, but for now the predicted mpg is between 33 and 48 mpg. Hopefully I get something above 40 and closer to 45.... but who really knows...

Check my log, I have only been at for a bit over a month now. My first log was the old driving style, 25mpg and my tanks have gotten better every time so far. I am sure I am about as good as I can get, scince I try not to be too annoying on the road. but I am up to 38.85mpg for 14.5 gallons, so its no fluke...

Good going!

You definitely will get better with time. A scangage will definitely help. I wish my car could use one; it's an '89 which was before OBDII, which is what runs the ScanGauge.

And over time I'm sure you'll find other things to improve, either driving technique or maybe slight mods to the car. You'll find your path.

i think that it was the time on the freeway that really hurt me. i had been turning the car off at lights and putting it into neutral when going down hills. i think that i will do a few more tanks before i get into aero mods, although i do have a few ideas.

I wouldn't think the highway would hurt your mileage. I typically got around 33mpg in 60d temps at 70-75mph.

How many miles are on the car. I replaced my o2 sensor at 108k and picked up 2mpg. It was $20 at autozone.

the thing is the sunfire has a 3spd auto. when i am going 100kph the rpms are at 25-2600 when i move up to 110kph it sits just under 3000. to me that is a lot. my sister has the exact same car and engine, but with 4spd auto, and at 110 she is turning about 2100 rpm.

boofighter -

Rats. 3 speed. After omgwtfbyobbq posted this URL ...

https://car-part.com/

... I started trolling around for "economy transmissions" for my Saturn. At a later point in time, with alot of homework and a little patience, you may elect to swap in a low mileage used one. If I had the skillz (aka save money by getting my hands dirty), that's what I would do.

CarloSW2

Boo' , are you using synthetic fluid in the crankcase and transaxle ? Big fan of it myself (will be switching at my first interval ) . Freeway driving over 55 mph with that 3 spd auto is a toughy , but still you *are* 6 over EPA so there is plenty of hope ! Keep working at it .

Yes, my car also had the same 3 speed 3t40 transmission. It would get 31-33mpg hwy. 31mpg a/c on @75mph. It got 25-26mpg commuting while using the a/c. I still think your o2 sensor could be tired.

A 4 speed auto swap would be nice but its electronic vs the 3 speed which only has electric torque convertor lockup. It uses a TV cable to control shifts. On the plus side the 3 speed is a tough & simple unit thats easy on the fluid.

lovemysan -

Good stuff to know. I was assuming they were very similar trannies.

CarloSW2

I thought so too. I long considered the 5speed swap but I was scared of dealing with PCM differences and wiring. You could look over at jbody forums. Someone's bound to have done a swap.

been over at the j for a while. they don' t like the whole idea of slowing down to save gas. they did have good info about the swap, and it is not worth it. for the price i can buy a car with a 5 speed.

will have to live with it for a while. went to look at a 5spd acadian today. $600 might pick it up.