Hey all! I've got a 1996 Cavalier with 150K miles on it. It's not getting the best mileage it could . . . I've heard of similar cars getting 30 MPG or so, and I'm getting closer to 22-25 MPG.
Do you think I can get my mileage back up there, or do you just lose alot as your engine ages?
I replaced the spark plugs (which were gapped very poorly from the previous owner) and front oxygen sensor, so this should help some. What else can I do to get my mileage back up where it should be?
Thanks for the help!!
2006-09-25 11:13:07 · 7 answers · asked by Mike D! 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP, WITH THAT MANY MILES YOU NEED TO BE USING 150K MOTOR OIL SOMETHING LIKE VALVOLINE HIGH MILEAGE MOTOR OIL, THAT WILL HELP THE SEALS AND THE RINGS AND THE CYLINDERS AND IN THE END THAT WILL HELP WITH THE COMPRESSION, SECOND YOU CAN GET AN K&N AIR FILTER THAT WILL HELP, HAVE A TECH CHECK YOUR WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND THATS A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, I KNOW THAT YOU SAID THAT YOU HAD THE PLUGS CHANGED WHAT ABOUT THE WIRES AND THE COIL, THEY CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE MILAGE TO, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR AIRPRESSURE IN THE TIRES TO THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERANCE TO, THOSE ARE SOME GOOD PLACES TO START.
2006-09-25 11:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by handyman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually in older cars with a lot of milage a straight heavy weight oil will increase milage. A forty weight, not 10w40, just 40. An older car I owned at one time, I used straight 40 and increased my milage a few miles a gallon. Be religous on changing the oil and filter, every 3000 or less. Dirty oil can harm your engine, shorten the life, and lessen your milage. DO NOT USE INJECTOR CLEANER. I did on a Lumina a v-6 also, The cleaner ruined my injectors and $800 later I was once again rolling. Since you did a half a tune-up, finish the tuneup, change your plug wires.
2006-09-25 18:29:20 · answer #2 · answered by Tim B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep up the maintanance on the oil and also change the air filter. When you have a old one it will become clogged and harder for air to go through it. If you have not taking it to get a tune up / flush there maybe grime inside the engine slowing it down as well.
2006-09-25 18:17:40 · answer #3 · answered by drunken monkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try getting some of Lucas's fuel injector cleaner and dumping it in your gas tank the next time you fill it up. You can also replace your fuel fiter, cuz it's probably clogged. This should get you better gas mileage.
2006-09-25 18:24:10 · answer #4 · answered by tookelovalicious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it sounds like you are doing the right things also you can try changing the air filter and catalitique converter. if you keep the air pressures in the tires up and the same this will help alot. good luck
2006-09-25 18:36:56 · answer #5 · answered by weldergooroo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a full tune up. That's plugs, plug wires, air filter, timing...etc...
Take it a professional mechanic if you don't know cars. It will cost you now but be worth it it the long run.
2006-09-25 18:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by scotty w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are your tires the right Height,size matter,circumference wise
2006-09-25 18:23:39 · answer #7 · answered by Bushit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋