How can I make my Crown Vic more fuel economic?

Question

I got a 1988 LTD Crown Victoria from my grandparents in decent condition. The bad thing is, it gets 13 miles to the gallon and in these times I can't be running out of fuel all the time.

How do I go about making this car more fuel economic?

Answer 1

lots of simple things you can do...

Change the fuel filter, change the air filter. If it has an in cabin filter on the ac/heater then change that too (It'll make your heater and a/c run easier and in turn, use less gas.) Get a tune up, new plugs, wires. keep decent tread depth on your tires, and keep them properly inflated. you wouldn't imagine how much gas that eats.

When driving under 45 miles per hour, don't run the a/c, roll down the window. Over 45, use the A/c. the difference in speed, actually makes a difference when runnig the a/c, and following those guides, will save you gas mileage.

With the *cough cough* Older *cough cough* cars, you need to make sure that you are gentile with it, gently push the gas pedal, and let the engine work. don't rev it thinking it's going to make it run faster. Same with the brakes. If you konw you're going to slow down, take your foot off the gas before you get there, then use the brakes to slow the rest of the way. the constant pumping the gas uses more. Is it carburated? If so, use a good carb cleaner and run it thru the system. (even if it's not a carburated car, then still, get a fuel injector cleaner.)

I would assume it's a higher mileage car, bieng an older vehicle, so, you might consider using a higher mileage oil when you do oil changes. Anything to make the engine run eaiser is going to help your fuel mileage.

one last thing, don't let the tank get below half. imagine that the half way line is empty. when it's under half, it uses much more gas.

good luck, and congrats!! those are nice cars!!! :)

Answer 2

Really your best bet is to be rid of it and find a smaller car. But, if you really are attached to it, the other guy was right about the tune-up. I on the other hand do not recommend Bosch plugs at all because every set I've had foul out prematurely. Get some simple Autolite copper plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. Run some Seafoam in the gas tank. Other than that, all you can do is stay off the throttle as much as possible. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Keep it tuned. Change oil regularly. Keep tires inflated to proper pressure. Keep the exterior clean. Don't haul a bunch of junk around in the trunk or back seat. These things reduce the work the big engine has to do.

Meanwile, try to drive in ways that "sip" gas, rather than guzzle it: Maintain steady speeds between stops. Coast to a stop rather than brake at the last moment. Smoothly accelerate instead of tromping on the gas. Anticipate light changes by looking a block or two ahead. No point at maintaining 30 mph if you KNOW you are going to have to stop at the next light. Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you so that you don't have to press the brake everytime HE does.

In other words, conserve your momentum. Truckers do it because gas equals money and nobody burns as much gas as a trucker. Bicyclists know this insinctively. No point in wearing oneself out pedaling furiously, just to have to stop at a red light they can see 20 yards in front of them.

Answer 4

furnish it an entire music up- i desire to propose replace each element; plugs, wires, distributor cap and ignition rotor or the coil p.c...(s) if required, gas clean out, air clean out, oil and clean out, percentvalve, each element. This automobile could desire to be getting at optimal 17 mpg highway. Even my vette receives 33 highway with the 6 velocity trans. And the ex-trooper caprice I had years interior the previous have been given 24mpg highway and alter into lots lots quicker and quicker than the crown vicky your making use of now. So confident, furnish her a music up.

Answer 5

The problem is that your Crown Vic is big, heavy, and not designed to be fuel efficient. There's not much can do. Sell it and get a smaller car.

Answer 6

General tuneup....Change your spark plugs (I recommend bosch platinum 4's) plug wires, distributor & cap, change fuel filter, clean out throttle body, run 1/2 can of seafoam through your gas tank, the other half in your crank case (where you pour oil.)

Answer 7

First thing to do is make sure the car is in good repair, things like adequate tire pressure and making sure all of your filters are not clogged or dirty (fuel filter,air filter etc.)

Answer 8

good state uf tune, tire pressures set a max psi, heavy car so avoid jackrabbit starts and anticipate traffic flow patterns .... drive like there is a raw egg under the gas pedal....but a free car is a free car.... be nice to it !!

Answer 9

1.Mass air flow sensor.
2.Better intake system.
3.Better exhaust system.
4.Keep up on maintenance

Answer 10

trade it...i'm serious, why do you think there arent many of those big cars on the road anymore