SL2Saturn
06-18-2009, 12:54 PM
Hello Guys! This is my first post so bear with me! I have A SL2 Saturn w/5speedmanual and I get on the norm about 32mpg.I've been doing everything I can to get better mileage.I've coasted down hills out of gear,even with the engine off.I've been driving at 50 miles on the highway,shut off the engine at stops,maxed out tire pressure,drifted steady thru city stop lights,use 5/w30 motor oil etc...After all that,I get only about 33mpg!My best day was 34mpg.Help! What am I doing wrong?What am I doing right?:(
PaleMelanesian
06-18-2009, 01:32 PM
Welcome!
It sounds like you're doing the right things. Do you have an MPG gauge? It would help your efforts a LOT.
Where are you? Maybe you could meet up with someone in your area for a demonstration.
Damionk
06-18-2009, 02:14 PM
Also keep those RPMs down, under about 2200. Since you drive a manual you may be able to shift even sooner than that. The general rule of thumb when shifting with a manual is shift as early as possible without lugging the engine.
It does sound like you are off to a good start though. Feel free to ask any questions you have the members here are more than willing to help.
Die2self
06-19-2009, 12:50 PM
cobrapond I beleive is also driving a saturn SL2, he maybe able to assist you with techniques to help you.
diamondlarry
06-19-2009, 01:27 PM
Also keep those RPMs down, under about 2200. Since you drive a manual you may be able to shift even sooner than that. The general rule of thumb when shifting with a manual is shift as early as possible without lugging the engine.
It does sound like you are off to a good start though. Feel free to ask any questions you have the members here are more than willing to help.
During the numerous times I've ridden with CobraPond, he rarely ever goes over 2,000 rpm's and is usually right around 1500 rpm's. I have seen him be in 5th gear by 20 mph and a couple of times just under 20 mph. He is very good at DWB and conserving momentum. His tires may also be a "tad" bit full of air too.;) He will probably be filling up tomorrow on his way home from work. If all goes as planned, he should hit the 900 mile (or over) mark on this tank. He had 865 last night and he only got a mile or two from home when his work called and said to wait on coming as they were without power so he could hit 910 or more miles by tomorrow.
echoman
06-19-2009, 07:46 PM
I dont know how my miles/km your car has or what kind of condition its in, but I would say try to do a little maintenance work. Nothing to crazy but change oil and tranny fluid, check air filter, keep the tire pressures at tire sidewall psi, maybe check your alighnment and I would probably check the spark plugs too. Just to name a couple of things.
It does seem like you are off to a good start, but do you have a scangauge. That is probably the one single thing that will help you achieve high FE.
Good luck!!
diamondlarry
06-19-2009, 07:57 PM
On the maintance subject, you may want to check the pre-cat O2 sensor. Also, the coolant temp sensor.