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Old May 6, 2008 | 05:04 AM
  #1  
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Default Gas Mileage

dont bust my chops on this one. I know trying to find a way to save money with a vette is oxymoronic (if thats a word) but I'm still going to ask!

how to save money on gas, extend gas mileage, lower gas consumption

I have a C5 1998 standard and i get about 300 miles to a full tank of gas. i think my tank is 17 gallons

If im on the highway i can get up to 320 for a full tank

some ways I was thinking about how to save on fuel

1.I heard of this product that you put in your gas tank (looks like a silver bullet with holes in it) and it improves your gas mileage. saw it in the sky mall magazine in the plane..

2. a certain brand of air filter? i heard can improve?

3. muffler system?

So if I bought for example a new air filter system for example $300 and it saved me $10 per fill up then it would save me money in the long run Id buy it. Let me know if you have any ideas!


.......
I already drive slowly
have properly inflated tires
I do know about AC and gas consumption
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Old May 6, 2008 | 07:48 AM
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It wouldn't hurt to make sure it is breathing right. A K&N filter will help on power and gas mileage. Just the filter will help some, but an intake system would make more of an improvement. For example a Blackwing or a vararam. Out back if you had headers, high flow cats, an X pipe and a cat back system, it would certainly be less restrictive than the stock setup. Do a tune up, plugs and wires and the like. All this combined will pick up some gas mileage for ya, but it will also make the car have a little more power. Beware of the mod bug. When it bites it bites hard, and you will forget the "I alredy drive slow" thing!
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Old May 6, 2008 | 08:08 AM
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Go to BJ's for high test -only $.02/ gal more than regular at any of our local stations. $$$$ saved!! Or you can keep it as a garage queen or better yet, say the hell with it, keep it tuned, don't mechanically mod the hell out of it to get a few more horses and just enjoy it for what it is.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by waddsy
1.I heard of this product that you put in your gas tank (looks like a silver bullet with holes in it) and it improves your gas mileage. saw it in the sky mall magazine in the plane..

2. a certain brand of air filter? i heard can improve?

3. muffler system?
1. Skymall is a garbage rag. Try Seafoam, it wont give you more mpg but it will clean out the carbon deposits in your engine and help it operate better which can increase mpg.

2. Pretty much any aftermarker intake is as good as the other. Intakes seem to be a heated argument on C5 Gen.

3. Exhaust won't really increase your gas mileage, but any aftermarket set up would be less restrictive. LT headers can scavange exhaust more efficiently from the engine and increase mpg under normal driving conditions. But the cost to buy/install them probably outweighs the $$ savings in gas.

It sounds like you consumption is a little higher than most, but still good. You have an 18 gallon tank (two 9 gallon tanks). No need to swap plugs and wires on a stock C5... they are good to 100k+ miles.

Try changing your fuel filter, too.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 08:39 AM
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o2 sensors.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 08:58 AM
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You actually have two saddle bag tanks with a total capacity of about 19 gallons. If you are only getting 320 per tank on the highway, I think you have something wrong. On my last road trip, I was averaging 29 MPG which is over 450 per tank when the light comes on.

I know there have been several threads about fuel economy, but 20 MPG city and 28 MPG Hwy isn't unheard of... until you put your foot on it.

Just my $0.02

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Old May 6, 2008 | 10:03 AM
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I average 15.1 MPG overall and max at about 21-24 on the highway.

But I sure have fun.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 11:40 AM
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You're definitely on the low end of the mileage scale, depending on engine mods. My '99, stock motor except for a SLP Powerflo system averages 20 -24 city and 28 -31.7 HWY under normal driving. I have changed plugs, wires and use just Royal Purple lube products.
Good luck in your endeavors!
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Old May 6, 2008 | 03:58 PM
  #9  
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so here are the ideas I am getting that I SHOULD do to save me gas money:::


Change my air filter to a K&N filter
change my fuel filter

Other ideas I'm still not sure about:::

changing a muffler system would outweigh saving benefits from the impression I'm getting?

no need to do new plugs or wires until 100k I have 70k on my girl so what is the consensus on this you think?

what is BJ's? I'm In Los Angeles is this a garage?

what is the consensus on something like the seafoam (those silver peanut/bullet looking things you put in your gas tank) to increase mpg?


I'm still wondering why my mpg is lower then your guys? I do a LOT of city driving stop and go. Its my daily driver
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by waddsy
dont bust my chops on this one. I know trying to find a way to save money with a vette is oxymoronic (if thats a word) but I'm still going to ask!

how to save money on gas, extend gas mileage, lower gas consumption
I don't think it's "oxymoronic" at all. For the vehicle it is the gas mileage is very good (granted you keep your foot out of it). If your gunning it around everywhere then yes, I'd say it's "oxymoronic", but if your looking for ways to save when taking it easy I'd say it makes sense, make the most (in this case mileage) of what you got. I see nothing wrong with looking for ways to save some money when your just cruisin around town, or going to and from work, etc.

Concerning your mileage like said above sounds low. I get around 16-17 around town with little highway driving, but strictly highway I get 29 easy. I drove down 3 hours to Cincy, around Cincy, and 3 hours back, and averaged 29.5 MPG on using the pump and mileage.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:18 PM
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Try the Smith driving system, do alot of coasting
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:19 PM
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Put OEM runflats on the car, if it doens't have them on there already. Runflats seem to be a harder (less sticky) compound and can get you a good mpg or two better then non-runflats.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by waddsy
Other ideas I'm still not sure about:::

changing a muffler system would outweigh saving benefits from the impression I'm getting?

A new catback might get you a couple % increase in mileage due to decreased exhaust restriction, if it's a good design (the C5 system is already pretty free flowing.) On the other hand, for the price of a "good" catback, you can buy 10-15 tankfuls of gas.

no need to do new plugs or wires until 100k I have 70k on my girl so what is the consensus on this you think?

Wires should still be good. Plugs might help.

what is the consensus on something like the seafoam (those silver peanut/bullet looking things you put in your gas tank) to increase mpg?

Seafoam is a liquid cleaner that comes in a can. You run it through the engine using the PCV intake, and it cleans out the combustion chamber deposits. It has nothing to do with the "snake oil" instant cures you keep referencing.

Go easy on the gas pedal, you should get 17-20 mpg even in all city driving.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:32 PM
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Cant say it loud or strong enough CHANGE THOSE PLUGS!!!!!70 K they are flat worn out!!! I have a 2000 FRC around 58,000.It ran OK, it was going to be put on a dyno display at the Gateway Midwest nationals so I decided I wanted it running tip top,so I got new plugs and wires. When I pulled the plug I was shocked!! Gap is supposed to be .040,,, the tightest gap was .060 most running .065 to .070 a couple were almost .080. this was at 57,000+ mi. The car REALLY WOKE UP!!! The car is stock except for a Blackwing filter and Corsa touring exhaust. They did 13 dyno pulls #1. 324.72 hp,329.46 tq. #13. 338.92hp 345.91tq. the computer "learns" and adjusted air fuel ratio on wide open throttle.drives like a new car now. Change the plugs , you won't regret it, it WILL run better.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:40 PM
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DIC shows about 22/24 with an A4 with 3.42 rear end. I live in the sticks, so it is mostly highway. I keep the vararam clean. Car is getting near 40,000 miles.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:47 PM
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I'm a very poor role model when it comes to mileage in my car as I'm pretty heavy with the left foot. I can watch the DIC readout go down to 4 mpg at full throttle. However, on the highway at around 1900 rpm my mpg will read around 29 -30. New plugs, good wires, recently serviced blackwing, catback and shorties.
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Old May 7, 2008 | 06:02 AM
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Sorry, BJ's is a Wholesale Club, like Walmart's Sams Club!
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Old May 7, 2008 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Tigershark3
I'm a very poor role model when it comes to mileage in my car as I'm pretty heavy with the left foot.
Do you cross your legs when you drive then, cos I use my right foot for the gas pedal

I reckon on about 25-35 mpg on a highway run and thats UK gallons.

Tank range is good for 450 miles
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Old May 7, 2008 | 11:21 AM
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Correct Me If Im Wrong Guys.

If You Have An Auto, The Stock Gears Were 2:73. Most Forum Members Get 28-30 With That Set Up On Highway.
I Have The 3:15 Option And Get 25-27 On Highway If I Drive Conservatively. Check You Gears? You May Be Getting All That You Can Get.
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Old May 7, 2008 | 10:40 PM
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hello,

well i'm gathering information from your feedback

1. I have runflats filled 30pps
2. I am light on my foot
3. I coast as much as I can but the problem in LA theres always someone on your *** and its hard to get away with coasting.


A) what is a "smith Driving system?"
B) Change the plugs, I will definately look into that.
C) What is a "black wing filter?" is that an air filter? will it help?
D) what did you mean (UWEBABY) by check your gears (sorry Im a layman)
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