tips for improving MPG?

notherone · 09-25-2008, 06:47 PM

When I got my 07 Wrangler, the window sticker showed 16 MPG city, 19 highway. The truck had 21K miles on it when I got it. I've been doing all highway driving with it, and just killed off the first full tank of gas, with a full tank being 21.5 gal. The mileage for that tank was 365.6, making the MPG 17..

Since I'm coming off of having traded a 25MPG vehicle for this (trust me it was WORTH it to get another Jeep, plus the other vehicle was ready to croak), I'm trying to get as close back to that number as possible, and wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks that have helped them along? I've heard the K and N air filters breathe better and help a little, but have not yet made any changes on mine.

Thanks!

notherone

**ccain** · 09-25-2008, 06:54 PM

The only way to get better mileage would be to trade it off for a Smartcar or a Prius. Those of us that are getting 10 or less MPG are going to be gathering on your lawn later with lit torches.

Congrats on the high MPG! But even the new Wranglers are still basically a box with wheels. I say 17 is phenomenal!

Dare2BSquare · 09-25-2008, 06:55 PM

Put it in "neutral" and coast a lot. That's about all that is guaranteed to help much.

BlackJK · 09-25-2008, 07:44 PM

yeah, 17's not too bad, I'd be happy with that. I've found that if I drive somewhere between 60-65, my mpgs get a bit higher.

notherone · 09-25-2008, 08:50 PM

Loved the torch comment! I may set myself up as a guinea pig and see what improvements I can do.. if I get a better number I will share my secrets out

notherone

95wrangler · 09-25-2008, 09:45 PM

i got a 95 w the 4cyl engine and im averaging around 20-22mpg. so 17 aint bad. its a truck...dont expect much. my civic averages 31mpg so when i drive the jeep i deff notice the difference...but its still fun as hell to drive.

(im new to the jeep game if u didnt notice

)

AzTJ · 09-25-2008, 10:43 PM

Ease off the skinny peddle... duh.

sgnellett · 09-25-2008, 11:07 PM

Paging Tripp...

C'mon, you just KNOW he's gonna be all over this w/ all his aero advice, disconnecting half the suspension, etc...

jeffsjk · 09-26-2008, 03:02 AM

I was getting 12-13mpg's w/ my unlimited X so it went bye-bye
and now i'm getting 16-17 city and 20-21 hwy with this

...........And I can pull my race car

skeejunkee · 09-26-2008, 02:26 PM

I like the truck maybe you should post else where now.
If you were a true jeep person you would not care about the gas you would drive it any way. just my 2cents.

vismich · 09-26-2008, 02:30 PM

According to my meter, I get around 18.9 - 19.2 MPG....and this is my 4th tank of gas.

I'm not sure why, but I get WAY worse gas miles on a highway than I do on back roads. I like in a country area, and the only thing I can think is that I am not always acelarating like I would on a highway. Try some back roads....

95wrangler · 09-26-2008, 03:16 PM

bottom line...its a jeep. dont expect great gas miliage. shoulda thought bout that before you brought it. thats why i think i wanna sell mine now. my commute to work is too far.

jeffsjk · 09-27-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeejunkee

I like the truck maybe you should post else where now.
If you were a true jeep person you would not care about the gas you would drive it any way. just my 2cents.

Nah, I'm gonna hang out here with you "true jeep" people.
Just becuase I got rid of the 4 door doesn't mean I don't have
another jeep. "real jeep" people have more than one jeep. just my 2cents

Hitchhiker · 09-27-2008, 11:01 AM

I've only run two tanks through mine; (475 miles on odometer today) the computed mileage for a lot of stop and go and running around the NC mountains was 15.7. After filling up and driving 28 miles home with half on an Interstate and the other half on a windy 2 lane over a 4,000' mountain, the computer is showing 18.5.

Not too shabby for a Jeep but I'm sure the 18.5 will come down as I run the rest of the tank out.

I drive conservatively, run about 65 on the super-slab, 55 on the 2 lane except where it's twisty grades and then I drop to about 35 there.

Regards,
Richard

**h8nagn** · 09-27-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitchhiker

I've only run two tanks through mine; (475 miles on odometer today) the computed mileage for a lot of stop and go and running around the NC mountains was 15.7. After filling up and driving 28 miles home with half on an Interstate and the other half on a windy 2 lane over a 4,000' mountain, the computer is showing 18.5.

Not too shabby for a Jeep but I'm sure the 18.5 will come down as I run the rest of the tank out.

I drive conservatively, run about 65 on the super-slab, 55 on the 2 lane except where it's twisty grades and then I drop to about 35 there.

Regards,
Richard

Well with having about 500 miles on a new vehicle it is just about time to change the oil for the first time. I know the owner's manual says every 3000 or 3500 but you should think about all the little crap that just worked its way into your oil pan being a new engine. I always change oil on a new vehicle or a new motor after 500-1000 miles, better safe than sorry. Also after your vehicle goes thru it's "break-in" period you might see 1-2mpg better.

Hitchhiker · 09-27-2008, 09:41 PM

Actually, the manual says to change the engine oil when the oil change indicator light comes on or at 6 months if it doesn't come on before that time. It also says to never exceed 6,000 miles between changes. Additionally it says "The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a high quality energy conserving type lubricant." It might be a good idea to leave it in there a while and let it do it's job.

IMHO, if it was supposed to be changed at 500 miles I'm confident they would have said so in the manual. It's always best to go by the manufacturers recommendations on this stuff.

Regards,
Richard

notherone · 10-03-2008, 07:01 PM

I actually hit 18 MPG on my last tank! WAHHOOO!! I'll take it.

Scooter_Trash · 10-06-2008, 10:22 AM

Drive slower, easier acceleration from a stop, and check your tire pressure. Those are really the only ways you're going to increase your gas mileage.

Hilldweller · 10-06-2008, 10:47 AM

The JK likes to go slow and it prefers high altitude.
I get 11-13 mpg when I'm on the trails and pulling my trailer. And I've gotten as much as 27 mpg on a scenic 2-lane in the Canadian Rockies, putting along at 45 to 50 mph.
Think smooth.

Scooter_Trash · 10-06-2008, 07:35 PM

27???? C'mon you can't count that spike you saw when you let up off the gas and coasted downhill. I find it hard to believe ANY JK out there can record a 27.

Hilldweller · 10-07-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter_Trash

27???? C'mon you can't count that spike you saw when you let up off the gas and coasted downhill. I find it hard to believe ANY JK out there can record a 27.

full tanks of fuel (did it three times) and used GPS to correct the odometer. I never hit 27 for the tank but I hit 26.8 and 26.9 on all three tankfulls.
My overall average for the trip (7,300 miles in 2 weeks) was 20.98, including the wheeling in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, & Canada.
With an auto-trans and 33's to boot.

Here's a short youtube I made of the trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr63wj1-jTw&feature=user

Zan186 · 10-07-2008, 07:24 PM

Make the Jeep Lighter will help. Espeacially with city driving. Not sure how heavy the stock exhaust is but you can probably shave 10 pounds going to an after market exhaust.
Tuning the vehicle might help you gain 1 mpg. There is always a little room to improve the efficiency of the engine. Cold air intake will also help with the tune as well

95wrangler · 10-09-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilldweller

full tanks of fuel (did it three times) and used GPS to correct the odometer. I never hit 27 for the tank but I hit 26.8 and 26.9 on all three tankfulls.
My overall average for the trip (7,300 miles in 2 weeks) was 20.98, including the wheeling in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, & Canada.
With an auto-trans and 33's to boot.

Here's a short youtube I made of the trip:

YouTube - Vacation 2008

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09-25-2008, 06:47 PM	#1
notherone Jeeper Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16	tips for improving MPG? When I got my 07 Wrangler, the window sticker showed 16 MPG city, 19 highway. The truck had 21K miles on it when I got it. I've been doing all highway driving with it, and just killed off the first full tank of gas, with a full tank being 21.5 gal. The mileage for that tank was 365.6, making the MPG 17.. Since I'm coming off of having traded a 25MPG vehicle for this (trust me it was WORTH it to get another Jeep, plus the other vehicle was ready to croak), I'm trying to get as close back to that number as possible, and wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks that have helped them along? I've heard the K and N air filters breathe better and help a little, but have not yet made any changes on mine. Thanks! notherone

09-25-2008, 06:54 PM	#2
ccain Dog of war WF Lifetime Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On the patio smokin' Posts: 3,049	The only way to get better mileage would be to trade it off for a Smartcar or a Prius. Those of us that are getting 10 or less MPG are going to be gathering on your lawn later with lit torches. Congrats on the high MPG! But even the new Wranglers are still basically a box with wheels. I say 17 is phenomenal! __________________ For your convenience our staff is fluent in monosyllabic grunts. blog

09-25-2008, 06:55 PM	#3
Dare2BSquare Pushy, Loudmouthed, and Ballsy Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In a Tree Stand.........Waiting Posts: 4,766	Put it in "neutral" and coast a lot. That's about all that is guaranteed to help much. __________________ Sore Lip em all. Catch and release.Take a kid fishing, and clean up after yourself!

09-25-2008, 07:44 PM	#4
BlackJK Newb Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Laurel Posts: 9	yeah, 17's not too bad, I'd be happy with that. I've found that if I drive somewhere between 60-65, my mpgs get a bit higher. __________________

09-25-2008, 08:50 PM	#5
notherone Jeeper Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16	Loved the torch comment! I may set myself up as a guinea pig and see what improvements I can do.. if I get a better number I will share my secrets out notherone

09-25-2008, 09:45 PM	#6
95wrangler Newb Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 13	i got a 95 w the 4cyl engine and im averaging around 20-22mpg. so 17 aint bad. its a truck...dont expect much. my civic averages 31mpg so when i drive the jeep i deff notice the difference...but its still fun as hell to drive. (im new to the jeep game if u didnt notice)

09-25-2008, 10:43 PM	#7
AzTJ Jeeper Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Payson, AZ Posts: 6,496	Ease off the skinny peddle... duh. __________________ Grand Canyon State Renegade

09-26-2008, 03:02 AM	#9
jeffsjk Jeeper Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: st pete Posts: 50	I was getting 12-13mpg's w/ my unlimited X so it went bye-bye and now i'm getting 16-17 city and 20-21 hwy with this ...........And I can pull my race car __________________ 08 Unlimited X 2.5" skyjacker 33/12.5/17 08 2D X 3.25" Rusty's offroad 33/12.5/17

09-26-2008, 02:26 PM	#10
skeejunkee Jeeper Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Social Circle GA. Posts: 94	I like the truck maybe you should post else where now. If you were a true jeep person you would not care about the gas you would drive it any way. just my 2cents. __________________ Life is better Topless: Drive a JEEP!

09-26-2008, 02:30 PM	#11
vismich Jeeper Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 26	According to my meter, I get around 18.9 - 19.2 MPG....and this is my 4th tank of gas. I'm not sure why, but I get WAY worse gas miles on a highway than I do on back roads. I like in a country area, and the only thing I can think is that I am not always acelarating like I would on a highway. Try some back roads....

09-26-2008, 03:16 PM	#12
95wrangler Newb Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 13	bottom line...its a jeep. dont expect great gas miliage. shoulda thought bout that before you brought it. thats why i think i wanna sell mine now. my commute to work is too far.

09-27-2008, 11:01 AM	#14
Hitchhiker Jeeper Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 110	I've only run two tanks through mine; (475 miles on odometer today) the computed mileage for a lot of stop and go and running around the NC mountains was 15.7. After filling up and driving 28 miles home with half on an Interstate and the other half on a windy 2 lane over a 4,000' mountain, the computer is showing 18.5. Not too shabby for a Jeep but I'm sure the 18.5 will come down as I run the rest of the tank out. I drive conservatively, run about 65 on the super-slab, 55 on the 2 lane except where it's twisty grades and then I drop to about 35 there. Regards, Richard __________________ 2008 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4dr 'JK' -- Steel Blue Metallic -- Hard Top

09-27-2008, 09:41 PM	#16
Hitchhiker Jeeper Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 110	Actually, the manual says to change the engine oil when the oil change indicator light comes on or at 6 months if it doesn't come on before that time. It also says to never exceed 6,000 miles between changes. Additionally it says "The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a high quality energy conserving type lubricant." It might be a good idea to leave it in there a while and let it do it's job. IMHO, if it was supposed to be changed at 500 miles I'm confident they would have said so in the manual. It's always best to go by the manufacturers recommendations on this stuff. Regards, Richard __________________ 2008 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4dr 'JK' -- Steel Blue Metallic -- Hard Top

10-03-2008, 07:01 PM	#17
notherone Jeeper Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16	I actually hit 18 MPG on my last tank! WAHHOOO!! I'll take it.

10-06-2008, 10:22 AM	#18
Scooter_Trash Jeeper Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 36	Drive slower, easier acceleration from a stop, and check your tire pressure. Those are really the only ways you're going to increase your gas mileage. __________________ '07 JK Sahara

10-06-2008, 10:47 AM	#19
Hilldweller Jeeper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canton, GA; aka Podunk Posts: 275	The JK likes to go slow and it prefers high altitude. I get 11-13 mpg when I'm on the trails and pulling my trailer. And I've gotten as much as 27 mpg on a scenic 2-lane in the Canadian Rockies, putting along at 45 to 50 mph. Think *smooth*. __________________ Safety fast, Bill

10-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#20
Scooter_Trash Jeeper Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 36	27???? C'mon you can't count that spike you saw when you let up off the gas and coasted downhill. I find it hard to believe ANY JK out there can record a 27. __________________ '07 JK Sahara

10-07-2008, 07:24 PM	#22
Zan186 Jeeper Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 19	Make the Jeep Lighter will help. Espeacially with city driving. Not sure how heavy the stock exhaust is but you can probably shave 10 pounds going to an after market exhaust. Tuning the vehicle might help you gain 1 mpg. There is always a little room to improve the efficiency of the engine. Cold air intake will also help with the tune as well