Fuel Mileage Increase with intake off

[Whelan]

So I recently pulled off my shorty intake and replaced it with the stock box minues the U-shaped piping that runs all around the battery.With the intake I drove normal for a few tanks, not pounding the gas or anything. I was able to pull abouts 230 miles to a tank. I pulled the intake off and filled the tank to the top. I just went through my first tank with the change back and noticed an increase, a big one. My fuel range jumped to 290 miles to one tank. This is driving mostly through commute in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour plus each day, each way. So sitting at idle on the highway can burn fuel up. Also to note I have an 05 XR with AWD so my mileage is less than a base. I can't wait to see what I can get on my road trip this weekend to Lake Sacandaga / Saratoga New York for a golf weekend. Last time I passed 350 by a long shot to the tank!So bottom line for me is that with gas well over $3.00 a gallon and me pulling another 60 miles per tank on average, I will not be putting that back on anytime soon.

[goodvibe]

Check the next 2 tanks to make sure that the ecu fully adjusted. It could be running lean from sdjusting to the short ram and still on it way back to normal. That said, the stock intakes work really well on these cars.

[02csnow]

So many people have talked about losing gas mileage with a SR or CAI. But i have no problem with my mpg. NO matter how hard or soft i drive, i am at a consistent 30 mpg.

[kevera]

Me too.I drive like a madman now.I fill up with super,don't know if that makes a difference.Maybe it's a sign your getting old

[Whelan]

LOL the engagement gods have struck! Maybe its the pennies I need to put away towards the wedding and house that have started smacking me in the head when I go to pass someone and punch it. lol

[Lancer]

Before the s/c I was getting consistant 300-ish miles to a tank. Mostly highway driving. And that was with the cai, header, Borla axle back, Unichip, and 2 pulleys.

[Whelan]

Keep in mind I have AWD )

[Daox]

Warmer air will net you better gas mileage on the average. It'll also decrease peak horsepower.

[Whelan]

Air was warm with or without the intake since it was a shorty. I should pull about the same this time around as I am at just over 100 miles to this tank and sitting comfortable at 2/3.

[RIT]

Where are you going at Sacandaga? I'm up there most weekends in the Northville area. Just across the lake from the Golf Course that is on the Lake - not sure of it's name.

[Whelan]

Well we are having guys weekend up there, 36 holes a day of golfing. Their lakehouse is actually at Great Sacandage Lake, I know there is another Sacandaga Lake, but this is the longer one right off 110 outside of Broadalbin. Ill be on the East shore right off Lakeview Rd. Wanna play with us, lol.

[Vibr8tr]

My question is, does loosing the stock "piping" that goes around the battery help? I too am in the gas saving mood, specially with my trip to Michigan this month (that's a good 2500-3000 miles when all is said and done, including the driving around when I am there). If I could squeeze another 40+ miles out of a tank on that trip, I would do it... even if it cost me some ponies (and I stress ponies.... my vibe is so stock they didn't even give it real horses).

[Whelan]

Well your stock Vibe at least doesnt have a metal box of weight right where a humans **** would go. LOLI dunno, I would assume that yes it does help not having the extra tubing. When I had the car stock bone stock after I bought it, I was getting on average 250 a tank. So I was close to the 290ish I pulled now, but still slightly less. Not to mention, give yourself a fresh oil change prior to that long trip, and keep fluids peaked and tires properly inflated.

[Vibr8tr]

That was actually my next question, what PSI would give me the best MPG? I know the recomended is only like 32-35 or soemthing like that, but I wasn't sure if that was a setting for more comfert, handling, gas mileage or what. I know a few PSI can change the way the car handles and rides. honestly, I don't care if it's a bit less comfortable, I am just shooting for saving some cash. I figure just on gas alone, averaging around 30MPG, and driving about 3000 miles, I am looking at around $350+.... so every little bit will help.

[Daox]

It all depends on the tire really. Some guys over inflate their tires up to 50 psi to lessen rolling resistance. The trade off is handling. Its really up to you to find a happy medium.

[Whelan]

I tried the 32-35 range. My TPMS kept going off. I sit comfortably at 38 on OEM goodyears TSA's.

[redlava]

If saving .50 cents worth of gas every tank is as important as ruining $400 dollars worth of tires that much quicker than overinflation sounds great. I noticed a slight decrease in fuel economy when I put my Injen on. Nothing too significant, maybe 1 or 2 mpg. Right now I am doing about 28-29 mpg with a nice mix of driving conditions and a busted Magnaflow muffler

[Whelan]

Was that to me Lava or in general bout tire inflation.

[redlava]

It was to the "people" that Daox was referring too.

[Vibr8tr]

I usually keep mine at 32-25 (like I said, it is recommended), I just wondered where every one else sat. I need new tires right now any way. Mine have almost 60,000 miles on them, and look ok, but I want new ones. One of my rear tires has a slow leak, and I have to fill it every two weeks (it gets down to about 17-20 PSI).I think I will just keep the tires at 35, I can live without that extra 1 MPG, lol. Thanks for the advice though.

[Daox]

Quote, originally posted by redlava »If saving .50 cents worth of gas every tank is as important as ruining $400 dollars worth of tires that much quicker than overinflation sounds great. I agree totally. I'm also unwilling to give up handling for mileage.

[ProtonXX]

I had the same effect on my 03 Vibe. Couldnt quite understand why mileage dropped atfer Short Ram & Cold Air Intakes.If you want cold air box, buy some of that flexible aluminum dryer tubing or that $20 flexy tub from autozone & run it down form the airbox to the fender.

[NUBlackshirts]

I would have to agree with the ECU reasoning at this point. Give it a couple more tanks of gas and see if your MPG has dropped back a bit. Also, I know that within the past few weeks, we have gone to "Summer gas" here and I have seen a significant increase in my MPG because of that.

[Whelan]

Well so far I am sitting just a hair below half a tank with 200 on the odo. I pulled 300 on the way up there and driving the next day but that was with the car loaded with 3 sets of golf clubs and 3 guys driving through the hills of upstate NY with the A/C on so lots of gas was used. Let me see what I pull from this one, so far I am about 4 tanks in.