Will the filter make a difference?

[ponta2147]

Hey all, writing from the passenger seat on the way back from Ames, Iowa. Been keeping track of the mileage and mpgs of course, and even here on the open roads the mileage hasn't been too hot... 28 - 29mpg on only highway. No blaming me this time, my mom is doing the driving!Averaging about 70mph (that is the speed limit out here) with low to moderate hills. Using the fan but not the AC today, needed the AC on the way down. Accelerating to pass, but mostly cruise control and long, flat, open roads. Just us and a couple suitcases.I guess my point is that this is worse than my last long road trip (to georgia) and I keep coming back to the intake. I won't get rid of it, but I wonder if that's the cause, even though everyone else has good results. Then I realized that I think everyone else got the dry filter, while I kept the k&n one that came with it.Do you think that could make a difference? I'd be willing to try it at some point if people think so... plus it doesn't hurt that I can apparently get a red one. Thoughts?

[ponta2147]

PS... I was also thinking about the fact that most of you new vibes out there have the GTs, while I've got the "wannabe" base with all the options. Mostly identical, but you guys do have the independent rear suspension and the 18" tires (mine are only 17"s). Are there any other significant mechanical differences? Do you think that those could make a difference in our numbers?

[vibenvy]

I don't know if the filter would make a difference per say, but you already know what some of my highway numbers have been going to Indy and back and the Dells and back so it very well could make a difference I guess if you compare my numbers to yours. My last fillup last week with 50/50 driving (my usual driving) netted 29.1 mpg and the fillup before that was 29.7, again with 50/50 driving. You could always get an AEM Dry Flow filter for cheap on eBay and give it a try. It definitely won't hurt anything, that's for sure.As far as you having a Base, I would think if anything, the Base would get slightly better mileage just based on the fact that your Base has the lighter 17" wheel and tire setup. The 18s are heavy as all get out. I could also see the suspension setup making a difference due to weight, although I'm not sure whether the IRS weighs more or less than the Base suspension. If the IRS weighs more, than your Base should definitely be getting slightly better mileage, but if the IRS weighs less, that could explain your slightly lower mileage.I honestly don't know what it could be. I have noticed that my mom seems to get slightly less mileage than I do too, although I am attributing this to the fact that mine has been on the road a little over a month longer than hers so mine is more "broken in". She drives way more conservatively than I do, so she should be getting at least the same if not better mileage than me. I don't know if ultimately it comes down to every Vibe is different or what, but it sure would be interesting to know what the difference is since we all have the same engine with the same modification.Definitely curious to hear other's opinions...

[BlueCrush]

Just a thought - I wonder when gas stations switch to the winter fuel blend and do they sell the winter blend in your area? It is well known that winter blend fuel gives worse fuel mileage than summer blend. Not sure if that is your issue or not, but just thought I would throw that out there.Also, is your air filter oiled? If so, clean your MAF sensor.

[star_deceiver]

Which way's the wind blowing? Do you fill up EXACTLY the same way each time???Tire pressure? (jack the pressure to 40-44psi for one tank)Cruise? (drive with it off for one tank)Ethanol content? Coasting downhill in neutral? (my ecometer tells me that I use less gas coasting in neutral vs. in gear. The DFCO cuts in at 3500+rpm after 5-10secs of unthrottled deceleration and shows the same mileage as neutral)

[ponta2147]

Cleaned the sensor a couple months ago thinking the same thing, but it didn't have any effect (nor did it look dirty at all).Not sure about the gas, but I'm sure they do switch. However my numbers have been worse ever since I got the intake this summer. Also I got comparable numbers (28-29mpg) last winter going to georgia. My best numbers (31mpg) were this summer pre-intake, and I have not hit anything close to that since, even with long highway drives.Let's see here... tire pressure is where it always is (whatever it recommends) but we are in iowa so they have crazy gas - their mid grade is the cheapest, probably because it has more ethanol, so that's what got put in. I know that Illinois is no stranger to ethanol either, so I imagine it is comparable. I fill up until it clicks off and no more, but I'm sure different stations have different mechanisms even within the same company, so that can make at least a little difference.Wind could be making a difference... it isn't too windy today, so I'll have to see how this tank does. My first tank out was awful cause of the wind and the cruise control being super-aggressive on the hills (now I see what a previous thread meant by that) but this one is all flat and calm so we will see.Just FYIs for everyone brainstorming! Interesting what you said about your mom's numbers too, Carrie.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Interesting what you said about your mom's numbers too, Carrie.Yes, especially considering her and I drive basically the same types of roads, we get gas at the same gas station all the time, etc. I was looking back at her fillups on MPG Tune and the highest she has gotten with 80% highway driving was 29.951. This was shortly after I installed the intake. Aside from that one fillup, she has been averaging 26-28 with 50/50 driving, whereas I have been averaging 27-29 with 50/50 driving and I have easily gotten 30+ mpg with highway trips. My all-time average (going back to May) is 28.958 whereas hers (also going back to May) is 26.974. That's pretty sizeable difference.Do you typically get gas at the same gas station Michelle or do you just get gas wherever on an as needed basis?I know 99.9% of the time we get gas at the same station (Citgo). And we get the lowest grade (89 octane) which is typically mid-grade everywhere else. On the rare occasion we do get gas somewhere else (typically only if we need gas when we're far from home), we make sure to use the 89 octane, even though it is usually the mid-grade. Also, I don't know if oil changes would have any effect or not, but I do change our oil every 2500 miles and I use genuine Toyota oil filters and regular Penzoil 5W-20.I also check our tire pressure on a weekly basis to make sure it stays at the recommended 32 psi.I honestly think a lot of it has to do with consistency. That's the one thing that our (my mom and I) Vibes have in common. Same gas from the same station, oil changed religiously, tire pressure checked religiously, etc. Now, I'm not saying you don't do these things as well, I am just saying I truly believe consistency in these areas is a key aspect to achieving better gas mileage.Just my $.02 .

[mistertwo]

High ethanol content will kill your mileage.. In NY mostly everywhere has to sell 10% ethanol, luckily I am right on the lake and since ethanol gas is not preferred for boats, I tend to fill up with plain old gas and get much better mileage than when I am in a pinch and have to use ethanol garbage.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by mistertwo »High ethanol content will kill your mileage.. In NY mostly everywhere has to sell 10% ethanol, luckily I am right on the lake and since ethanol gas is not preferred for boats, I tend to fill up with plain old gas and get much better mileage than when I am in a pinch and have to use ethanol garbage. No such thing as non-ethanol gas here in cornland... I mean the Midwest... pretty much everything is up to 10% ethanol.Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I truly believe consistency in these areas is a key aspect to achieving better gas mileage.You're probably (meaning definitely) right about that. I'm sure even the mild differences in where we live (you being more rural than me) has an impact. And I shouldn't be *too* depressed since I am getting the factory mpg numbers at least! I do change the oil at 3,000 miles through the dealership, but gas is whatever, wherever. I'm still interested to learn the difference between you and your mom's numbers though, especially since your case is as close to "scientific" as possible in the real world, with all the similarities!I'll post more later this evening about what the results from this tank were, as well as some other stuff I have been meaning to post for a few weeks.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »You're probably (meaning definitely) right about that. I'm sure even the mild differences in where we live (you being more rural than me) has an impact. And I shouldn't be *too* depressed since I am getting the factory mpg numbers at least! I do change the oil at 3,000 miles through the dealership, but gas is whatever, wherever. I'm still interested to learn the difference between you and your mom's numbers though, especially since your case is as close to "scientific" as possible in the real world, with all the similarities!I'll post more later this evening about what the results from this tank were, as well as some other stuff I have been meaning to post for a few weeks.The only thing I can think of with my mom's and mine is like I said earlier, that mine is more "broken in" due to being driven longer. Although hers currently has 100 more miles than mine, I brought mine home April 11, 2009 and she brought hers home May 23, 2009. That's really the only logical thing I can think of that would provide the difference in mileage.Can't wait to see what all you're going to post! Also, I see you're closing in on your 1000th post !

[ponta2147]

Yeah I didn't have a chance to get more gas (and a needed car wash from five zillion bugs) so who knows... I will have to post tomorrow...Now I need to go make my 1000th post in my garage with badly needed updates.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Yeah I didn't have a chance to get more gas (and a needed car wash from five zillion bugs) so who knows... I will have to post tomorrow...Now I need to go make my 1000th post in my garage with badly needed updates.Don't feel bad about all the bugs, you should see my front bumper . Mine will be getting a wash, wax and interior detail Friday after work and my mom's will get a wash and interior detail Saturday morning. I am going to be exhausted by the time we get to the Drive-In. I'll probably fall asleep .Congratulations on reaching (and suprassing) the 1000 post mark!

[cptnsolo77]

My mileage improved when I went from 32 PSI to 37 PSI all around. Its funny because I noticed that my mileage has been dropping but I havent checked my tire pressure lately. I usually check it weekly.Behold!!! tire pressure was a little low on all tires. Pumped them back to 37 & im back on track! Every bit counts.

[vibedrivermatt]

^ yup hes right about the the tire pressure that can make a huge difference. ^another thing that comes to mind is the engine oil. Your using 5W 20 right? my thoughts just if your using 5W 30 that maybe you'd get slightly less mpgs.

[ponta2147]

I guess my point is that I had better mileage *before* the intake than *after* the intake, all other variables I think being equal (oil, tire pressure, etc). I know I can increase my mileage by upping my tire pressure and all those other things, but I'm wondering if the intake and its related accessories were changing my mileage at all.My husband really doesn't want me to increase the tire pressure beyond what it says on the tire (32psi) but we'll see.

[cptnsolo77]

Do you still have the factory intake? Try reinstalling the factory piece & track your milage from there. Just an idea.

[vibedrivermatt]

I was going to say that maybe I thought I noticed a decrease in mpgs when I had my injen intake on but I have no way of being able to prove that and it was probably just my leadfootedness while that intake was on so that is sorta a mute point. whoops. my car also seemed to get bad mpg when I went on a camping trip but maybe that was just the wind. It used much less gas on the way home.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »I guess my point is that I had better mileage *before* the intake than *after* the intake, all other variables I think being equal (oil, tire pressure, etc). I know I can increase my mileage by upping my tire pressure and all those other things, but I'm wondering if the intake and its related accessories were changing my mileage at all.My husband really doesn't want me to increase the tire pressure beyond what it says on the tire (32psi) but we'll see.I definitely wouldn't increase the tire pressure anymore. If 32 is what the sticker on the driver's door jamb says, definitely stick with that.I am really confused as to why the intake would be netting less mileage .Like vibedrivermatt said, since you get your oil changed at the dealer, I wonder if they're really using 5W 20 like they're supposed to? That could be part of the problem too, but if you had them change your oil before the intake was put on than I don't know why it would all of a sudden make a difference with the intake installed.

[mistertwo]

When I put my intake on my mileage went down.. because I wanted to hear it all the time so I would pound on the car more, hence crappy mileage.. lol

[ponta2147]

Well my last tank netted good mileage, over 29mpg with 60%hwy, 40% conservative (yet still stoplight filled) street driving. When I did some rough math at half a tank, 100% hwy... it was definitely going to be over 30mpg even taking into account the fact that it was probably MORE than half a tank (that gas gauge is so inaccurate).SO in conclusion... I am probably just a crazy driver. But at least I know it might be possible to get some good mpgs? I am just sad I didn't have time to go get more gas before that tank was tainted with street driving, lol.

[ponta2147]

Hey, just wanted to report I have gotten my first mpg over 30 since I got the intake! My car isn't broken, yaaaay!31mpg on a tank that went from the Drive-In all the way to Chris's parents (an hour and a half highway driving) and then to St. Joseph, Michigan and back to their house (on some fast winding roads and highway) and then back home.It probably would have been higher, except we were following Chris's dad and had to do a lot of accelerating and weaving and going fast to keep up. PLUS we had two extra passengers in the car.The last time I got high mpgs (31.7) we were going 55 on cruise control for pretty much the whole tank, so I was excited to see some 70+mph netting me a similar outcome!Just wanted to report on that. But it will not stop me from eventually getting that pretty red.... er I mean PRACTICAL... dry-flow filter.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »I was excited to see some 70+mph netting me a similar outcome!See... we told you your mileage would improve if you just slowed down a bit... You can't drive 95 all the time.......

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Hey, just wanted to report I have gotten my first mpg over 30 since I got the intake! My car isn't broken, yaaaay!31mpg on a tank that went from the Drive-In all the way to Chris's parents (an hour and a half highway driving) and then to St. Joseph, Michigan and back to their house (on some fast winding roads and highway) and then back home.It probably would have been higher, except we were following Chris's dad and had to do a lot of accelerating and weaving and going fast to keep up. PLUS we had two extra passengers in the car.The last time I got high mpgs (31.7) we were going 55 on cruise control for pretty much the whole tank, so I was excited to see some 70+mph netting me a similar outcome!Just wanted to report on that. But it will not stop me from eventually getting that pretty red.... er I mean PRACTICAL... dry-flow filter. Good to hear Michelle ! Where'd you guys end up getting gas after the Drive-In?

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »Good to hear Michelle ! Where'd you guys end up getting gas after the Drive-In?Some BP along the way down to 80. We were in a hurry and I wasn't feeling very good at that point (I think it was food poisoning or something, the rest of the night was pretty awful).I'm just excited that this seems to be the "better mileage" everyone is talking about. Hooray!

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Some BP along the way down to 80. We were in a hurry and I wasn't feeling very good at that point (I think it was food poisoning or something, the rest of the night was pretty awful).I'm just excited that this seems to be the "better mileage" everyone is talking about. Hooray!Sorry to hear you were feeling crappy .Yeah, it's nice when you can get above 30 !