K&N Air Filter mileage FYI

[silver_vibe]

In case anyone is researching Vibe owner’s experience with a K&N air filter improving gas mileage…My results over the past 22,000 miles (base Vibe with a 5 speed):First 5000 miles on factory filter - average 27.5 mpgNext 5000 miles on factory filter - average 28 mpgNext 5000 miles on factory filter - average 27 mpgNext 5000 miles on factory filter - average 26.5 mpg (air filter obviously needed changing)First 2000 miles on K&N air filter: average 28.5 mpg.Conclusion: a $70 K&N air filter gave me 0.5 mpg over a clean factory air filter. At that rate, I need to drive 39716 miles to make up the $56 price difference (assuming $2.25/gal. and a $14 factory filter). Although, K&N claims I don’t need to clean this filter for 50,000 miles (which would be 3 paper filters and therefore save money).Would I buy a K&N again in the future? Yes, if it truly lasts for 50,000 miles without cleaning.P.S. I have seen several people claiming average mileage well into the 30’s. How is that possible? On a recent trip to Las Vegas (250 miles of pure highway at 70-75 mph), I got 30.5 mpg.

[cohocarl]

There are a couple threads regarding fuel mileage, but you're getting about what I am with my 03 5-speed. The last couple tanks, I've received 32, but I've been usually between 28 and 32.I've found I get much less mpg if I've done alot of 75-80 mph driving. If I've done alot of 55mph country road driving, I'm up around 34.

[noginsk]

I get usually consistently get around 34, depending on time of year and hiwghway miles and such. The thing that just struck me,I have and 04. I don't think I have heard of anyone with an 04 complaining of mileage issues. My last tank was mostly highway with up to 90 miles per hour driving and I still managed about 34ish. Oh, and mine is a 5 speed too. go figure...

[Kissfan79]

I have been averaging about 30-31 mgp in my GT. Most of my driving is highway (47 miles one way) but I do drive her into the higher rpms sometimes and my highway speed is usually between 65-80 mph.Jim

[blk182@n7]

My last 6 gal fill up i got 20.83 mpg but i do run the A/c a lot as it was 115 here today. and i drive like a retard most of the time. i will have to test it when i don't ride it so much. I do know on my trip to cali i got 33.12 mpg that was 70 mph and no lift just grandpa driving

[DavidPIL]

You know, the first 2 or 3000 miles I was a bit worried that the addiitonal premium fuel cost and not so stellar mileage wasn't making my trade-in worth the trade (Ford Ranger 26-27 mpg highway). I was getting the same as a truck. I also added a K&N Drop-in last Novemeber, ok, not the best time of year to try a high flow filter, I was getting around 30 mpg by then and driving relatively conservative (not much more than 70mph). This Winter I did drop in MPG but so far with a few trips this Summer I have topped out at 33.5 going 75. I'm very happy now, and oh yeah, it's a GT.Couple things to consider, and these have been gone over before... 1. If you can find fuel without ethanol, just try it at least twice in a row in your tank. Might make a difference, might not.2. Wind always plays a big part with the MPG in this vehicle. Maybe you're dealing with stiffer winds?3. Also along the wind idea, I get better gas mileage on the highway with the windows up and the AC on than with them down. If you use the AC, consider keeping it off till you've accelerated to speed, or if you're in the hotter climates, oh, I really don't know.4. Check your tire's air pressure.5. Give the ecu some time to adjust to the filter. It might improve more over time as the filter oil dries a bit and lets more air through.I think those things will have a greater effect on your gas mileage than the air filter. I wouldn't be too happy if I was getting less than 35 or so in the non-GT and I would be trying many different things to see if they helped.Dave

[futseal04]

I average 29-31 in mixed driving and about 33-35 totally highway. I always drive with the AC on, but I don't race....in fact about the only time my vibe sees over 3000 is when i am passing or getting onto the interstate....and I have an auto.

[wicked1981]

I drove from here to Vegas with the AC running the whole time (even uphill when it says to turn it off to preven overheating) and I did not fill up till we went to dinner that night. It was over 340 miles on that tank of gas so not bad. Ohh by the way my gas light came on about 5 miles from vegas. Did not have the K&N filter I had the CAI & the Borla exhaust.

[MadBill]

Summer highway mileage on my base 5-speed is usually ~34 -36 MP (Imperial)G (28.3 -30 MPUSG), but on the rare occasions when I do a tankfull at 90 -100 KPH (56 -62 MPH*), I get right about 40 (33.3) *My 'steamroller' 275/40s cause a 3.1 % odometer error, meaning I'm driving ~2 MPH faster and going ~10 miles further than indicated, plus they certainly can't help in the rolling resistance department, so with stock rubber I think the Mileage Guide's 47 MPIG (39 MPUSG) might be do-able. BTW, does everyone know the base 5-speed Vibe is the highest economy vehicle GM sells in N.A., even eclipsing the various tiny Daewoo clones?

[noginsk]

On my last two tanks I averaged 42 and 44 MPG. I switched to a place that was a bit cheaper so I think that I might be getting a different gas, plus I drive almost all highway under 3000 RPM and under 60 MPH(usually 55). I also just recently performed and oil change and switched to ssome slightly more expensive stuff than the el-cheapo brands, including the filter. I also rasied my tire pressure up to about 34 in each wheel. All of ths shows in my highest of 44. This next tank I am on will be the clincher to see if my numbers are real or not.

[bellwilliam]

Quote, originally posted by DavidPIL » I wouldn't be too happy if I was getting less than 35 or so in the non-GT and I would be trying many different things to see if they helped.DaveI've not been able to ever get over 27mpg, and that's with 100% highway driving. with 70% city driving, I have been getting 21mpg on average !! is it my driving? I don't think so, since I get same mpg with my V6 minivan.once I got 24mpg, I was so happy !!!

[shibaman]

I have considered getting a supercharger for my car but the lower mi. concernes me. With a CAI and exhaust I usually get 28 in town and between 30-33 on the road going 70-80+ mph. I have the 215-50-17 tires on my car so it cause the odometer to read slightly slower. I can't complain about the milage in this car. It has been very consistant

[MadBill]

If you cruise at the at the same speeds and don't use the extra power, shibaman, the effect of the supercharger on mileage should be negligible, since its part throttle bypass system means that only about 1/3rd of a horsepower is required to spin it. Of course when you use the extra power, the fuel consumption will go up, but even if a heavy foot did cost maybe 2 MPG say 30 vs.32 for 15,000 miles/year, you'd only be looking at an additional 31 gal or less than 25 cents per day.(There! How's that for rationalization? )

[Old Sparks]

Quote, originally posted by MadBill » BTW, does everyone know the base 5-speed Vibe is the highest economy vehicle GM sells in N.A., even eclipsing the various tiny Daewoo clones? I thought they would have been better. My 2000 Metro had an EnerGuide rating of 58 MPIG. It was a Suzuki clone. Interestingly enuff, Suzuki is the most popular manufacturer of "mini-cars" in Japan.

[MadBill]

My previous vehicle was a carburetted 5 speed'87 Pontiac Firefly (Suzuki/Metro clone) and I regularily got in the high fifties, ocassionally low sixties MPIG (~52 USMPG) driving at 120 KPH (75 MPH), so the Vibe was a major readjustment foir me, but yes, the Aveo 5 speed is relatively unimpressive at I believe 46 MPIG highway (38 US).In the overall vehicle market, lots of people talk about the importance of fuel economy, but they don't put their money where their mouth is. A statistic I saw a couple of years back showed that the combined sales total of the 10 highest economy cars in the US accounted for less than 0.4% of overall vehicle sales.

[shibaman]

You are a bad influince Bill trying to make me spend my money! It would be nice but I need to save money for property tax(2500/yr.). What do you think? Supercharger or property tax? I think that I need a Sugar Momma to help me buy toys for my car. Do you know any? Ha!

[kcinmi]

I put a drop in K&N in the day I bought it. Not sure if it helps or not but it is sure nice to know I will never have to buy another air filter again. Has anyone here put in a K&N Short Ram Typhoon intake? If so, are there any noticeable differences?

[ychartra]

OK... I have a base 04 Vibe (auto). I don't race the engine over 3,000 RPM. My first fill got me 44mpg. 2nd fill was 28 mpg. Then it dove down to 20mpg at approx. 1,000 miles. It is slowly creeping back up I go 2,000 miles now and am only at 21.6mpg. Mostly city driving.Is this normal?

[DavidPIL]

yikes!Certainly doesn't sound like it. You say you never race over 3000 PRM yet when I'm driving the highway, I'm cruising at 3300-3500RPM and get 30+ MPG. I have noticed that much over the 3500RPM range and the MPG goes down quickly but I have never, even when doing city driving in Stop/Go traffic or even jack rabbit starts in Myrtle Beach, have I ever got less than 24MPG. Dave

[Roadpig]

I average around 29-31mpg with my GT, which consists of about 60% highway (although I hit a traffic jam at least once per day) and 40% city. It has been very consistent through the summer, with my mileage dropping a little in the winter. I have the Magnaflow catback and have not noticed an increase or decrease in MPG.

[04shadowvibe]

My 04 Base auto sees mainly city driving, 23 to 26mpg. Around here lots of hills, AC on, and other family members who dont drive smooth. Stock air filter for now but K&N dropin soon to come.

[tots]

Quote, originally posted by bellwilliam »I've not been able to ever get over 27mpg, and that's with 100% highway driving. with 70% city driving, I have been getting 21mpg on average !! is it my driving? I don't think so, since I get same mpg with my V6 minivan.once I got 24mpg, I was so happy !!!Jeez - I've been reading this thread and am shocked to hear folks are getting mile substantially below 30mpg. I've always gotten at least 36 mpg, my commute is a mix of back roads (avg. speed ~45 mph) and suburban stop-n-go traffic lights.