So I own a 1993 SC400, with about 170,000 Miles. I do 50% city driving and 50% highway driving. I used to be a lead foot but with New York Premium fuel being as high as $4.50 in some places and with my 20 gallon tank needing more then $90 in fill ups i was desperate for a way to get more gas mileage.

Before I was averaging about 230 miles to the tank.

Two weeks ago I drove up to hunter mountain for a bday party, that was the day when my starter decided to die on me...

I ended up having my car towed to a mechanic whom i knew nothing about (as opposed to paying $800 in towing fees back to new york).

After 1 week and $776 later (ripoff) my starter was replaced, when i picked up my car it ran like shi* as if i needed a tune up.When I got back to BK I decided to take a look under the hood,
(A) I found that the accelerator wire tension was loose!
(B) There were loose screws everywhere
(C) I had to replace a leaking Radiator

So I ended up taking apart the whole air intake system to check if all the spark plugs were firing, after getting a nice SHOCK from the wires I was convinced that it was working.

I then checked all the vacuum hoses.... everything was fine.

So i decided to open the MAF sensor and clean it with a spray i bought at autozone.

Once that was done the car started but it was even worse now, so I drove around a bit and finally had the computer adjust to my driving. At first the check engine light/trac off light would go on and off. Then it finally stayed on and the car started driving normally

I refueled with 93 octane and then went on my roadtrip. I tried a new technique i heard online about driving 60 as opposed to driving 70 will give up too 4mpg more...

(A) I was doing no more then 60 at any given time
(B)I was not doing crazy accelerations excessive breaking etc

I Just hit 370 miles and just refueled for 17 gallons. Now it is a huge change to drive like a grandmother as opposed to speed racer. But as a matter of fact I cruise now , more people admire my car , and i save about 25 dollars at the pump. Im going for trial number two let you know how it pans put.

 

here in ga, everyone drives over 80mph so last time i did an experiment w/ my acura, i did 70 and also stayed a truck length behind a semi. i went from 30mpg to 37mph.

btw, when i initially got my sc300, drove it down from CT to GA. averaged 28mpg driving 80 all the way. too bad i can't even get close to that anymore. =)

 

I noticed my 1j gets great milage when i stay out of boost and stay under 60.

 

Well when i drive 60 my RPM's are around 2100,2200. When i drive 75-80 the rpms are around 2800-3000. I cant understand how less then 1000rpms can make such a dramatic difference, the biggest factor would probably have to be Drag?

 

i drive around like 55. and keep cruise control on. that means the gas pedal is like always down. but i've noticed i get GREAT gas mileage if i do that. but then...living in hawaii...freeway driving doesn't last long and it's back to the city which is why i average 16 mpg still...man i need a safc...

Peace out

 

damn i need to do this, boost and my 1jz swap are still new to me, i used $100 in gas the first 3 days it was running, and i didn't even have anywhere to go lol..

 

turbos are more fuel efficient then an NA if you dont hit boost. this is due to the air being atomized and the remaining fuel particles in the exhaust gases to be recycled. but hit boost and say bye bye fuel economy and hello goodtimes. haha

 

I can get 400 miles per tank if I drive regularly and then push my car for the next 80 miles...

 

I usually get around 400 per tank. I'm at right around half a tank now and have 208 on the odo. I usually average about 21-24 mpg...provided I don't go crazy or anything. I do about 40% city and 60% highway driving. I usually cruise between 65-75 mph on the highway too.

 

couldnt have said it better. Hense the reason why turbo should be on your next mod list.... reason being "to save fuel"

 

Not to get off topic and thread jack, but your experience reminded me of a incident that happened when I was in my mid 20's. A friend and I was poking under the hood of his car with the engine off. He wanted to check that ignition wires was okay, so he had me crank the car while he had one in his hand. Jerry Curls was in style back then and he had the drippy, slimy ones. Anyway he had me crank the engine and I as soon the first turn of the engine, I saw fly in to the street hitting asphalt from the shock of the spark. Well, his hair was smoking and straight as a ruler. His girlfriend ran up him to help and looked at me and said "Hey, someone got some Churches Fried Chicken out here" . Yep you guess it, the smell was coming from the cooked chemicals in his hair. Your incident reminded me of that day, had me smelling fried chicken again. LOL.
Anyway back to topic. Yea, I usually short shift before 2800 rpm to get the best mileage. "Stay away boost, Stay from the pump" I say. But it is so hard.

 

LOL /\ great story. I get about 400 to the tank, I have a safc though.