Gas Mileage Tips or Tricks?

Greaser · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:15 pm

Hi all! I'm interested in knowing if anyone has any tips or tricks for improving fuel economy? I currently have an un-modified 2003 Liberty Renegade, Automatic Trans, 3.7li, with a small tune up (spark plugs, air filter, oil change) and I've been watching my mileage and see that I hover just under 16 mpg. I know that these are rated for 15-20mpg, and new that before I bought it, but since I do 90% highway travel, I was hoping that it would be closer to maybe 18mpg. Right now I'm just chalking it up to "the cost of looking cool" but just wanted to see if anyone is getting any better mileage.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:26 pm

Greaser wrote:

Right now I'm just chalking it up to "the cost of looking cool" but just wanted to see if anyone is getting any better mileage.

You would be right,that lightbar is killing your mpg's on the highway,at least 1-2mpg's alone from having that up there.

Greaser · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:29 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Greaser wrote:

Right now I'm just chalking it up to "the cost of looking cool" but just wanted to see if anyone is getting any better mileage.

You would be right,that lightbar is killing your mpg's on the highway,at least 1-2mpg's alone from having that up there.

I was thinking that might have something to do with it.

mag03kj · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:52 pm

Or it could be that your in a JEEP...Come on ppl.....Stop with the mpg ?s!! :grim:

haulin5 · **Joined:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:53 pm **Posts:** 116

We have 2; the lifted one with the light bar gets 2 miles less per gallon than the other. We drive them the same way, moderately at 70 on the interstate & at the speed limit in town. Just a fact of life. Get about 16.5 on the Rennie and 18.5 on the Libby.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:44 pm

I own a twin to yours, nice Jeep! I read on this board a looong time ago that someone actually saved 1 mpg by placing the covers on their roof lights. I've never tried this, but lately I've been on a mpg kick (mines a 5-speed getting 19.3 mpg) so I might give it a shot tonight since I have to fill up. Also, check out this sight: http://www.fuelly.com/
There are tons of tips and tricks, proven and user submitted that you can take advantage of. I just joined last week and will doing my first fill up tonight since joining. Enjoy!

Greaser · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:22 pm

mag03kj wrote:

Or it could be that your in a JEEP...Come on ppl.....Stop with the mpg ?s!! :grim:

I know this, and I didn't buy it for the fuel economy, just thought maybe just a little better.

lil black liberty · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:47 am

Okay here you go: Long Tall Texan Air Intake Mod (BEST TRUE CAI), New Autolite Platinum Plugs, A Better Exhaust, Some JBA Headers (My Next Mod), oh and you could always get rid of extra weight like I did. No roof rails, No spare or bracket on the back of the KJ, replaced the headliner with a better quality fabric but lighter weight, added a lighter battery, took off the catalytic convertor and stock exhaust (Things were heavy!), Not sure here but to me it seemed that the Chrome grill was lighter than my black grill. Just a few suggestions there, I know it really helped mine by losing the extra weight and putting the exhaust in with the CAI.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:13 pm

I have a light bar and get 21 MPG.

lil black liberty · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:18 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

I have a light bar and get 21 MPG.

I think he meant Gasser though you have a Diesel right? :wink:

Budke · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:19 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

I have a light bar and get 21 MPG.

Shut up.....

You also have to pay more for 'fuel' though.

As for saving on gas, less lead in the foot. I get my best mpg's at 65 and 71mph. 21-22@65, 20-21@71

Also, try drafting behind a semi if possible. I went 65 behind one, at about 2-3 car lengths away, maybe a little closer, and was getting ~25mpgs

mag03kj · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:25 pm

Set the curise a 70mph and ride. Thats what i do!! But then again i dont need to get much better mpg.....I sold a truck that didnt have ac max speed was 70 at about 3500rpms and got about 12mpg in the city. So ya with the jeep i get 15-16 in the city and i have ac again! So i got what i need.... :SOMBRERO:

Budke · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:27 pm

mag03kj wrote:

Set the curise a 70mph and ride. Thats what i do!! But then again i dont need to get much better mpg.....I sold a truck that didnt have ac max speed was 70 at about 3500rpms and got about 12mpg in the city. So ya with the jeep i get 15-16 in the city and i have ac again! So i got what i need.... :SOMBRERO:

You also don't have a front diff causing drag on the driveline. :goink:

mag03kj · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:33 pm

lol true true..but the best i have gotten was 19.7 when i went to Fl. M&G. My parents got like 24 in it going to S.D. :SOMBRERO:

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:39 pm

I wouldn't suggest drafting, that's extremely dangerous :shock:

! Some other tips you can use: Below 50mph, open your windows and above 50mph use your A/C or vents. Myth Busters proved this actually worked. Use your cruise control on relatively flat roads. On hilly roads use the gas pedal. As others have said, decrease your weight, accelerate smoothly and don't do "jack-rabbit" starts. Always make sure your tires are fully inflated to the maximum psi on the sidewall of your tire - Many people make the mistake of inflating their tires to what the sticker on the inside of the driver door says. This is fine if you only use the exact same tires that come mounted on your vehicle. If you ever buy tires other than what came on it from the factory, you MUST inflate them according to the sidewall, NOT what the door sticker says

Budke · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:41 pm

Ahem...but....its 55mph, not 50mph. :SOMBRERO:

mag03kj · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:45 pm

No i think it was 50!

Budke · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:31 pm

It was 55.......

I know my mythbusters.....

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:42 pm

drive as smoothly as you can. coast to stops as much as possable. dont start out from a stop quickly...no smoking the tires. use cruse on the highway, I used it in my CRD driving 70 mph most of the time in West Virginia and western Maryland where it was up and down mountains and I got about 28 mpg... at one piont the EVIC was reporting nearly 30! driving a steady speed did work for me on the highway even not where it was flat.

in town dont tailgate.. accelerate smooth and steady try to anticipate stops and lift your foot off the go pedal ahead of time if you can let the vehicle coast some instead of foot on the gas and then the brakes whre all the enegry you used to go gets converted to heat by the brakes.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:48 pm

Granted, it does work, I've proved it myself. However, I seriously wouldn't suggest it. If that truck has to hit it's brakes, you have no warning because you're so close to it. Because it's not a trial and error type of situation, if you fail once - you're done. I'd hate to see someone lose their life attempting to temporarily gain a mile per gallon.

Gas Mileage Tips or Tricks?

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