Your driving style...

super slw 01 · 11-09-2009, 05:28 PM

My truck is a 5spd reg cab and i'm only getting 18mpg I don't know if it's cuz I have a lead foot or something is wrong with my truck. I just put new plugs and wires in it too still getting 18mpg. I floor it atleast once when I go somewhere (so slow nobody can tell i'm flooring it) It does have 192K miles on it though maybe the fuel filter needs to be changed?

Anyway,,How do yall drive to get 23++ mpg?? Just say how often you get on it if you do and list if you have any mods and if it's auto or 5spd reg or ext cab. Also i'm open to suggestions on what to replace on my truck for better mileage.

evandonald · 11-09-2009, 05:49 PM

I usually run mine up to around or over 3000 before I shift the first couple of gears. I am by no means easy on it. I don't let it lug I keep the power there with my right foot(what power there is). I manage 27-32 mpg but it only has 96 000 KM on it. I replaced plugs, fuel filter, air filter about 10 000 km ago. If your truck has the little shift light try it out.

SH-60B · 11-09-2009, 06:20 PM

I drive it wide open throttle 'til I finally get up to speed. I get about 25 mpg that way. What did the old plugs look like? A new fuel filter would be a good thing especially if you don't know the previous maintenance on the truck.

alarm_the_alarm · 11-09-2009, 06:23 PM

thats why i got a 4.3 i get 20 mpg with my lift and 31s and it will smoke um off when i want.

comics22 · 11-09-2009, 06:46 PM

keep your foot outa it, coast alot, shift about 2-2.5K (or every 10 mph if no tach) easy acceleration (**** the people behind you who gives a shit what they think, they dont pay for your gas)

do a complete tune up (did you gap the plugs right?)

combine trips, every car gets alot lower milleage while the engine is cold.

if your idiling more than 15 seconds shut it off (waiting for trains, the extremely long red lights you know of)

get extra crap outa the bed if u have any

tire psi at 35 in the front and 33 in the back

alarm_the_alarm · 11-09-2009, 07:46 PM

comics22 has his shit figured out lol.

good info man

super slw 01 · 11-09-2009, 07:50 PM

I have a COMPLETE history of the truck the prev. owner wrote down. The fuel filter hasn't been changed yet so maybe i'll do that next. I don't know how yall are getting this mileage..So far I haven't floored it on this tank and yes ppl behind me are gonna start to hate me driving like I am now. I shift into 2nd gear at 10mph 3rd at 20mph 4th at 30mph and 5th at 40-45mph.

The plugs are NGK G-power gapped at .040 like it says under the hood. And tires are good so I guess I should do a new fuel filter and drive like a grandma.

nstoolman1 · 11-09-2009, 07:51 PM

5sp, 2.2, E-Fan, tires 35lb:
Around town in allot of stop and go I get 20-21. Open highway 26-27. Shift at or near 3000. Get up to speed quickly and then 70 MPH.

tg900 · 11-09-2009, 07:52 PM

Yea if I drive it really hard i can't less than 23-25 mpg. I guess that's a good thing. What plugs did you have before in it? what kind of mpg did you get with those?

So Low Roller · 11-09-2009, 07:57 PM

i keep my tach under 3k rpm, im always at 24-27 mpg with 4.11 gears!

super slw 01 · 11-09-2009, 07:57 PM

I got 18mpg with the AC delco plugs and stock wires but this was my first tank with the new plugs and wires and I floored it a lot so I still got 18mpg. The fuel filter is probably gross since it has 192K miles without it being changed yet.

Nitemare · 11-09-2009, 09:40 PM

i get 25-30+ mpg on a regular basis. here is my method

shift into 2nd at about 11mph

shift into 3rd at about 22mph

shift into 4th at about 33mph

shift into 5th at about 46mph

thats how we do it with no tach baby just keep the rpms low and dont beat on it.

also make sure your engine is maintained well

super slw 01 · 11-09-2009, 09:47 PM

Yepp I was talking to people in my class and they couldn't beleive I didn't have a tach on a 5spd truck. It doesn't really bother me just roll down the window and listen to that 2.2 roar! lol

But I guess it is my lead foot that's causing the 18mpg. I'll probably go ahead and change the fuel filter for the heck of it.

slownlo · 11-09-2009, 09:59 PM

hum change you your fuel filter, jack up your truck and make sure your tires spin free, could be a bad bearing or a sticky rotor. You never know just a thought. I get 30 mpg. I drive normal and its a extended cab 5 speed with 30" tires but the rims are super lite to make up for heavy tire. I have done some performance upgrades though I am sure that helps out. Maybe your clutch in your fan is bad. Check some of the stuff out and change your fuel filter ASAP.

Century7667 · 11-09-2009, 10:07 PM

For me 2500 for my typical shift. 2000 if I lazily do it knowing I'll stop soon, and 3000 shifts for power. Once in a blue moon, 4000. I've got 4.11 gears, so I keep my cruising speed down. Driving a 2.2 with 4.11 gears at 70 mph = really lousy mileage ( ~20 mpg).

Ken T.

RainShadow · 11-09-2009, 10:08 PM

I drive like a grandpa most of the time and average 21-22 mpg per tank, less with lots of city driving. Auto ext'd cab, FTL.

SH-60B · 11-10-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by slownlo

hum change you your fuel filter, jack up your truck and make sure your tires spin free, could be a bad bearing or a sticky rotor. You never know just a thought. I get 30 mpg. I drive normal and its a extended cab 5 speed with 30" tires but the rims are super lite to make up for heavy tire. I have done some performance upgrades though I am sure that helps out. Maybe your clutch in your fan is bad. Check some of the stuff out and change your fuel filter ASAP.

X2. Go over the truck to see if its something that's not engine related. Checking for a bad fan clutch is a very good idea, it's often forgotten about and they can eat a surprising amount of gas.

Bobthebiker · 11-10-2009, 12:33 AM

I drive my truck very gently, no idea what rpm I shift at, but I'd guess right around 2500-3k or so.

My driving technique is to ease into the throttle, rather than mash on it, which helps significantly, as does keeping my top speed right around 55-65mph, theres a sweet spot in that speed range I think for most vehicles, so I just cruise there. not like I NEED to be there first, or lead the pack everywhere.

Nitemare · 11-10-2009, 01:17 AM

one time i drove 60mph on a trip from pawtucket ri to mystic ct. it was like an hour drive, and i got 32mpg. i was in the right lane like a pussy and everyone was passing me. but i just wanted to see what i could get out of it. since then i have done a few mods and i can see myself pushing 35

super slw 01 · 11-10-2009, 08:52 AM

How can I tell if the fan clutch is bad? What else should I look for that will affect mileage?

**deathphoenix99** · 11-10-2009, 09:18 AM

Yea, I race to work everyday and I still get 20-23 depending on how hard I push it. I do have some nice straight aways though going 50 for a few miles. As mentioned, check your tires, also wouldn't hurt to put your truck on a jack and turn your tires, make sure your brakes aren't dragging excessiveley or anything.

As for the shifting, I always found the best points to shift are every 20kmh.
So shift to second at 12mph
3rd at 25 mph
4th at 37 mph
5th at 50 mph

As for the clutch, start your truck up, have someone rev the engine, if the fan moves right with the pulley and speeds up just as much, your clutch is sticking. It should spin, but not as fast as the pulley.

11-09-2009, 05:28 PM	#1
super slw 01 n00b Age: 16 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 398 Location: Houston, TX User is: OffLine	Your driving style... My truck is a 5spd reg cab and i'm only getting 18mpg I don't know if it's cuz I have a lead foot or something is wrong with my truck. I just put new plugs and wires in it too still getting 18mpg. I floor it atleast once when I go somewhere (so slow nobody can tell i'm flooring it) It does have 192K miles on it though maybe the fuel filter needs to be changed? Anyway,,How do yall drive to get 23++ mpg?? Just say how often you get on it if you do and list if you have any mods and if it's auto or 5spd reg or ext cab. Also i'm open to suggestions on what to replace on my truck for better mileage.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 05:49 PM	#2
evandonald Drive it like ya stole it Age: 17 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,069 Location: PEI Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... I usually run mine up to around or over 3000 before I shift the first couple of gears. I am by no means easy on it. I don't let it lug I keep the power there with my right foot(what power there is). I manage 27-32 mpg but it only has 96 000 KM on it. I replaced plugs, fuel filter, air filter about 10 000 km ago. If your truck has the little shift light try it out.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 06:20 PM	#3
SH-60B Registered Neanderthal Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,749 Location: Meriden/CT/USA User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... I drive it wide open throttle 'til I finally get up to speed. I get about 25 mpg that way. What did the old plugs look like? A new fuel filter would be a good thing especially if you don't know the previous maintenance on the truck.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 06:23 PM	#4
alarm_the_alarm '00 Dime Age: 19 Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 817 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... thats why i got a 4.3 i get 20 mpg with my lift and 31s and it will smoke um off when i want.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 06:46 PM	#5
comics22 Better post-em. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,586 Location: Middle of freakin IL User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... keep your foot outa it, coast alot, shift about 2-2.5K (or every 10 mph if no tach) easy acceleration (**** the people behind you who gives a shit what they think, they dont pay for your gas) do a complete tune up (did you gap the plugs right?) combine trips, every car gets alot lower milleage while the engine is cold. if your idiling more than 15 seconds shut it off (waiting for trains, the extremely long red lights you know of) get extra crap outa the bed if u have any tire psi at 35 in the front and 33 in the back
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 07:46 PM	#6
alarm_the_alarm '00 Dime Age: 19 Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 817 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... comics22 has his shit figured out lol. good info man
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 07:50 PM	#7
super slw 01 n00b Age: 16 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 398 Location: Houston, TX User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... I have a COMPLETE history of the truck the prev. owner wrote down. The fuel filter hasn't been changed yet so maybe i'll do that next. I don't know how yall are getting this mileage..So far I haven't floored it on this tank and yes ppl behind me are gonna start to hate me driving like I am now. I shift into 2nd gear at 10mph 3rd at 20mph 4th at 30mph and 5th at 40-45mph. The plugs are NGK G-power gapped at .040 like it says under the hood. And tires are good so I guess I should do a new fuel filter and drive like a grandma.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 07:51 PM	#8
nstoolman1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Location: Southern California User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... 5sp, 2.2, E-Fan, tires 35lb: Around town in allot of stop and go I get 20-21. Open highway 26-27. Shift at or near 3000. Get up to speed quickly and then 70 MPH.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 07:52 PM	#9
tg900 NOT AN S10 Age: 22 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 993 Location: PA User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... Yea if I drive it really hard i can't less than 23-25 mpg. I guess that's a good thing. What plugs did you have before in it? what kind of mpg did you get with those? Last edited by tg900 : 11-09-2009 at 08:00 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 07:57 PM	#10
So Low Roller INDEPENDENT Age: 24 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,153 Location: Visalia, CA User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... i keep my tach under 3k rpm, im always at 24-27 mpg with 4.11 gears!
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 07:57 PM	#11
super slw 01 n00b Age: 16 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 398 Location: Houston, TX User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... I got 18mpg with the AC delco plugs and stock wires but this was my first tank with the new plugs and wires and I floored it a lot so I still got 18mpg. The fuel filter is probably gross since it has 192K miles without it being changed yet.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 09:40 PM	#12
Nitemare keepin it freshhh Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,635 Location: Pawtucket, RI User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... i get 25-30+ mpg on a regular basis. here is my method shift into 2nd at about 11mph shift into 3rd at about 22mph shift into 4th at about 33mph shift into 5th at about 46mph thats how we do it with no tach baby just keep the rpms low and dont beat on it. also make sure your engine is maintained well
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 09:47 PM	#13
super slw 01 n00b Age: 16 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 398 Location: Houston, TX User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... Yepp I was talking to people in my class and they couldn't beleive I didn't have a tach on a 5spd truck. It doesn't really bother me just roll down the window and listen to that 2.2 roar! lol But I guess it is my lead foot that's causing the 18mpg. I'll probably go ahead and change the fuel filter for the heck of it. Last edited by super slw 01 : 11-09-2009 at 09:48 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 09:59 PM	#14
slownlo built for stangs Age: 29 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 230 Location: orlando fl User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... hum change you your fuel filter, jack up your truck and make sure your tires spin free, could be a bad bearing or a sticky rotor. You never know just a thought. I get 30 mpg. I drive normal and its a extended cab 5 speed with 30" tires but the rims are super lite to make up for heavy tire. I have done some performance upgrades though I am sure that helps out. Maybe your clutch in your fan is bad. Check some of the stuff out and change your fuel filter ASAP.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 10:07 PM	#15
Century7667 Registered User Age: 44 Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Houston, tX User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... For me 2500 for my typical shift. 2000 if I lazily do it knowing I'll stop soon, and 3000 shifts for power. Once in a blue moon, 4000. I've got 4.11 gears, so I keep my cruising speed down. Driving a 2.2 with 4.11 gears at 70 mph = really lousy mileage ( ~20 mpg). Ken T.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 10:08 PM	#16
RainShadow Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 155 Location: Vancouver BC User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... I drive like a grandpa most of the time and average 21-22 mpg per tank, less with lots of city driving. Auto ext'd cab, FTL.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-10-2009, 12:22 AM	#17
SH-60B Registered Neanderthal Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,749 Location: Meriden/CT/USA User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... Quote: Originally Posted by slownlo hum change you your fuel filter, jack up your truck and make sure your tires spin free, could be a bad bearing or a sticky rotor. You never know just a thought. I get 30 mpg. I drive normal and its a extended cab 5 speed with 30" tires but the rims are super lite to make up for heavy tire. I have done some performance upgrades though I am sure that helps out. Maybe your clutch in your fan is bad. Check some of the stuff out and change your fuel filter ASAP. X2. Go over the truck to see if its something that's not engine related. Checking for a bad fan clutch is a very good idea, it's often forgotten about and they can eat a surprising amount of gas.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-10-2009, 12:33 AM	#18
Bobthebiker Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 713 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... I drive my truck very gently, no idea what rpm I shift at, but I'd guess right around 2500-3k or so. My driving technique is to ease into the throttle, rather than mash on it, which helps significantly, as does keeping my top speed right around 55-65mph, theres a sweet spot in that speed range I think for most vehicles, so I just cruise there. not like I NEED to be there first, or lead the pack everywhere.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-10-2009, 01:17 AM	#19
Nitemare keepin it freshhh Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,635 Location: Pawtucket, RI User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... one time i drove 60mph on a trip from pawtucket ri to mystic ct. it was like an hour drive, and i got 32mpg. i was in the right lane like a pussy and everyone was passing me. but i just wanted to see what i could get out of it. since then i have done a few mods and i can see myself pushing 35
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-10-2009, 08:52 AM	#20
super slw 01 n00b Age: 16 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 398 Location: Houston, TX User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... How can I tell if the fan clutch is bad? What else should I look for that will affect mileage?
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-10-2009, 09:18 AM	#21
deathphoenix99 Electrical guy Age: 20 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 7,768 Location: Flint, MI User is: OffLine	Re: Your driving style... Yea, I race to work everyday and I still get 20-23 depending on how hard I push it. I do have some nice straight aways though going 50 for a few miles. As mentioned, check your tires, also wouldn't hurt to put your truck on a jack and turn your tires, make sure your brakes aren't dragging excessiveley or anything. As for the shifting, I always found the best points to shift are every 20kmh. So shift to second at 12mph 3rd at 25 mph 4th at 37 mph 5th at 50 mph As for the clutch, start your truck up, have someone rev the engine, if the fan moves right with the pulley and speeds up just as much, your clutch is sticking. It should spin, but not as fast as the pulley.
	[Reply w/Quote]