I have an automatic 2003 Hyundai Elantra, and I'm not getting as good gas mileage as I'd like. It seems that the 2.0L engine, and 4 speed automatic transmission make it pretty difficult to get really good gas mileage. I generally get about 27-30 mpg combined (60-70% highway/30-40% city).
I know all the driving tips on how to get the best mileage possible, but now I'm looking to do maintenance on the car to help.
Things I've done:
Inflated tires to 38 psi
Replaced upstream oxygen sensor
Replaced air filter
Things I need to do:
Clean mass airflow sensor
Clean or replace PCV valve
Replace fuel filter
How beneficial do you think the things listed above are for improving gas mileage, and what else would you recommend that I do?
Thanks.
anyone?
27-30 mpg is already great.
[QUOTE=TheMourge;31511387]27-30 mpg is already great.[/QUOTE]
For most cars it is, but for a boring little econobox like an Elantra you'd expect better.
[QUOTE=TheMourge;31511387]27-30 mpg is already great.[/QUOTE]
that's COMBINED, and mostly highway miles using cruise control
it's not that great considering that I only get about 25 mpg around town
You could also remove excess weight. Other than what you put down, just do the rest of the maintenance that they recommend. You know, plugs, wires, oil change, blah blah.
[QUOTE=Zareox7;31514310]You could also remove excess weight. Other than what you put down, just do the rest of the maintenance that they recommend. You know, plugs, wires, oil change, blah blah.[/QUOTE]
nothing is in the car except paperwork and a spare tire
[QUOTE=JDK721;31514501]nothing is in the car except paperwork and a spare tire[/QUOTE]
Rear seats. [img]http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-smug.gif[/img]
If you don't like sharing your car, remove the rear seats.
Also if you don't care at all how your car looks, duct tape over panel gaps and the grille things in the front that are there for decoration. It'll make it more aerodynamic (which actually might help your mileage noticeably on the highway). :v:
Only use your air conditioning on highways. Roll down your windows when you are driving around the city.
[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;31514589]Rear seats. [img]http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-smug.gif[/img]
If you don't like sharing your car, remove the rear seats.
Also if you don't care at all how your car looks, duct tape over panel gaps and the grille things in the front that are there for decoration. It'll make it more aerodynamic (which actually might help your mileage noticeably on the highway). :v:[/QUOTE]
I need them for people/stuff sometimes, and I don't want to mod my car for mileage. it makes it look like shit, and it's not even worth it
right now I'm just looking to do maintenance that might help the gas mileage
[editline]3rd August 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=OogalaBoogal;31515269]Only use your air conditioning on highways. Roll down your windows when you are driving around the city.[/QUOTE]
I try to do this as much as possible, but it is tough considering that I'm in florida
the heat index is 100+ every day
driving without AC for long = drenched in sweat. your shirt, etc. will be so soaked with sweat that it will look like you've jumped in a swimming pool
[QUOTE=JDK721;31516917]it makes it look like shit, and it's not even worth it[/QUOTE]
Well you're driving a Hyundai, so it's not like you got much to loose in the ways of looks. :v:
But on a more serious note, you said you were just looking into maintenance now but have you done so in the past? More specifically, have you kept up with your oil (every 5000 miles oil changed)? If not, your engine could be sludged up, inhibiting motion of the mechanics. This will significantly decrease your milage.
[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;31517235]Well you're driving a Hyundai, so it's not like you got much to loose in the ways of looks. :v:[/QUOTE]
the car doesn't look that bad tbh
it's not the best looking car, but I've seen far worse
[QUOTE=Super_Noodle;31517235]But on a more serious note, you said you were just looking into maintenance now but have you done so in the past? More specifically, have you kept up with your oil (every 5000 miles oil changed)? If not, your engine could be sludged up, inhibiting motion of the mechanics. This will significantly decrease your milage.[/QUOTE]
I change it every 6 months or 5,000 miles. whichever comes first.
next time I change it I'm gonna try synthetic oil
remove exhaust
remove air filter
switch tyres for bicycle tyres
This topic is a bit ridiculous. You realise you're already getting better mileage than what you are rated for, right? If I were you, I'd stop complaining or just buy a car that gets better mileage.
The '03 Elantra was rated for 21 city and 30 highway, 25 combined.
I only get 21 mpg around town, my car's a 2.0l as well.
[QUOTE=Doozle;31525171]I only get 21 mpg around town, my car's a 2.0l as well.[/QUOTE]
17.6 MPG here.
2011 Sonata in a 2.4 L
my mum insists on keeping the AC on and i insist on jack rabbit starts. the gas mileage suffers here.
i have got it up to 35 MPG on the GSP though
I think my car averages 17mpg around town from 2.2L. It won't even see 30mpg on a run due to the gearing, it sits at 4K revs on motorway runs.
It sounds like OP has ironed out any problems with the car and should start to look at driving style to get a few more MPG out of the engine. Perhaps the car just isn't great on fuel? Not all small engined cars are excellent on fuel.
Tape over body panels with duct tape. Though considering the heat in Florida, you'd probably need to use something a bit stronger than duct tape; it'd probably just melt.
[QUOTE=Doozle;31525171]I only get 21 mpg around town, my car's a 2.0l as well.[/QUOTE]
I get about 25-28mpg combined in a 2.0L 4 speed automatic.
[QUOTE=JDK721;31516917]
I try to do this as much as possible, but it is tough considering that I'm in florida
the heat index is 100+ every day
driving without AC for long = drenched in sweat. your shirt, etc. will be so soaked with sweat that it will look like you've jumped in a swimming pool[/QUOTE]
I typically just have the fans blowing at max with the windows rolled down (and in my neighborhood, holding the door open as I drive :v:). When I reach 45 MPH, I close the windows and turn on the A/C.
[QUOTE=bradley;31524768]This topic is a bit ridiculous. You realise you're already getting better mileage than what you are rated for, right? If I were you, I'd stop complaining or just buy a car that gets better mileage.
The '03 Elantra was rated for 21 city and 30 highway, 25 combined.[/QUOTE]
except it was rated by the EPA for 24/33
[QUOTE=sam.clarke;31525726]It sounds like OP has ironed out any problems with the car and should start to look at driving style to get a few more MPG out of the engine. Perhaps the car just isn't great on fuel? Not all small engined cars are excellent on fuel.[/QUOTE]
I already practice all the driving techniques to maximize gas mileage. it seems like I've driven the car as best as I possibly could, and the car itself is the issue. I should've bought a car with a smaller engine and manual transmission, but I can't really complain though. I got this car for really cheap.
the issue is that last time I filled up, I drove about 80 miles. 50-60 miles were on the highway, and the other 20 or so were around town.
I only managed to get 21 mpg
since then, I replaced my filter and oxygen sensor and inflated my tires to 38 psi. I'll see if those three things helped at all next time I fill up
Have you checked for any sticking calipers on the car? I've known that to sap power and fuel usage, not by a huge amount though. Still worth a look.
the calipers should be fine
just replaced the brake pads a few months ago
[QUOTE=JDK721;31529435]except it was rated by the EPA for 24/33[/QUOTE]
You do realise that the EPA tests under extreme conditions, where "Highway" is about 45-55MPH and not the 65-75 we drive every day, right?
EPA ratings aren't very accurate for everyday use.
[QUOTE=bradley;31538827]You do realise that the EPA tests under extreme conditions, where "Highway" is about 45-55MPH and not the 65-75 we drive every day, right?
EPA ratings aren't very accurate for everyday use.[/QUOTE]
when I got 21 mpg last time, I NEVER went above 50 mph or 2700 rpm
about 50-60 out of the 80 miles were on the highway with cruise control going about 45-48 mph
maybe I got a bad batch of gas or something. once I log about 200 miles I'm gonna calculate it again and see if it's any better
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