hardbody gas mileage?

deathtorice · Jul 16th, 2005, 11:31 PM

I have a '94 hardbody, and I am only getting 25-26 mpg. Is this normal? I was hoping it would be much more, like 30+. What do you get w/ yours? BTW, its a 2.4 5spd w/ 3.55s

1997XETruck · Jul 17th, 2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtorice

I have a '94 hardbody, and I am only getting 25-26 mpg. Is this normal? I was hoping it would be much more, like 30+. What do you get w/ yours? BTW, its a 2.4 5spd w/ 3.55s

Sadly, what you're getting is excellent! I get 22-24 tops with mixed use driving... and that's after a tune-up and new O2 sensor... only about 19MPG before.

These trucks are geared in a way that almost requires you to "drive it like you stole it" to get moving, mostly for more low end torque...

Heath

Tarbash 27 · Jul 17th, 2005, 11:21 AM

YOU GUYS ARE LUCKY, I GOT THE OLDER Z24. IT SAYS ITS SUPPOSE TO GET LIKE 17-22. IM LUCKY IF IM GETTING 16 MPG. YOU REALLY HAVE REV THIS THING UP TO GET GOING. I GO THROUGH GAS SO QUICK. BUT LATELY I HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN 93 OCTANE, AND I CAN FEEL A BIT OF A DIFFERENCE IN POWER, THE TRUCK ACCELERATES A BIT BETTER. BUT ITS ABOUT $2.75 A GALLON.

Teacher97 · Jul 17th, 2005, 02:30 PM

I get 21-23 mpg, mixed driving in my 97 5-speed 2.4L 2WD. And I consider myself a fairly gentle driver.

I really like my truck. Very dependable, practical. Fun to drive, in its way. But it's neither very fuel-efficient nor very powerful.

hans747 · Jul 17th, 2005, 09:46 PM

I'm in the low twenties, too. Always have been for the last 9 years.

I found that the highway mileage really plummets once you get past 75 mph.

79kz400 · Jul 17th, 2005, 11:17 PM

22-24. 25 on really hot days. 4X4 2.4L 5 speed - Using smaller tires helped about 1 MPG. Synthetic oils were the biggest gainer at about 2 MPG. - AMSoil in the crank and Mobile 1 in the gearbox.

95Hardbody4x4 · Jul 18th, 2005, 08:59 AM

i got a 3.0 4x4 and i get like 16-18 so feel proud

hans747 · Jul 18th, 2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79kz400

22-24. 25 on really hot days. 4X4 2.4L 5 speed - Using smaller tires helped about 1 MPG. Synthetic oils were the biggest gainer at about 2 MPG. - AMSoil in the crank and Mobile 1 in the gearbox.

hmm.... I've been thinking about making the synthetic switch. I will look into it more seriously now.

As for getting 30 mpg, that's not as easy as one might think. My wife's passat station wagon gets that on the highway, and it's much more aerodynamic and has a 1.8 liter turbo engine. Though I'm sure that the right combination of minor mods and upkeep can get a 1990s HB past that magic 25 mpg mark.

And for you kingcab people. Don't use the AC, open your sliding window, back windows and crak open the door windows a bit. That way, i get great vebntilation and none of the drag/wind in the face that comes with wide open side windows. then again, who am I to talk. I live in Florida and plan to use my AC until the end of September!

79kz400 · Jul 18th, 2005, 10:30 AM

There was a big debate about using GL-5 fluids where our trucks call for GL-4.
and i would recommend reading it before making the switch.

Search the thread - Replaced with Mobil One Full Synthetic

According to the local mechanics here GL-4 was discontinued in favor of GL-5 but if you've got to have the GL-4 for peace of mind MTL Redline can be mail ordered.

deathtorice · Jul 18th, 2005, 11:47 AM

Well, I drive it easy, shift at 2,000-2,500 rpm, so I guess I will need to start modding. Anybody know what kinds of gains to expect from a header and free flowing exhaust, MSD box, K&N, or an e-fan?

Steve 2 Nissans · Jul 21st, 2005, 09:11 AM

I have a 1988 4X4 king cab with Z24i engine , 5 speed. When it was newer, i got consistently 22- 23 MPG in mixed driving. Nowadays, it gets 19- 20 in the cooler weather, although lately, it's been about 21 again. I have only 98K miles, and everything is still pretty tight mechanically (just spending the summer repairing rust for a well deserved repaint in the fall!)

1997XETruck · Jul 21st, 2005, 11:47 AM

Assuming you have done all of the normal tune-up things with OEM parts (spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc.) I would check your thermostat... it's possible that it's not closing completely, preventing the truck from warming up to normal operating temperature. If it's set up anything like my 90Q, the car won't run in "closed loop" until it's warmed up completely, so it could explain the difference between summer and winter mileages. In the summer it will warm up completely because of the higher ambient temps...

You might also replace the O2 sensor, they tend to get sluggish and cause things to run a little rich...

Good luck!

Heath

deathtorice · Jul 22nd, 2005, 01:59 PM

Mileage always does down in the winter. Most states, especially those where it gets frigid, use "winter gas". It sucks, and it will cause your mileage to go down. http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/PICS/winterGas/winterGas.html

Apparently, the gov't thinks that by using a gas in the winter that pollutes less, but requires more to get the job done is a good idea. Just like low flow shitters where u gotta flush 3 times and use more than double the water of a old toilet. Thats the gov't for you. They can't figure anything out, so they make up BS legislature to make us think they are doing a good job.