How to get better gas mileage?

[Red03Mustang]

I know this isn't a typical question, but what mods can I do that would give me better gas mileage? I'm getting around 20mpg now. I do a mix of short trip/longer trip driving. Right now I have two Magnaflow mufflers and a K&N CAI.

My line of thinking was that I should put an SLP catback on the car, plus an aftermarket catted X pipe of some kind. I've heard SLP allows the most exhaust flow. If not, then could someone else please suggest which exhaust has the highest output flow? I'm guessing the better I can make the engine breathe, the better gas mileage I'm going to get, and that a real catback and a new midpipe would help that. If I'm going the wrong route for this, let me know!

If there is anything else I can do to get better gas mileage without sacrificing power, feel free to let me know. Thanks!

 

[Dark Knight GT]

Any intake and exhuast mods will give you a better air/fuel combustion ratio, but thats not to say its going to improve your gas mileage. The best thing to do to get good gas mileage is keep the motor and fuel lines as clean as possible and keep the fuel filter changed. Using full synthetic fluids tends to help somewhat. A good sport chip tune or EEC flash would be another way not only to improve your power but possibly your fuel consumption as well. There are many small things you can try such as these but don't expect anything to work a mircale. I use Amsoil PI fuel additive at every tank to clean and treat my gasoline. So far, its really helped in keeping my gas mileage up. I get about 22-23mpg on the open highway but my in town mileage absolutely sucks lol.

 

[Red03Mustang]

Thanks for the tips. I figured I was doing pretty well around 20 mpg, since I do half and half driving, with probably a little more lean to the city driving. I'm not doing to bad as it is, I guess. The only thing is, I do a lot of driving, so my gas bill combined with my car payments literally ends up doubling my car payment, if not more, a month! That's just getting to be too much. Plus insurance... the car is great, but I don't know if I can afford all this over too much longer.

 

[twogts4us]

There isn't really anything you can do that will make a hill of beans difference. It's a performance V-8. Actually, they are pretty thrifty compared to 'muscle cars' of the 60s.
Opening up the exhaust won't help. (With every breath, the engine also needs fuel, so making it breathe better helps performance, but not necessarily fuel economy - or course with everything being exactly equal, you'd have to rev the engine ever so slightly less, but, again, the difference is so minute that it really won't help your wallet). Plus, do ya really think you wouldn't squeeze it a little more with an SLP exhaust, just to hear yourself roar?

 

[Sick96Stang]

Your driving habits are one of the biggest effects on your gas mileage. If you want good gas mileage accelerate slowly and try to maintain a steady speed. If you have a 5 speed switch gears at 2000 rpm's for optimum gas mileage. Also switch to 5th in city driving it will save you alot of gas because the rpms will be lower.

 

[Red03Mustang]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[01GT eibach]

Pulleys will improve mileage ... not a lot, though.

 

[onesticker]

Not to be mean or rag on you in any way but gas milage and Mustang really don't belong in the same sentence. Sooner or later you are going to get the bug and start doing mods like crazy and then whammo!, you'll be lucky to get 13-15 mpg. I can only suggest to buy a gas friendly car for an everyday driver if is of any concern. I myself drive my stang everyday and visit the gas station twice a week. Oh well, I'll just work harder so I can get a raise I guess. That way I'll be able to afford the 93 octane I keep pooring in my car and still goto the strip and run.

 

[twogts4us]

Your driving habits are one of the biggest effects on your gas mileage. If you want good gas mileage accelerate slowly and try to maintain a steady speed. If you have a 5 speed switch gears at 2000 rpm's for optimum gas mileage. Also switch to 5th in city driving it will save you alot of gas because the rpms will be lower.

Blah! Sounds like I'm back in driver's ed...I didn't buy Mustangs for this!

 

[Kevin2811]

If you want great gas mileage...sell your mustang and buy a civic. My girlfriends 01 is for sale. Come on with the mpg threads. It's a ****ing V8 so have fun. I get about 11 mpg, all city, and I love it. Have fun with your stang!

 

[huesmann]

Only thing you can do is granny shift.

 

[ScottyG00GT]

I have found that if I drive around a steady 65 on the highway, I can squeeze out about 25-26 mpg with each tank, and that includes the 10% of around-town driving that I do, where I romp on the gas quite regularly. Traffic around here does not move that much faster on the highway anyway during rush hour. I discovered this when they lowered the limit to 55 around Carlisle and got really anal about enforcement, so I had to slow down. The other side-benefit is I am a lot less wigged out when I get to work from dealing with the idiots around here who don't know how to use the fast lane and don't know not to tailgate.

 

[white99gt]

I agree with the others..You dont by a stang for gas mileage..

But on the other hand its really depends on your drving habits..
Hell i can pull 19mpg on the highway with mine easily..And i got almost triple the power of a stock stang..

As far as catbacks,get the one that you like the sound of.Because reguardless of all the hype they all make the same power..

 

[03trubluGT]

The best mod for mileage you can do is....................




























Cut off your right foot

Matt

 

[sacstoy02gt]

My timing adjuster seemed to help a bit.
I used to get 24-25 on highway drives back to my parents' place. I've gotten 26-28 on my latest trips. Kinda defeated though with having to run higher octane gas.
Taking it easy and drving smoothly helps my mileage the most.

 

[Red03Mustang]

Thanks for the replies. I know I'm getting a lot of response about 'Mustangs' and 'gas mileage' not belonging in the same sentence. I know, it's a V8, and it's a performance V8... and it's going to drink more. My right foot has been lighter lately.

The reason I asked about is in the first place is because I do a lot of driving every day. My girlfriend lives about 30 minutes away, and I go from home to work to her house to my house. Sometimes we go to my house from her house, and back again... so you see where that gets me as far as gas goes. Truthfully, I usually fill my car up once every two to three days, and I get anywhere from 270 to 300 miles a tank. I figure that's not too bad, but if I could squeeze a little more out, I figured so be it.

Basically, I just wanted to see if anyone on here had any really cool ideas for better gas mileage that I didn't already think of (such as just drive it easier). I appreciate all the responses!

Now... time to get a civic, and mod my Mustang.

 

[YardSpecial]

What I seen is most people saw the pedal.

Steady, slow throttle works best, use cruise control when you can.

Air pressure HELPS big time, also lowering the car helps. Check monthly.
87 octane gives better MPG also.
Change plugs at 50K helps.

Screw the haters, I always get great gas mileage.
I see 25-27 with my 89, the 02 is still to new to get readings.

Torque give better MPG, so SLP is not a good choice.
I lost tons of torque with mine, but sound is worth it.............

 

[mcmmotorsports]

#1: I got 29 MPG from Baltimore to NC when I went up to go get my car. That was my first shock. :
#2: I get anywhere from 21-23 around town and comuting back and forth to work. That was my second shock.:
#3: This is a damm V8 American Muscle Car that is getting better mileage than a lot of V6 Import and American Family Sedans and SUV's. That should shock everyone. :
#4: How I am still alive today after owning two '79 Trans Ams back in the early '90s that got 6 MPG and were slower than my Hyundai Elantra I just traded in.:
Finally, if 30-35 MPG is your goal with a Mustang, this should be your next mod:

View attachment 523066

 

[Kyle-02GT]

I used to get 300ish to a tank of gas now I normally don't get anywhere near taht unless im on the interstate the whole time. 230ish is about the best I've seen.