Gas mileage?????

[jds4racing]

hey can any1 tell me what kind of fuel mileage i should be getting in a reg cab 2.3l w/5-speed im getting about 20mpg in town i think thats kinda low for a 4cyl and anything i can add to it to get some better fuel mileage- thanks

 

[bilzy7]

In city 20mpg? Nope your good. It isn't a civic you know...

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i started getting 20mpg with winter fuel. 25-30mpg in summer.

you're fine

 

[Gary101386]

tune ups always help... check air and fuel filter, tire pressure, allignment... but 20 is pretty good!

 

[Rackster]

Decent, but probably should be better

20 around town isn't too bad. It's really contingent on several factors though (number of lights/stops, hills, speed limits, weather, your driving habits, status of your tune up, extra weight in the cab/bed, etc). With a stick, I would guess that you should be doing better, even on winter fuel mixtures. With an automatic around town (with plenty of hills and stops), I'm getting around 23.5 mpg. I think that your numbers should be better than mine and more in line with Brutus' summer numbers. Cold is another factor that bites at the mpg's as well. Try to avoid long warm ups and try to pulse and glide (especially as the engine is warming up; give gas in gear, and then coast). Also, if you are so inclined, purchase an Ultragauge or the like to give you realtime feedback on your driving and truck performance. Learning where best to shift, where the torque is best, and where you can take the best advantage of when to give gas and when to hold off will help.

Good luck!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ I agree. I'm running an '85 b-II with a 4.0, 4.10 gearing and 31" Baja Claws. In town [delivering pizzas] I'm getting 18.75 mpg[us], 22.5 mpg[imp], 12.6 L/100Km. I'm not easy on it, especially in the snow. I like fish-tailing and I take off from stop lights fairly quick and usually go over the speed limit by 10%. But I do look ahead and coast [or accelerate if necessary] to try and get a green light.

Richard

 

[rangermanmark]

my 96 2.3 reg cab 5-speed seems to be getting worse mileage when its colder, and my truck is very cold natured. I think i may end up getting a warmer thermostat

 

[Rackster]

Warmer engine means better MPGs

my 96 2.3 reg cab 5-speed seems to be getting worse mileage when its colder, and my truck is very cold natured. I think i may end up getting a warmer thermostat

I think that will help. I read at http://www.hotrodhigh.ca/2300Heat.html that the 2.3 Limas like to run hotter. I can also say that when the engine is cold, gas mileage is rather low (<12 mpgs). Once the engine comes to temperature, the MPGs return (>20 mpgs). I find that it usually takes me 3-5 miles to get the engine to warm up where it performs optimally. Pulsing and gliding helps to get the engine up to temperature, which is easier with a manual tranny. However, it works with an auto tranny as well.

Good luck Mark!

Kevin

 

[rangermanmark]

I can go out and start my truck, put it all the way over on HOT with the defroster, fan all the way up.....let it idle and fully melt the ice off all my windows and my temp gauge will be buried all the way down on cold.....drive about 10 mins and the temp will only come up MAYBE a quarter of the way up on the temp gauge at most!

I plan on getting a PAINLESS Fan Relay W/Thermostat once i ditch my clutch fan and put my electric fan on (along with the hotter thermostat) may not be these exact temps....but painless is soooo nice! http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/products/painless.htm

 

[Rackster]

Sounds like a bad thermostat

I had a failing thermostat about a year ago. Got luke warm in the cabin, but the windows would defrost. I changed it out in the spring - lots of hot air and now the gauge is in the right spot. Like you, my gauge would stay on C all day long, but after the change, in the middle.

My stat is at 190 degrees - stock OEM replacement. Change the gasket when you do the stat. A small price for peace of mind.

Kevin

 

[rangermanmark]

yea last time i did alot of maintenance on my truck i think i put a little bit cooler thermostat in.....cause im use to having cars that run a little warmer.....think i would change it out for a 190-195

 

[Rackster]

hotter should be ok

From what I read, you should be fine. But it's also widely held that keeping it at 190 is the right thing to do. Choice is up to you.

Kevin

 

[rangermanmark]

ive heard/read that a higher temp thermostat is better

 

[Rose2300]

hey can any1 tell me what kind of fuel mileage i should be getting in a reg cab 2.3l w/5-speed im getting about 20mpg in town i think thats kinda low for a 4cyl and anything i can add to it to get some better fuel mileage- thanks

Is it all stock (no lift, tires, gears, etc)?

When my 95 2.3 was all stock I could pull 26+ in town easily, hot or cold, and thats driving normally, not like a grandma.

Now I have 30 in tires and I'm still gettin 24+ all the time

P.S: 97% of my driving is city, or under 50 mph

 

[Rackster]

Nice Numbers!

Is it all stock (no lift, tires, gears, etc)?

When my 95 2.3 was all stock I could pull 26+ in town easily, hot or cold, and thats driving normally, not like a grandma.

Now I have 30 in tires and I'm still gettin 24+ all the time

P.S: 97% of my driving is city, or under 50 mph

Nice numbers Rose! Are these with a MT or AT?