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user removed · 03-18-2010, 03:42 PM

Mine is a time capsule with just over 54,000 actual miles. I bought it salvage with 27,492miles in March 2008. Original tires.

My best tank was 68 MPG in the summer of 08 at 64 MPH drafting 3 stripes (about 130 feet) behind big rigs on I95. 300 miles on 4.6 gallons of gas. Traffic on that road is so heavy, I still had cars pulling in front of me in the right lane and passing other cars on the right in the distance between me and the truck in front of me!

When I replaced the original tires my mileage dropped drastically, but the original 15 year old tires were dry rotted and I did not want to risk a blow out and body damage.

The worst mileage I ever got was 46 at 70-75 MPH on I64 east of Richmond.

Lean burn is easy to feel in my car and it pulls fine from 1000 RPM at 30 MPH in 5th gear.
60 MPH is 2000 RPM. If these speeds and RPMs don't match your car then the transmission has been changed and your mileage will suffer.

The difference in performance in your car with the sensor plugged and unplugged indicates you have other problems. One I would suspect is the EGR is not functioning properly.

What to do?

It could be a long list.

Check compression
Timing, both cam and distributor
Check to see if the car is easy to push. I can push mine with one thumb!
Are your wheels like the ones in my photo, they were special.
Tires can make a huge difference in mileage.
Check fuel pressure.

If you are worried about the cost of an 02 sensor then your budget will mean you need to do the work yourself, and you may need to buy tools to do the work.

I included a photo of my engine compartment. If yours has different induction parts or other different parts then it has been modified and that could cost you mileage.

My last two tanks were 54 MPG at 65 MPH and 57 MPG locally.

I drive very conservatively and seldom go over 50 MPH on the local route. I use P&G and DFCO extensively, but no engine off coasting.

Tires on my car are Michelin X and are inflated to 44 PSI (sidewall max).

My car still has the original 02 sensor, original fan belts, brakes. I had the timing belt replaced, spark plugs, air filter, and wiper blades. Almost everything else is original except the tires.

My driving is focused exclusively on mileage and I have lived in eastern Virginia most of my 59 years. I do not have to deal with rush hour traffic.

My mod are WAI and a partial radiator block in winter.

This summer I should see some tanks over 60 MPG, the tires have worn in to the point where they are not as big a mileage hit as they were when they were first replaced.

At 54,986 miles I have driven this car as far as it went before it was hit in the rear end and totalled sometime around 1996. After it was totalled it was stored inside and used by the insurance company to train adjuster for 13 years, which is why things like the original tires and fan belts were in such good condition when I got it.

The roof still has the original paint!

regards
Mech

03-18-2010, 03:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
user removed Master EcoModder Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,927 Thanks: 877 Thanked 2,024 Times in 1,304 Posts	Mine is a time capsule with just over 54,000 actual miles. I bought it salvage with 27,492miles in March 2008. Original tires. My best tank was 68 MPG in the summer of 08 at 64 MPH drafting 3 stripes (about 130 feet) behind big rigs on I95. 300 miles on 4.6 gallons of gas. Traffic on that road is so heavy, I still had cars pulling in front of me in the right lane and passing other cars on the right in the distance between me and the truck in front of me! When I replaced the original tires my mileage dropped drastically, but the original 15 year old tires were dry rotted and I did not want to risk a blow out and body damage. The worst mileage I ever got was 46 at 70-75 MPH on I64 east of Richmond. Lean burn is easy to feel in my car and it pulls fine from 1000 RPM at 30 MPH in 5th gear. 60 MPH is 2000 RPM. If these speeds and RPMs don't match your car then the transmission has been changed and your mileage will suffer. The difference in performance in your car with the sensor plugged and unplugged indicates you have other problems. One I would suspect is the EGR is not functioning properly. What to do? It could be a long list. Check compression Timing, both cam and distributor Check to see if the car is easy to push. I can push mine with one thumb! Are your wheels like the ones in my photo, they were special. Tires can make a huge difference in mileage. Check fuel pressure. If you are worried about the cost of an 02 sensor then your budget will mean you need to do the work yourself, and you may need to buy tools to do the work. I included a photo of my engine compartment. If yours has different induction parts or other different parts then it has been modified and that could cost you mileage. My last two tanks were 54 MPG at 65 MPH and 57 MPG locally. I drive very conservatively and seldom go over 50 MPH on the local route. I use P&G and DFCO extensively, but no engine off coasting. Tires on my car are Michelin X and are inflated to 44 PSI (sidewall max). My car still has the original 02 sensor, original fan belts, brakes. I had the timing belt replaced, spark plugs, air filter, and wiper blades. Almost everything else is original except the tires. My driving is focused exclusively on mileage and I have lived in eastern Virginia most of my 59 years. I do not have to deal with rush hour traffic. My mod are WAI and a partial radiator block in winter. This summer I should see some tanks over 60 MPG, the tires have worn in to the point where they are not as big a mileage hit as they were when they were first replaced. At 54,986 miles I have driven this car as far as it went before it was hit in the rear end and totalled sometime around 1996. After it was totalled it was stored inside and used by the insurance company to train adjuster for 13 years, which is why things like the original tires and fan belts were in such good condition when I got it. The roof still has the original paint! regards Mech Attached Thumbnails Last edited by user removed; 03-18-2010 at 03:48 PM..