I'm looking for MPG improvements for my 2.2 S-10
 

Hello All !

I'm looking for ways to improve my 2000 S-10's mileage. It has the sluggish 2.2L motor.

I've ordered an air intake for it and may do a chip of some kind next. I am trying to get the most bang for my buck.

I have never liked the performance of my truck and wish to improve it. The main force driving me is that I hate getting SCREWED every time I fill up. Even if I can increase my mileage by 5%, that's better than none.

Any suggestions for S-10's??

Thanks in Advance

Welcome to Ecomodder.

There are more than a few of us driving S10s on here. The "sluggish" 2.2L you describe is the ideal S10 engine for efficiency, and bonus points if you have a manual trans.

Have you checked out the two things pinned to the top of every Ecomodder.com page, the "65+ Efficiency Mods" and "100+ Hypermiling Tips"? If you adjust your tire pressures, drive for MPG, and a few other basic cheap tips, you should get great mileage out of your truck.

Welcome to EM.

the first couple things i would do is
-Smooth wheel covers
-Ultragauge or Scangauge
-Pump up those tires
-Adjust the nut behind the wheel

Smooth wheel covers on s10s seem to get good results
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-6-a-4368.html

Ultragauge, Scangauge, or other fuel measuring gauge is recomended on any vehicle as it helps adjust driving style aka nut behind the wheel which is easily going to get you your 5% increase

It didn't have an intake? :confused:

Thank you, Smurf. My truck does have a 5 speed manual so that's good. I just read through the 65+ Efficiency mods and found some great tips. It looks like a ScanGauge is going to be on my list now, but first I will probably fabricate a simple plywood cover and mount it between my tool box and the end of my bed. I didn't realize that even a partial tonneau cover was so effective.
Thanks for the advice.

Hello Frank,

Everything is stock on my truck. What I meant was I ordered a short ram intake to replace the stock setup. I don't know if this was a waste of money or not.

Is it a regular cab, or extended?

If you're due for new rubber soon, consider making a size change. Use a tire calculator like this one to see what works best.

Also, what rear axle ratio do you have? If you're unsure, check the sticker in your glovebox. Somewhere will be a code (mine was in upper right corner) that tells you:
GU4=3.08
GU5=3.23
GU6=3.42
GT4=3.73
GT5=4.10
HC4=4.56
Mine said a GT4, which means I have 3.73s out back.

You are a world ahead of me as far as base vehicle is concerned. I have the 4.3L V6 (vin Z, so it's a TBI), the automatic transmission, and the 3.73s. Plus, I have the horrid OBD1.5, which is more or less useless for instrumentation purposes, but you have the full arsenal that OBD2 provides. If you're committed to getting great MPG on a highway, I have no doubt that you could achieve 35MPG with practice and a few changes.

It's a regular cab.
 

It's a regular cab.

Mine has the 3.73 gearing, too.

Regarding the tires, I will have to put new ones on in probably another 10K or so. I haven't looked at the tire calculator yet, but I will. I'm curious what difference that could make.

I will plan on buying a Scan Gauge soon. It looks like the Scan Gauge E might be what I'll need.

My truck has 192K miles on it and the engine has been making an undiagnosed noise. I'm hoping I'll get another 50K out of it before I have to replace it with a remanufactured one. For now, I'm trying to make some common sense mods to save money.

Thanks for your input.

Is your truck throwing any codes?

and for a gauge look at an ultragauge it has the same capabilities as the scangauge, but its downfalls is assembled in china but its an american product....and isn't hybrid capable. Price is an issue on these so the cheaper it is the faster the payback. UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool

35mpg? Probably not, except if you embrace extreme hypermiling techniques.

The "ram" intake in all likelihood will not be an improvement over stock.