The White Gnat (1999 Suzuki Swift 1.3L manual)

[wmjinman]

Still below the EPA average, yielding a NEGATIVE number in that regard. But if my guess is right, that will end when my abysmal 24 mpg first tank drops off the "90 day average".

In the meantime, I'm taking it in to the mechanic tomorrow to get the wheels aligned, bearings packed, and synthetic oil put into the engine. High hopes for the near future!!

[Pierrel]

Your numbers seem to be going up, thats great progress!

Im sure some new oil and a wheel alignment will pay off as well. What are you planning on running, 5w30?

[wmjinman]

Actually, I was going to go crazy and use 0-20. !!! The mechanic is very nervous about this and is afraid it won't lubricate good enough, but I figure if the engine only has 7000 miles on it, it might be a good candidate. On the oil fill cap, it says to use 5-30.

I was going to monitor oil pressure with the ScanGauge before & after the oil change, but couldn't get it to display an oil pressure reading. That amazes me!! Maybe I'm doing something wrong. But other than oil pressure, I guess the other thing I'll watch is oil usage. If the level goes down fast, I guess it might mean it's too thin and leaking out past something. And if I can't get the ScanGauge to display oil pressure, maybe I'll have to get an aftermarket gauge and install it.

[Pierrel]

Weird you cannot get the oil pressure readout :/ just keep a watch out for oil consumption and take it easy at startup and in very hot days and I think you'll be good.

[MetroMPG]

I'm running 0w20 in the Firefly/Metro. No consumption issues. No oil pressure gauge here either, but the idiot light hasn't done anything strange either - goes out immediately after a start, never seen it flicker.

[wmjinman]

I think we're just going to install a good ol'd fashioned oil pressure gauge in it. The mechanic asked if I'd like him to just do it - he can get them cheap. I told him ok, but I don't have a ton of money to spend (one vacant rental house that needs new carpet & a new garage door, and another one coming vacant March 1st).

I asked him to try to install the gauge BEFORE he changes the oil & then get a reading with what's in there now. Then we can compare to what the 0-20 does.

Good to hear you're doing ok with 0-20 in your FireFly, MetroMPG!

I'm also thinking about changing the transmission oil. I read on here that "GM Syncromesh" oil is the way to go, and I think someone else said it's actually the same as another type - was it Pennzoil? Are these both synthetic?

Thanx

EDIT: Just found & read all the threads on transmission oils. Wow - lots of stuff there to take into consideration!!

[Gasoline Fumes]

I've been thinking about the 0w-20 and looked up the specs. The 0w oils are Mobil 1 fuel economy oil and the 5w-30 is normal Mobil 1.

0w-20 @ 100°C = 8.7 cSt
0w-30 @ 100°C = 10.9 cSt
5w-30 @ 100°C = 11.0 cSt

0w-20 @ 40°C = 44.8 cSt
0w-30 @ 40°C = 62.9 cSt
5w-30 @ 40°C = 61.7 cSt

[wmjinman]

And it's moved up to to 132 out of 407 on the list of top gasoline cars in MPG, too.

I think we're well on the way, now! With a fresh alignment, synthetic oil, and 95% grille block, do I dare predict a 50+ mpg tank soon. I wonder?

EDIT: Oh, we settled on 0w30 weight for the oil - Mobil-1 synthetic. With summer approaching, and constant stern warnings from my mechanic, I decided not to get so aggressive this time around. This "new" engine is awesome, and I'd feel pretty stupid if I did something bad to it - especially after being warned!!

[wmjinman]

After my last fuel update, the White Gnat is now 106th out of 410 gas cars.

If this keeps up, I might just make it onto the second page of the list eventually.

[wmjinman]

All right, that was easy!! 90 day average over 40 mpg now, and solidly in the middle of the second page of "top gasoline cars" catagory.

I think this is gonna work! I'm doing more engine-off coasting now. Need to install that fuel injector shut-off switch!!