Help save me from poverty!!

[Guest comeandzpa]

My name is Jeremy, and I'm a z-aholic. Unfortunately, this is an expensive addiction. I am spending close to $35/week on gas. 10 MPG around town. I would REALLY like to improve my milage; I know from my prior research to test the TPS, HTS, O2 sensor, and the AFM. I think that I need a new exhaust system too. The question is: what else do I need? I already have to get a job this summer to help pay for college, I don't need to get a second one to pay for gas!

[Mike C]

Wow, that's BAD! My big block chevy pickup gets 12 mpg...

 

Anytime you are looking to improve economy, start with the basic tune-up parts. Air filter, cap, rotor, plugs, and wires. I like Borg Warner hard parts, Denso plugs, and Taylor Spiro Pro wires, and a K&N air filter. Once again, the K&N is more $ than a paper element filter, but you'll never have to buy another one.

 

Once the basic tuneup is in place, then you can start checking FI components. I recommend a Nissan service manual over any of the auto parts store books. I know they are expensive, but well worth it if you ever turn a wrench. O2 sensors are about a 50k mile replacement part, especially during the 80's.

 

If you think gas is expensive, you'll faint when you see what a complete new exhaust will cost including a new converter, but I see it as virtually mandatory upgrade for economy, drivability, and performance.

[Mudge]

Yep, the early O2s I've seen start at 30k mile service life, they are now up to I think 120k, old single wire stuff though, blech.

[Guest comeandzpa]

Hmm. I guess I should have mentioned this; my car idles around 1500 RPM most of the time. Also, I just replaced the dist. cap, coil, and plugs in January, and I have a K&N in there already. Today did some highway driving, and managed to pull off about 14-16 MPG. But still around 10 in town.