Improving gas mileage.

[no_hypocrisy]

Besides proper air pressure, occasional fill-up with premium gas, changing oil every 3,000 miles, a relatively empty trunk (less weight) what else could help? A full tune-up?

[ceveritt]

1. + gas mileage

No_hyp:

You need to give us a little help, here, boss. We need to know the year, make + model of what you're driving to offer truly useful advice.

For instance, if the vehicle is 20-plus years old, then it might indeed be possible to throw a full tune-up on it—including ignition points, rotor, distributor cap and the like. More modern vehicles have electronic ignitions which (in almost all instances) cannot be adjusted and don't have wearable surfaces. Regardless, plugs, and plug wires might not be amiss, depending on their age.

A new air filter likewise would assist, again depending on the existing one's age. I'm hoping you are changing your oil filter as well at 3000 miles. If you're really into it, a change to a high-grade synthetic oil might also help, and would lengthen periods between changes.

You mention using premium fuel. If the owner's manual does not call out specifically for premium, you are wasting money. Premium is not more volatile than regular unleaded; in fact, quite the opposite. Generally, premium fuel is recommended for engines with high(er) compression ratios, so as to forestall the onset of detonation.

Lastly, again if you're really into it, you can boost tire pressure by 2-3 psi to reduce rolling resistance without a significant increase in wear in the center of the tires.

Mind you, you will not see a huge increase in mileage with any one, or all, of these fillips. Any increase will most likely be in the single percentage points. However, you are to be heartily commended for wanting to do the right thing(s).

Best of all possible luck, mate. And to others, if I've forgotten anything, please add to the list to help out this person.

CE

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Thank you and to respond accordingly:

1999 Honda Accord, standard, 4-door, 4-cylinder withn 108,000 miles

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. +1 re:premium fuel.

Higher octaine fuel in an engine designed to use 87 will result in more unburned fuel and possibly result in carbon deposits over time. 91 burns slower than 87 and so if the engine is not designed for it you are wasting fuel.

[flvegan]

4. The best advice would depend on how you drive.

There's a scale at where you need to place yourself, and how much you'd change how you drive to begin to achieve the mpg you want.

Where are you on this scale?


Hooning lunatic Avg driver Hypermiler
*------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Down here? Worst mpg. -------------------------------------------------> Best mpg.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. I'd estimate 200 miles per seven days, with about 20% highway and the rest

suburban roads.