Thread: Can I improve my gas mileage???

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I have a 1997 Nissan Pickup. It has a 2.4 liter engine and is a four wheel drive truck. I was wandering if there is any way to improve gas mileage by replacing and improving current parts. I'm open to any suggestions.

What kind of milage does it get now? I would think a good tune up and maybe something like a K&N air filter would help. Synthetic oil also frees up some HP (Dan just put Royal Purple in his Dodge truck and picked up something like a mile per gallon.) Air pressure sure helps as well as your personal driving habits...don't floor it but act as if you have an egg under your foot. Keep the windows closed and open up your tailgate at highway speeds. You would be surprised how much drag a closed tailgate causes.

Don

I get 15 to 17 miles a gallon now

Dude you got a 4x4. you could put the least aggressive tire you can find on. maybe a tonneau cover or cap. I get like 14-16 with my 4x4 dakota.

I"ve got an "02 tacoma 4x4 v-6, that's getting about 20 or 21 mpg. Iguess that's not too bad.

Originally Posted by Sinister

I"ve got an "02 tacoma 4x4 v-6, that's getting about 20 or 21 mpg. Iguess that's not too bad.

not bad at all. my 01 quad cab dakota was only factory at like 14 city/19 highway. I know guys with fullsizee v8 trucks getting 20 or better. trouble is my truck is really too heave for the wimpy 3.9 v6. Bet your yota has plenty of power too

There was a site by a young mechanical engineer who built a number of aerodynamic aids for his truck. He has since taken the site down unfortunately.

He made a topper out of thin plywood and fiberglass that was tapered from the cab to the tail gate. 17 degrees was the number that sticks to my mind. He also had a rounded piece that fit on the tail gate. The air leaving the truck is far more important than the air up at the front.

He did have a flat wrap around spoiler on the front that was nearly on the ground. There were air dams under the rockers. Moon hub caps and rear fender skirts.

He also blocked off the grill opening as much as possible. At the end of the article he was working on the belly pan.

The result was he went from about 21 mpg (small truck) to well over 30 mpg.

It was pretty interesting.

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

not bad at all. my 01 quad cab dakota was only factory at like 14 city/19 highway. I know guys with fullsizee v8 trucks getting 20 or better. trouble is my truck is really too heave for the wimpy 3.9 v6. Bet your yota has plenty of power too

Yeah, it gets out in traffic pretty good. can't complain.

Keep your tailgate closed! ---> http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomen...tailgate-shut/

Pat

I'm jumping in late here, sorry, but Mythbusters had this very test on one of their shows. Showed a mesh tailgate was actually better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3aqHbD-O9E

Originally Posted by Gretsch

I'm jumping in late here, sorry, but Mythbusters had this very test on one of their shows. Showed a mesh tailgate was actually better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3aqHbD-O9E

LOL didn't theydimple the car like a golfball on one episode?

Our Chevy mini van gets about 20-21.....I filled it with Shell gas and it went to 23-24...It has one of those onboard computer readouts that give average mileage....Maybe, just a coincidence, who knows...We are driving across country this week...I just filled with Shell again tonight....Will let you know

A tarp, skinny tires, low restriction air filter, tune up, all work. Driving technique is important, too. "Deadfoot" it on the highway, and find its best cruise speed. Or swap it for a Smart Cart!