So i calculated that im getting about 14.2MPG this winter.. ive read that you guys get around 25MPG chipped.

i deleted my rear o2 sensor (after cat), could that make any difference in MPG?
ive already done basically a full tune up and cant think of anything else to do besides clean my air filter..


thanks for any advise..

edit: does anyone have any winter MPG's to share with us?

 

I would like to know what items have been changed during the tune-up, as well as what brands' parts were used.

To improve your MPG:

- Get rid of excess weight (you probably have done this already)
- Have all 4 wheels aligned with laser aligner; expect to pay a minimum of $50 for this
- Use full synthetic oil (10W-30/5W-30 for frigid region), since your 850 is a turbocharged model (x2 O2 sensors)
- And yes, install a genuine Bosch, direct fit O2 sensor (avoid universal, splice-type sensor)
- Make sure the parking brakes are properly adjusted (I believe they are)

See what other members have to say.


JPN

 

Okay, winter, St. Paul, MN, MPG with my 850 NA wagon, 160K, new wires, plugs, distributor, fuel filter, air filter, combo city and highway driving but a lot of short trips, is 19-20.

 

14.2 MPG in the winter is not that bad with a tune if you are not a lite foot.

 

no tune, stock ECU..

 

is that 14 around town or freeway? If around town I would not say you are in a bad spot.

 

The rear O2 is only used to check the health of the cat, so I don't think it would have an affect on the MPG.

 

funny story.. when i went to reinstall my second o2 sensor i found out that the 1st o2 sensor was never plugged in by the garage that fabricated my downpipe.. so they were both unplugged..!
i think i solved this issue, im going to run the tank low refuel and see how it does.

 

A can of electrical contact cleaner is always handy whenever you're connecting electrical connections.

Good luck,


JPN

 

I'm getting right around 20-21 combined city/highway on both of mine here in Ohio. Goes up 1-3 mpg in warmer weather. Both my cars are completely stock.

 

alright the other guy said 19, you say 20, therefore thats my benchmark. maybe even a little worse if its colder up here.

 

I'm running 87 octane, fresh timing belt, running economy mode, driving like an old man, and pulling 24.9 mpg with no chip, commuting to work 40 miles one way, limiting the idle/warmup time - I live in Minnesota... I am going to switch to a semi-synthetic Mobil one high mileage 5w30 oil and am looking for a fuel additive to better mileage yet. I read online about putting a couple of ounces of 100% pure acetone in the gas but that can't be good, its supposed to gain 4-7 miles per gallon but then you are seriously taking life out of your engine. I also read about a chip for $70 to re map your air and fuel mixture, that might be the ticket, that and some kind of air filter such as a K&N ?? What are you guys running for spark plugs, what works in these things the best?

 

I run OEM Turbo plugs.

One time I took a 180 mile trip to Pittsburgh and concentrated on getting good mileage on an 94 850 Turbo I used to own. I would literally let it go down to about 40 mph going up hills, speed up going down minor grades and put it in neutral going down steep hills. Ended up getting a little over 30 mpg. On the same trip driving normal around 70 mph on average, I would get about 27 mpg.

 

thats really interesting.. its in its testing stages now with the o2 sensors connected and the air filter cleaned. if MPG not improved im going to get new plugs, seafoam.

what gas you guys running?

 

My 244,000 mile 850 turbo was just tuned up, NEW: timing belt, water pump, filters, alignment, tires, and I am just running straight 87 octane with 10% ethanol, and driving slow, keeping the rpms as close to 2000 as possible, I had to i was commuting 40 miles to work in a ford 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 351 and 4:10 gears getting 11.3 mpg winter and 14.3mpg summer, there is a different blend of gasolines for regions for winter, different recipes and your mileage WILL go down over the colder months, get the car tuned up, and running a mid grade or premium gas 89, 91 octane IS CHEAPER than buying fuel additives, and when you pull your engine apart, it will be alot cleaner, there is alot more that goes into gasoline than you think, for instance 89 octane is mostly 85,87 octane with a spash of A grade, and premium is pretty much a different recipe, and if you can find gas with NO ehtanol thats even better, and gas also starts to go bad after 30 days, and where you buy it, all the gas stations pretty much buy the same product, same terminal, different supplier, it really comes down to the transport that hauled the gas, did they drain the trailer completely? Was there diesel or jet fuel or av gas that was left, and the most important, does the gas station you buy from change their filters on the pumps frequently? I think if you get your car tuned up, aligned and really drive slower, easier it should make a world of difference, try filling the car with premium gas for a week or two, it should clean things up and go from there.

 

I have not tuned the car since I had it so I'm not sure about plugs but the wires are dated 7/2003. I use 93 usually from Exxon. I drive with hypermil methonds and get 25 mpg around town and 30 to 33 on the highway (62 - 63 mph). When I used 87 to 89 octane, I was getting 21 to 22 mpg. So I think 93 ends up being cheaper with 15% better milage. I find that S setting vs E doesn't make much difference, less than 1/2 mpg but I like having the power available if I really ever need it. I also try to use lucas every 10,000 miles, about 6 oz.

 

thats good to hear because i always use premium anyway.

 

so after the o2 sensors i calculated 18MPG.. thats not bad..

i think that the automatics get better MPG than the manuals due to gearing..
i rev at 3200rpm at 120kilometers on the highway.. how about you?

 

I think I was about the same. Somewhere around 3,400 rpms .

 

really.. even in an auto. that seems kinda high.

it must be the v70's that have different gears.