+ 3 mpg? Shocked...

[mws]

More data is required, but I was shocked at the last fill up. When using the newer Pathy for around town jaunts, I was getting about 12 to 13 mpg. Last night, I noticed I had well over 200 miles, which normally meant I was about due. But the gas gauge still read over 1/4. Hmmm.... maybe a gas gauge issue?

So I stopped and filled up... Took only 13 gallons. That means, wow! Over 15 mpg with 100% in town driving!

 

All I changed was the fluids and wheels/tires. The oil, TC, transmission, and rear diff were changed over to Mobil 1 and Redline. And I pulled the steel wheels with 31x10.5-15 Cooper STT's to put on the winter tires/aluminum wheels in a P255/70-16. These work out to be almost exactly the same size, but about 15 lbs per wheel lighter.

 

I will monitor carefully and let you all know if the improvement continues.

[94extreme]

yes, my mpgs are better in town too. pathys seem to like lower rpms for best fuel efficiency. keep us posted.

[Trainman]

Tires can have a huge impact, especially when going from/to a real grippy AT or mud tire to a less aggressive street type tread pattern.

 

May have something to do with it?

[5523Pathfinder]

Synthetic oils create less drag on moving parts, which means the engine doesnt have to work so hard. And if you removed 15lbs at each corner, thats 60lbs overall. Less weight equals less effort. Right on!

[Harbinger]

Nice Martin!

 

I can imagine all that helping though. 15lbs per wheel is a lot less to get rolling in stop-n-go traffic!

[gxl90rx7]

im getting about 15-17 mpg right now, but im about to change out the diff and transfer case fluids. hopefully it will get better

[mws]

I knew there would be some improvement, but the 25% was a shocker.

From a theoretical standpoint, I think the tires make more difference. I'll find out in the spring when I put the heavy wheels back on. I'll make sure to do some careful mpg checks now, and then a couple tanks with just the wheels.

[DJ Dank]

I'm looking to change out the oil in the diffs and the transfer case...never had them done since I bought the vehicle at 60k and I'm at 103k. :o

[BLouisGod]

The unsprung weight made a huge difference for you. I went from alloy 17's on my car to forged aluminum and i gained 5 mpg on the highway - pretty crazy results by losing 5lbs per wheel.

[zonianbrat]

Wow that is some big MPG gains just by a little weight reduction!! HHHMMMM makes me wonder how else I can shave lbs beside aluminum wheels!!! Keep us updated!!

[govols74n]

no kidding, Im going to kick out my windows, get 4 donut spares to ride around on, rip out all but 1 seat,remove the bumpers, hood, spare and roof rack.....I think this will help some. -bounce- -bounce-

[DJ Dank]

no kidding, Im going to kick out my windows, get 4 donut spares to ride around on, rip out all but 1 seat,remove the bumpers, hood, spare and roof rack.....I think this will help some. -bounce- -bounce-

Don't forget ALL the interior panels...all you want is a bare metal interior!