Writing an article on fuel economy

**JoshieDoom** · 07-26-2008, 12:36 AM

Ive found out so much about fuel mileage since ive been on ls1.com. After doing all the math today I found out that my gfs 2.2 cavalier only gets 23.5 mpg average. Thats frikin sad since I can average 25mpg if I want. Ive wrote to the paper a few times and they usually end up publishing it. So im going to give this a shot.
My main topic is going to be about vehicle upkeep and regular maitenance...you know.. crap like putting off an oil changes till 5-7 thousand miles. I also want to throw in some info about seafoam, 2 cycle oil and driving habits. I also want to throw in some info about poor gasoline quality and ethanol killing MPG.

Im going to ask you guys to throw some knowledge in as well.

I thank Sarge the most for this idea. I filled up today with v-power(was a couple of counties away) and put the oil in and I swear you can notice a difference at cruising speeds and idle. Ive got oil in all my familys vehicles now and quite a few friends. I get some strange looks when I measure out the oil and dump it in the gas tank. Mostly those looks of "STOP! WTF!??!"

Maybe I can shock around 50,000

**DUBB** · 07-26-2008, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by JoshieDoom

Ive got oil in all my familys vehicles now and quite a few friends. I get some strange looks when I measure out the oil and dump it in the gas tank. Mostly those looks of "STOP! WTF!??!"

Maybe I can shock around 50,000

explain?

**JoshieDoom** · 07-26-2008, 12:55 AM

If kinda wierd to see someone dumping blue oil into their gas tank....

If I write to the paper maybe i can get at least 50000 people to be shocked.

**0rion** · 07-26-2008, 12:58 AM

you sure sarge wasn't drunk when he told you to do that???

**DUBB** · 07-26-2008, 12:58 AM

and what is this blue oil you are dumping into tank? seafoam?

**0rion** · 07-26-2008, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by DUBB

and what is this blue oil you are dumping into tank? seafoam?

see this thread

**JoshieDoom** · 07-26-2008, 01:11 AM

Sarge didnt tell me to do this but after all the oil crap it kind of dawned upon me. I bought the full gallon of oil and now its a 1/4 gone. Ive got a bunch of people to try it. All reported back positive.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 07-27-2008, 01:34 PM

^^^Which kind did you buy? I just bought a gallon synthetic blend penz marine for $12 at walmart...i've been using FP60 so $12 is cheap for me. They didn't have the full synthetic...doubt the price diff would be worth it.

**JoshieDoom** · 07-27-2008, 01:36 PM

I bought the outdoor oil. Pennzoil

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 07-27-2008, 01:38 PM

I didn't see that there....fuckin walmart. How much was it for a gallon?

**Mr. Luos** · 07-27-2008, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by JoshieDoom

crap like putting off an oil changes till 5-7 thousand miles.

This isn't crap....

Stop saying it is.

**JoshieDoom** · 07-27-2008, 01:43 PM

It is when they buy the cheapest of oil and fram filters and wonder why shit breaks. I had a friend who didnt change his oil in his 94 jimmy for 7k and the oil poured out like ketchup. Not all of us buy the best and take care and check oil levels.

**Mr. Luos** · 07-27-2008, 01:46 PM

Any oil should go 5K miles in a normally driven vehicle.
Fram filters have a bad rep....but that is also because SO many of them get used. The more of them out there, the more bad reports.

Have you sent any oil off to be tested Joshie??
I know I haven't, but I also know I wouldn't know how to read the results if I did.

Don't believe everything on this (or any) site.

**310stanger** · 07-27-2008, 01:54 PM

very interesting stuff. Include wheel alignment and tire pressure in your article as well, as both have an effect on mileage.

**310stanger** · 07-27-2008, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Any oil should go 5K miles in a normally driven vehicle.
Fram filters have a bad rep....but that is also because SO many of them get used. The more of them out there, the more bad reports.

Have you sent any oil off to be tested Joshie??
I know I haven't, but I also know I wouldn't know how to read the results if I did.

Don't believe everything on this (or any) site.

Those fram filters really are shit though, the end caps are paper construction, for the cost of the filter, i rather just use the quality filters.

I agree that nearly all current oil, dyno included is still good at a 5k oil change interval. its when you are waiting till 10k with a dyno oil that I think you are going too long. The other thing to consider though is if the car sits a long time, regardless of mileage condensation over time does suspend some water in the oil.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 07-27-2008, 01:59 PM

What I do know is oil and the filter gets dirty...no matter which kind of oil used. The only way to clean it is to change it. I've always believed in frequent oil changes over the best brand/synthtic on the market...if you can afford to do both then that's great.

I have no clue if there's any major chemical changes in the oil from 3,500 miles to 5,000+ miles...but I do know it gets dirtier. And that's why I change mine every 3k-3.5k miles..

**Mr. Luos** · 07-27-2008, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by 310stanger

Those fram filters really are shit though, the end caps are paper construction, for the cost of the filter, i rather just use the quality filters.

I agree that the build quality is lower...

But I have also heard of several WIX filters doing the exact same thing everyone says the FRAM filters do....falling apart.

Damn near every product will have failures within the line.
That said, I use Delco filters on all three cars.

**310stanger** · 07-27-2008, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by SeVeReDiStOrTiOn

What I do know is oil and the filter gets dirty...no matter which kind of oil used. The only way to clean it is to change it. I've always believed in frequent oil changes over the best brand/synthtic on the market...if you can afford to do both then that's great.

I have no clue if there's any major chemical changes in the oil from 3,500 miles to 5,000+ miles...but I do know it gets dirtier. And that's why I change mine every 3k-3.5k miles..

changing engine oil earlier definitely wont hurt it. Changing it early will keep the inside of that engine clean. What you DONT want is sludge and varnish in your valvetrain and to plug up your oil pickup. Next thing you know you have inadequate oil flow through the oil passages and you are spinning bearings.

**310stanger** · 07-27-2008, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

I agree that the build quality is lower...

But I have also heard of several WIX filters doing the exact same thing everyone says the FRAM filters do....falling apart.

Damn near every product will have failures within the line.
That said, I use Delco filters on all three cars.

All the cars at my house get either napa or factory filters.

Delco is a great filter.

**JoshieDoom** · 07-27-2008, 02:13 PM

I havent had my oil tested yet but I can tell light brown from sludge. i worked with crap like this all my life and have changed oil in multiple vehicles a 1000 times. I have had those bastard frams sieze on and have to put the channels locks on them. Its blatenly obvious when people dont change their oil enough. I got student of the year in my tech school

I cant spell worth a shit and dont know everything but some things are common sense.