How can I improve my fuel efficiency (MPG) on my 2009 Scion XB?
October 3, 2009 in Scion
Did you know that you can save fuel and run your car on water
Kaylon S asked:
I recently purchased a 2009 Scion XB, which gets decent gas milage as is. I am wondering if there are any safe and reversable modifications I can do to incream my fuel efficiency. I know that a lot of exhuast systems advertise that they increase MPG but I am skeptical of this as I know increased performance often leads to lower MPG.
Did you know that you can save fuel and run your car on water
Nothing proven. There are some things you can do to increase airflow into the engine which can increase horsepower without sacrificing fuel economy, but nothing that will dramatically change your fuel efficiency.
Just make sure you keep your vehicle tuned, tires at the recommended levels, change your air filters and oil at recommended intervals, avoid jackrabbit starts and obey posted speed limits.
Your driving technique has more to do with fuel economy than any modification you can do to the xB…plus modifying your driving style is free, no expensive parts or installation costs. It goes beyond proper tire inflation and a clean air filter. You have to change your mindset,
You get your best gas mileage when you’re coasting down the highway, so you want to come as close to that as possible. That means staying off the gas as well as the brakes at every opportunity. Accelerate v-e-r-y slowly and and don’t let other drivers determine your pace as long as you aren’t impeding traffic. Time traffic lights so you roll up to them after they have just turned green. If you have to step on the brakes, you got there too soon. Give yourself more time to get where you’re going. Drive 60 mph on the Interstates rather than 65-75 (or faster). If you have a manual transmission, shift sooner and cruise at lower RPMs as long as you aren’t lugging the engine. Set the xB’s trip display to show “instantaneous mpg” and use it to maximize mpg. I stopped using drive-up windows at the beginning of summer unless I’m really in a hurry AND there are no cars in line. I also shut off the engine if at all possible when traffic is stopped, but you have to be very selective about using this technique.
Traffic conditions won’t always let you do these things, but the closer you come, the better your mileage will be. And yeah, there are times when I ignore all of these tricks…like when I’m just in the mood for some “spirited” driving…but I know the consequences, so that doesn’t happen very often.
there are a lot of little things you can do. Check out ScionMods.com for more information.
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