Improving fuel efficiency...

[Riflman]

Hey guys. My 2002 Disco is only get about 10.5 miles per gallon. Sure ZI have 265's with stock gears, RTE bumper, skids, rock sliders, 3" lift, a winch, lights, rack, roof tent, etc. but is all that extra weight and drag really responsible sucking my wallet into another dimension? My vehicle has never had a tuneup and all I've done is oil and filter changes and that pour in the tank injection cleaner stuff. Can anyone recommend anything else to help? Our fuel prices are approaching $6 per gallon here in the great soon-to-be-white north. Plus, with only 330 kms per tank, I can't go far without jerry cans and hunting season is full on here. Oh yeah, I have about 149,000 km's on the truck, or about 90k miles.

[Incurorish]

While drag and weight has a great bit to do with your mileage, you may be able to get a little boost by doing what I did. I just changed my plugs and wires. I recommend STI plugwires and at least Bosch +2 platinum tip sparkplugs. It gave me almost a ten percent increase and I'm about to hit 90,000 miles. I'm sure more folks with more experience than I will chime in.

[auwesman]

Most of your mpg problems probably come from all of your equipment. Sounds like you've got a sweet rig.
However the statment, "never had a tune up" scares the crap out of me.
Things that can help mpg
plugs/wires
maf
air filter
02 sensors
fuel
speed

But if its never had a tune up....I'd do one before your winter hits.

A stock DII with the milage you've got is probably only getting 15 mpg average...so I'd be inclined to say that 99% of your fuel problems are from the gear.

[Riflman]

Well air filter's always been changed. Oil and oil filter obviously changed regularly. MAF has been replaced at least once under warranty. Never done plugs and wires. I've seen K&N come up here a lot but never paid attention, but I think many didn't like it. If I had to guess or recollect, I'd say issues with oil fouling the MAF. I've heard about Seafoam but never had the guts. I'm also scared of those engine cleaners. I let the oil shop add that crap to my old Ford and right after that I had oil leaks like crazy. Sure the cack was removed but the cack was plugging the leaks!! I'm not taking the chances with my Rover... Oh yeah, and I'm definitely a little heavy on the foot. If I drive with 90 indicated on the speedo it's much better than when I try to 100 (60MPH). That being said, 90kmph is probably 100 anyhow because of my tires.

[Disco Mike]

How many miles on your truck? My 99 that now weighs 5770 lbs. gets 18.2 MPG on the road with all the big tires, gear, winch bumpers and sliders. I didn't get there by being afraid to try something or by just changing the oil.
Mike

[Incurorish]

Seafoam is highly recommended by everyone I've spoken to. I wouldn't be afraid to use it.

I have a K&N air filter and I love it. The thing about the oil and MAF is true but usually can be avoided. When I reoil the filter, I make sure no oil drips from the filter. If oil is dripping off, you have wayyyy too much on there. Also, I let my filter sit for quite a while before installing it again.

Like DMike said, don't be afraid to try something. I'm getting 16.4mpg with mosly around town driving with 2" lift, ARB bumper, and T-Max winch. Before changing my plugs and wires, I was lucky to get 15.

[Pinarello]

Hear Hear! The combined knowledge of this forum agrees that good plugs, wires and a seafoaming are just what the Dr. ordered. I envy your rig...although I just recently got a tent for my roof rack for the upcoming hunting season. My rig is a lot like driving a brick towing a parachute, but it does get 17odd MPG. If I had a gripe to lodge about this rig, it would be that it handles like a boat out of water. When my wife turns right I yell "HARD TO STARBOARD!!! ALL HANDS TO THE RAIL!!! GENERAL QUARTERS!!!"
Todd

[Riflman]

Well guys I'll bite. DM, my truck is sitting around 90,000 miles. Fire away guys and I will try all the ideas. I run K&N in my Ducati and it made a big difference, but I also added a new Arrow full exhaust system so not sure what the K7N added to performance. I know not to use too much oil though and to let it dry. I will order plugs and wires. Which ones and what else. Keep the ideas coming boys. Mike I want your 16 MPG!!!

[Pinarello]

Well to answer quickly and NOT start a turf war, Magnacor wires and Bosch +4 plugs appear to be the common denominators. 1 last thing...consider ditching your resonators on your exhaust system.
Todd

[jake_ak_cent]

Originally Posted by Riflman

Mike I want your 16 MPG!!!

he said he gets 18 mpg.

here is an air intake for your car might want to check it out.

Land Rover Discovery II Performance Intake Kit

[mtnance]

jake ak cent, went to that site for the air intake. But I have an 03 and didn't see a kit. Is there much difference to the years mentioned vs. the 03?

[Riflman]

Originally Posted by Pinarello

Well to answer quickly and NOT start a turf war, Magnacor wires and Bosch +4 plugs appear to be the common denominators. 1 last thing...consider ditching your resonators on your exhaust system.
Todd

How do I get rid of the resonators? I like the sound of that but have no idea how to do it or what it does...

[Riflman]

Holy CRAP. 18 MPG??? I'd have to drive it to believe it. I want my truck to do that. It costs me $40 round trip to commute and I sometimes need to do this twice a day. That's a big fuel bill to justify some mods. I was planning on putting on a snorkel soon. I imagine that performance kit won't work with it. Correct? I run an open air box K&N on my bike. I'm thinking now.....

[Riflman]

Originally Posted by auwesman

Things that can help mpg
plugs/wires
maf
air filter
02 sensors
fuel
speed

But if its never had a tune up....I'd do one before your winter hits.

A stock DII with the milage you've got is probably only getting 15 mpg average...so I'd be inclined to say that 99% of your fuel problems are from the gear.

Well had a new rad put in last fall so changed those fluids. What about the O2 sensors? What do those do and do you change them or clean them or what?

[Disco Mike]

Riflman,
Don't go to a K&N, I don't care what it may have done for your motor cycle, it will take out your MAF at $200 plus.
Here is a list you need to complete if you don't want your truck to turn around and bite you.

This is the parts list for a 60,000 mile service or a high mileage used truck, the way I do it.
1 Oil filter, K&N 3001 or Mobil 1
1 Air filter
6 Qts of engine oil
12 Qts of ATF
7 Qts of 80/90W synthetic gear oil
1 Qt of synthetic Brake fluid
2 Qts of synthetic Power steering fluid
2 Gallons of OAT, orange coolant
1 Bottle of Lucas Power Steering additive
1 Bottle of Lucas Transmission additive
1 Can of Spray Carb. Spray
1 Can Of Brake cleaner
8 Spark Plugs, I use Bosch Platium Plus 4's
1 Set of Magnacor 8mm plug wires
1 Serpentine belt
2 Bottles of SeaFoam gas additive
1 T/Stat


60,000 Mile Service or Major Service for High Mileage Used Vehicle just purchased

Bleed the brakes
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Change the coolant and t/stat
Do an engine flush before changing the oil
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both of the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc.

Hopefully I didn't leave anything out.
Mike