Performance Chips and MPG saving?

[BPage]

Hey guys
I have a 2005 LJ Rubi with 4" lift and 33" tires... my gas mileage sucks. On average 10-12 mpg which is eating my wallet up. So I have been looking online for a solution and so far the best I can find (without swapping out my engine for a diesel) is a performance chip?

Anybody have any luck with these? Or have any recommendations on if these things work or which one is better than the others?

 

[Black Dog]

Is the gearing in your differential still stock? Upgrading that might help your mileage some.

 

[Purple People Eater]

You should be getting better gas mileage than that. Re-gearing would be first on my list of where to put the money. Also, I put one of those chips in my other Jeep. Didn't do crap.

 

[Christian P.]

Forget the chips. pure scam.

 

[Black Dog]

So if the chips are a scam, how about those "Trail Jammer" kits? Those are the ones with the cold air intake, the throttle body, and the so called electronic performance module.

And while we're on scams and fuel mileage, does Royal Purple oil really do what it claims to do? I use synthetic and pour in a bottle of that additive stuff (it actually does keep my temps down a bit) and that is a lot cheaper than buying Royal Purple, but if Royal Purple is really as amazing as they say it is then it might be worth the extra expense.

 

[NOMADIC_LJ]

How are you measuring your fuel mileage?? Cause if you didn't change your speedo gear then its going to be off. I would suggest using a GPS if you still have the stock SG.

I have exact same set up as you have and I average about 17hwy 14city

About the only things you can do:
- Check tire pressure
- Get rid of any extra weight you don't need
- shift at 2k rpm (if manual)
- Stay the speed limit and keep off the skinny pedal
- Make sure your airfilter is as clean as possible
- All C02 sensors are operative

Lets face it, we're basically driving a rig with the areodynamics of a barn with a tent on top. Nobody buys a Jeep with MPG in mind though I will say yours are a cause for concern

To kcOtma - Cold air intake and throttle body spacers don't do a damn thing. The CAI look cool but thats about it.

 

[wardrow]

For some real help I suggest a TRUE cold air intake like this one http://www.skinnypedal.net/index_files/mcai.htm after the cold air intake you should open up your exhaust with a good set of headers and flow through muffler. Also, If you have not already done so you should consider re-gearing. All of the above will net you about a whopping 3-4 mpg increase.:wings:

 

[Black Dog]

- Stay the speed limit and keep off the skinny pedal

To kcOtma - Cold air intake and throttle body spacers don't do a damn thing. The CAI look cool but thats about it.

I did a K&N FIPK a while back and didn't see any gas mileage increase, but it seemed to have a little more zip at red lights.

And I second staying at or below speed limit. Highway speed limit in Montana is 70 and when I spend all my time driving that fast I usually record about 14-15 mpg. But when I ease down to 60 I seem to get closer to 17. Going 10mph slower isn't too much of a hassle either, it makes my commute to work about a minute and 40 seconds longer but I'm not ever in any hurry to get here so it is ok.

 

[BPage]

You should be getting better gas mileage than that. Re-gearing would be first on my list of where to put the money. Also, I put one of those chips in my other Jeep. Didn't do crap.

My gearing is stock for a Rubi (4:11's), and I would like to keep them. They do well offroading.

Which chip did you buy and what type of Jeep did you put it in?

 

[The Swiss]

Forget the chips. pure scam.

Well I disagree. I have a Jet Stage I in my JK. Even though the MPG did not increase dramatically, about 1/2 to 1 MPG over all compared to stock, throttle response and shift points definitely improved making driving more enjoyable.

But I have to agree that gearing probably will get you the better improvement than a chip or programmer. Also make sure your tires are inflated properly for road use. Plus, wide 33s will suck fore gas than skinnies.

Cold air intake can improve your mileage.

Any way your Jeep could go on a diet? Anything that adds weight (bumpers, winch, racks, hilift jack) costs gas. Just bring your jack and 8 ton tool box with you when you go wheeling.

Look at your driving style. Not too much you can do in stop-and-go, but every time you have to use your brake you waste gas. Note: every time you have to use the rear bumper of the car in front of you to slow you down you are equally wasting gas, and other components of your Jeep :elkgrin: Look ahead and drive as smooth as possible

 

[Mamontof]

Try that ,

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/

some people Happy :wings: , other said it ok :ylsmoke:

 

[robert j. yates]

Chips will not deliver any fuel economy gains nor will they deliver any meaningful power gains. The Jeep Jtec OBDII is very unforgiving and most of the chips such as the TrailJammer and the like only deliver power gains at WOT and even at that, the dyno results are typically within the margin of error for most dynos which makes the claims highly suspect IMO.

Speaking to the comment that a good header and a CAI will improve mileage, well if that were really the case, your Jeep would come from the factory like that seeing how Jeep needs all of the fuel economy it can get to off-set the hemi's in the full size rigs.

Your Jeep is already optimized to deliver the best economy and lowest emissions possible. Adding weight, larger tires, lift and not regearing will all have a huge and increasingly negative effect on mileage. Using a chip to try and off-set that will only lighten your wallet even faster than shelling out at the gas pump.

The poster who said to use a GPS to check speedo accuracy to dial in your odometer was spot on. That should get you a couple percent gain right there but the sad reality is that 10-14 is pretty common on a well built Jeep depending on the model year.

 

[Scotsmanspride]

You say that you want to leave your gearing...? well that is where you will notice a reasonable recovery of some of your mileage loss. I have been into hypermiling for awhile and you can make some crazy gains just with thinking and reserved use of the brake. One thing you can look into is a scangauge. It will help you keep track of your style of driving on the go. Again spend the money and replace the speedo gear. This will throw numbers off. Consider an electric fan swap. Ultimately if you want great mileage go get a hybrid or diesel. however you can get into the 20's with a jeep as long as you take your time and do it right. It is not one BFH that is gonna fix it all(aka the chip) however many small changes that will net you a huge gain in the long run.


1. Fix the speedo gear
2. At least consider gear ratio change
3. Get a scan gauge and read up on hypermiling. I won't go into details but basically learn when to coast, when to use the gas, when to drive a little slower. Hard at first but challenge yourself and make it fun
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermiling www.hypermiling.com
4. lighten the load. small things like steel to aluminum wheels can save 10 lbs. per corner. Also going from a 17" to 15" wheel will help. The rotational mass is closer to the center.
5. lighten the engine load. Things like an electric fan are small but add up. And cheap if you learn to go to the junkyard and find a taurus fan for super cheap.
6. Tire pressure. Always keep it on the high side and check at least once a month.

7.Underdrive pulleys.... slows things down and can also help cooling in some regards. Goes well with electric fan
8. Run your fluids a little thinner. Sounds dumb but again... its the multiple LFH theory.
9. Diet diet diet. Try to keep things light. Kinda hard to do with a jeep but use your brain and be creative.
10. A/C use. Learn when and when not to use. In town turn it off and roll down the windows. Highway speed is better to use the ac and roll up the windows.
11. Do one change at a time and then track the difference over a 1-2 week period before the next change.

 

[wardrow]

For some real help I suggest a TRUE cold air intake like this one http://www.skinnypedal.net/index_files/mcai.htm after the cold air intake you should open up your exhaust with a good set of headers and flow through muffler. Also, If you have not already done so you should consider re-gearing. All of the above will net you about a whopping 3-4 mpg increase.:wings:

Again I quote myself this will work!

 

[BPage]

Good all incompassing response... THANKS!!!! :sombrero:

Fixing the speedo gear and electric fan sound like quick fixes that I can get done right now...
And I will take a look at some of my armor platting and see what I can switch up to aluminum. Just need to find a fab shop that can cut me some aluminum pieces and make me copies of what I have.

The hypermilling, I will have to look into...

Thanks again.

You say that you want to leave your gearing...? well that is where you will notice a reasonable recovery of some of your mileage loss. I have been into hypermiling for awhile and you can make some crazy gains just with thinking and reserved use of the brake. One thing you can look into is a scangauge. It will help you keep track of your style of driving on the go. Again spend the money and replace the speedo gear. This will throw numbers off. Consider an electric fan swap. Ultimately if you want great mileage go get a hybrid or diesel. however you can get into the 20's with a jeep as long as you take your time and do it right. It is not one BFH that is gonna fix it all(aka the chip) however many small changes that will net you a huge gain in the long run.

The hypermilling, I will have to look into...

Thanks again.



1. Fix the speedo gear
2. At least consider gear ratio change
3. Get a scan gauge and read up on hypermiling. I won't go into details but basically learn when to coast, when to use the gas, when to drive a little slower. Hard at first but challenge yourself and make it fun
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermiling www.hypermiling.com
4. lighten the load. small things like steel to aluminum wheels can save 10 lbs. per corner. Also going from a 17" to 15" wheel will help. The rotational mass is closer to the center.
5. lighten the engine load. Things like an electric fan are small but add up. And cheap if you learn to go to the junkyard and find a taurus fan for super cheap.
6. Tire pressure. Always keep it on the high side and check at least once a month.

7.Underdrive pulleys.... slows things down and can also help cooling in some regards. Goes well with electric fan
8. Run your fluids a little thinner. Sounds dumb but again... its the multiple LFH theory.
9. Diet diet diet. Try to keep things light. Kinda hard to do with a jeep but use your brain and be creative.
10. A/C use. Learn when and when not to use. In town turn it off and roll down the windows. Highway speed is better to use the ac and roll up the windows.
11. Do one change at a time and then track the difference over a 1-2 week period before the next change.