I have a 2002 Cavalier with a 2.2L engine. I have only had it since July of last summer (2007). I had added cold air intake and a 1 1/2 inch catback exhaust. I'm only getting about 200 miles per tank, which averages out to be around 17 mpg. What can I do to increase my gas mileage? This is incredibly low for this new of a car. What to do?
Jason
id say somethings very wrong. but first i would do the basics.
acdelco plugs, air and fuel filter, new wires, and run some seafoam through it. then go from there
03 Sunfire - Sold.
tire pressure. and the way you drive?
Also if thier running e10 like all the stations around here. Thats a 3mpg drop. yeah it sucks.
Quote:
and a 1 1/2 inch catback exhaust
and inch and half? aint that smaler than stock exhaust? im guessing its a typo.
anyway, some get worse MPG when installing new parts. when installing intakes (and whatever) you need to reset the computer. unplus the battery for 30 or so minutes then hook it back up. then drive around normally. key word NORMAL!!
see most people that have a new intake and/or exhaust on tend to floor the gas peddle to the floor every chance they get resulting in crappy mpg.

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99redz24 wrote:
see most people that have a new intake and/or exhaust on tend to floor the gas peddle to the floor every chance they get resulting in crappy mpg.
that's usually what it is... Is this an Eco 2.2 or the old style you said the car was an '02 and those came with both, so is it an LS Sport or not? Not that it really matters but I'm curious. Does the car run good? A fouled spark plug could be to blame. I can get 32mpg when I'm nice to my Ecotec but my buddy has never topped 25mpg with his but our daily driving habits differ greatly. This could be the same issue for you...
I'm also assuming the 1.5 inch exhaust was a typo right?
Pilz-E wrote:I still dream of the day when I can do a rear-engine, rear drive V12 in my sunflower. 
99redz24 wrote: when installing intakes (and whatever) you need to reset the computer. unplus the battery for 30 or so minutes then hook it back up.
Y do you say that? I never did that on my 03 cavy and didnt have any problems
Tinkles wrote:99redz24 wrote: when installing intakes (and whatever) you need to reset the computer. unplus the battery for 30 or so minutes then hook it back up.
Y do you say that? I never did that on my 03 cavy and didnt have any problems
its been mentioned on JBO thousands of times.

Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
I have a 2.2 eco and yes it was a typo I meant to say 2.5 exhaust. Well, this bad gas mileage thing has only occured in the last 2 months and I had the exhaust put on in Aug. So, any other ideas on what it might be? Oh, and I forgot to mention that on the highway I get around 28/29 mpg.
Geez, 2.5"? There's your problem right there! I once ran a 2.5" Ultraflo & tailpipe on my LN2 truck (Same engine) and it dropped considerably, and I got 24.5! Average! Factory size is 1-7/8", same for yours. 2" to 2-1/4" is more acceptable in your case for oversize. Obviously your system has finally relearned what to set things at, and now you suffer for your mistake. Remember: Pipe size is not the matter, flow rate at a given pressure drop being a number near double of what the engine's rated (Dyno!) output is what matters. And nobody like hearing the sound of anything farting!
Go beyond the "bolt-on".
Just for clarity, the truck I mention got 24.5mpg before the 2-1/2" system got installed. As for why your milage may have dropped, visit a link titled "Crazy exhust idea...." and see what a guy called sk843143 has to say on the subject of exhaust pipe size.
Go beyond the "bolt-on".