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Volvo RWD 200 Forum

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READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  geodonuts on  Wed Apr 8 19:50 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sun Oct 18 23:15 CST 2009 [RELATED] i just recently fixed the odometer so i can't exactly say what my mileage is but i suspect it of being fairly poor; highway miles something less than 25mpg, possibly only around 19-23, depending on the crazy arizona wind. i just changed the air filter (didn't look too bad to me but couldn't tell when it was last changed according to the maintenance records), and am wondering if a tranny fluid change is a good idea. I would have to consult my chilton guide for that, but i reckon i don't need to lift the car at all, do i? just drain from the bottom and fill from the top, but then again i don't know much about cars. other ideas i've heard in the past involve cleaning the fuel inject jets (??sounds complicated) and maybe changing the spark plugs. but the plugs were done a while back, i think, during a tune up, so that's probably not the issue. this is an M46 tranny, for the record. my goal is 25mpg highway miles, i'd love higher but i hear you just can't get that with the stupid mechanical overdrive. Please share any recommendations you may have. THank you!! Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342746/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  Owned by Velma on  Sat May 23 14:47 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 18:37 CST 2009 [RELATED] '91 244 w/M47 got between 27-30mpg on a recent 4,000 mile road trip at somewhat illegal speeds. Tires are 195/65-15 kept around 32psi. Removing the Thule roof rack that came with the car didn't seem to make much of a difference in fuel consumption, but it was sure a pleasant surprise to discover that this car is actually pretty quiet at speed; those racks generate a ton of wind noise. Before I had the AMM replaced, I was getting pretty bad mileage, 18-20. Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1350191/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  Farm Boy on  Fri May 22 07:32 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 00:28 CST 2009 [RELATED] Everything mentioned here is excellent. I would add that it is important to keep the air flowing smoothly around the car at highway speeds. On a wagon, remove the roof rack if you don't need it. On the highway, it is more efficient to run the A/C than to open the windows. Restore all the plastic underneath to original. Most important (I have read) is the plastic panel ahead of the rear bumper. After that, the air dam, the engine belly pan, and the radiator-forward pan. There used to be a guy posting on this board who made a full coverage belly pan for the whole bottom of the car out of plywood. He said that it helped mileage. I would presume that it would help, but would be a bit of a pain. My '91 5-speed wagon gets around 20 mpg on my daily commute. On freeway trips at 70-75mph, I use a three-tank average to calculate mileage, and the best I can ever get is 29.5 mpg on level terrain with moderate load. I expect that 10mph slower would get me to 30-31 mpg, but I have never had the patience to try it. Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1349997/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 1988 posted by  mikinik on  Thu May 21 23:20 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED] My 88 240 automatic, gets 26 to 30 mpg and that's the best I can get. I suspect if I slowed down to about 100kmh that I would get maybe 30+ mpg. I have tried this over many tanks on many long trips, and that's all I can get. I keep the car well tuned up and very well maintained. Tire pressure is always at 35 psi when I'm on a long trip and fairly loaded. The right foot is the biggest factor after the car is tuned up and well maintained. Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1349980/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  Gosh, I get 40mpg highway 200 posted by  Evan R on  Mon May 18 01:55 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat May 30 02:32 CST 2009 [RELATED] I feel bad for you guys with gas engines! Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1349275/220/240/260/280/gosh_get_40mpg_highway.html">Gosh, I get 40mpg highway</a>

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    READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  Gosh, I get 40mpg highway 200 posted by  Jorrell on  Wed May 20 20:33 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 21:51 CST 2009 [RELATED] Evan, I feel bad for you guys spending 25% more on fuel and getting 50% less power while suffering a 200+ pound deficit! Hey, it all evens out and on the freeway our 92 245 with AW-70 and manual rear end ratio pulls 30MPG on a regular basis. Sure the rear end ratio robs pep, but nothing like a VW Diesel engine! No offense intended, just pointing out the ups and downs of both approaches.... jorrell -- 92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations! Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1349850/220/240/260/280/gosh_get_40mpg_highway.html">Gosh, I get 40mpg highway</a>

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      READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  Gosh, I get 40mpg highway 200 posted by  Evan R on  Sat May 23 01:39 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat May 30 02:32 CST 2009 [RELATED] that was true... last year. Now, Diesel is about $0.10 less per gallon. I buy 10 gallons and put 6 gallons of used vegetable oil in the tank. The gasser has what, around 120hp? I have 82. That's only 33% less power. I'm not in any hurry. It takes all kinds... Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1350119/220/240/260/280/gosh_get_40mpg_highway.html">Gosh, I get 40mpg highway</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  geodonuts on  Mon May 18 00:31 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sun Oct 18 23:15 CST 2009 [RELATED] WOW i just finally got around to reading the responses to this thread (I immediately left my home in tucson for a 4 week bout of wandering in the said vehicle [you know, just before i crashed it into a white mazda]), so I never really gave myself a chance to see what i could do before the journey. HOWEVER let it be known that after changing the air filter i think i got about 28+mpg between tucson and barstow, at around 70mph (I know, i was not expecting that either but maybe my calculations are off), then it took a turn for the worse somewhere near LA and it went back down to about 24, where I expect it to remain. i like volvodad's detailed response and i think i'll look into that for the future (if i get this baby up and running again). thanks Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1349273/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  Volvodad on  Thu Apr 9 13:01 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 14:39 CST 2009 [RELATED] My 83 will still get ~30MPUSG on the highway if held at about 60-65MPH. I could get 32-33 in the old 55MPH days! Here's what I do, and you could try.... NGK BPR6ES spark plugs gapped to Volvo's spec at .028, and new Bougicord wires. Mann air filter replaced every 20k mi, sooner if it looks dirty. Throttle body cleaned up. 92C thermostat. Base ignition timing at 12deg Volvo spec. Valve clearances checked and within spec. Mobil-1 synthetic 5W30 in the engine. Redline MTL in the M46 gearbox. (side benefit: reduced OD slipping when hot) Redline 75W90 rear axle lube (notably less "stiff" on cold winter startups). Tires are slightly oversized 195/70-14 at 32psi. (I've never detected any difference in MPG by running higher pressure, even if theory says it should - but then I've only varied from 28-36psi) Airbox preheater checked and working OK (you can disconnect/bypass this in AZ). Given everything in decent shape, the biggest factor on fuel economy is directly under your right foot. -- Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F-M46, dtr's 94-940 B230FD, my 83-244DL B23F-M46, 89-745(LT1 V8), 98-S90, 77MGB and four old motorcycles) Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342871/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  runwld2 on  Thu Apr 9 09:02 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Thu Nov 19 09:49 CST 2009 [RELATED] WIth my 245 M47 I usually get about 28mpg highway. It's hilly around here, and I go about 65-70. I try never to accelerate up hill, in fact letting the speed drop slowly up hill saves. My 745 M46 gets about 26.5 highway, and I think it's due to the 3:71 rear in it as opposed to the 3:31 in the 245. My 245 automatic gets about 26, it has a 3:54 rear. Engine speed has a big effect. Only way I can get over 30 is to draft a semi, then it goes to 31-33. -- 84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 90 745 AW70, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47 Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342833/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  Sven's Maintainer on  Thu Apr 9 07:36 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 16:19 CST 2009 [RELATED] 240 standard-tranny cars generally seem to get about 30 mpg highway so I suspect there's room for improvement for you. Check for wrong size tires. Wrong size will make your speedometer and odometer into liars. These days, many tire shop lookup books DON'T have the right information for these cars. Sedans take 185/70-14. Wagons originally took 185-R-14. Best reasonable approximation these days for wagons is 195/75-14. Avoid wider profile "upgrades" as these will hurt mpg while improving bling factor and possibly improving handling. On the same topic, check your odometer against a GPS or against roadside markers or MapQuest mileage data. It's possible someone swapped a different rear end into your car and so even with "correct" tires your odometer may be lying. One of the best compilations of tips for improved mileage is at http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2584 There's more at www.ecomodder.com if you care to dig into it. I'm a regular at both sites, name: brucepick My notes below assume the car is up to date on maintenance. My own interpretation of the mpg list: If it's a wagon, ditch the roof rack unless you use it frequently. ipdusa.com sells a kit to plug the holes, or you can d-i-y in various ways. Slow down, if you can do that. The 240 is not very good aerodynamically unless you compare it to a box truck or similar. Air resistance/drag goes up dramatically with increased speed. So going 60 instead of 70 will give you a noticeable mpg increase, all other things being equal. Going 55 will be even better but that may go against your interest in making quick progress down the road. Increase tire pressure. This stiffens the tire so it flexes less. Your engine will spend far less energy flexing the rubber as the flat spot continually moves to meet the road surface. Your tires will last longer too. Start with the sidewall max rating, measured when tire is cold in the morning. Pressure will increase from driving and from daytime temperature increase, however the tire design engineers are fully aware of that. If you're comfortable with the sidewall max pressure you can consider going higher. If buying tires, get them rated at least 44 psi sidewall max so that you're not stuck with a 35 psi tire. Use lowest viscosity (I mean, thinnest) oil your manual will allow. Generally that's 10W-30 however if you have Death Valley temps in your area you may need 15-40. Check your owners manual and ignore the good ole' boys yakking at the parts counter. Synthetic helps if you're OK with the cost. You can extend the factory air dam downwards and add a belly pan between the air dam front edge and the factory belly pan (hopefully it's still there). Now you're getting into modifications. I'm convinced that's a good mod for this car. -- Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, expanded air dam, forward belly pan reaches oem belly pan, airbox heater upgraded, E-fan, 205/65-15 at 50 psi, IPD sways, no a/c-p/s belt, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, aero front face, quad horns, tach, small clock. Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342805/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  matt b on  Thu Apr 9 07:28 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 21:23 CST 2009 [RELATED] How fast do you tend to drive on the highway? I expect optimal mileage is going to be at 55-60mph.. if you're regularly doing 75, you're gonna take a mileage hit. First and foremost, check tire pressure. I go with the max shown on the tire itself. Tire type and size... it's all about rolling resistance... different tread patterns and rubber compounds all affect this. Just think how hard it is to push your car on level ground. Then let 5psi out of each tire, and see how much more difficult it is. jack up wheels and manually turn them.. make sure no brakes are dragging. Of course, basic tune up stuff is certainly always good, but if the car is running well... the tune up costs will probably take as long as the tune up to last before you break even on fuel cost.... at best. Tranny fluid change is never a bad idea, but you won't notice a diference. And it is a bit of a pain to do yourself (the location of the filler plug). An oil change would probably do you more good.. especially if you are running anything thicker than 5w30 (though your in the SW.. probably best to run 10-40 with summer approaching) Remove excess weight from the car. -- -Matt I ♥ my ♂ Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342803/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  riverbend on  Thu Apr 9 07:28 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 18:39 CST 2009 [RELATED] Run 35 psi in your tires. 25 mpg on the highway shouldn't be too hard. I get that as an all round average with my '87 245. Greg Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342802/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  jwalker on  Thu Apr 9 07:00 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sun Nov 1 10:31 CST 2009 [RELATED] Remove all excess weight from the car. Carry only what you need. Try a can of Techron Concentrated Fuel system cleaner. Best used with premium fuel. Make sure all your tune up parts are factory (OEM). Except plugs. Either Volvo or NGK are okay. NGK plugs are better than Bosch. Spark plug wires should be Bougicord. Rotor and cap - Bosch. Change to all synthetic motor, transmission and differential oil. Add a front air dam. jw -- 93 850GLT, 90 244DL 291k :) Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342798/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  BlueGoose on  Wed Apr 8 22:39 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sun Nov 22 05:05 CST 2009 [RELATED] According to fueleconomy.gov, my 240 ('86 wagon auto) should get about 18 city, 22 highway. With manual tranny it's 20/26. -- 1986 Volvo 245 Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342772/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  Justin A on  Wed Apr 8 22:08 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Sep 19 18:01 CST 2009 [RELATED] Go the speed limit, and don't accelerate up hills. Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342770/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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  READ ONLY    PRINT   SAVE  tips for improving highway mileage 200 posted by  Jorrell on  Wed Apr 8 21:52 CST 2009 Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] last visit: Sat Nov 21 21:51 CST 2009 [RELATED] What year is the car? Provide more info, more answers will follow. jorrell -- 92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations! Mark this post as an answer to my question<- Use this feature to mark quality replies to your post. Select, copy to buffer, and paste anywhere: <a href="http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1342765/220/240/260/280/tips_improving_highway_mileage.html">tips for improving highway mileage</a>

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