Re: [DML] mileage

[Louie Golden <louie@xxxx>]

My car gets roughly 20 city and 30 highway. It's worth noting the automatics don't get as good of mileage as the 5-speeds because of their gear ratios, and lack of a true "overdrive" gear. As probably know the automatics had only 3 gears. My quoted mileages are for my 5-speed car. 

To lean the car out remove the airbox which houses the air filter. It is fastened to the intake manifold with 3 bolts. Once it is removed, behind the air intake plenum should be a wire handled rubber plug. Many cars have lostthis along the way, and previous owners have found all sorts of ways to plug this hole (most often you will find this opening closed with a screw in those cases). It's worth noting that the car will have a terrible vacuum leak if this hole is not secured. Anyways, after removing the plug you simplystick an allen head wrench down into the hole and you will find the fuel adjustment screw. I can't remember the size of it off the top of my head... sorry. To lean the car turn the screw left, to richen the mixture turn it right. You can test the car by either driving it, smelling the exhaust, or mapping your fuel economy. You'll know if you lean it too much as the car will either die or clatter. Remember a fraction of a turn COULD be all that'snecessary to get your mixture just right. Make sure to check your spark plugs after your experimenting to make sure you're not leaning the mixture out too much. Remember cars perform best running slightly lean, but you don'twant to barbeque your engine either. Spark plugs can tell you a world of information about what's happening in your engine. I'd look at their currentcondition before doing anything at all actually. Play with the fuel mixture in small increments until you get your desired result. 

Also consider upgrading your ignition system at this time... you'd be absolutely amazed what a new pair of sparkplugs and a new coil will do for your engine. Not only will your car be able to give a more complete burn to the fuel in the cylinder with this, you'll also feel a notable increase in performance, smoothness, and flexibility. Checking your engine timing would also be a good idea at this juncture. Let us know your results, and if we can help you any further.

Louie Golden
VIN 5252 Charlotte, NC


--- "darrendiver" <darrendiver@xxxx> wrote:
What kind of mileage should I expect from a properly tuned DMC?