Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
• Basic bolt-on performance modifications like bigger intake and exhaust will allow the engine to run easier and put more out the energy towards performance. In the import cars I have owned previously I have preferred to use AEM® intakes (available via <a href="http://www.aempower.com">AEM</a> ) due to their specialization in cold-air plumbing. I prefer to use a single exhaust system for 4 cylinder or inline engines as dual exhaust can be a bit heavier due to the extra pipe used. Headers can also increase exhaust flow but will be noisier than stock, so keep that in mind. Bigger pipe diameter will give better power in the high end performance (i.e. higher RPM area) but too big can make the bottom end performance (lower RPM area) suffer. Any straight-through muffler will be reasonable quiet and give the best flow.
Step2
• High output and/or multi-spar ignition systems to ignite the fuel more quickly and thoroughly causing a quicker expansion, thus increasing the power output by pushing the pistons quicker. Though I prefer the Mallory Hyfire® VI series ( available via <a href="http://www.mrgasket.com">Mallory</a> ), CraneCams and MSDignition are also popular manufacturers. Of course be sure to use non-solid sparkplug wires and the correct sparkplugs with the correct gapping.
Step3
• Reducing engine friction can also reduce the power being wasted so a better job you can do lubricating and keeping an engine’s internals lubricated, the better. The best is probably Amsoil (available at <a href="http://libertylubes.com">AMSoil</a> ), as they are the only one to offer a extended drain synthetic oil and multiple test have show they exceed the performance specifications of any other type and brand of oil. Tests show about an 8.2% increase in MPG. Also, AMSOIL Motor Oils have been shown to decrease oil consumption by as much as 42%, and if used properly can increase the miles and time your car can go without need of an oil change. Most of my friend with turbocharged cars like them even more due to the fact that they don’t break down as easily due to high temperatures. To decrease the cost of regular use just become a distributor.
Step4
• Most fuel additives don’t work as today’s particularly since the burn in any modern engine is already 98 - 99% complete. However, by speeding up the burn you can get a performance increase via quickened expansion much like those gained via high-output/multi-spark ignition systems. The only company I know of that is making a product that helps an engine burn fuel faster is FFI’s MPG-CAP ( available at <a href="http://www.jborgia.ffi.biz">FFI</a> ). Tests have also show that their use increases power, which would be expected. Like Amsoil, to decrease the cost of regular use just become a distributor.
Step5
• Though usually more expensive, increasing your tire or wheel size or changing your transmission or rear-end gearing can allow you to raise your car’s most efficient speed from 55mph by altering the ratio of engine RPM to amount of distance covered. Take into account that this will cause your speedometer to be off unless corrected. MTV’s Pimp My Ride tend to favor Giovanni rims. I personally don’t really have any favorites, however, for the sake of humanity using the shiny spinner hubcaps you can get at your local Wal-Mart should be avoided.
Novice 
Comments
future303 said
on 6/10/2008 Adding bigger tires and rims will offset RPM values negligibly, and will add a ton of extra weight for the engine to push around. For fuel economy you want the smallest rims and tires you can safely mount, and for those extra 100rpms on the hwy, just DRIVE 10km SLOWER!!! lol
Kaniva said
on 11/1/2007 **NOTE**
TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS:
Do not listen to this clueless idiot who posted this article, how it was allowed to be put up I will never know. I signed up just to say that, because everything is either wrong, or as someone said already... it's like a late-night advertisement, for things that do not work or the manufacturers tests claim to back up, which are more frequently than not... biased.
First of all, putting and exhaust/intake system on your car is NOT going to conserve you fuel, it's going to make it worse - because you are getting more performance out of your engine, and more performance means more air/fuel, so you've already contradicted yourself straight away you damn fool.
MazdaAirFilteR said
on 8/14/2007 Is simply adding air filter to my mazda, can increase its mileage.
Traveler said
on 7/1/2007 Temperature DOES INDEED affect the density of gasoline. It expands at warmer temerature, contracts at cooler. And be careful when changing the diameter of wheels/tires. This could throw off the accuracy of the speedometer. Happy motoring!
ahanix1989 said
on 4/12/2007 Sometimes, just use some math. My car, a fullsize van, gets 10MPG. With the extensive driving to and from school twice a day, I use about $35 per week in gas. Let's say I bought a smaller car, maybe a new Saturn Ion. I'd get about 25mpg. So I'd use only around $12/week in gas, saving $48/month, but at the same time, I'd need damn near $150/month for payments for that car.
Sometimes, it's just cheaper to stick with your current vehicle. Maybe once I'm out of college, I can invest in a more efficient car.