How to Improve Fuel Economy in a Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wranglers get surprisingly low gas mileage considering the size of the vehicle and the motor used to propel it. Both the 2010 Wrangler and the 1995 Wrangler are estimated to get an average of 17 miles to the gallon by Fuel Economy, a government website that keeps track of fuel consumption in different vehicles. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve and maintain your Wrangler in order to get the best fuel economy possible from your Wrangler.

Instructions

1. Maintain your Wrangler properly. Perform regular oil changes, tuneups and maintenance as needed. A motor that is in bad shape will have to work harder to propel the Jeep than a motor that is in good shape. The less your motor has to work, the better the fuel economy your Wrangler will get. You also will want to keep your tires correctly inflated to reduce drag on your motor.

2. Modify your Wrangler for better fuel economy. Aftermarket products designed to improve your Wrangler's fuel consumption are available, including better breathing air filters, carburetors that are designed to make your vehicle consume less fuel and even computer chips claiming to change the way your vehicle's engine uses gasoline. Evaluate each possible modification for side effects and possible repercussions before you use it.

3. Ride with the top off. Jeeps are not particularly aerodynamic, but running the air conditioner does use more fuel and the removeable soft top noticeably increases the amount of wind drag your Jeep experiences. Take your Jeep's top off and enjoy the breeze to improve your fuel mileage.

4. Disconnect the four-wheel drive if you do not use it. Your four-wheel drive can be disconnected by having a mechanic remove the front driveshaft from your Wrangler. Four-wheel drive vehicles get less fuel mileage due to the additional equipment powering the four-wheel drive options and forcing the motor to work harder.

5. Drive with fuel consumption in mind. Driving your Jeep at steady speeds and not exceeding 55 miles per hour will help conserve fuel. Avoiding frequent accelerations and unnecessary trips can also help. The more time you spend behind the wheel, the more fuel you will use. You can save fuel by combining trips.

References

• Fuel Economy: 2010 Jeep Wrangler 4WD
• Fuel Economy: 1995 Jeep Wrangler 4WD
• Fuel Economy: Gas Mileage Tips
• OmniNerd: Improve MPG--The Factors Affecting Fuel Efficiency