Increase Fuel Economy With Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket Performance Products: What they are, how they work, and why you need them! Increase air flow, exhaust flow, and fuel delivery to greatly improve fuel economy.
Exhaust Systems
The stock exhaust systems found on most cars and trucks are a great source of restriction. This restriction, known as back pressure, greatly decreases the efficiency of your vehicle. Aftermarket exhaust mufflers and systems greatly reduce backpressure, increasing the efficiency of the engine and therefore increasing the fuel economy. Exhaust systems utilize free flowing exhaust tubing and high flow mufflers to reduce backpressure. Another, though more expensive option, is to add a high flow catalytic converter (or converters) to complete your system for maximum efficiency. Most manufactures claim a 1-2 mpg increase.
Cold Air Intake Systems
Aftermarket intake systems and filters are less restrictive then stock. Installing a free flowing aftermarket intake kit allows your engine to breathe easier, making it work less to suck air into the combustion chambers of the engine. By working less on the intake stroke, the engine gains performance and fuel economy. As an added bonus, most aftermarket filters are reusable, so you save on maintenance costs! For an even greater boost in fuel economy, combine an aftermarket intake and exhaust system, which will allow your engine to breathe in and out freely. Fuel economy increases vary by application.
Programmers
Programmers, also known as chips or modules, reprogram your vehicle to run more efficiently. Programmers adjust things like valve timing, shift points, and fuel delivery to maximize your engines efficiency and increase the fuel economy of your vehicle. Programmers are a safe and effective way to noticeably increase fuel economy. Expect even more gains when combined with an aftermarket exhaust system and intake kit. Available for computer controlled vehicles only.
Electric Fans
Electric fans replace your vehicles crankshaft driven fans. Eliminating the crankshaft driven fan mans means decreased engine load, which translates into less fuel necessary for operation. Electric fans are electronically controlled and provide your engine with adequate cooling while increasing your fuel mileage by reducing the load placed onto the engine at idle and low speed operation where the cooling fan may be engaged. Fuel mileage increases vary by application, however electric fans are a favorite amongst those looking to achieve increased performance and fuel economy.
Underdrive Pulleys
Underdrive pulleys reduce the size of one or multiple pulleys on your vehicles serpentine pulley system. By reducing the size of the pulleys that run your vehicles accessories, less stress is put on the engine to run your accessories (alternator, water pump, etc). Installing underdrive pulleys is a stretch for the DIY'er, so it may need to be done by a certified mechanic, and it requires the purchase and use of a new, smaller belt. However, underdrive pulleys maintain stock cooling and electrical characteristics while increasing performance and fuel economy.
Synthetic Motor Oil
Synthetic oils are artificial motor oils, manufactured from elements not found in crude oil. Synthetic motor oils provide better lubrication than petroleum based oils (also known as conventional motor oil) and have many benefits over traditional motor oils. Synthetic oils are more resistant to thermal deterioration; that is, conventional oils break down over time due to the heat created by your engine. Synthetic oils are more expensive than conventional, however, oil change intervals are increased with synthetic motor oils, therefore offsetting the additional cost. Furthermore, synthetic motor oils offer superior lubrication, which allows your engine to run more smoothly, decreasing the resistance caused by contact of moving parts. By reducing this resistance, synthetic motor oils can improve your overall fuel economy. Most new cars use synthetic motor oil, however, those that do not could greatly benefit from synthetic motor oil.
