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Sedans Kia Optima Kia Optima Real World MPG
139 messages, Last post on Sep 16, 2009 at 6:48 AM
You are in the Kia Optima Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Hey guys... Max tire pressure depends on the tire. Look on the sidewall...better yet, if you have a tire store nearby, ask them the max. PSI they would suggest running in the tire. Realize that there are some tradeoffs, more PSI means less contact with the road (less friction) for stopping but also less contact with the road (again, less friction) for better gas milage. So, realize that a happy medium might be the best solution...I would much rather spend more money in gas than several thousand in repair costs and higher insurance payments...not to mention the precious cargo. I have an '02 Optima and here is what I have learned over the 120K I now have on the car. 1. I run the tires at about 35 psi. This is about 2/3s max psi. 2. I actually get better gas milage by not using the cruise control. It allows me to feather the gas to speed up or slow down instead of the hard on/off that the cruise seems to have. 3. I use Mobile 1 7500K oil. This seems to be the best as far as viscosity breakdown vs cost. Mobile 1 is excellent oil...the only one I will use. 4. I have experimented with speed on the freeway, from 55mph to 80mph (max I'll admit to) which is 5mph over the posted limit. These experiments on long trips have led to an understanding that air resistance is a huge factor in the MPG factor. If you want the best MPG, stick to 55mph...it's that simple. At 55mph I get 37 MPG on the freeway, at 80mph I get 18 MPG. 5. I use a K&N air filter. It's expensive, but will outlast your car. You can let it get very dirty and it will still have far more airflow than a new paper filter. (I know, I know...K&N let's small particles in that will ruin the engine... Well, after 120K I have no pressure loss which tells me that this is crap! It might also be that I let the filter run a little dirty most of the time which helps trap more of the small stuff.) 6. I use Lucas Oil additive in every oil change. 7. I use a product called ER (Energy Release). After I had an experience with a Honda Accord transmission that I thought was trashed and got the gear shift handle so hot that it burned my hand, put in some ER, drove it around town for three months, after that 3 months there was no excess heat or noise. The trasmission lasted for another 60K before the I lost the overdrive. So, ER reduces friction extremely well, allowing for more power and less engine wear. 8. Replace the timing belt at suggested intervals as well as other components. 9. Use softer brake pads. The lifetime pads are very hard on the rotors and require them to be replaced. Soft pads may wear out faster but the pads are much easier and cheaper to replace and the rotors...much cheaper. 10. Look in to BG products. If you can't get ER, use BG. There are products for every system on the car. Expecially, the MOA and 44K. 11. Every oil change, spray off the MAF sensor with some MAF sensor cleaner. This sensor is located right after the air cleaner. It can be removed with a phillips screw driver. Just spray off the metal sensor inside...you don't have to clean the whole housing. Believe it or not, this is a HUGE maintance item!!! 12. Keep the wheels aligned. It's worth having checked whenever you get new tires put on. Well, hope this helps.
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Replying to: jeepster93 (Jul 10, 2008 7:48 am) http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm |
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Jul 07, 2008 9:16 am)
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Replying to: mingdoi (Jul 10, 2008 8:57 pm) |
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| I took the wheel. Over to Pere Marquette State Park, back through Alton. Some urban driving but lots of country and slow Interstate. Hit almost 30 which is a lot better than my wife who usually struggles to hit 20, although her driving is usually a much higher rate of city driving. | |
Averaged just under 30 mpg each way with at least 15 percent city driving on two tankfuls. Would probably have averaged 32-33 on a straight highway trip. Agree with Mickeyrom that city and highway mpg seem quite disparate. Shoved the transmission over into manual mode for highway-- kept if from downshifting on every grade, although it still went in and out of lockup.
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Replying to: csandste (Sep 07, 2008 9:22 pm) That is about the same mileage as mine.I also go into manual mode when on the highways for the same reason as you..how about that? Unfortunately,sometimes I forget that it's in manual when I stop and the when I start....it stays in low much too long,until the light goes on in my old brain and I shift it back to normal auto. |
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Another weekend jaunt. Averaged 28 mpg mixed with around town driving in Little Rock and Memphis. Got 40.1 mpg on straight Interstate driving between West Memphis and Cape Girardeau. 70 mpg with air on part of the time. I can't believe that I got the tank completely full but maybe, know that the mpg goes way up on straight highway driving.
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Replying to: csandste (Oct 20, 2008 9:23 pm) I think consumer reports had mixed driving at 25MPG. I get excellent highway mileage,but I don't drive as fast as you do. Since the jump of gas prices I tend to drive Interstates at 5 mph under the posted limits.Believe me,you get used to it.
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Oct 21, 2008 4:29 am) The 28 mixed was more highway than around town by far. Still I'm happy with the highway mileage. |
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