2 questions/concerns:

1. I was getting between 20-22 mpg with a dirty air filter, changed it and only gained about 1 mpg. Am I gettting the correct mpg? I see people around the forum getting 26-30 mpg.

2. I just recently put some ap2 wheels on my ap1. When i installed my wheels and tires, i had them balanced but found out that the front driver side wheel was bent. I got vibrations 70+mph and 35-40mph. I bought another wheel and mounted/balanced it. I don't get the vibrations 70+mph; however, i still get vibrations at 35-40mph. What can this be? Bad CV's?

Any help/opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

1) that gas mileage sounds about right. before i put in my 4.77s i was averaging about 265-275 miles a tank.

2) if it was the CVs, you'd feel the virbrations 25mph and up. the highest top speed you can reach with messed up CVs is around 70-80ish after that they are just spinning in place. atleast that how mine were when i needed to replace them. if its the cvs contact jeff at hardtop guy. i ordered to cvs and grease from him and had moparaker install them. i felt like an idiot afterwards when i saw how easy it was. also make sure you get half shaft spacers soon after replacing the cvs.

 

I've never gotten above low 20's driving around town ever since I got the car 4.5 years ago. On the highway I'll get about 26. This is shifting around 5krpm. I've meticulously maintained the car. My wide tires probably reduce the mileage by 1-2 around town but they are also taller so that compensates for the increased rolling resistance during cruising.

If it's just your CV cups that are bad you don't need to order any new parts. Just order a tube of Redline CV2 grease, swap the cups, and clean all the old grease out before putting the new grease it. I went a step further and took apart and cleaned all the bearings, and repacked them.

However you said you got vibrations after you put on your new wheels. Are you sure you didn't have the vibrations at 35-40mph before you put on the new wheels? If you didn't have the problem before then it would be unlikely that putting on a new set of wheels would cause the CV joints to fail. I would look into the balance of the other wheels first. Depending on how off the weights are, they each have their own resonant frequencies so they will vibrate at different vehicle speeds.

 

You don't mention your driving style, tires, tire pressure, how many miles are on the engine, top up or top down... etc. All significant factors on fuel economy. Start with tire pressure.

Since its a MY03 you could be needing spark plugs. I think the OEM suggested interval is too generous for plugs.

Here are mine at 80k miles:

Click for fullsize to really get a good look at them.

Car ran much better and improved my fuel economy significantly.

Not sure about the low speed vibrations...

-Aaron

 

sorry, forgot to mention them:

current mileage is 32,000

wheels balanced and mounted by ptuning

I drive about 200 miles a week and need to fill up every weekend. Mostly highway (on the way to work).

I'll check the tire pressure and spark plugs.

 

Is the vibration in your seat or steering wheel? If so you may need some drive shaft spacers.

 

vibration throughout the car......... seems like it's coming from the rear...... steering and everything is fine, just vibrations at those speeds (both accelerating and cruising). No braking vibrations.

 

is your car at stock height or lowered if the car is lowered I'd say try some driveshaft spacers since the AP1 driveshafts are a little too short

 

Get some T1-R spacers. They will fix that problem. Ap1's are known for that problem.

 

stock height.......... i'm planning on getting some Tein stechs soon