The Ford Mustang V8 is by all accounts one of the greatest achievements that American automakers have accomplished in the last thirty years. Improving gas mileage in your Ford Mustang can be a bit of a challenge, however.
Blending classic styling with affordability and power raises the Ford Mustang beyond the level of many vehicles that try to compete. If you didn’t opt for the V6 engine, however, you might find that daily driving your Ford Mustang V8 can be extremely hard on the wallet. Improving the gas mileage of your Ford Mustang V8 can help to offset some of that expense, but it requires a combination of aftermarket parts and the willingness to modify your driving style, a thing that is often much easier said than done.
In order to improve the gas mileage of your Ford Mustang V8, you have to first assess the condition of the car itself. The most important aspect of achieving increased gas mileage is to make certain that the car is running at its peak performance. Regular oil changes combined with maintaining tire pressure at the correct level will do more for maintaining your Ford Mustang gas mileage than you can possibly imagine.
Check the air pressure specifications listed on the driver’s side door jam of the Ford Mustang, as well as the air pressure specifications on the tire itself. If the tires are the same that were originally equipped, the number listed should be the same. If you’ve installed new tires, however, this number might be dramatically different. Some sports tires require pressures as high as 55psi, while original equipment tires often call for just 35psi. Fill the tire to the specs listed on the tire’s side wall.
Next, it is important that you keep the Ford Mustang engine clean, both inside and out. Regular oil changes are critical in maintaining the performance and gas mileage of the Ford Mustang V8 engine. While it isn’t always necessary to change the oil every 3000 miles, particularly if you use synthetic engine oil as opposed to conventional, it’s a good idea to change your Ford Mustang oil at least twice per year. Avoiding this simple step could lead to significant horsepower loss and even greater gas mileage loss.
With basic maintenance out of the way, you can concentrate on improving the horsepower of the Ford Mustang. By increasing the power of the car, you can use the engine less often, opting to coast when possible. It should be noted that aftermarket performance parts for the Ford Mustang V8 will have a negligible effect on the gas mileage of the Mustang if you drive the vehicle as though it were a race car.
The addition of a cold-air intake, high-flow exhaust system, and a computer tuning module will raise your Ford Mustang V8 horsepower and torque levels slightly, make the car more fun to drive, and will improve your gas mileage in a variety of conditions.
Finally, in order to make the greatest difference in improving the gas mileage of your Ford Mustang V8, you’ll have to reconsider your personal driving style. Some of the most fuel-guzzling things you can do with your Ford Mustang are accelerate up hills, launch quickly from stop lights and leave the car running while you are not driving it.
The Ford Mustang V8 is a great car, and with the right combination of driving techniques and performance boosting parts, it can be a relatively economical car, as well. You just have to know how to drive it!
Sources:
Hypermiling.com: Maximum Miles Per Gallon: http://www.hypermiling.com/car-mpg.html
Fuel Economy.gov: Driving More Efficiently: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml