FYI

A couple of Saturdays ago (3/23) I took a road trip to southern Massachusetts to see a car I was interested in buying. The most direct route was straight up I-95 from Philadelphia to Attleboro, a trip of 300 miles.

I was cooking pretty good, running between 65 and 80 the whole way. I went the 300 miles in 5 hours flat, which is averaging 60 mph. The almost new Falken Ziex tires made high speed driving a delight. Radar cops were out and about (as they seem to be on bright clear days) but so many people were running at that speed (and way above it) that I felt pretty safe.

On the way up I stopped to fill up in Connecticut. I reached my destination and made it all the way home (on fumes) with that CT 87 octane.

Only one slow traffic jam spot and the was on the George Washington bridge approach on the way home. 10 or 15 minutes idling along, tops.

Bottom line: 418 miles using 14.85 gallons for 28.15 mpg, running pretty fast. I can't complain about that.

What I *can* complain about are the GW bridge tolls ($13.50!!!) and the condition of the Cross Bronx Expressway. Holy crap it was like driving in a 3rd world country! I think I put 10k miles of wear on my poor 'maro suspension in the stretch between the bridge and CT. Think war zone.

Car I spent a day driving to see was a dud. The seller left out a few important details like crispy wiring due to an old alarm system problem. Thanks for that, dude.

 

new plugs, 02 sensors and clean air filter if needed would probly put you at 30 or better.

 

I did all that stuff when I overhauled the engine 10k miles ago.

I am, however, getting nervous about the fuel pump. I turned over 140k on the trip and AFAIK it's the original pump (no signs of tank removal). All I could think of was what a ***** it would be if that pump suddenly decided to die 300 miles from home. It's not the kind of pump you can change in a motel parking lot, LOL.

The pump is quiet until the fuel gauge drops below half tank. Then you can hear it whine and it gets louder as the level drops. Tick, tick, tick...

 

you could do the hatch so your ready, then at least its not major surgery.

 

I do not run my tank much under half a tank. When you hear the whine the pump is not getting fuel. It is running dry. The fuel is responsible for cooling the high winding pumps. Running them “without” fuel is the fasted way to kill them, well not as fast as hitting them with a hammer but you get what I am saying.

28 MPG is really good for a 3.4 and really great if it is an automatic.

 

I continually run from Long Island to the Binghampton area, roughly 200 miles. I always average 31mpg.
First time I kept track, thought something was wrong.
65mph, cruise control on,I constantly average 31mpg
Can't complain with those #'s !