Fairmont fuel mileage????

[Anonymous]

My daily driver is an '81 Fairmont with a 200 engine. It is automatic and has around 130,000 miles on it. Car runs perfectly, but I was just wondering what the gas mileage (mostly highway) should be. I work 4 days a week, driving 50 miles round trip. 95% is open road, but I still have 2 cold starts a day. I have gotten as much as 20 mpg, but usually around 18. Is this in the ballpark for what this car/engine combo should do?

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy fairmont 200:

YOu're in the ball park, but your driving habits, state of tune and speed could have a significant effect on your mpg.

Some quick and easy ways to increase MPG is to air your tires up to Max rating of PSI, reduce idle speed and time, lean out the automatic choke setting, tune your carb for highest vacuum setting, bump your initial advance by 5 degrees over stock specifications, Make sure the air filter is clean, eliminate any unnecessary weight, slow down, and drive as if you had a raw egg between the accelerator pedal and your foot.

Adios, David

 

[rbohm]

8) i have had two fairmonts, a 79 V8 and an 80 2.3. both got good fuel economy on the road, the 79 got 25 and the 80 got 27. in town the 79 got 17 and the 80 got 20. nuderstand though that for the most part i tend to get better mileage than most people through tuning and driving style(when i feel like it).

 

[Anonymous]

ive always had good luck with my 1barrel 200 fairmont even whenI beat her she doesnt suck to much gas up;P

 

[Anonymous]

I keep the old Ford tuned up pretty well. My driving habits probably are not the best. I travel between 4:30 and 5:00 AM and usually roll about 65mph. Nobody on the road, & NC is pretty slack on speeders that only run 10 over the posted limit. I could pick up at least another mpg if I were a little more conservative. Once had a 61 Comet with a 170 and 2 speed auto and got 27 on the road. This Fairmont will probably never do that, but for a decent sized car, I can sure live with 18-20. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. As far as tire pressure, I run 35# and tire wear seems even.