My '04 2.2L is only getting about 24 MPG. While this is indeed a significant improvement after several repairs I need to be getting more out of this little commuter. With most of the miles being highway I'd like to be getting as close to the supposed 36 MPG as possible. It ain't exactly new but am I expecting too much looking for something over 30 MPG? Air filter, oil and filter, exhaust are all good. Better tires wouldn't hurt, suspension could use a small bit of attention. Checking fuel pump and filter later today. Am I missing anything obvious? Any thought/suggestions on bumping up fuel efficiency are greatly appreciated!

 

Stock plugs?
Dragging brakes/ stuck calipers/e brake improperly adjusted and dragging brakes?
How many miles on O2 sensor front?

Dead body in trunk?

 

Run a can of berrymans through the tank. Then change the fuel filter.
change air filter as well. Clean the throttle body. Go in with some new oem plugs.

Auto or hand shaker?

 

Brakes are ship shape. Unsure about O2 sensor. No body in the trunk. I did however get a chuckle out of the battery being there.

 

Fuel filter is next on the list for sure. Hadn’t thought about cleaning throttle body or upgrading plugs. Thanks for the input!

She’s a manual, that was a deal breaker. Had to be a stick. Wouldn’t dream of teaching my kid how to drive on an auto!

 

Berrymans helped the fuel system on my old grand caravan quite a bit. I dont track mpg but definitely noticed a difference.
Good man teaching your kids to drive a standard! Its becoming a lost art.
So you know to keep those rpms low cruising. That'll help too.

Dont know how far into it you want to get. But you could also make a belly pan and lower it some for less drag

 

I bought an '04 Ion two years ago. Got a really good price on it because the (manual) transmission was making a bad noise above about 40 mph -- bad bearing. I replaced the transmission with one from a salvage yard that was 70K 'newer'. The bad transmission had been serviced with what appeared to be 75W-90 gear oil, probably added to the ATF fluid that was supposed to be there (it was a muddy dark red color). In addition to the transmission, I also did plugs, cleaned the throttle body, changed the fuel filter, and checked everything over. It runs great now, and I have gotten over 40 mpg on road trips. Around town (when I rarely get in 5th/overdrive), I get around 25 or 26 mpg.
Wouldn't hurt to change the fluid in the transmission on yours. The drain plug is a challenge to get to/out, but if you have gear oil (instead of ATF) in there, it is making the engine work harder keeping the gears turning.