Hey guys,

First off I want to say that I bought my 98 sl2 (manual) slightly out of desperation for a car, about 6 months ago. It now has about 143k on it. I have fallen in love with it. I am not a mechanic, but armed with a manual and a tool set from sears, I do what I can. I have been doing things to my Saturn that I didn''''''''t really need to do. Changing things like the alternator, starter, and brakes, before I really had any problems. I was just kind of trying to learn about my car etc.

Anywho!

I was probably getting about 28 mpg, driving 30% highway. I was pretty happy. Recently, however I have dropped down to about 21 mpg, and driving habits haven''''''''t changed.

I did small things like air filter, plugs, cable etc. with no change. I did recently do the back brakes, and I need to double check them to make sure the wheels are spinning, but I remember doing that when I put the wheels back on.

So, assuming my brakes aren''''''''t the cause, are there any other ideas?

Thanks!

Edited by: ryan@waggs.net

ETC sensor and connector

sw2cam has the answer, and oh, by the way, I sinserely hope you did not put platinum plugs in your engine ...

Cool! I''ll go ahead and get started on that.

While we are on the subject, are there any tune ups or particular parts
that can help mpg at all?

Thanks guys!

A can of throttle body cleaner and a new set of plugs might help. Be sure to coat the threads with anti-sieze, and DO NOT USE PLATINUM

ok, ok i''ll say it...

what''s wrong with platinum? [img]smileys/smiley12.gif[/img]

The spark system on a Saturn is not designed to operate with a platinum plug. Poor performance, rotten gas mileage just to name a few ...

Seemed to work wonderfully.

Thanks guys, i''l have to make another thread with a new problem if I
don''t find it searching.

Ttyl :)

wow am i sure glad i just read this post! i have a 98'' sl2 5spd and i bought mine too out''ve desperate need for a car. Mine had 149K mi on it when i got it in July 08'', now it''s up to 152k. But anyway, i''m getting ROTTEN gas mileage. [img]smileys/smiley6.gif[/img]I have a new air filter, new tires, new brakes (fr & rear), oil recently changed, new plug wires, new battery, new front axles, new wheel bearings, new clutch, new shift cables and even a new shifter with a boot!! STILL bad. and to make matters worse, i put Bosch Platinum plugs in it maybe a month ago![img]smileys/smiley3.gif[/img]I didn''t know you weren''t supposed to! Does anyone haveany suggestions on what type of plug works best? Thanx so much for any info!


~Krissy~

Buy your plugs from the SATURN dealer then you''ll be sure to get the right ones.