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Recommended Spark Plugs for 2005 ZX4

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17K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  04RedRocket  
#1 ·
Hello:

As I am getting about 20 mpg city driving, I am looking for improve it.
I have changed motor oil, now it has brand new Motorcraft 5W-20 as the manual says, changed fuel filter Motorcraft also, and motorcraft oil filter.

The manual recommends to use 87 octane fuel, but in my country I just could get or 89 or 94 octane.

I have checked all sensors and all of them are fine.
I can't change air filter because it says it is lifetime.

I want to try changing spark plugs, it has Regular Autolite sparks, I would like to know if installing maybe NGK Platinium or Iridium will make an improvement on MPG. Or how about using fuel cleaner additive?, any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
I switched to Bosch Iridium plugs 8 months ago. Made no difference. An after market air cleaner, such as a Steeda SRI, or any of the other cold air intakes available from FF sponsors may help. I have a Steeda, and gained 2 mpg. Just be careful when oiling the filter element, as the MAF sensor does NOT like oil.
Depending upon what your "city" driving is like, you may need a Vespa! Good luck.
 
#6 ·
Autolite 103 plugs are the best we've found in these cars, but really any plug should give you better than 20 mpg without a serious engine or exhaust issue. How are you figuring your mileage?
 
#8 ·
flat tire!

I was checking my tires presure and my rear right tire has just less than 10 PSI I haven't notice this, the other ones were at perfectly 32 PSI. I have inflated and seems good now, I will post my mpg after doing this. I was getting 24 mpg before I am not sure if just a tire could drop 4 mpg
 
#9 ·
ok yeah the 10 psi tire is called almost flat which will drastically effect your mileage. Go with the 103's, cold air kit, bigger exhaust and test from a full tank.
 
#10 ·
NO, exhaust systems tend to decrease mileage. I lost 2 mpg when I went from the stock exhaust to a free-flowing exhaust. I had more zoom, but it cost me.

10 psi on one tire is going to cause you some problems. I don't know how expensive air is there. Here it's fairly cheap, and although it's not economic, I purchased a 12v tire inflator. If you decide to get one, the best company is Intermatic. These people were the first to market a 12v emergency tire inflator, and still make some of the best, longest lasting emergency tire pumps. I didn't go cheap, and bought their most expensive model without a rechargeable battery.
 
#11 ·
NO, exhaust systems tend to decrease mileage. I lost 2 mpg when I went from the stock exhaust to a free-flowing exhaust. I had more zoom, but it cost me.
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Interesting. I've always gained mpg with a cai and exhaust upgrade. I know there's a few folks on here that don't recommend under drive pulleys but I got 3 mpg out of just that when I put an abnormally small one on my old zx2. I averaged 31-34 mpg with mixed driving in my zx2 with cai, exhaust (2.25" catback with borla) and a custom racing crank pulley. I also have a 96 tbird with exhaust (3.5" single exhaust from mid cat back), mac cai and average around 20-22 mpg. This is with PI intake, cams and 4.10 gears as well. My 2002 GT averaged 24 mpg with mixed driving and maxed 28 going to L.A. from Sac. That had a steeda ram air, bbk off road x, stock cat back with flowmaster 4" tips.