Trying to get better gas mileage out of the Saturn. Update 5/10/15, the gas milage stayed the same or went down slightly. Going to try a third set of plugs.
A little late posting here. I have an '04 Ion 2 5 speed manual with 314,500 miles on her. She has all original engine and transmission components including the factor spark plugs and ignition coil pack. She still gets 25-30mpg in the city and almost 40 Highway. All I know is that I do oil changes every 2k miles and 300 miles before the oil change i add half can of seafoam to the oil to burn off any extra build up.
To all , I have been a mechanic for 35 years , the only spark plug that improves fuel economy are the high performance tip plug because it increases the flame cornel increasing the combustion efficiency , the best Iridiums plugs tested are Bosch Lazer Iridiums ,and they are a 100,000 mile plug , there are cheaper plugs that will work almost as good are the NGK or champion platinum(With the cut back electrode ) and performance ground strap , look for the ground to be cut to an angle not straight across or square , look at a few different high performance plugs for you at the part store and you'll see what I talking about .
Totally irrelevant but I giggled when you said you're in Wisconsin as that accent sounds quite Canadian, lol. Either way, thank you for the video! I have a Saturn L300 that I need to change the spark plugs for but figured I'd take a peek regardless.
Did you know that even though you all think us "Wisconsinites" may sound Canadian/funny, we are also the most common people used for news and weather, and that most actors/actresses have to learn to speak like us because we have the easier to understand and we pronounce our words the most accurately of all of the US accents.
for good gas mileage on cars I always start with good performance plugs and wires, K&N air filter, high flow exhaust (even cut out catalytic converter if legal to) tires about 5 psi over rated, rebuild brake calipers to keep from sticking (you might not even feel the rub and it could be costing you mileage big time) I get well over 30 mpg city in my 95 Saturn SL2 w 5 spd and DOHC peppy AF too ;)
Would be nice to see what the car does and sounds like before repairs, but this video helped my friend replace his plugs even though that wasn't the problem. :)
that's weird. i have a 2004 2.2 5 speed and get 27 city 35 hwy and it has 174,000 miles on it with original spark plugs. actually until i watched this video i always wondered where the spark plugs were.
Get a cheap intake kit and a decent air filter. I got one for about $60 on Ebay. It seemed to help the gas mileage out, and the response time of the engine became noticeably faster at takeoff and while passing..
thanks for the video, I'll be changing my plugs soon. I have a 2005 level 2 ion 5 speed manual with 134k. mine gets around 18-20 city but I have a bad O2 sensor as well so that might be it.
Do you ever need to replace that ignition module with the 4 bolts? I would think that would need to be replaced like a distributor cap and rotor would need to be.
I always pull the plugs out when the engine is "warm" as it requires a fraction of the torque to break them loose (lower risk of thread damage). I think the issue is if you install plugs on a hot engine you will easily over tighten them so a cold engine for the install is ideal. Interested in your thoughts here. If you install an oil catch can the plugs will stay a lot cleaner which has to help with mileage. I like to run a catch cans on my cars.
everything ever written on changing plugs in aluminium says never do it on a warm or hot engine, only cold. you have been very lucky if you pull them out when there is any heat still in the engine
I just changed out the module pack and cleared a P0300 code. The car ran great........for 30 miles and another engine light, rough running and a p0300 code. I think I received a bad module
Have you tried Premium gas in it? I have 05 Ion 3 and get about 25mpg in town. I also use Mobil 1 full synthetic. I have over 134,000 miles on it also.
Your video was really helpful. I haven't used NGKs yet , I put Bosh iridium in mine. I had ACdelcos, in there. But all is fine. If you have any videos or tips on the cruise control that would help.
Press the button on the left in and the light will come on. Then get up to the speed u want to cruise at, then press the button on the right with the thumb indication (negative, the bottom button, not the top, that is to go higher speeds once c.c is initiated) and then let off the gas. The dash will spell out "cruise".
I thought my cruise control was broke, but it just took applying more pressure than you normally would, on the button on the steering wheel. Still a little sticky. Maybe some contact cleaner would help.
Non ethonal gas will add about 5 miles to the gallon on that ecotec engine, at least it did on my Cavalier, which it looks like has the same motor as your Saturn or close. Also, a synthetic oil, mobile one preferably, will add another 3 to 5 miles to the gallon, costs more but pays for itself with better gas mileage. Until I did both of those, my Cavalier 2.2 ecotec was getting about 20 miles per gallon in town and about 30 on the freeway. Now it's like new again, getting 24 in town and 38 on the freeway. Tip on the fuel pump issue with these cars. Buy the best one you can find at the auto parts store, and don't worry about the cost. I tried buying a fuel pump online twice, in order to save money and each one died or acted sick after about 3000 to 5000 miles.
even if you never got an engine light have you changed your o2 senors out. quite often mileage will drop with no warning.... run the same and no funny smell.... change em out if you havent in 100k kms
My 2003 Saturn Ion had 109,000 I think on it and never been changed. I put the most expensive plugs in before I didn't have good throttle response and my city mpg was 17 it went up to 30 mpg city after the plug change
British_Leyland(Alexscott100) I just picked up an '04 Quad Coup 3 for the wife which has 149K on it. No idea what the plug wear is but if your numbers are true then that's badass! Right now my concern is the busted windshield wiper linkage.
i have a 2005 Saturn ion I don't know what you did to that car but mine gets 35 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the citi so idk what you are dewing with it to burn fuel so quick
Godx Blackscholarsun considering numerous parts have been recalled and saturn is no longer produced it shows the quality of the vehicle. The vehicle has had the oil changed, tires rotated etc...... every 6,000 kms.
@@wildman8200 That's very anecdotal. You are talking about a brand of car that was built using excess GM parts from other vehicles. Saturn is what all GM cars once were in that era. The parts themselves are fine. But GM as a whole had to file bankruptcy soon after because it was mismanaged. GMC, Buick, Chevy, Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, all of them contribute to the Frankenstein that is Saturn. Just like Scion is to Toyota. My spouse's 2004 Ion is at 125k miles with minimal work done on it and it runs just fine. We will be doing some work to it to bring it back up to speed, but it has been very reliable for her.
They are so horrible that I'm on my 5th one. All have had over 200,000 miles before getting replaced. My best advice for any Saturn owner is to head over to saturnfans dot com and get to know the forums for your model, especially in the tech section. Most of the common problems that happen are well documented and the how-to fix is generally easy.
thanks for the video, I'll be changing my plugs soon. I have a 2005 level 2 ion 5 speed manual with 134k. mine gets around 18-20 city but I have a bad O2 sensor as well so that might be it.
thanks for the video, I'll be changing my plugs soon. I have a 2005 level 2 ion 5 speed manual with 134k. mine gets around 18-20 city but I have a bad O2 sensor as well so that might be it.
A little late posting here. I have an '04 Ion 2 5 speed manual with 314,500 miles on her. She has all original engine and transmission components including the factor spark plugs and ignition coil pack. She still gets 25-30mpg in the city and almost 40 Highway. All I know is that I do oil changes every 2k miles and 300 miles before the oil change i add half can of seafoam to the oil to burn off any extra build up.
Thank you. I'm a complete novice. Without your help I'd have paid my local shop $291.+ to what you just did in the vid.
To all , I have been a mechanic for 35 years , the only spark plug that improves fuel economy are the high performance tip plug because it increases the flame cornel increasing the combustion efficiency , the best Iridiums plugs tested are Bosch Lazer Iridiums ,and they are a 100,000 mile plug , there are cheaper plugs that will work almost as good are the NGK or champion platinum(With the cut back electrode ) and performance ground strap , look for the ground to be cut to an angle not straight across or square , look at a few different high performance plugs for you at the part store and you'll see what I talking about .
I've read on Ion forums where people say not to put Bosch spark plugs in. Not sure why though...
Owned Saturn's since the beginning. Something else is wrong with your car! They will do well above 20 in the city no sweat!
you might want to try a longer extension...
yes!!! then pull car in basement , and sit in attic to change plugs .... ooooo goooood idea!
And a step ladder?
Dude did the plug change from the attic with that extension. Lol. Anti-seize is ALWAYS a good idea.
Totally irrelevant but I giggled when you said you're in Wisconsin as that accent sounds quite Canadian, lol. Either way, thank you for the video! I have a Saturn L300 that I need to change the spark plugs for but figured I'd take a peek regardless.
The reason people talk like that open Wisconsin is because some of them are Norwegian
@@seanm7539 Yep. Makes me think of the movie Fargo, which has an exaggerated Scandinavian accent for the characters.
Did you know that even though you all think us "Wisconsinites" may sound Canadian/funny, we are also the most common people used for news and weather, and that most actors/actresses have to learn to speak like us because we have the easier to understand and we pronounce our words the most accurately of all of the US accents.
@@BanrionFola Sounds pretty cool!
for good gas mileage on cars I always start with good performance plugs and wires, K&N air filter, high flow exhaust (even cut out catalytic converter if legal to) tires about 5 psi over rated, rebuild brake calipers to keep from sticking (you might not even feel the rub and it could be costing you mileage big time) I get well over 30 mpg city in my 95 Saturn SL2 w 5 spd and DOHC peppy AF too ;)
Would be nice to see what the car does and sounds like before repairs, but this video helped my friend replace his plugs even though that wasn't the problem. :)
enjoyed video, changed plugs coil pack and ignition module, turned out to be bad coil pack, runs great!
replace my plugs already and am getting 27 in city and 35 in highway!
This was very helpful. Many thanks!
Great video, everything is explained !
I can suggest by Using Fuel addictive regularly can give more mileage and spark plug life will be longer ....that's what I'm doing for long time....
that's weird. i have a 2004 2.2 5 speed and get 27 city 35 hwy and it has 174,000 miles on it with original spark plugs. actually until i watched this video i always wondered where the spark plugs were.
that's the same car we have and get 27/28 around town and 36/38 on the freeway
I get ~ 25.5MPG combined. About to change the spark plugs. (245,000KM on the engine)
josh g I have a standard transmission, 2003 sl200 & gettin' lousy mpg. Could it be because yours is a 5 SPD stick, it gets better mpg.?
I have the 2007 automatic transmission and all I have ever gotten was 21 in the city and that's when the car was brand new
That's about the sams as I get with my 2006 Ion 2.2L engine. About 27 in city and 35 on highway.
i've got NGKs in my chevys and they are the best
The copper ones. Which number. I’m doing my ion
thanks for the video I have a 2005 Saturn and I'm gonna change my spark plugs :)
Thanks for making this video, I appreciate it.
Get a cheap intake kit and a decent air filter. I got one for about $60 on Ebay. It seemed to help the gas mileage out, and the response time of the engine became noticeably faster at takeoff and while passing..
Changing the fuel filter might improve your mileage.
i covered the lower radiator inlet with some card board during the winter in MN and i didnt get below 25mpg. my 18k mileage average is 28.6
thanks for the video, I'll be changing my plugs soon. I have a 2005 level 2 ion 5 speed manual with 134k. mine gets around 18-20 city but I have a bad O2 sensor as well so that might be it.
Do you ever need to replace that ignition module with the 4 bolts? I would think that would need to be replaced like a distributor cap and rotor would need to be.
Only is you get a misfire code, rough idle or no start condition if it's really bad.
As a mechanic you should use a shorter extension.
I always pull the plugs out when the engine is "warm" as it requires a fraction of the torque to break them loose (lower risk of thread damage). I think the issue is if you install plugs on a hot engine you will easily over tighten them so a cold engine for the install is ideal. Interested in your thoughts here.
If you install an oil catch can the plugs will stay a lot cleaner which has to help with mileage. I like to run a catch cans on my cars.
Oil catch can?
everything ever written on changing plugs in aluminium says never do it on a warm or hot engine, only cold. you have been very lucky if you pull them out when there is any heat still in the engine
I just changed out the module pack and cleared a P0300 code. The car ran great........for 30 miles and another engine light, rough running and a p0300 code. I think I received a bad module
Someone forgot to update their mileage...
Have you tried Premium gas in it? I have 05 Ion 3 and get about 25mpg in town. I also use Mobil 1 full synthetic. I have over 134,000 miles on it also.
Only regular gas on this car
Your video was really helpful. I haven't used NGKs yet , I put Bosh iridium in mine. I had ACdelcos, in there. But all is fine. If you have any videos or tips on the cruise control that would help.
Press the button on the left in and the light will come on. Then get up to the speed u want to cruise at, then press the button on the right with the thumb indication (negative, the bottom button, not the top, that is to go higher speeds once c.c is initiated) and then let off the gas. The dash will spell out "cruise".
I thought my cruise control was broke, but it just took applying more pressure than you normally would, on the button on the steering wheel. Still a little sticky. Maybe some contact cleaner would help.
Non ethonal gas will add about 5 miles to the gallon on that ecotec engine, at least it did on my Cavalier, which it looks like has the same motor as your Saturn or close. Also, a synthetic oil, mobile one preferably, will add another 3 to 5 miles to the gallon, costs more but pays for itself with better gas mileage. Until I did both of those, my Cavalier 2.2 ecotec was getting about 20 miles per gallon in town and about 30 on the freeway. Now it's like new again, getting 24 in town and 38 on the freeway. Tip on the fuel pump issue with these cars. Buy the best one you can find at the auto parts store, and don't worry about the cost. I tried buying a fuel pump online twice, in order to save money and each one died or acted sick after about 3000 to 5000 miles.
even if you never got an engine light have you changed your o2 senors out. quite often mileage will drop with no warning.... run the same and no funny smell.... change em out if you havent in 100k kms
i had a chev beretta mileage drop to 16 mpg without knowing... changed it out up to 34 on highway
Berryman's fuel injector cleaner
You may try some fuel injector cleaner that you can put in the gas tank it'll clean the whole system
I use Chevron Techron every other oil change (6000 miles).
My 2003 Saturn Ion had 109,000 I think on it and never been changed. I put the most expensive plugs in before I didn't have good throttle response and my city mpg was 17 it went up to 30 mpg city after the plug change
British_Leyland(Alexscott100) I just picked up an '04 Quad Coup 3 for the wife which has 149K on it. No idea what the plug wear is but if your numbers are true then that's badass! Right now my concern is the busted windshield wiper linkage.
+Erich Backhus is it a automatic or Manuel
British_Leyland(Alexscott100) 2.2l with a 5-speed manual
What size socket bit are you using to remove the spark plug cover?
The socket is 10 mm.
i have a 2005 Saturn ion I don't know what you did to that car but mine gets 35 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the citi so idk what you are dewing with it to burn fuel so quick
Getting about 26.75 average (city) over a 6 month period on my 2006 Vue with the 2.2l and 5 speed manual. 160k miles on her (September 2020).
if you havent changed the fuel filter you shuld get that done. takes 10 minutes
Thanks
Got 04 ion 30 mpg country or city.
Do you need to gap these spark plugs
Yes every vehicles spark plugs should be properly gapped
Irridum plugs are manufactured with correct gap. Should be 0.43 for saturn 2.2l
Three videos in one weekend
Yes, I really enjoy this channel. I can watch this instead of working on my car!
Drive faster!
Umm why you think why not you know 0.o
Saturn is a garbage vehicle. Have the same model in my garage and it only has 100,000 km and it has so many problems.
Godx Blackscholarsun considering numerous parts have been recalled and saturn is no longer produced it shows the quality of the vehicle. The vehicle has had the oil changed, tires rotated etc...... every 6,000 kms.
I have 1999 Saturn. ,224,900. and still running😉
2004 with 250km runs fine
@@wildman8200 That's very anecdotal. You are talking about a brand of car that was built using excess GM parts from other vehicles. Saturn is what all GM cars once were in that era. The parts themselves are fine. But GM as a whole had to file bankruptcy soon after because it was mismanaged. GMC, Buick, Chevy, Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, all of them contribute to the Frankenstein that is Saturn. Just like Scion is to Toyota. My spouse's 2004 Ion is at 125k miles with minimal work done on it and it runs just fine. We will be doing some work to it to bring it back up to speed, but it has been very reliable for her.
They are so horrible that I'm on my 5th one. All have had over 200,000 miles before getting replaced. My best advice for any Saturn owner is to head over to saturnfans dot com and get to know the forums for your model, especially in the tech section. Most of the common problems that happen are well documented and the how-to fix is generally easy.
thanks for the video, I'll be changing my plugs soon. I have a 2005 level 2 ion 5 speed manual with 134k. mine gets around 18-20 city but I have a bad O2 sensor as well so that might be it.
thanks for the video, I'll be changing my plugs soon. I have a 2005 level 2 ion 5 speed manual with 134k. mine gets around 18-20 city but I have a bad O2 sensor as well so that might be it.