Episode 647 – Increase Your Jeep’s MPG

This Week In Jeep

America’s Most Wanted!…. JEEP!

We have another win for the Jeep Wrangler to celebrate. Reports show that used Jeep Wranglers are the most popular option out of every single other used vehicle. According to a study by Compare the Market, used Jeep Wrangler models have the highest demand in the used vehicle market. More drivers search for a used Jeep Wrangler than any other model. It’s true and we’ve got the numbers to prove it. 

Used Wrangler models had about 760,940 annual searches, while the Toyota Tacoma landed in a very dismal and distant second place with only 504,490 annual searches. 

Reportedly, the Wrangler is popular because it’s one of the most iconic vehicles of modern times with unmatched four-wheel drive rugged capabilities and long-lasting durability. Critics can’t explain the disparity, and the other automaker fanboys are already crying for a recount, but it’s not rocket science why there’s this big uptick in people wanting Jeeps. It’s the Jeep Talk Show. We’re THAT big people. Yeah. That just happened. Ok so maybe it’s something more practical like how the Wrangler is a direct descendent from the World War II Jeep. While the Wrangler is the obvious off-roading choice, it’s a good daily driver for most people as well. And with the proper care and regular maintenance, Wranglers can easily surpass 300k miles. Ok so maybe the world-famous Jeep Talk Show didn’t have as much to do with the numbers as I think, but that’s my line I’m gonna take and I’m stickin to it. 

Jeep Racing

If you get to know me, you’ll know I really like the skinny pedal. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in time and place, and when you’re bouncing on your rear axle, that’s not the time nor place for skinny pedal, but I digress. Off Road racing has always been a draw for me, I swear I missed my calling there. Although I don’t have the time, means, and especially money to take on this amazing sport, you best believe if I did, it would be Jeepspeed. The Jeepspeed series is the most fun racing series, it’s cost-effective, and it’s worthwhile for grassroots drivers. You don’t need to be a millionaire to race Jeepspeed. Most teams build their own vehicles and have pit crews made up of family and friends. When a team needs help, its competitors pitch in to fill the void. The camaraderie is unlike any other racing series. It’s no wonder that the Yokohama Jeepspeed series is the longest-running spec racing series in off-road racing. If you’re interested in this kind of stuff, and trust me, It. Is. a. Blast! The 2022 Yokohama Tire Jeepspeed Race Series presented by KMC Wheels brings to you the “Vegas to Reno” Jeepspeed Challenge. It’s the longest off-road race in the US and it’s coming up soon.

August 10-13, 2022 – Reno, NV https://www.jeepspeed.com/

This Woman Is Trying To Electrify a Jeep Wrangler TJ

Veronika Wright grew up in Austria watching the American TV show “The Gilmore Girls” and dreaming of driving a tan Jeep Wrangler, like one of the girls…who was named Gilmore did… in the show… apparently. Now Veronika Wright lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is the proud owner of her dream vehicle, a tan Jeep Wrangler TJ. But she’s working to make it better (some would argue just different) than the one on the TV show. She and her husband are converting the Jeep to run on electricity. Wright has a Ph.D. in physics and used to work as a battery simulation engineer. “This really was a lot of fun, and I got very, very passionate about batteries,” she says. She wanted to apply her technical knowledge to a hands-on project and share her enthusiasm for electric vehicles. So she created a YouTube channel where viewers can follow each step she takes to electrify the Jeep. 

She hopes sharing the costs and challenges of this Jeep project gets more people excited about going electric. And when the project is done, Wright hopes to surprise people when she pulls over to charge up her Jeep Wrangler. In her own words:

“I am looking forward to pulling up to a charging station and then people will be like, ‘What is this girl doing here, thinking she can – this is not a gas station,’ you know, and

having these moments where you then just charge it there. “I think this will be a lot of fun.” On her website, she lists herself as a content creator, and I can see the kind of trolling-like content she’s going after. Oh, those poor greenies won’t see it coming!

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: Getting The Most MPGs

Well with record high gas prices I figured it may not hurt to go over a few tips and tricks to get the most MPG out of your Jeep. When we’re talking fuel economy and Wranglers, it’s a bit like going to the tire shop for an oil change. Sure they can probably do it, but that’s not what the store is known for or how they make their money. Most people that own a Jeep (or more than one, I’m not judging) aren’t too concerned about fuel efficiency because the fact of the matter is, fuel efficiency, due to a variety of factors, is just not a focal point for people who own Jeeps. That said, there are some tips and tricks Jeepers can apply to add a few more miles in between fill-ups. I’m going, to be honest, here, there’s no magic pill here, there isn’t just one thing that improves the mileage of a Jeep significantly, I mean a cow is more aerodynamic than a Wrangler after all. Now, for higher mileage Jeeps, upgrading the fuel injectors can help to yield better fuel economy. This goes double for any Jeep with an inline six. 

The venerable 4.0L came from the factory with stock fuel injectors that only have a single hole.

Upgrading the fuel injectors (particularly those with four holes) will enhance the atomization of the fuel inside the combustion chamber. The result is slightly better horsepower and improved fuel economy. We’re talking a gain of maybe 1 to 2 MPG’s here though. Another option would be to upgrade the ECU tune by modifying or changing the engine timing, automatic shift points, the air/fuel ratio, and other parameters that could increase efficiency. The only way to do this however is by using an aftermarket tuner. With these, you can modify the horsepower, torque, and other things to improve fuel economy. This is especially true if you’ve bolted on a couple of go-fast engine mods to your Jeep. Modifying the CPU tuning will allow the mods to unleash the full potential of your Jeep. Depending on what mods you’ve done, the unlocked MPGs could surprise you. 

Now Jeepers, let’s talk about overcompensation. And it has nothing to do with what’s in your pants. Those who drive a 2007 to 2018 Jeep are familiar with the laggy throttle response. This is caused by a delay in the drive-by-wire throttle pedal. Stepping on the gas will send a signal from the pedal to the ECU. The ECU will then send the signal to the throttle body. Those two steps are responsible for the perceivable delay in throttle inputs since electrons can only travel so fast down a wire. To compensate for this delay, (and to keep you from overcompensating by pressing on the gas more than you should) you need to install a throttle response controller. Modules like the Pedal Commander will eliminate the pedal delay, improve acceleration, and consequently can yield better fuel economy numbers. 

Again, we’re talking a gain of just 1 to 2 MPG’s here, but it all adds up. Now, Jeeps need to breathe, and the stock air intake system in your Jeep is certainly adequate for daily driving. But there are weaknesses in the OEM system. The main one is the paper filter, followed by known restrictions in the intake ducting for noise dampening. Paper filters use surface filtration and definitely clog up faster than depth-based cotton filters will.

Thus staying on top of air filter maintenance regardless of your filter is important in order to preserve regular fuel economy. So clean or swap out your filter often. For those who are looking to get a slight improvement in performance and possible fuel economy as well, consider an aftermarket intake with a depth-based high flow filter. These types of systems further reduce any restrictions in the intake tract and filter and ease the effort necessary for the engine to breathe better easily adding 1 to 3 MPGs. A simple cat-back aftermarket exhaust system can also free up some downstream restrictions in the engine’s ability to breathe. These kits provide better flow, added performance, and typically a better sound as well, all while adding to the efficiency of the engine. Some kits can give you as much as 3 to 4 MPGs. There’s no doubt that Jeeps, lift kits, and aggressive tires go hand-in-hand. And while these mods will improve the rugged looks and off-road capabilities of your Jeep, they will also contribute to poor fuel economy.

If you’re really concerned about fuel economy, look into getting a second set of wheels and tires. I know it sounds dumb and may be more work than it’s worth for many, but having a set of skinnier highway-terrain (or H/T) tires you can roll on in between wheeling trips will add several miles back to each gallon. Highway tires will have a lower rolling resistance due to their streamlined tread profile than mud or even all-terrains. They’re also typically lighter, reducing the amount of unsprung weight the Jeep has to push down the road. On average, mud terrain tires can cost you a good 5-7 percent loss in mileage. And the bigger you go, the more that goes up. Swapping back to the meaty tires only takes 15 maybe 20 min at most, and you’re back in action. Depending on how much you drive, and how much you spend on the wheels and tires, the savings have the potential to pay for themselves in the first year, but certainly within the life of the highway tires. Now the last tip I’m going to give you is going to require the least amount of tools, and in fact, doesn’t have anything to do with your Jeep. This modification is a bit introspective and will require a shift in driving habits actually. And trust me, this is not a fun or easy shift. Realistically speaking, this is the most effective method to return the best possible fuel mileage. Again, just due to the size, shape, and intended off-road purpose of most Jeeps, fuel economy is really a bit of an oxymoron. If your Jeep is equipped with a manual tranny, try to shift as early as possible to get better fuel mileage. For anyJeep, and every driver, careful throttle application is the biggest factor in achieving the best possible mileage. In other words, take all the fun out of it.  If you drive like a grandma with a wedding cake in the back, you’ll be off to a…slow, but a good start. If all these things are put into use, and every modification made, you can add as much as 10 to 12 MPGs to your fuel economy. Is it worth it? I’ll let you decide. 

2021 Jeep Talk Show Gladiator

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/
Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver
The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/
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Toledo Jeep Fest https://toledojeepfest.com/
Mr. Vanderquack https://mrvanderquack.com/

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