Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 18:22:45 -0400 From: Michael Gabriel <mgabrielnopsaml.net> Subject: Re: New Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs
I'm just citing the SID readout. I was hoping it would be inaccurate... ;) In all fairness, though, I have noticed the behaviour of the readout based on what I do. Periodically, I clear it and have arrived at a kind of "average" after an extended period of time, say 2-3 months. Finals include: 12.3, 13.4, 14.6, and so far (being really good in the last little while) 11.9 city/hwy combined. I guess I'll have to get used to it! Thanks. Scott FitzGerald wrote: > Wow - that's absolutely horrible gas mileage. You'd have to be a real > leadfoot for it to be that bad. Are you calculating that yourself or > just taking the reading off the SID (in dash computer)? The SID won't > necessarily be accurate; it depends on your driving characteristics. > You can drive with the cruise on at 105km/h for 3 hours, then floor it > to 150 for 5 minutes and your mileage will suck. > > I would expect you to get between 8 and 10 litres/100km overall. I'm > consistenly in the low 8s (low 30mpg's) and I'm a leadfoot with a 1994 > V6 in Ottawa. > > I've also had very bad luck using non-spec spark plugs. They really > threw off the engine management and I would get chugging at high > speed. Once I put in original spec plugs, no problems. As well, > don't get them from the dealer, you'll save half by going to an auto > supply place. Check the owners manual for model numbers. > > Cheers, > Scott. > > Michael Gabriel wrote: > > > > Folks, > > > > Please excuse my naïveté, but has anyone heard of, or better yet, tried > > the new Bosch platinum plugs with the 4 electrodes? Would that > > significantly increase performance or just cost of maintenance. Does > > Saab insist on use of their own recommended or even "proprietary" plugs > > (<grin>) without which the car won't run properly? > > > > I have a 1999 9-3 2.0 liter 185Hp turbo and I just wanted to improve the > > performance and the gas mileage(!!!). I'm far from a tame driver, but a > > mix of mostly (dreadful) city and some highway driving (say 70/30) in > > Montreal gives me fuel consumption of around 14.6 litres/100 Km which is > > far greater than EPA ratings and much worse than what some of you have > > mentioned. If it's just my lead foot and aggressive driving style, well, > > I can tone that down, but if there's a problem or something I can do to > > improve the "health" of my beloved Saab, I'd be very grateful to learn. > > > > TIA, > > > > Michael