GM's new Active Fuel Management a joke?

[Firebirdcrazy]

My New cobalt ss only averages 25 mpg, and the best i did on the highway by that little computer counter was 29 on average speed of 65-75.. My Formula would get better then 30 on highway.. That why GM is losing to the japs..They are making quality cars that save gas why GM is sucking there tail pipes. I am very unhappy with my cobalt because of this. My sticker says 25 city 34 highway all bologny.. The sole purpose I bought the car was to save fuel, and have a decent looking car. I am ordering the K&N filter since they finally made one for it. i will try that tornado too if they make it for it.

[TraceZ]

My New cobalt ss only averages 25 mpg, and the best i did on the highway by that little computer counter was 29 on average speed of 65-75.. My Formula would get better then 30 on highway.. That why GM is losing to the japs..They are making quality cars that save gas why GM is sucking there tail pipes. I am very unhappy with my cobalt because of this. My sticker says 25 city 34 highway all bologny.. The sole purpose I bought the car was to save fuel, and have a decent looking car. I am ordering the K&N filter since they finally made one for it. i will try that tornado too if they make it for it.

Add Duralube and Zmax to the engine oil, power steering and transmission too. My dad swears by that stuff. He has always used it.

What really got me was when the Valvoline Quick Lube place forgot to install a gasket on his oil filter and he drove all the way from Madison to Milwaukee with no oil in the car before he noticed the oil pressure gauge was on 0. This was in a 1987 Z28 5.0.4bbl. The entire bottom and back of the car were dripping in oil.

He figured the motor was shot. He had it towed from the interstate downtown to the closest service shop and had it corrected. He then drove the rest of the way to Green Bay without issue. After he got back home the Quick Lube agreed to have the dealer do a inspection of the motor. The Dealer gave it a clean bill of health. no problems. He drove over an hour with no oil in the engine and didnt even make a dent in it.

Compare that to stories i've heard of motors seizing up hard after just a few blocks without oil.

[Steel2686]

Is your Cobalt a manual or auto?

[Firebirdcrazy]

Its a Manual!! The 2 versions of the Cobalt SS only come in Manual 5 sp trans. I have the 2.4 liter non supercharged 171 horsepower.. The other SS version is the 2.0 supercharged at 205 horsepower. I am suppose to have better economy then the supercharged model which is why I got it, but it really isnt. I dont really baby the car either, but I should still have good fuel economy regardless.

[Steel2686]

That's really strange. My wife has a new Chevy HHR with the 2.4 ecotech with auto. We average 32 on the highway, and I'm guessing the HHR is a bit heavier than the Cobalt.

[Firebirdcrazy]

exactly I do think its very strange and on my way to Florida and back the engine light kept turning on and off. Since I got back its been off and it hasnt come back on. So I havent taken it in since I havent seen the light again. Chevy is slacking on the cars.. I am going to order today the K&N filter for it and see if it will improve my economy. And maybe that Tornado deal too. I am not sure how that thing works, but I will try it anyways. Anyone else have that thing on there car?

[Steel2686]

If you have access to an OBDII scanner, try to pull the codes. They should be stored in your computer even if the light isn't coming on anymore. If you don't have access to one, bring it down to the dealership. I imagine it's still under warranty. Let them pull the codes for you.

[TraceZ]

exactly I do think its very strange and on my way to Florida and back the engine light kept turning on and off. Since I got back its been off and it hasnt come back on. So I havent taken it in since I havent seen the light again. Chevy is slacking on the cars.. I am going to order today the K&N filter for it and see if it will improve my economy. And maybe that Tornado deal too. I am not sure how that thing works, but I will try it anyways. Anyone else have that thing on there car?

Regarding the tornado:

It has been tested on many cars, sometimes it helps, sometimes it does not. It depends on the internal configuration of the plenum/intake and if it lends itself to work with it or not.

A tornado goes in the intake ducting before the throttle body. what my dad has is a little different, his actually serves as a spacer between the TB and plenum.

[fastTa]

Regarding the tornado:

It has been tested on many cars, sometimes it helps, sometimes it does not. It depends on the internal configuration of the plenum/intake and if it lends itself to work with it or not.

A tornado goes in the intake ducting before the throttle body. what my dad has is a little different, his actually serves as a spacer between the TB and plenum.

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I have actually started to hear and see convincing evidence that those tornado's actually do help improve fuel economy and throttle response *a little*.

But, I agree it depends on a lot of physical variables within different motors. Intake manifold type, IM runner lengths, Plenum volume in relation to displacement, etc..

[Firebirdcrazy]

It really doesnt cost much so I dont see why I shouldnt try it lol. I ordered my K&N I should get it Sat. So once I install that I wil post any differences. Once I get the Tornado I will install that and see the differences as well. I put alot of mileage on my vehicles, and my driving styles change day by day. Depends on the mood. My cobals has over 14,000 miles and I only had it for 7 months... I put the 6yr 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty because I knew I was going to drive the hell out of it, and I dont want to pay for repairs.

[Dave M]

exactly I do think its very strange and on my way to Florida and back the engine light kept turning on and off. Since I got back its been off and it hasnt come back on. So I havent taken it in since I havent seen the light again. Chevy is slacking on the cars.. I am going to order today the K&N filter for it and see if it will improve my economy. And maybe that Tornado deal too. I am not sure how that thing works, but I will try it anyways. Anyone else have that thing on there car?

If you've got an intermitant SES light and you're getting poor gas mileage, that would tell me something is wrong. A car like the Cobalt with a 5 speed should be getting over 30 mpg on the highway, easily. I would definately get that car in to the dealership under warranty. Have them scan it, there is something wrong there.

[TraceZ]

It really doesnt cost much so I dont see why I shouldnt try it lol. I ordered my K&N I should get it Sat. So once I install that I wil post any differences. Once I get the Tornado I will install that and see the differences as well. I put alot of mileage on my vehicles, and my driving styles change day by day. Depends on the mood. My cobals has over 14,000 miles and I only had it for 7 months... I put the 6yr 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty because I knew I was going to drive the hell out of it, and I dont want to pay for repairs.

Add Duralube to the engine. I swear to you that thing will last forever.

The 1994 V6 camaro I just sold had Duralube in it from day 1. With 185,000 miles on it the engine was perfect. It never burned a drop of oil and the oil stayed clean.

1 bottle every oil change. You cant go wrong. Put a little in your power steering too, the rack and pump will last forever. They also make a product for automatic transmissions. With the miles on that V6 camaro the transmission still worked like the day it was built. Nice firm shifts, no slipping.

For 10 years I was skeptical of my dad's claims. Even after his trip to Milwaukee with no oil in the engine. I've recenty become a believer. His cars last forever, never show any signs of mechanical wear. That V6 Camaro was absolutely amazing.

He actually switches between Duralube and Z-Max every other oil change. He also get the filters that are impregnated with teflon.

His 20,000 Lb. RV has a BBC in it and tons of miles. He has owned it sinse new and always kept duralube in everything including the transmission. The trannys in those huge RVs never last more than 50k. He has 114,000 on it and the transmission look like new inside. He dropped the pan on the 4L80 and changed the filter the first time at 90k. The pan wasn't even dirty.

He has been told by dealers the engines in those rigs are not good past 80k. His still runs like the day you got it. No blowby, plugs stay clean, oil pressure has not dropped.

[FroSSty]

My Formula would get better then 30 on highway.. That why GM is losing to the japs..They are making quality cars that save gas why GM is sucking there tail pipes.

Quick Facts about the 2006 Toyota Avalon XL:
MSRP:$26,775
Gas Mileage:22 mpg city / 31 mpg hwy
Engine/s:3.5L V6, 24 valve, 268@6200hp
Transmission:5 speed Automatic

Quick Facts about the 2006 Honda Accord LX V-6 Sedan:
MSRP:$25,100.00
Gas Mileage:20 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy
Engine/s:3.0-liter 24-valve SOHC VTEC® V-6 engine, 244-hp,
Transmission:5-speed automatic transmission

Quick Facts about the 2006 Chevrolet Impala SS:
MSRP:$26,330
Gas Mileage:18 mpg city / 28 mpg hwy
Engine/s:5.3L V8, 16 valve, 303@5600hp
Transmission:4 speed Automatic

Lets compare.............. These lower hp V-6s aren't that much better are they? Notice they both have a 5 spd auto...Try some research before you post something like that.

[FroSSty]

BTW...I am another believer in Dura lube. I have my reasons too.

[Joe 1320]

For 10 years I was skeptical of my dad's claims. Even after his trip to Milwaukee with no oil in the engine.

I've heard others claim this, I often wonder how hydraulic lifters operate without oil.