Pontiac Firebirds are classic American muscle cars with great speed and performance, and they pay the price for this in gas mileage. Pontiac Firebirds get an average 17 miles per gallon city and 26 miles per gallon highway which, while somewhat reasonable, leaves room for improvement. Gas mileage can be increased dramatically with a few simple modifications to the car and to your driving habits, without reducing your car's power and performance.
Replace the air filter to increase the amount of clean air traveling to your engine. This will let your engine operate at optimum performance without using excess gas. K&N offers air filters that fit all Pontiac Firebirds.
Have the mass air flow sensor and O2 sensors replaced if they are dirty or old. Having dirty sensors causes the car to send too much fuel to the engine, wasting gas. Pontiac parts dealers sell both of these items for all Firebirds.
Have a mechanic install an underdrive pulley system. This makes your engine accessories operate at the same level using less engine power. This way, the engine power can focus on propelling the car, wasting less gas mileage on extra components. Street Smart Design offers underdrive pulley systems to fit most Pontiac Firebirds.
Replace your computer chip with a high-quality performance chip, which will more effectively regulate the gas input to the engine. Automotive Concepts sells the Hypertech Pontiac Firebird Computer Chip Programmer Power Programmer lll, which limits the RPM revs, which adjusts the transmission and cooling fan temperatures.
Install a high-performance exhaust system with a better muffler and bigger tailpipes. This will allow the engine to expel hot air more quickly, keeping it cool and allowing it to perform the best it can. Flowmaster offers high-quality mufflers and exhaust systems for all Pontiac Firebirds.
Install a cold air intake system to draw cold air into the engine, allowing it to burn less fuel. K&N makes cold air intake systems that fit Pontiac Firebirds from every year.
Drive in the highest gear suitable for the conditions you are driving in. Lower gears put excessive strain on the engine, burning more fuel.
Remove all unnecessary weight from the car. Clean out the trunk to keep extra weight from making the engine work harder.
Drive at the slowest appropriate speed for the road you are on. Sixty miles per hour is the optimum speed for fuel efficiency in most jobs, and fuel efficiency decreases dramatically at speeds above 60 mph.
