quikandskinny@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote in
news:1183740357.589182.100090@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I am a new Kia owner, having purchased the 2006.5 Optima last weekend.
> It's the LX V6 model, and so far I love it, but have a couple of
> questions for "those in the know". First - I've been reading about
> cold-air intakes and chips that can bump the MPG from it's current 28
> hwy to over 30, and I was wondering if anyone here has had good/bad/
> indifferent luck with them and which ones to look into/avoid. Second -
> on a related line, I've also been told that chips can void a warranty
> (I still have nearly 50,000 miles left on the 60,000 mile warranty, so
> I'd rather not do that).
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Matt
>
>
Generally speaking, the aim of the mods you are suggesting is to produce
more power. Producing more power means burning more fuel, period. Those
mod chip sellers that tell you they will give you more power AND higher
mileage are just lying.
I don't have first-hand experience with these mods, but from what I've
read
all that the cheap chip mods do is trick the ECU into thinking the intake
air is cooler or more dense than it really is to advance the spark timing.
They also recommend using higher octane gas with the chips. Why? With
low
octane gas and an advanced spark your engine will be prone to knocking.
The engine's built-in anti-knock sensor reacts to this by retarding the
spark, thus undoing the so-called improvement from the chip. Even if they
could manage a small improvement in mileage under conservative driving
conditions, you are spending more for each gallon of gas you are using.
Go ahead and try the cold-air intake if you want. At least it will do no
harm and you are honestly giving the engine cooler air instead of tricking
a sensor.
Be glad you are getting 28 MPG. My average is about 23.5 with over 75%
highway driving. The trip computer shows 44 MPH average since new. You
won't get that from sitting at stop lights all day ;).
Jeff
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