[mtnrajdeep]

Hi

What is the average mileage that i can expect from a zen (Carb model)?
At what speeds should i shift gears(while on highway and while in city) to get the maximum mileage? Also, what is the normal drop in engine oil and coolant levels that I can expect from a Zen that has run for 55k km?

Thanks
Rajdeep

[protege]

Avg mileage - 12 - 15 within city (with 50% AC)
Highway - 15 - 20 (depending on whether you use AC or not and whether spirited driving or not)

To get Max mileage follow Maruti's recommendation:
At 10kmph switch to 2nd , 20kmph => 3rd, 30kmph => 4th, 40kmph => 5th
Also, maintain tyre pressures regularly to achieve FE. I usuall fill it to to 30ps (although the recommended pressure is 28ps).

In highway, you can switch gear at high speeds and still get high mileage.
I also have a carb zen which has run about 55k. If you service your car regularly, the oil/coolant level should be within the limit (close to the high level). I have so far achieved max 18.5 in highway and 14 in city (0% AC).
Hope this helps.

[mtnrajdeep]

@protege: Thanks. This sure is helpful.

I was getting around 1o kmpl in city while shifting at the following speeds in the city.. 10=>2nd, 20kmph => 3rd, 30kmph => 4th, 45/50kmph => 5th. Thsi was with AC on 75% of the time. Is this mileage fine or would the car be running too rich? Last time i got the spark plugs checked, there was a lot of carbon deposit on them. Also, when i start it in the mornings, the water from the exhaust is black because of the carbon....

[angelfire]

hey ...even i have been experiencin similar probl;ems with my zen..black smoke nd water from the exhuast.....nd while startin petrol smell like an overflow is also there....am gettin 10 in the city without ac nd around 12 in highways.....is there anythin i can do to improve this??....nd how do you get 18-20 in high ways...do you have a k&n filter installed?

[nitrous]

hianoo has a '97 carb zen. Its best if he comments.

[protege]

Originally Posted by angelfire

hey ...even i have been experiencin similar probl;ems with my zen..black smoke nd water from the exhuast.....nd while startin petrol smell like an overflow is also there....am gettin 10 in the city without ac nd around 12 in highways.....is there anythin i can do to improve this??....nd how do you get 18-20 in high ways...do you have a k&n filter installed?

I do have a K&N.. but with K&N the jump can't be from 12 to 18. It will be probably 12 to 15 or 16. Also, with 100% AC, I think 10 is okay. I don;t use AC much unless I set out during the noon/aftrenoon or to protect myself from the pollution.

[Redchilly]

Originally Posted by protege

I do have a K&N.. but with K&N the jump can't be from 12 to 18. It will be probably 12 to 15 or 16. Also, with 100% AC, I think 10 is okay. I don;t use AC much unless I set out during the noon/aftrenoon or to protect myself from the pollution.

Guys.......

I was about to start a thread coz of the same problem with my Zen (carb).

protege, with the K & N........is 12 to 15-16 guaranteed ? If yes, I surely wud b interested to go for it. Bugged up with this mileage. Have spent so much, on the mileage tuning, that I cud've actually gone for the K&N. Let me know the K&N specs.....

RedChilly

[mtnrajdeep]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

My 99 Model Zen gives mileage as follows
City - 13-14kmpl Without AC. Normal Driving
Highway - 16-17 kmpl Speeds above 120kmph
Highway - 20.5 -21kmpl Speed average 80-85kmph

I'm happy with the mileage I get

Thats great....my car on highways gave me 15 mkpl with 100% AC...and the refused to cross 110 kmph!!!! and in bangalore, i am consistenly getting around 12.2-13 with 50% AC

i have a 97'march M.Zen i am installing Magnaflow exhaust with proton filters wid iridum spark plugs or omw plugs by next week or dis sunday my engine have done abt 85000 and ive re-doneup the car again,new siantek 5 stroke mags wid goodyear regular tyres wid tube.....rite now my car is giving an average of abt 9-11 in city and express way abt 13.5 all stoc parts..will the upgrade increase the performance... i usually dnt drive fast 50-70 is my speed limit aaramse...and the car still pulls abt 120km... C&C invited

[zen-ith]

Wow, I am glad I found this thread! I have a carb zen late 2000 model run 55k all stock. And the mileage I get is 10 to 11 kpl in city without ac (moderate to heavy traffic, driving speed 55 to 75 kph max) on regular HP petrol. I would like to know how much a k&n stock replacement filter and a free flow exhaust system (without any work on headers) would add to my FE. Also, I have no clue when was the last time plugs and filter were cleaned. I also feel that the power has dropped slightly. So approximately by how much will cleaning the plugs improve FE?

[zen-ith]

I forgot to ask, will these mods cause a drop in FE if it is a carb engine, because I read something to this effect somewhere. If yes, why is there this difference between mpfi and carb?

[STARCHILD]

The 10 commandments of good FE

1) Clean or replace the air filter
2) Make sure the wheels don't drag. If they do then get your brakes cleaned. In very old models, if there is a rumbling sound from your wheels you may need to get the bearings greased.
3) Replace engine oil every 5000-7500k.
4) Keep tyres properly inflated. Often the air pumps at the service stations are not calibrated properly. A good idea is to carry you own tyre pressure gauge. They should also be perfectly aligned and balanced.
5) Spark plugs should be clean and the gaps as per specs.
6) Get the timing checked
7) The mixture should not be too rich in carb models. You can get the CO and HC of the exhaust gases checked to make sure your mixture is right.
8) Get the Idling RPM checked. It should be as per specs.
9) Don't drive at high speed in low gears.
10) Avoid overloading the vehicle and remove anything like roof racks or fancy frills that may cause air drag.


Special for Carb models.

1) Getting the carburettor overhauled can do wonders for your FE.

2) The tuning and timing needs to be set for optimal pefromance more frequently than the standard service frequency of 5k km. So if you travel a lot get the tuning and timing checked every 3-3.5 k your payback on the investment in improved FE will be a much better than even the equity market.

Sample this:

Charge for Tuning Rs. 200-250.
FE before tuning 12 KMPL. Cost per KM 43.55 (petrol price Delhi)/12 = 3.63 Rs/KM
FE after tuning 13.5 KMPL. Cost per KM 43.55 (petrol price Delhi)/13.5 = 3.23 Rs/KM the difference is 3.63-3.23 = 40 paise per KM

If you travel 30 KM per day then you save Rs. 360 in just a month. Less your investment of RS. 200 or 250 and your profit is Rs. 160-110!

[bishtadityasing]

HI i also own a zen carb. 99 model & want to install a K&n intake
plz. tell how much is the performance increase in ur car (0-60) etc.
Also do post a under hood pic of ur car I wish to see the way its intalled
plz. suggest installation of K&N

[krish82]

I used to get a regular mil of 12 in city with AC bfor 2 years.

But now days its become tough to maintain 10.. i dont know whats the problem..

I gave for repair once and got all tappet tuned, and it ran 340 with still approx 5 litres left.

The tappet sound started again and mil dropped.. i think these guys do not tune properly.

maruti adviced me for complete Decarb for Rs8000 (bcos of tapet sound coming back), i said i am better of with the mil of 10.

[sushrutha]

My car has run 84,000 Kms.
Mileage in City 12 - 13 kmpl With AC / - W/o AC ( Shell , Speed 91)
Mileage in Highway 16.5 - ( if speeds is a constant 120kmph + )
..............Highway 22 - Avg speed of 80 kmph ( shell always)
Top speed in highway 155 kmph speedo read.
Tyre size - 145/70/R13
Tyre pressure - 30 Psi
All in Carb-zen 1999 model :-)