I have had my JK for just a little over a year now and it is still stock! I just moved to Houston, Texas due to a job and looking to add lift, wheels and tires. This is my daily driver and I average about 20 miles one way to work. Right now I am averaging about 16 MPG with a Bully Dog Programmer. I am looking to see about a smoother ride and perhaps anyway possible to improve the MPG. I know I am probably crazy trying to improving gas milage by adding lift and tires but I am tired of it remaining stock! If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

 

Best way to help had mileage, keep it stock. If that's not an option, go easy on the skinny pedal and budget in more money for gas every month. You can spend a lot on tuners, exhaust, CAI and get a couple mpgs back...is that worth it? I don't think so, but that's personal preference.

Bottom line, it's a Jeep, gas mileage sucks anyway and big tires only make it worse.

 

It's a brick on wheels. I lost about 1.75 to 2 MPG's with a 2.5" Teraflex Budget Boost alone. I waited a year and threw on my pro comps and 33" KM2's. I'm lucky if I get 14 in the city now and 17 to 18 on the highway. Sometimes 15 city if I dont run the A/C. I was lucky with mine it came with 4:10's. Before my superchips I was down to around 13 city.

It's not going to happen. You will not up your MPG's by adding lift, wheels, and tires. Even with the superchips 3875. You might gain some that's lost back if you regear but the cheapest I have ever seen that is around a grand. That still will not help you gain mpg's.
If you find a way then spread the word to the entire jeep community.

Anyways, if you want fuel economy buy a Honda as a second vehicle for travel. Thats what we did....

 

Yes, you can get better mileage by going to smaller tires But obviously, that's not what a Jeep is for. Just bite the bullet and lose another couple MPGs with a moderate tire/lift upgrade. There is no way around it. And there is not much you can do to make it handle better. It's already a high clearance vehicle from the factory, and it will never handle or be as comfortable as a small car, especially by going taller. It's just the way things are.

 

I will add that tall and skinny tires get slightly better mpg(285/75vs305/70) and an AT will use less fuel than an MT. Working down there you get an oil company discount right? I'm sure your lower than the $3.85 here.

 

I'm running 255/85/R16's. Tall and skinny. 33 x 10.50's. I heard less rolling resistance than 285/75/R16's (wider tire) and a bit taller than those too. Don't think I believe all the hype about less rolling resistance. Still killed my fuel mileage.

 

Keeping it stock is probably the most efficient. But fun and hobby have some value as well. A modest lift and reasonable tires shouldn't hurt you too much. Especially if you keep the tire pressure up and filters changed.

 

Additionally, an A/T will have less resistance so you'll yield slightly better gas mileage

 

well, I am more tired of the way it is than MPG!! It is a 2009 unlimited JK with 38K miles and I am still on the factory tires. However they are about bald, maybe 5-8K more miles before it becomes a have to!! I don't want to put the factory size back on!

So what are the best options for me?

Do I go with a budget 2 1/2" ift, or a full 2 1/2" lift with replacement shocks? are my OEM wore out after 38K miles???

what size tires?? I am thinking about just keeping my factory rims for now.

What tire have you seen the best wear out of??

I really like they look of a M/T, the MPG difference over a A/T in looks is almost worth it to me!!!

My favorite tire is the BFG KM2's but they seem a little pricey!

Thanks for all the input!

 

I am really wanting the keep as much of a factory ride as possible!!