Can I make a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Laredo more fuel efficient?
I am considering buying a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Laredo from a friend. he is getting rid of it because of the fuel cost. I have always wanted a jeep and his has a lift kit and kicker stereo included, all for $4,000.
Any way I can get the better mileage on my dream car?
5 Responses to “Can I make a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Laredo more fuel efficient?”
Comment from Mark
Time June 9, 2010 at 11:02 am
no, your pretty much stuck with what it gets.Anything you COULD do would only be good for a 5 0r 10 % increase. But you can get that much increase just from changing the way you drive.
An gas could get to $4 or $5 a gallon if Omama and the dems pass ” cap and trade” and the ” VAT”
both new taxes on energy they want to ad.
But 4000 is not a lot for a dream,
so if you dont drive too many miles a week.
Then it wont cost that much more.
But if i remember correctly, that jeep model gets really crappy mpg. less than other SUV`s.
Jeeps just are not the greatest engineered autos, never were.
Comment from Connor
Time June 9, 2010 at 11:13 am
“NO BUY TOYOTA!!! JEEP BREAK DOWN!! TOYOTA!!!!!” Can you try to type right? Im a mechanic and honestly, we get just as many Toyota’s in as we do Jeeps. Jeep’s DO NOT break down in the sense that they leave you stranded- or runaway from you without anyone in it(Toyota). I owned a 1997 RED Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×4 and drove it to 325k miles. Now I own a 2004 Overland. Every five years the G.C. gets a complete redesign. Typically cars like this have multiple problems within their first 2-3 years of production(from what I’ve seen) and it takes a while for the company to work out the kinks. On top of that, Chyrsler sent themselves, Jeep and Dodge into debt and they have to rashen their money. The last year model of each generation is the best bet. I never had a problem with my 97(I-6 engine is eternal) save for the transmission at 210k miles. The best years to get are the 1995, 1998, 2004, 2010, and the future 2016. I added a K&N Cold Air Intake to my 04′ and the fuel economy has improved drastically. I was getting 14city/17hwy. Now im getting 17city/21hwy. MINE HAS THE 4.7L “HIGH OUTPUT” V8. Fuel economy will be even better if you have the I-6, although the two engines in the 99-04 generation recieved the same gas mileage(4.0L I-6 vs. 4.7L V8).
Comment from pickupman82
Time June 9, 2010 at 11:26 am
Driving like an old person I can get about 19 mpg out of my stock 93 XJ.
By adding the lift kit and tires, it added more wind resistance and rolling weight so it will get less MPG than stock, even if he changed the axle gears accordingly. If he did not change the gears to match the larger tire size then the gas mileage with be MUCH worse. Some good XJ (Cherokee) reference sites are..
http://www.XJTalk.com
http://www.Cherokeetalk.com
http://www.Cherokeeforum.com
http://www.JeepForum.com
http://www.NAXJA.org
Comment from hallama2002
Time June 9, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Minor things to reduce drag: Remove roof rails if possible (the ones that go from the left side of the car to the right). Remove the antenna if you don’t use the radio. Drive slow and steady, use cruise control (if it has cruise). Use the AC at highway speeds. Try using a motor oil with a lower viscosity.
Mechanical: Cold Air Intake, plus a new exhaust to increase airflow.
Other: Reduce Weight any way possible. If you’re comfortable with fix-a-flat, and you’re not fooled by the mechanic who tells they can’t reinflate a tire and patch it after using fix-a-flat, then you don’t need a spare. Fix-a-flat won’t work for huge gashes, but for minor leaks, fix-a-flat can be a permanent fix. Take out non-essentials, if you fill up a plastic bag with stuff you don’t need in the car you could easily get to 100lbs… And lose weight.
Also, before you buy, get it inspected, even he is your friend. Inspect the tires, drive it, check the window motors, go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Comment from TOYOTA ROCKS!
Time June 9, 2010 at 10:32 am
NO BUY TOYOTA!!! JEEP BREAK DOWN!! TOYOTA!!!!!