I've noticed a drop in my MPG by about 3-5mpg over the past few months...and a bit of a "sputter" when at full throttle...so I figured it was time to do a little work...the xA has been awesome since I got it and other than the run in with my neighbors trampoline during a wind storm, it's perfect.

So...I read up on here and did some research, ended up doing the following:

(1) Replaced the air filter with a purolator from Advance Auto $8
(2) found in my reading I could add a compartment air filter - got that at Advance Auto for $12 and put it in as well.
(3) replaced the plugs with NGK Platimun tips...figured I would try them and see how they do, if they suck I will go with something else.
(4) put a can of Prestone fuel injector cleaner from Advance auto in the tank and filled it up got them on sale 2 bottles for $3.44

so far the results are great...the mpg is back up where it should be (around 37 on avg)...the car runs much better, I think even better than it did when I bought it new...after I got the plugs in I took it up on I-81 and was amazed at the top end difference...from 65 - 100 the car was smooth and had no feel of "strain"...it just roared right up to 100 like it was nothing...has never done that before....usually it is a struggle to get from 70 to 90...but not now.

I run Mobile 1 full synthetic oil + the extended life Mobile 1 oil filter (M-103) , and have since the first oil change.

Is there anything else that you guys think I should do or check while I am at it? I love my xA and I plan on keeping it for the long haul...so, I want to take pretty good care of it...I use it for my main car and put a pretty good amount of miles on it each year...it's up to around 40k miles now and i've had it for just over a year. (bought it in May of 06)

Thanks for any input!

 

Sounds like the fuel injecter cleaner and air filter did the job. The cabin filter won't help your car breath easier---just you............

 

yeah...i just figured i would add that in there after reading that it had one - (compartment filter that is) -on here...to be honest I didn't expect it to have one since it was not a very expensive car...but i figured since it did have it i would go ahead and put one in.

 

Don't forget tire pressure, if it's too low you can lose gas milage. Also, how those sparks working out for you? I might buy some just because my car feels like its lagging on the highway now too.

 

love them so far, runs like new or better.

 

Just changing a headlight caused me a little fit so I'm worried about doing all this myself.

Is it fairly easy or should I find a shop that will do it cheap?

I DID have a tune-up in the spring and spend about $400 on everything and the car still gets only 34-35MPG.

What else could I do?

Are spark plugs the real difference?

 

High end spark plugs DO make a bit off difference - just don't expect a bit of platinum to turn your car into a Prius...

Also, it's getting to be time to start seeing winter blends at the pump again... that always puts a dent in my MPG.