Welcome to our new series Forum Fix. Each installment takes a look at a great example of your fellow forum users seeking help to resolve a tricky repair or upgrade to their Mustang. We’ll dive into the issue and how forum users were able to help provide a solid answer.

Today we’re catching up with dicemd, who is in need of improvement in MPG. His 2000 Mustang convertible was throwing a check engine light. The diagnostic code indicated a faulty air pump, but after swapping the alleged culprit out, the Pony convertible suddenly became very thirsty.

One Parched Pony

Dice explains the only two changes made to the car were the new air pump and a new set of spark plugs. Beyond basic mechanical knowledge, it was up to the AllFordMustang forums to help him resolve the issue.

As with many AllFordMustang forum posts, this member got a prompt response with some very helpful advice. User shinerstang, a veteran of over 8000 posts, gave some sage advice about tweaks and fixes that might improve MPG.

Ford didn’t reinvent the wheel with the SN95 fuel system, so the same fixes that work for Dice’s car can help anyone get the best mileage possible from their own car. These fixes are:

• Change the fuel filter
• Clean the Mass Air Flow Sensor
• Clean the throttle body
• Check spark plug wires

It’s worth noting that, as shinerstang points out, the plug connectors in the SN95 Mustang are unique to that model, so replacing them with generics is not an option.

Change That Fuel Filter

As for the other fixes, the fuel filter is a great place to start. Your fuel filter should be changed approximately every 30,000 miles. However, if you’ve been running your car on particularly low-grade fuel like the Mexican stuff arturo_capp mentions, that number might come up sooner.

A clean fuel filter will allow for a better air and fuel mixture, which will help your engine run stronger and more efficiently.

Start Cleaning

The second and third suggestions go hand-in-hand since your MAF and throttle body connect directly to one another. These critical components bring air into the intake manifold, and like the fuel filter can cause a poor mixture on the fuel side, a grimy throttle body has adverse effects on the way your car’s engine computer chooses to use gas.

Because modern ECUs can adjust idle settings to compensate for clogged airways, allowing your throttle body and MAF to fill with dirt can result in a significant ding to fuel mileage. The computer will need to allow more air into your engine to keep a steady idle, which means your car will burn more fuel just standing still. Also, check out some aerodynamic improvements to help save a few pennies at the pump.

More Tips and Tricks

Later in the thread, a few more users chimed in with other good suggestions, such as a bad coil pack or sludge buildup in the engine. These are equally true, although perhaps less common than the items shinerstang mentioned.

If you’re a Mustang owner interested in improving fuel mileage, this thread is a great place to start.

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