Fourthbean -

Yup, mine used to run around 179. It sounds like you need a new thermostat. I got the hotter Napa one, the 192-195 Coolant Thermostat (Napa Part #THM268). On my Scangauge, it runs about 190 normal, and rising at idle.

CarloSW2

Thanks for the part number :), now I don't have to go searching for it. I had planned on picking up the hotter thermostat.

Just put in my first tank of gasoline. Unless there is some serious pump error I got 50.9MPG :). I should be able to grab a couple more getting the idle fixed and getting my thermostat replaced. I have a couple more priorities but hopefully I can have those done by the end of the week.

This tank I shifted at 1500RPM most of the time, I did play around a few times a little closer to the red line getting to know my car ;). Out of the 344 miles about 60 was in the city loaded down with 3-5 people in the car with the A/C on. I left the A/C off most of the highway time.

I kept the speeds around 55 most of the time and did EOC'ing when a good opportunity came along, I did not do any Pulse and Gliding.

I have "mud and snow" tires on, I think I have the psi at 39 instead of the rated 35.

Nice first tank! That's a pretty big improvement over the old tank, :)

That it is, I am just hoping this wasn't a fluke and hoping that I can maintain and improve on this :).

It seems in line with many others' saturn experiences.

I had a marginally higher record fill this morning, 633.0 miles on 8.659 gallons = 73.10 mpg. I was surprised because almost 45% of my tank was hwy driving instead of the normal 20% (hwy = lower FE for my car). Plus I've needed full lights every morning commute. I haven't bothered to tape my hood seams since the last oil change either. I guess the car is finally rolling good again :thumbup: . The front end alignment I did must not be too bad :D .

73MPG, very nice.

What is your opinion on why your metro doesn't do well on the highway? Is the gearing not set up for that or is the engine stressing too hard to keep up and hurting fuel economy?

Though I suppose if we are comparing highway to 45MPH with minimal lights most cars would do better at 45. Most being most manual's, or auto's that will lock their torque converter's by then.

It's mostly the higher speeds and the gearing. The engine really doesn't work hard at all but there are no good chances for EOC either. When I'm not on the hwy I'm driving rural routes at 40-45 mph. I'm looking into a trans swap with a higher final drive gearing to help with this situation :) .

Yeah - I read your question at teamswift about the 3.52 f.d. (sorry - didn't know the answer).

Do you have a potential donor transmission?