Comments: 1-15, 16-18
The Sensor for the temp gauge came a little loose, causing it to plunge randomly (scared the heck out of me at the time!!)
The dash is fading a bit just like everyone else is saying.
The driver side front air vent in the middle's horizontal control broke.
For only having three little cylinders under the hood, my little car can get going if I want it too. Really the only problem with regards to the power is keeping up with traffic (65mph) on long inclines. Other than that I can keep up with the best of them on the flat stretches (80-85mph).
My main concern with the car right now is the MPG. Of course, I bought the car as a result of the insane CA gas prices I found upon returning to the country. When I started driving it for the first time I averaged around 39-40MPG. Now with my 1.5hr daily commute I would like to average my speeds to 80mph, but my MPG plummets to about 30MPG. I know that's still pretty good MPG, but I got the car to get the 50+MPG. If anyone out there can give me some tips on how to get the awesome MPG please let me know (eschott@hotpop.com). I live in a mountainous region, so I know the MPG will suffer a bit (still average 40 going across Nevada 70-75mph).
Ya gotta.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Check & Replace Air Filters Regularly
Keep your Engine Properly Tuned
Turn off your car if you need to wait more than three minutes.
Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas
- Clean out your car. Reducing the weight helps with the gas mileage.
- Avoid rush hour traffic when possible.
- Plan your errands so you drive less often.
You might also see if there is an overdrive transmission that would be compatible with your car (one that won't drop the RPMs too much when engaged; you really won't be able to pass in the OD gears). My guess is your engine RPMs are way out the efficient range for the small 1.0 Litre engine at 80 MPHs; the car isn't really built for that kind of speed. Try giving yourself more time so you don't need to excessively speed. Shoot for 65 MPH, and like the other guy said, keep all your components serviced.
Since the speeds you drive tend to be very high, perhaps you should look at getting a Firefly Turbo. At high speeds the turbo produces better gas mileage than the stock 1.0L since the engine isn't working as hard or having a difficult time getting enough air.
The turbo units do tend to burn themselves out (it's a tiny 1" impeller spinning at 10,000 rpm), but I talked to a guy who's rebuilt two of them (Firefly Turbo engines that is) and he says the best thing to do is get an oil filter installed on the turbo line, change the oil VERY frequently (every 2,000 miles), and only use synthetic oil. Triples the turbo's lifespan.
I own a '95 Metro LSI and I also own a '93 Metro. They each have the 1.0 L motor and 5-speed manual overdrive tranny, and I notice a difference in the performance of the two. The '93 gets really good mileage and has all kinds of reserve power. The '95 is lacking in power when climbing hills at cruising speed. Each car has a different fuel delivery system. Each car will get 53-54 MPG on the highway, but the '95 requires that I keep the speed at 55 MPH or under to achieve those numbers. If I push it to 65 or 75 mph the mileage sucks. I wish they'd kept the same fuel delivery system from the '93, for later years. I bought the '93 new with 7 miles on the odometer, and now with 217,000 miles on it, the little bugger still performs like the day I bought it. I also have a '90 Metro with an automatic transmission. It gets lousy mileage if I drive it fast, but I guess that is due to having only three forward speeds. One time I drove to a town 100 miles away and it got 50 MPG. I was happy about it, but then I realized it was probably because it was on a snowpacked road, and I had to drive slow, about 40 or 45 MPH the entire distance. In this case, I am convinced it is the limitations of the gear ratio. I am threatening to stick a 5-speed in it.
Another suggestion I may offer is a doing a diagnostic check on it. These cars have an amazing little on-board diagnostic system that does not require a scan tool. The check takes about I minute, but you will need to have the trouble codes from a service manual in order to translate the reading. The test doesn't cover everything, but it covers most of the sensors, the EGR, etc.
Also, sometimes a plugged catalytic converter or a muffler filled with rust can cause back pressure and adversely affect high speed performance and gas mileage. I really need to check my own out, because it has the symptoms of a restricted exhaust.
Good luck. These little cars are well worth it.
Thanks for the suggestions!!! I liked what was said about the catalytic converter possibly causing problems. Recently I started hearing a new sound, like something small was rattling in an aluminum can. I was told that could be either a loose spark plug (wouldn't that be nice!!!) or a damaged catalytic converter. Does anyone have any experience in replacing these things? Does it require any big special mechanic tools, or is it something I can do with a mechanically inclined buddy during a Saturday? Thanks for your help!!! Oh, and does anyone know about California approved converters vs. the rest of them?? Thanks
I own a 1995 geo metro LSI, what a great little car it is. there was 241564 miles. when I bought it. WOW this scared me a little as the car was sitting FOR SALE for a long time. I spent 500.oo for it and drove it home. Did a compression test, one cylinder was very low compression pressure. pulled off the head and discovered a burned exhaust valve. Lapped in a new exaust valve and installed a new camshaft timing belt, old belt was torn and hanging on by just a thread. I was very surprized to pay 125.00 for a head gasket set, but OK it was FEL PRO. Great car great gas mileage 49 mpg 44 mpg. The EGR valve causes a lot of problems it causes a serious vacuum leak by sticking open and gas mileage suffers with this vacuum leak because the computer ECM richens up the mixture of gas and air. Take the EGR valve off and clean it so it CLOSES COMPLETELY.Veryfew times a NEW egr is required make sure it closes and slides closed smoothly. The exhaust system rubber hangers are weak and tear, the catalitic converter can restrict or plug up with additional fuel and maybe some engine oil HIGH MILES so this over heats the engine head and causes exhaust valve problems. Rattling or ticking I found was caused by the heavy sheet metal cover on the catalitic converter it rusts loose and makes noise I put 2 large VACO clamps around it PROBLEM SOLVED. Nice car very pleased with it. Putting in boneyard transaxle now at 256766.as I type this. Shifting into 1st gear is a problem at rolling speed WORN TRANSMISSIOM. not to muchyou can do with this. Change the gear lube 80 90 gear oil,the 2 plugs in the alumium case are very hard to get out especally the top one GUYS just heat the case around the plug and while hot take out. If you already ruined the plug like I did you can pull the speedo drive assembly out and add gear lube through this hole. Check how much to put in it is in the shop manual Don't OVERFILL. Also wipe off the drain plug it's a magnet. You can do ALL THE WORK and save yourself a TON of money just ask someone ask the parts people or your area mechanic they will always HELP you if they have the time. FIX IT YOURSELF AND BE PROUD OF IT AS WE IN AMERICA HAVE ALWAYS DONE.
Wow! I found this web site while looking for the difference in a LSI and regular Geo Metro.
I bought my little 1995 Geo Metro 2 door Hatchback 3 cylinder Last year. It has a standard 5 speed transmission and the little car was really a clean one owner car with 62000 miles and runs like a champ. I bought it strictly to pull behind my motor home, but it ran so good that I drive it more than my other newer cars. The owner wanted $1500.00 for it and wouldn't come down. I discovered why after owning it for awhile and comments from other Geo owners.
My Geo had the passenger mirror broken off, but three longer screws repaired that. Radio antenna was broken off and I couldn't find an original one, but a coat hanger worked till I found a short rubber after market one to replace the hanger.
The heater/AC fan speed selector was worn out and didn't have a high speed setting. Replacing that was a little pricey because the whole lever assembly has to be replaced instead of just the switch. A little freon 34a and the air was super cold.
The muffler was rusted out and a little hard to find, but finally found one on-line and replaced it myself. Much cheaper than muffler shops.
I drive in the flat country side of the Texas Panhandle and get around 40 mpg at 70/75 mph. while driving in the Hill Country of Central Texas at 70/75 it is closer to 30 MPG.
The catalytic converter is somewhat rusty, but seems to be OK, but I may change it out to see if mileage can be improved and to be sure while they are still available.
I love my little car as does my wife, but we couldn't find another one for her like mine so I had to buy her a new Toyota Scion. Hey... it keeps her out of my Geo...lol.
I am from Regina Saskatchewan Canada and I just purchased a 1997 firefly 1.0L 5 speed with no options, just a jelly belly bean with 4 wheels and a steering wheel. I realized upon driving it that the car shook pretty badly at an idle. So I pulled out the spark plugs and ran a compression check and found #2 was very low, so I added oil to the chamber and reran the test and nothing changed telling me the exhaust valve was burnt. So I checked the EGR valve and sure as heck there was a leak in the diaphragm causing it not to open, which is a big deal on these lil buggers. So I took off the valve cover and timing cover and removed the camshaft. Then I removed the oilpan and released #2 connecting rod and pulled piston from cylinder. I released the valve spring and dropped the exhaust valve this way and reinstalled a new one, and put the piston back in and torqued the connecting rod to spec (marking location of all parts upon disassembly) Then reinstalled in reverse order to start the car and find it ran perfectly. THIS SAVES THE COST OF THE HEAD SET AND ONLY COSTS $14 for a new valve and a tube of silicone for the oil pan. And about 3 hours of your time. GOOD LUCK GUYS I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS TIP.
I have a 96 geo metro it to had the center exhaust valve burned also the port threw the head behind the egr valve was pluged that's what causes the center exhaust valve to burn out so I did a complete overhaul put 2 new oxygen sencers in thought my injector was messed up guess what it was a small hole that chaffed it self into vacum line, but that left the rubber thin so that small hole would enlarge when the vacume pulled on it and my fuel mpg dropped badly I also run my tires at 50 psi do that to all my cars on some cars it improves the strut and shock reaction time giving you a ride like a new car mpg will suffer on the tinyest vacume leak there were some geos made in 94 called xfi they ran out to 58 mpg, but the engine was detuned differen camshaft,computer and different carb set up, but try finding one 58 that a super car the new hybrids don`t get that miles per gal heres one I was driving along the engine stopped I get off the road while waiting for a rollback I opened the relay box and the fuse box the injector fuse was blown I put one in its place the car started, but failed again fuse blown again I get it back to my shop the wireing from the injector fuse runs across behind the intake manifold supossed to be hung up on those wire like bendeable clamps well this wire was laying on the block and sonic vibes from this 3 banger must hace chaffed threw the harness. so i ran plastic conduiet over it harness and hung it up where it belonged
Technically a 95 LSI doesn't get the 50+ mpg like you were hoping for, at least not stock. The 91-94 Geo Metro Xfi's do if you care for them properly, but of the Geo Metro's they are the only ones unless you get ahold of a 89-90 stick shift model. The LSI models get standard 30-40 mileage since they automatic, have different transmission, you can look up the EPA figures for mpg and see that for yourself. However you can do a search for metro mpg to get some more hints on improving your car's mileage abilities.
This you may find interesting. I get better gas mileage with the air-conditioning (A/C) On and windows closed, not A/C off and windows open. So as you track your MPG don’t make any assumptions. I drive a 97 Geo with a 4 Cylinder engine. Yes they made some with 4 cylinders.
I bought a '92 lsi convertible 2 years ago, it's fantastic considering these high gas prices. I get 40 mpg all city driving in the summer and 37.5 during the winter months. highway mpg in mtn areas at high speeds 65-90 (90 down hill) I got 35 mpg. I have since installed v-power ngk spark plugs and after market cone air filter (not k&n, but similiar) and kept the speed below 55 and rpm's under 3000 and averaged 57 mpg hwy, amazing!!
You can increase your mileage by getting 14 inch tires and rims and keeping the tires at 32 pounds. Also 2.5 oz of acetone per 10 gal. gas is said to improve mileage.
Well I have a 91 geo metro xfi and its not pretty any more, but its mileage hase shown 00000 about three times including when it was first purchased... but I took a larger wheel to the front tire and it makes me about 18% off in mph, but it reading 55 mph, driving from texas (conroe) to lousiana (new orleans) was getting over 60mpg.
The speed dectector signs say I'm doing 80 when I'm doing around 65 or seventy.
This car is beautiflu especially in long distance travel...
And I know this because I took a vacation from new orleans to flordia. it was 1300 miles thare. I rented a car and didn't know about pt cruisers!!! I wanted to cry it would have cost me about 70 or so bucks to make that trip, but with the pt it cost 163!
I know I love my baby, but I cheated on her and felt my heart run back!!!
Great Space, everbody! Heres my 2 cents. I got my Geo, a 91 XFI for $125 bucks with the noisiest knock I have ever heard in an engine. So I swapped it for one of those Japanese replacements, cost like $300. I paid a mechanic $300 to put it in and do the brakes (he's Mexican - the Latin people can get anything running and keep it running, and they are fun to party with). That was about 40000 miles ago. The check engine light is on most of the time, it uses about a quart of oil every 3k, the temp gauge, which I replaced, reads always hot, but the fan works and it never smells hot, and I get about 42 MPG. Usually don't go faster than 60. A bud with the same car said I need to replace the EGR valve, but they are like $16o, so I think I will drive it till it needs another engine. Gotta love Geos, I sure wish they still made cars like that.