I've owned a '99 and an '01. No matter what I did, I could not get the '01 past 20 mpg, and was often about 18, even on the highway, but with the '99 I enjoyed 25-30 mpg driving really easy.

Is this because the '00 - '01 has that distributorless system? Or were there other reasons for this significant difference?

(Both were auto, 4wD)

 

How many miles on both jeeps? What's the condition of the engine, and various parts. Size of tires? Lifted? Carrying payload? Etc etc

 

I have a hard time believing you got anywhere near 30. A lot of stockers are hard pressed to get 22.

But nonetheless, one reason you're probably experiencing the gas mileage differences could be the change in the exhaust system, which became more restrictive to please the EPA some more because of emissions.

 

X2

Anyone claiming 30 in an XJ makes me think they are calculating incorrectly.

 

I know it's not believable, literally - maybe I just got a fluke of a peach - but no - both were equally stock. And I'm not here to argue what I know to be a fact. I'm asking a simple, straightforward question.

The milage is irrelevant - I experienced this mileage difference from the time I got them, to when I sold them - both with over 300K miles when I sold them.

Of course, I didn't get 30 mpg with a load, or driving normally. That's not what I'm asking.

Could this be because one had the distributorless system and the other not? Let me rephrase: Under NORMAL driving conditions, the '99 was still VASTLY superior to the '01 in gas usage.

This will determine whether I limit my choices for my next one to a '99, or another '01.

 

Distributorless system isn't the only thing that was changed in 00. They added two more catalyst convertors and the head had smaller ports, maybe the exhaust got restricted too much, I don't know.

 

Had no idea about that - and your suggestion does seem logical. That reminds me, when I bought the '01, it needed a muffler - so my guy put a stainless steel one on - who knows - maybe that had something to do with it as well. Don't ask me for details - I don't remember that now.