Is Your Gas Mileage This Bad?

by **drock03** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:17 pm

I too have been getting really bad gas mileage for a V6, 200 horse, foreign car. I got 17 mpg a few weeks ago, then 18, and now I'm up to 19. That still sucks considering I drive 70% highway. My tire pressure is normal, nothing in the trunk or back seats, new air filter and I try to drive normally. I did pick up a fuel filter which I have yet to put in and I will probably have the injectors cleaned and maybe look into the throatle body which someone mentioned. Any other ideas??? Why are some people with the same damn car getting over 29 mpg? My 02 Mustang GT used to get 18 beating the crap out of it!!! I am running "winter" gas which they say gets less gas mileage because they add alchol so it is not a liable to gel over.

Any other suggestions???

by **Whatever** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:45 am

i think that's a lil low for an I-4 cuz that's what i'm getting with my V6

by **ClassySolaraGuy** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:34 am

Yeah, I'll have to go for that tune up after Christmas. Seems like.....more like sounds like the V6 is getting better mileage than my 2.4L.

by **Strider327** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 12:56 pm

Its just time for a tune-up. Spark Plugs, wires, rotor, clean the throttle body.

by **drock03** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:57 pm

Just changed my fuel filter. I'll let you guys know the verdict on gas mileage.

by **Yanks0114** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:06 pm

Something is definately wrong. Do plugs and wires first.

You can switch back to regular gas, a stock 2AZ won't see any gains from premium (this isn't the thread to argue about this)

Any chance that you car was filled with diesel by accident?

by **WTF??** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:12 pm

ClassySolaraGuy wrote:Is Your Gas Mileage This Bad?

Nope

by **drock03** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:37 am

I did put regular gas in a diesel uhaul last weekend by accident (ooops) but definitely not diesel in my ride..

Anyway, I never change plugs and wires. My car has 40K and Toyota RECOMMENDS changing them at 60K. I'm sure you know what a pain in the a$$ the back 3 plugs are to change. If my ride had over a buck on it I would think about spending the time to do it.

As far as premium gas goes...I only ran the good stuff in my 03 maxima because the valves tend to be noisy if you run the crap. In my opinion, toyotas could run on mud. I just run 87. Its only a 200 horse motor anyway.

Realistically, I think I'm getting bad gas mileage for a few reasons.

1. New England winter gas (add alchohol to prevent gelling)
2. I let my car warm up for 15 minutes in the morning each day and usually 5 to 10 minutes after work depending how cold it is outside. I use my auto start ALL the time. It wouldn't suprise me if my car idled for a total of an hour and a half each tank of gas. When I was a cop on a road detail during the summer, there were several occasions where I would let the cruiser idle for 10 hours straight with the AC cranked. The tank would be on fumes so idling does suck gas.
3. I have been taking more back roads lately and avoiding highways during rush hour.

I guess I'll have to do the math this summer and see if there is a huge difference. Seems most of those replying to this post with over 400 miles a tank are from the West Coast.

Just my 2cents

by **Grazi07** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:01 am

I've never gotten less than 400 out of a tank when I was using 87 octane and use my remote start. I live in RI and likely experience the same weather conditions as you...

by **drock03** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:27 am

Yeah, we definitely have the same weather

What year and how many miles on your ride? What have you done for maintenance?

by **Nyyankees3511** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:41 am

If you still cant find the problem then it could be one of your brake caliper needles are getting stuck, if thats the case you will lose a lot of mpg.

by **Grazi07** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:59 am

Nyyankees3511 wrote:If you still cant find the problem then it could be one of your brake caliper needles are getting stuck, if thats the case you will lose a lot of mpg.

Brake problems are generally very noticable... you'd feel vibration, hear a noise, or lack performance. I have a 2000 with 85k and even over the past 2 winters haven't gotten less than 375-400 out of a tank or mixed driving. Maintenance wise, I've neglected tune-ups a bit but have been regular with fluid changes.

Plugs/wires/injectors mgiht be a good place to start, but I wonder if you're just running rich? Maybe there's a glitch in your MAF thats making the ECU send more fuel? Couldnt' hurt to try to reset the ECU and see what happens...

by **black99** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:58 am

Also, even though its easier for you, don't use cruise control. It always keeps your car at a constant speed, not at a constant RPM, meaning your car works to stay at the same speed through shifting and accelerating. Ive improved my gas mileage by like 2-3 MPG by not using cruise control. It is better to keep a constant RPM, not speed

by **drock03** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:13 am

Plugs/wires/injectors mgiht be a good place to start, but I wonder if you're just running rich? Maybe there's a glitch in your MAF thats making the ECU send more fuel? Couldnt' hurt to try to reset the ECU and see what happens...[/quote]

Our cars actually have coil packs not wires which are quite expensive. To my knowledge all cars run rich by design in the winter time. Do you have an auto or 5spd?

by **Grazi07** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:25 am

I've got an automatic, and you still have spark plug wires. The car may run richer during the winter, but 75-100 miles per tank less too big a swing.
I've never seen mine go that low and this will be my 3rd winter with it.

Is Your Gas Mileage This Bad?

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