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My car is losing miles per gallon?!?! WTH!?

Phokus

Phokus

Lifer
Hey all.

I went on a trip to Hong Kong for a week now and when i came back home, i noticed my car was driving a little strangely. For some reason, it sounds like the engine is slightly straining when i push the acceleration. When i look at my trip computer and look at the instantaneous MPG, i notice that it says i'm getting like .1 MPG... .7 MPG... .9 MPG, not the usually 2 MPG... 5 MPG... 10 MPG and so on. I can almost get the same MPG peak, but when i accelerate, it's incredibly low. Does anyone know what's going on? 🙁
 
did anyone use your automobile while you were away?


(get a tuneup, get it checked out, gasoline has a winter blend with 10% ethanol which burns quicker than benzine)
 
I would throw a bottle of fuel injector additive in the gas tank and maybe replace the fuel filter if its easily accessible.
 
Originally posted by: amdfanboy
Originally posted by: z0mb13
u only get 10MPG???

what car is this??
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OMFG, 10MPG . Thats why we depend so much on foreign oil.
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Obviously it's computed by how fast he's going at the time... that's why he gave a few different MPG outputs...
 
check your air filter, make sure your o2 sensors are working (no check light on your dash), and probably check your fuel filter. It sounds like there's some kind of restriction taking place.

-=bmacd=-
 
Thanks for the tip guys... do you guys think it has anything to do with the fact that i left my car in cold weather for so long without using it?
 
Originally posted by: Phokus
Thanks for the tip guys... do you guys think it has anything to do with the fact that i left my car in cold weather for so long without using it?
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maybe if you have water in your gas tank. try some gas dryer
 
Originally posted by: redly1
release your parking break
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Actually, that's a very likely culpret. Parking brakes are very apt to freeze. Even though the lever may be released, the brake may be stuck on.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: redly1
release your parking break
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Actually, that's a very likely culpret. Parking brakes are very apt to freeze. Even though the lever may be released, the brake may be stuck on.

ZV
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Hmm well it's definetely not in the 'park' position... if it's stuck, how do i 'unstick' it?
 
Originally posted by: Phokus
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: redly1
release your parking break
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Actually, that's a very likely culpret. Parking brakes are very apt to freeze. Even though the lever may be released, the brake may be stuck on.

ZV
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Hmm well it's definetely not in the 'park' position... if it's stuck, how do i 'unstick' it?
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Well, if you didn't set the brake, it shouldn't have gotten stuck, but if the car sat with the brake on and it got stuck then releasing the lever won't free it. Hate to say it but if it's stuck it usually requires a rebuild of the rear brakes to un-stick it if driving doesn't do it. If you're driven any distance you'll probably need new rear brake pads anyway because of the wear if it's stuck on. As for checking it, drive for a bit then stop and get out and check the wheels. If the rear wheels are hot, hotter than the fronts, then the brake is sticking.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: KGB
did anyone use your automobile while you were away?


(get a tuneup, get it checked out, gasoline has a winter blend with 10% ethanol which burns quicker than benzine)
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I thought benzene couldn't be used in gasoline?
 
One simple thing to check that I have not seen mentioned - check your tire pressures. You would not believe how much rolling resistance is increased by tires being down 10psi. I also had a problem with a hanging brake caliper on a car I owned (this caused a "strange feel" and noticeable engine strain too). To check for hanging brakes, drive for about 5 miles or so and then stop and feel around (but don't physically touch) the wheel/wheel well area. A hanging brake will give off much more heat that the other wheels.
 
Originally posted by: ScoobMaster
One simple thing to check that I have not seen mentioned - check your tire pressures. You would not believe how much rolling resistance is increased by tires being down 10psi. I also had a problem with a hanging brake caliper on a car I owned (this caused a "strange feel" and noticeable engine strain too). To check for hanging brakes, drive for about 5 miles or so and then stop and feel around (but don't physically touch) the wheel/wheel well area. A hanging brake will give off much more heat that the other wheels.
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You know, funny thing, i did have a flat tire when i got back from my trip... however, i inflated them, but i still have that problem... 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Parking brakes are very apt to freeze. Even though the lever may be released, the brake may be stuck on.
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I was just going to suggest that. . .

But with an auto, most people don?t set the parking brake. If you never did that, it?s unlikely that the parking brake is causing the problem.

Originally posted by: ScoobMaster
One simple thing to check that I have not seen mentioned - check your tire pressures. You would not believe how much rolling resistance is increased by tires being down 10psi
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And that. . .

You did check all 4 tires, right?

Next: Check your air filter. You could have a mouse nest or something in the filter box blocking the air flow. Scoop and vacuum all that out and replace the air filter if you find anything.

Next: Is the engine reaching its normal operating temperature, with the temp needle approximately in the middle, or is it staying near the bottom of the range? If it?s not warming up fully, your mileage will tank. (Pardon the pun. 😀 ) The thermostat would need to be replaced. (That?s also a good time to replace all the coolant.) Thermostats just die unexplainably sometimes.

If it passes all those checks, see if it doesn?t clear up after a fresh tank of gasoline or two. (I don?t believe in additives?I believe that there?s already enough good stuff added to most gasoline brands.)

As a matter of course, have your engine oil and filter changed if you haven?t already done so. (EDIT: NM, you were only gone for a week.)

Finally, depending where you are, it could just be the cold weather. (EDIT: You're in MA? That's very plausible.)
 
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