Problems with my MPG

[Ruger22C]

So, I normally get 25mpg... Suddenly, I am down to 12 to 17mpg.

Also, when I got the 12 - it was from my car sitting in the drive way. I hadn't used it for about 5 days, and when I did again the meter was considerably lower - I'm fairly sure. I think this is what happened when I had 17, too.. except it wasn't sitting as long.

It appears I'm losing gas with my car sitting in the driveway (off, of course.)

I don't think the gas is being stolen, unless people are coming by at night stealing 1/2 gallon or less of fuel from me, multiple times.

What's wrong with my car? 🙁

 

[mmntech]

Wonky gas gauge? I've seen a few GMC trucks with that problems.

 

[punjabiplaya]

leaaaaaaaaks. check fuel filter

 

[Ruger22C]

No, MM.

It actually took A Lot of gas from the station for the miles driven.

 

[Fenixgoon]

let's start with the simple things:

what is your commute like? is it cold? are your tires properly inflated? tire inflation makes a huge difference.

 

[Ruger22C]

I'll check my tires, but they should be - they're almost new.

It's cold, etc. but I lost gas with it just sitting in the driveway - not actually DRIVING it.

 

[angry hampster]

How do you know you lost gas with it just sitting in the driveway? Simply because the needle was in a different spot?

 

[Vette73]

Whats the year, make, model, options, and milage.

My truck has a hole int eh filler tube and gas gets out that way. Also a bad gas cap can leak.

 

[Ruger22C]

02 Pontiac Sunfire Sedan A4 93k

 

[Ruger22C]

How do you know you lost gas with it just sitting in the driveway? Simply because the needle was in a different spot?

That, plus the fact that I filled it again to see if it actually was low - and I got 12mpg.

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't think you have accurate info or enough info to believe you lost fuel or your mileage changed that much.

It's unlikely that anyone can siphon fuel from your car. It's also unlikely that enough would evaporate even without the cap on, to make much difference. A big enough leak should be detected by your nose pretty easily. A malfunction that would drop your mileage that much is also unlikely without a MIL or driveability problems, or clouds of black smoke.