YACT: what is the most likely reason i'm not getting good gas milage

[Corporate Thug]

so on average my car is supposed to get 24 mi/gallon, i'm not getting anything close to that

i understand i cant get it that high cuz i spend some time driving/sitting in traffic, but my gas millage isnt even really close to that

what is the most common reason why i'm getting bad milage?

 

[DnetMHZ]

Lead foot?

 

[iamwiz82]

Well, since I know from ESP that you drive a Ford Excursion V-10, i'd say you are doing pretty well.

 

[Vic]

Details of said car?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Well, since I know from ESP that you drive a Ford Excursion V-10, i'd say you are doing pretty well.

huh? i wish i had an excursion...

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Vic
Details of said car?

2003 4 cylinder mitsu galant

 

[Ness]

Failure to do routine maintenaince is probably one of the most common factors that I'm aware of.

Improper PSI on your tires is a good starting point. Funny enough, although I didn't think it would matter, I started getting a noticable 2-3 MPG more when I changed my air filter every 6 months or so.
If you have lots of crap in the car, clean it out. Although a little weight won't have much effect, more weight means more work your car has to do to move.

Little things here and there can easily up your mileage.

If it's not helping, then it's time to see a mechanic.


Oh yeah, cruise control is your friend. When you aren't driving at highway speeds, roll the windows down instead of using the AC. Being a little warm is worth saving 5 bucks a week, if you ask me.

 

[Red]

Are you going by EPA estimates? They are always high.

Do you have many hills in your area?

My '02 Civic was rated for 30 city / 38 hwy and it never came close. I averaged 28mpg after 15 months of driving the car. And I drive sloooow!

On the other hand, my 97 I30, since the first week of April, is averaging 25mpg. Not too shabby!

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: Vic
Details of said car?

2003 4 cylinder mitsu galant

found your problem

 

[MrScott81]

you wish you had an excursion with these gas prices? are you a millionaire?

what kind of actual mileage are you getting, and where are you driving your miles, freeway or city?

 

[MrScott81]

Originally posted by: Ness
When you aren't driving at highway speeds, roll the windows down instead of using the AC. Being a little warm is worth saving 5 bucks a week, if you ask me.

lay off the crack....rolling the windows down is not going to save you $5/week...maybe 5 cents.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: MrScott81
you wish you had an excursion with these gas prices? are you a millionaire?

what kind of actual mileage are you getting, and where are you driving your miles, freeway or city?

mostly done in the city cuz the main fwy i use is the 405 (in los angeles) which usually a lot slower than surface streets

i'm ESTIMATING that i am getting about 200-225 miles/tank

and its a 16 gallon tank

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Red
Are you going by EPA estimates? They are always high.

Do you have many hills in your area?

My '02 Civic was rated for 30 city / 38 hwy and it never came close. I averaged 28mpg after 15 months of driving the car. And I drive sloooow!

On the other hand, my 97 I30, since the first week of April, is averaging 25mpg. Not too shabby!

Wow. I've exceeded EPA average figures with every car I've had (except one which has a non-stock final drive which lowers the gearing). I averaged 28 mpg with my old '88 Accord (EPA "average" according to www.fueleconomy.gov is 25 mpg). I average well above the 20 mpg EPA average for my Mark VIII (my average is ~25 mpg).

ZV

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Ness
Failure to do routine maintenaince is probably one of the most common factors that I'm aware of.

Improper PSI on your tires is a good starting point. Funny enough, although I didn't think it would matter, I started getting a noticable 2-3 MPG more when I changed my air filter every 6 months or so.
If you have lots of crap in the car, clean it out. Although a little weight won't have much effect, more weight means more work your car has to do to move.

Little things here and there can easily up your mileage.

If it's not helping, then it's time to see a mechanic.


Oh yeah, cruise control is your friend. When you aren't driving at highway speeds, roll the windows down instead of using the AC. Being a little warm is worth saving 5 bucks a week, if you ask me.

i got the car about a month ago, everything seems to be in place. i had my mechanic check with the PSI right after i bought it and he said it was where it is supposed to be

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Red
Are you going by EPA estimates? They are always high.

Do you have many hills in your area?

My '02 Civic was rated for 30 city / 38 hwy and it never came close. I averaged 28mpg after 15 months of driving the car. And I drive sloooow!

On the other hand, my 97 I30, since the first week of April, is averaging 25mpg. Not too shabby!

yeah, i'm going off EPA. there is a good amount of hills but i only drive in the hilly neigboorhood once or twice a week (to and from school)

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: MrScott81

Originally posted by: Ness
When you aren't driving at highway speeds, roll the windows down instead of using the AC. Being a little warm is worth saving 5 bucks a week, if you ask me.

lay off the crack....rolling the windows down is not going to save you $5/week...maybe 5 cents.

i never use the AC regardless...

 

[gordiflan]

Originally posted by: MrScott81

Originally posted by: Ness
When you aren't driving at highway speeds, roll the windows down instead of using the AC. Being a little warm is worth saving 5 bucks a week, if you ask me.

lay off the crack....rolling the windows down is not going to save you $5/week...maybe 5 cents.

It might even cost you more. Wouldn't rolling down the windows decrease the car's aerodynamics? I'm visualizing wind being pulled in and being caught by the rear window causing heavy amounts of drag.

 

[ShawnD1]

Windows vs. AC depends on how fast you are going. At low speeds, it's more efficient to open your windows. At high speeds, opening the windows causes a lot of drag, so the AC is more efficient. Use the AC if you are on a highway or a freeway.

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: MrScott81
you wish you had an excursion with these gas prices? are you a millionaire?

what kind of actual mileage are you getting, and where are you driving your miles, freeway or city?

mostly done in the city cuz the main fwy i use is the 405 (in los angeles) which usually a lot slower than surface streets

i'm ESTIMATING that i am getting about 200-225 miles/tank

and its a 16 gallon tank

When you're filling up, you're probably only filling up 12-14 gallons or so.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1
Windows vs. AC depends on how fast you are going. At low speeds, it's more efficient to open your windows. At high speeds, opening the windows causes a lot of drag, so the AC is more efficient. Use the AC if you are on a highway or a freeway.

Well thats annoying, since when driving fast in the summer the wind blowing in is enough to keep me cool, but when going slow in traffic I wish I had AC because the air doesn't move much.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: shady06
i got the car about a month ago, everything seems to be in place. i had my mechanic check with the PSI right after i bought it and he said it was where it is supposed to be

Well that information would have helped! New cars never get mileage as good as the EPA figures. Wait 5,000 miles or so for the engine to get broken in and then come back if you're still having issues.

ZV

 

[Corporate Thug]

ok, well, i'm gonna fill it up all the way and not refill until the light goes on and see what i get.

btw, is there anyway to find out how much gas i have left when the light goes on?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: shady06
ok, well, i'm gonna fill it up all the way and not refill until the light goes on and see what i get.

btw, is there anyway to find out how much gas i have left when the light goes on?

How about you just top it off, and then fill it up when you normally do, but read the amount of fuel pumped off of the fuel pump display? That should be the obvious way of figuring it out.

ZV

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: shady06
ok, well, i'm gonna fill it up all the way and not refill until the light goes on and see what i get.

btw, is there anyway to find out how much gas i have left when the light goes on?

How about you just top it off, and then fill it up when you normally do, but read the amount of fuel pumped off of the fuel pump display? That should be the obvious way of figuring it out.

ZV

yeah, that too

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Well, since I know from ESP that you drive a Ford Excursion V-10, i'd say you are doing pretty well.

huh? i wish i had an excursion...

WHY? I'd rather ride a donkey with only three legs to work than drive that POS.

Originally posted by: Ness

Oh yeah, cruise control is your friend. When you aren't driving at highway speeds, roll the windows down instead of using the AC. Being a little warm is worth saving 5 bucks a week, if you ask me.

Keeping the windows rolled up and not using AC (just air) saves you a LOT more...I don't turn on the AC until it gets really hot.