Ryan G

Basically like the title says. I'm getting about 200 miles per tank of gas and I don't have a led foot. This is a mixture of highway and city driving.
The car is an 02' SS A4 w/ 29k on the clock and completely stock. I'm just curious if you guys know of anything that would cause such bad gas mileage? I'm stumped and I just got the car from a dealership.
Could bad plugs/wires, 02 sensors, maf have anything to do with this?
Just a couple pointers would help.
Thanks,
Ryan

nickls1

iTrader: (2)

You know what man I get slightly less than 16 consistently myself. I have new ngk plugs, msd wires, air filter, recent oil change, fuel filter, seafoamed gas tank. I kind of gave up trying to improve my gas mileage. You should try to take a highway trip going 55-65 for a while and see what gas mileage you get. If you haven't done any tune up stuff at all it would be beneficial even with so little miles on the clock because of the age of the vehicle.

crazymonkey

iTrader: (2)

yes they can I recommend a full tune up (fuel filter, plugs, pcv, 02 sensors, clean maf, Fuel Injector Cleaner *Lucas* ect .....) getting your car scanned wont hurt too..... my car has almost 100,000 i avg around 26 on the highway so ....

Looks like you had an interesting collection of cars EXCLUDING the F-body which one did you have more fun with ?

rich Z

I always get around 15 in the city but on long highway trips is where these cars shine for mpg. 26 is what I get with about 90% highway driving.

1WICKDZ

iTrader: (2)

Take Crazy's advice and get a full tune up. Also get a scan of your A/F ratio and everything. I would think yours would be higher than mine b/c that is what I average on city/highway (15-16 mpg). All highway = 25 mpg for me though.

2001NBMZ28

15.8 MPG is 260/tank. That's pretty close to what I average. Does much better on highway trips - 24.

Ryan G

Thanks guys! I'll look into getting a full tune up. Probably wouldn't hurt either way.

Crazymonkey ~ All of these cars were great, I'm just a cereal car buyer as my friends would put it. I love the American muscle these cars have, which is why I've owned two. Same goes for the Supra's. They just have so much power and of course the looks. Then the handling of the STi and Evo are off the wall insane and of course can manage pretty well in straight lines.
To answer your question, each of the cars have there perks. I've loved them all and will probably own more of the same ones years to come!

ls1ws9ta

iTrader: (2)

why would he get new o2 sensor if its not throwing a code for bad o2 sensors? thats a waste of money as they are about $104 a piece

connexion2005

iTrader: (49)

This is true. At only 200 miles per tank with that size of a tank, you are technically getting 11.9mpg.

Math: 200miles/16.8gallons = 11.9mpg

FYI for others 98 was the last year to use the steel 15.5 gallon tank.
99-02 Used the new plastic 16.8 gallon tank so don't be dissapointed if a fellow friend with the 99up puts in a couple extra miles than that of your 98...

ruquick02ls1

I have an 02 camaro that I have had for 1yr this month and it as always gotten about 200 mile to the tank. I have changed the fuel filter, plugs, pcv, clean maf, Fuel Injector Cleaner and used seafoam. Car is an A4 with Lid and SLP catback. I drive the car daily, mix of highway and city. I do not have a heavy foot either.

Ws6man2000

iTrader: (24)

i have a 98 and i was getting 400 a tank on the highway 6 speed.... and about 3ish in town granny driving! I also had an 00 WS6 ta with full bolt ons and i barely got 250 in town and maybe hit 300 on the highway i think autos just suck for gas mileage

ErikElvis

iTrader: (1)

My car stock would get about 260 to a tank or around 20mpg. With LT's im averaging about 16mpg and 200 to a tank.

Mr Incredible

Driving like Grandma I can get up to 21 mpg in mostly city driving. Driving normally I can get 19-20.

The easy things are a nice 5w-30 oil, fuel system cleaner, and change your fuel filter/air filter. Might want to check your MAF air strainer for foreign objects. The rest is the more expensive.

+1 on holding off on the 02 sensors. That there will pay for the rest of your tune up.

Starion

iTrader: (5)

I get around 17 with mixed driving in my A4 and 23ish at constant 80mph. I don't think your gas mileage is that far off. These things definitely aren't great on gas. The m6 crowd seems to do much better than the a4.

Unless your car is running poorly I wouldn't go throwing a ton of money at parts. Here's what I'd do:

1)Check your air filter and make sure it's not old and dirty. If it's dirty, replace.
2)Get yourself a can of Maf cleaner from the autoparts store for less than $5. Spray the maf with it
3)I would look into replacing the front 02's if you're really determined to make sure you're getting the best fuel economy. The o2's supposedly will only work really well for a few years. They can cause havoc if they go bad and certainly can cause less than optimal fuel economy even if they're just not up to par. They are the key component in determining the a/f mixture.

You could do a full tuneup depending on the mileage. I wouldn't get too carried away though, because you're spending extra money you could be using for gas

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

WHEN....Did you last change your FUEL FILTER.????????????????

Greggy

I don't think that anything needs to be changed. I went 85k before a fuel filter and tuneup and still have the original O2's. No increase in mileage after tuneup.

Try a new gas station with 93 octane super and take a long highway trip at 65-75 mph. You should get 22-26 mpg. If crap gas is in there it may take a few tanks to get back to the premium tune timing map.

I get 14-15 city with a heavy foot.

gtarist

iTrader: (1)

I get 16.5 like clockwork. Doesn't seem to matter what I do.

matt3383

iTrader: (3)

How much is a fill up for you gallons wise? I saw some people trying to say you get 11 mpg but he also said thatys for 16.8 gallons. I always fill up before the light comes on and usually takes 13 gallons myself, and i get around 220 a tank in town only. I think thats like 16mpg. I would just check the airfilter, and fuel filter. Im sure your plugs are fine unless you feel a small miss. Also i would look into seafoaming the car. Also what octane gas are you putting in there, im guessing 91-93.

jmilz28

iTrader: (13)

You don't need plugs or wires, especially wires. To sum up and organize other's suggestions:

1. Replace air filter (or clean if K&N type)
2. Replace fuel filter - this will hurt you
3. Clean the MAF
4. Seafoam or otherwise clean the injectors (pouring stuff in tank alone doesn't work)
5. PCV valve - cheap maintenance. WIll run cleaner but probably no effect on mileage


O2s could be lazy, causing less than optimal mileage, without throwing a code. Consider a full dyno tune if you can afford it, along with new O2s. This will optimize your mileage and power. These cars don't really have ignition problems but dirty injectors plague them, just like every other car out there. Wires would be a waste of money but plugs are OK, though I wouldn't do them yet unless you just want to.

For reference, I get 15-18 in town/mixed driving and 19-20ish in mostly highway. I have seen 23-24 with my current setup going a steady 60...but who does that?

VIP1

I can't break 15mpg anymore.
I typically get 12.5mpg-14.5mpg, 90% city.

Stock engine, A4, 56k mi.