Horrible Gas Mileage
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Horrible Gas Mileage I know there have been discussions on this topic in the past and I have read them. It seems that they all end up with someone saying "if you wanted good gas mileage, buy a Prius."
I am not writing this because I expected 25 mpg all day.
2006 GXP...102,000 miles and it great running condition.
THis tank was the first since purchasing the car where I actually have driven easy and tried to see what it would do mileage wise. I have not had it on the highway much, but the surface streets out here are pretty much like a highway and it has not been in any traffic. I have not beat on it and only driven it lightly since I filled it up 2 weeks ago.
The display is reading that I am getting 13.7 MPG, 190 miles since fill up, and estimated fuel left is 54. This sounds horrible for the way i have been driving. Any thoughts as to what may be wrong? Or is this normal?
I just would think that driving it easy around town would get me at least 17-18mpg.
Oh and nothing has been done to the car. Completely stock.
I am not writing this because I expected 25 mpg all day.
2006 GXP...102,000 miles and it great running condition.
THis tank was the first since purchasing the car where I actually have driven easy and tried to see what it would do mileage wise. I have not had it on the highway much, but the surface streets out here are pretty much like a highway and it has not been in any traffic. I have not beat on it and only driven it lightly since I filled it up 2 weeks ago.
The display is reading that I am getting 13.7 MPG, 190 miles since fill up, and estimated fuel left is 54. This sounds horrible for the way i have been driving. Any thoughts as to what may be wrong? Or is this normal?
I just would think that driving it easy around town would get me at least 17-18mpg.
Oh and nothing has been done to the car. Completely stock.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Superior, WI
I'm sure others will have more intelligent answers, but for city driving, those numbers you give don't alarm me. It also depends on what you mean by "light" driving. I think being too light on the gas can hurt your gas mileage as much as having a heavy foot can, assuming that doesn't mean flooring it all the time. I can't remember where I heard it, but I heard that accelerating at around half throttle gets the best mileage. Also if you're using DoD you'll get worse city mileage. And finally, take the display with a grain of salt.
I'm sure others will have more intelligent answers, but for city driving, those numbers you give don't alarm me. It also depends on what you mean by "light" driving. I think being too light on the gas can hurt your gas mileage as much as having a heavy foot can, assuming that doesn't mean flooring it all the time. I can't remember where I heard it, but I heard that accelerating at around half throttle gets the best mileage. Also if you're using DoD you'll get worse city mileage. And finally, take the display with a grain of salt.
Typically you aren't accelerating efficiently unless you're between 2,000 and 2,500 RPMs. What octane fuel are you using? Air filter clean? Good oil? Front bank O2 sensor ever been replaced?
"I have not had it on the highway much"
-That's your answer right there.
Last year I moved into a city which doesn't allow me to commute to work using mostly 55 mph highways, like I used to. Now I have to go from light to light and never get above 45 mph (unless I'm feeling frisky). I also drive much more in the city too, just doing random errands. I have seen a significant drop im MPG. I used to average 16-18 mpg. Now I'm at 14-15 mpg. I don't care how much you baby it in the city, it's still going to suck the gas down quickly. Make sure you get a true MPG reading and not just from the display.
-That's your answer right there.
Last year I moved into a city which doesn't allow me to commute to work using mostly 55 mph highways, like I used to. Now I have to go from light to light and never get above 45 mph (unless I'm feeling frisky). I also drive much more in the city too, just doing random errands. I have seen a significant drop im MPG. I used to average 16-18 mpg. Now I'm at 14-15 mpg. I don't care how much you baby it in the city, it's still going to suck the gas down quickly. Make sure you get a true MPG reading and not just from the display.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Yes...I reset everything
Light driving...do not accelerate hard....and I think the display is off. I have NEVER run out of gas before in my life and since owning this car, it has happened twice. It reads around 35 miles until empty and then the warning light goes on that there is low fuel. Literally on both occasions, i drove about 6 miles after that warning, and the car dies on me.
Yeah i will have to do the math next time I fill up...probably today.
I'm sure others will have more intelligent answers, but for city driving, those numbers you give don't alarm me. It also depends on what you mean by "light" driving. I think being too light on the gas can hurt your gas mileage as much as having a heavy foot can, assuming that doesn't mean flooring it all the time. I can't remember where I heard it, but I heard that accelerating at around half throttle gets the best mileage. Also if you're using DoD you'll get worse city mileage. And finally, take the display with a grain of salt.
"I have not had it on the highway much"
-That's your answer right there.
Last year I moved into a city which doesn't allow me to commute to work using mostly 55 mph highways, like I used to. Now I have to go from light to light and never get above 45 mph (unless I'm feeling frisky). I also drive much more in the city too, just doing random errands. I have seen a significant drop im MPG. I used to average 16-18 mpg. Now I'm at 14-15 mpg. I don't care how much you baby it in the city, it's still going to suck the gas down quickly. Make sure you get a true MPG reading and not just from the display.
-That's your answer right there.
Last year I moved into a city which doesn't allow me to commute to work using mostly 55 mph highways, like I used to. Now I have to go from light to light and never get above 45 mph (unless I'm feeling frisky). I also drive much more in the city too, just doing random errands. I have seen a significant drop im MPG. I used to average 16-18 mpg. Now I'm at 14-15 mpg. I don't care how much you baby it in the city, it's still going to suck the gas down quickly. Make sure you get a true MPG reading and not just from the display.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 3
From: Dolla$ , TX
Drive 60mph steady for 1 hour and then check your mileage if you are really concerned. I was able to achieve 26mpg while behind an 18 Wheeler doing around 55mph.
Right now im getting about 18mpg but i dog it all the time when i drive it. If i drive 60mph on a freeway i'll get my 25+ mpg again.
Right now im getting about 18mpg but i dog it all the time when i drive it. If i drive 60mph on a freeway i'll get my 25+ mpg again.
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"I have not had it on the highway much"
-That's your answer right there.
Last year I moved into a city which doesn't allow me to commute to work using mostly 55 mph highways, like I used to. Now I have to go from light to light and never get above 45 mph (unless I'm feeling frisky). I also drive much more in the city too, just doing random errands. I have seen a significant drop im MPG. I used to average 16-18 mpg. Now I'm at 14-15 mpg. I don't care how much you baby it in the city, it's still going to suck the gas down quickly. Make sure you get a true MPG reading and not just from the display.
-That's your answer right there.
Last year I moved into a city which doesn't allow me to commute to work using mostly 55 mph highways, like I used to. Now I have to go from light to light and never get above 45 mph (unless I'm feeling frisky). I also drive much more in the city too, just doing random errands. I have seen a significant drop im MPG. I used to average 16-18 mpg. Now I'm at 14-15 mpg. I don't care how much you baby it in the city, it's still going to suck the gas down quickly. Make sure you get a true MPG reading and not just from the display.
Back when we lived in IL, I made two 11 mile trips a day, but about 6-7 miles of each trip was highway, and one of them was in the middle of the night. I was getting 18-20mpg then.
*shrug* Its a 300hp+ V8 in a 3600lb+ car. Both my C5 and my Z28 were better, but they were also quite a bit lighter.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
I guess if youre doing city driving thats about right...Before I started up at school, which as 12 miles highway driving and 12 back, I was averaging 15 around town...During summer.
With winter gas I could see it dropping a bit too, I know mine has
With winter gas I could see it dropping a bit too, I know mine has
What does your average mph display?
Have you checked your cold tire pressre?
Cold weather and winter gas will cause a lose of fuel mileage. 2-3mph's!
Fuel your tank up and reset your trip odometer. Calculate your fuel consumption when topping the tank back off, once empty.
My average fuel economy is 18.7 and and this car; even when new.. never seen better then 20 average.I just went through 16.4 gallons of gas and got a little over 16 mpg. On my last road trip I got 22 mpg.
Have you checked your cold tire pressre?
Cold weather and winter gas will cause a lose of fuel mileage. 2-3mph's!
Fuel your tank up and reset your trip odometer. Calculate your fuel consumption when topping the tank back off, once empty.
My average fuel economy is 18.7 and and this car; even when new.. never seen better then 20 average.I just went through 16.4 gallons of gas and got a little over 16 mpg. On my last road trip I got 22 mpg.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
What does your average mph display?
Have you checked your cold tire pressre?
Cold weather and winter gas will cause a lose of fuel mileage. 2-3mph's!
Fuel your tank up and reset your trip odometer. Calculate your fuel consumption when topping the tank back off, once empty.
My average fuel economy is 18.7 and and this car; even when new.. never seen better then 20 average.I just went through 16.4 gallons of gas and got a little over 16 mpg. On my last road trip I got 22 mpg.
Have you checked your cold tire pressre?
Cold weather and winter gas will cause a lose of fuel mileage. 2-3mph's!
Fuel your tank up and reset your trip odometer. Calculate your fuel consumption when topping the tank back off, once empty.
My average fuel economy is 18.7 and and this car; even when new.. never seen better then 20 average.I just went through 16.4 gallons of gas and got a little over 16 mpg. On my last road trip I got 22 mpg.
So i filled up again and checked my tire pressure. The fronts were at about 25psi which is low and the rears were ok. This could be causing the issue but from what i am reading, expecting the 18 city is just a dream.
My average mpg for the last tank, being gentle with the throttle was 13.7mpg.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
Get a CAI , Plugs , Wires , and an intune with a lew tune.
Depending on your foot you should see 2-5mpg increase mixed.
Another note. When you accelerate you need to see less than 2000 rpm or more than 3000rpm.
Holding right around the 2700-3000 mark is pretty rough on the transmissions. Because that is where the tq converter locks up. Sounds strange but it is really rough on the tq converter. You either gotta lock it up good or not at all.
Depending on your foot you should see 2-5mpg increase mixed.
Another note. When you accelerate you need to see less than 2000 rpm or more than 3000rpm.
Holding right around the 2700-3000 mark is pretty rough on the transmissions. Because that is where the tq converter locks up. Sounds strange but it is really rough on the tq converter. You either gotta lock it up good or not at all.
Only use TR6 plugs if you get a tune and turn the DOD off. With DOD I think a hotter plug is needed to burn off oil deposits. These engines with 2.93 gears don't spin enough rpm to use colder plugs. I know spark knock was the reasoning for the colder plug. The tune will help more then a plug (which is a band aid) the stock timing is way to advanced