Very bad MPG...Please help...
Feb 13, 2007, 08:33 AM
#16
I seriously don't think it's the cold weather per say. Hell my gas mileage increased when it got to freezing temps (because I was driving slower for the road conditions). If you're sitting there at idle all day until the temps reach temp gauge is 3/4 of the way up or higher, than yea that's it.
On warm ups, I just drive reaaaallly slowly until the temp gets beyond the marker then progressively drive more "normal" as the engine gets closer to normal operating temperature. On cool downs--I've never used my turbo timer--I drive nice for the last bit of my trek and don't hit the boost--which should be sufficient from what I can tell (and what I've been told). I keep my tire pressure at around 35 psi front to rear, keeping constant check of them (habit from riding sportbikes). My gas mileage still averages at 20mpg.
Bad gas can do it, bad driving can do it (that's accelerating faster and/or stopping faster). Not keeping up with maintenance (I.e. filters, plugs, etc.). Lots of stuff can cause it.
Here's an option for you though:
I read an article once in import tuner or honda tuner or something about the tuning of engines. It was right around when the gas prices started to skyrocket. Some people opted to specifically tune their cars for better gas mileage at the local dyno. (Probably specific to a particular RPM -- like 3k). It's somewhat counterproductive in certain aspects of trying to gain more HP--but it will help your pocket book if you're concerned about the MPG.
Article mentioned can be found HERE.
On warm ups, I just drive reaaaallly slowly until the temp gets beyond the marker then progressively drive more "normal" as the engine gets closer to normal operating temperature. On cool downs--I've never used my turbo timer--I drive nice for the last bit of my trek and don't hit the boost--which should be sufficient from what I can tell (and what I've been told). I keep my tire pressure at around 35 psi front to rear, keeping constant check of them (habit from riding sportbikes). My gas mileage still averages at 20mpg.
Bad gas can do it, bad driving can do it (that's accelerating faster and/or stopping faster). Not keeping up with maintenance (I.e. filters, plugs, etc.). Lots of stuff can cause it.
Here's an option for you though:
I read an article once in import tuner or honda tuner or something about the tuning of engines. It was right around when the gas prices started to skyrocket. Some people opted to specifically tune their cars for better gas mileage at the local dyno. (Probably specific to a particular RPM -- like 3k). It's somewhat counterproductive in certain aspects of trying to gain more HP--but it will help your pocket book if you're concerned about the MPG.
Article mentioned can be found HERE.
Last edited by belizelittle39439; Feb 13, 2007 at 09:18 AM.
Feb 13, 2007, 09:37 AM
#24
Just out of curiosity for you guys that are getting 22+, what method do you use to measure your MPG?
I.E. I fill up the tank--topping it off--after the tank I log my miles and fill up again; I then divide the number of miles by the gallons added. So for example lets say that first tank got me 265 miles. My subsequent fill up was topped at 11.5 gallons. That would get me 23.04 AMPG.
The flaw I see in this method is that if I filled up more the first time over the following fill up--the end result would be skewed because it will give a seemingly higher AMPG. But I try to always use the same station, same pump, and top it off the same amount of times (which is usually 2-3 times).
This could also be why some people are getting 23mpg, and some 20mpg--simply due to the division.
I.E. I fill up the tank--topping it off--after the tank I log my miles and fill up again; I then divide the number of miles by the gallons added. So for example lets say that first tank got me 265 miles. My subsequent fill up was topped at 11.5 gallons. That would get me 23.04 AMPG.
The flaw I see in this method is that if I filled up more the first time over the following fill up--the end result would be skewed because it will give a seemingly higher AMPG. But I try to always use the same station, same pump, and top it off the same amount of times (which is usually 2-3 times).
This could also be why some people are getting 23mpg, and some 20mpg--simply due to the division.
Feb 13, 2007, 10:27 AM
#25
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16.6 mpg for me. Maybe since the cold air is denser, the ecu compensates by adding more fuel. I'm sure this is good for racing, but for my daily commute, it's expensive.
Feb 13, 2007, 10:29 AM
#26
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Mrevo, the consistency if mpg results definitely relies on the fact that the pump shuts off at the same time everytime when filling up. Ofcourse this is not always true.
As for the thread creator, during the winter do you let your car sit to warm up before you drive it? Letting it idle to warm up will definitely decrease your gas mileage. Even if you don't let it warm up and start going right away, the engine is not at its optimal operating temp which could likely lead to less than optimal mpg anyway. The winter gas has its adverse affects as well like everyone's been saying
As for the thread creator, during the winter do you let your car sit to warm up before you drive it? Letting it idle to warm up will definitely decrease your gas mileage. Even if you don't let it warm up and start going right away, the engine is not at its optimal operating temp which could likely lead to less than optimal mpg anyway. The winter gas has its adverse affects as well like everyone's been saying
Feb 13, 2007, 10:32 AM
#27
Mrevo, the consistency if mpg results definitely relies on the fact that the pump shuts off at the same time everytime when filling up. Ofcourse this is not always true.
As for the thread creator, during the winter do you let your car sit to warm up before you drive it? Letting it idle to warm up will definitely decrease your gas mileage. Even if you don't let it warm up and start going right away, the engine is not at its optimal operating temp which could likely lead to less than optimal mpg anyway. The winter gas has its adverse affects as well like everyone's been saying
As for the thread creator, during the winter do you let your car sit to warm up before you drive it? Letting it idle to warm up will definitely decrease your gas mileage. Even if you don't let it warm up and start going right away, the engine is not at its optimal operating temp which could likely lead to less than optimal mpg anyway. The winter gas has its adverse affects as well like everyone's been saying
Feb 13, 2007, 11:24 AM
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I've noticed my mpg went down pretty bad in the last couple of weeks. I too barely drive the car pretty much only on weekends and this past weekend I went through about 45 bux in gas.
