Terrible Gas Mileage

dunbar26 · 02-15-2010, 04:29 PM

My bull has been getting horrible gas mileage lately. I've drove 88 miles on 28 dollars worth of gas and now my gas light is on again. I don't remember exactly how much gas was when i filled up but that should be somewhere around 10-11 gallons of gas. Now 88 miles divided by 10 gallons of gas comes to a wopping 8mpg. I know this isn't the most accurate way of calculating mpg but it should get me in the ball park.

The CEL is not on and the car seems to run fine. Im completely puzzled why I am getting such terrible gas mileage. I plan on getting a full tune up done once it warms up a little bit. Does anyone have any idea why my mileage is sooo low?

machausta · 02-15-2010, 05:47 PM

QUOTE (dunbar26 @ Feb 15 2010, 04:29 PM)

Quote:

My bull has been getting horrible gas mileage lately. I've drove 88 miles on 28 dollars worth of gas and now my gas light is on again. I don't remember exactly how much gas was when i filled up but that should be somewhere around 10-11 gallons of gas. Now 88 miles divided by 10 gallons of gas comes to a wopping 8mpg. I know this isn't the most accurate way of calculating mpg but it should get me in the ball park.

The CEL is not on and the car seems to run fine. Im completely puzzled why I am getting such terrible gas mileage. I plan on getting a full tune up done once it warms up a little bit. Does anyone have any idea why my mileage is sooo low?[/b]

That's probably more like 7 gallons worth @ 88 miles (12.5mpg). If you're doing in town driving, in bitter cold, in the worst conditions for fuel mileage, then its not ideal but it could very well happen. Maybe its fuel filter, plugs, wires, etc... time.

mattyco611 · 03-11-2010, 12:02 AM

i have the EXACT same problem. did you ever find out what was wrong?

sfhess · 03-11-2010, 02:06 PM

Wow. Where can I get 10-11 gallons of gas for $28.00? That's like stealing it!

millermagic · 03-11-2010, 02:09 PM

$2.80 a gallon ... that's about what it is here.

jndejure · 03-11-2010, 09:20 PM

If you are getting less than ten miles to the gallon you either have a clogged fuel filter or a leak somewhere between the fuel tank and the injectors. This is considering that the car is running well without stumbling especially when getting on the gas pedal. Either that or your motor is totally worn out.

ArkanDan · 03-12-2010, 07:18 AM

QUOTE (jndejure @ Mar 11 2010, 11:20 PM)

Quote:

If you are getting less than ten miles to the gallon you either have a clogged fuel filter or a leak somewhere between the fuel tank and the injectors. This is considering that the car is running well without stumbling especially when getting on the gas pedal. Either that or your motor is totally worn out.[/b]

Okay I've seen this reply (fuel filter clogged or something to that effect) several times for poor gas mileage. I fail to understand how this is going to promote poor mileage. If anything I would think it would increase mileage, but hamper engine performance. I've been around long enough to not just jump in and say it's a bunch of BS as there are things that go on in this world that just defy explanation. I'm always ready to learn new tricks even though I am an "old dog".

jndejure · 03-12-2010, 07:29 AM

A dirty fuel filter reduces injector pressure and the time it takes to recover the needed pressure to correctly fire the injectors. I have taken a fuel injector out of an engine and watched it spray while the motor was running. Low pressure equals what appears to be a "heavy" spray pattern. Normal pressure brings about a finer more atomized spray pattern. Hence, more power and better mileage.

901-Memphis · 03-12-2010, 11:39 AM

I usually pay about 50 cents to 1 dollar per gallon of gas when i fill up at Sunoco, but pay full price at Chevron.

2000sable · 03-12-2010, 12:45 PM

QUOTE (901-Memphis @ Mar 12 2010, 11:39 AM)

Quote:

I usually pay about 50 cents to 1 dollar per gallon of gas when i fill up at Sunoco, but pay full price at Chevron.[/b]

How is that?

03-11-2010, 12:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
mattyco611 Member Member Number: 19290 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: RI Visit: My Garage Posts: 31 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	i have the EXACT same problem. did you ever find out what was wrong? __________________ matthew coulter

03-11-2010, 02:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
sfhess Senior Member Member Number: 3575 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Beautiful Palmdale, CA Visit: My Garage Posts: 1,925 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	Wow. Where can I get 10-11 gallons of gas for $28.00? That's like stealing it! __________________ "Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos." - H J Simpson Intact is one word. A lot is two words. 1991 Taurus LX Sedan 3.8 Titanium Frost - Everything but leather and buckets/console 2007 Fusion SE I4 5-speed Tungsten with Sport Appearance Package: Black chrome!!! 1969 Cougar XR 7 351W "I had the right to remain silent, but I did not have the ability" - Ron White

03-11-2010, 02:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
millermagic Senior Member Member Number: 4131 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York State Visit: My Garage Posts: 7,373 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	$2.80 a gallon ... that's about what it is here. __________________ I'd rather have a rustbucket than a rice rocket!

03-12-2010, 11:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
901-Memphis Senior Member Member Number: 18227 Join Date: Mar 2009 Visit: My Garage Posts: 266 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	I usually pay about 50 cents to 1 dollar per gallon of gas when i fill up at Sunoco, but pay full price at Chevron. __________________ 1999 Vulcan Sedan with 124k As of 07/2010 - No Major Issues

02-15-2010, 04:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
dunbar26 Member Member Number: 19888 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Visit: My Garage Posts: 33 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	My bull has been getting horrible gas mileage lately. I've drove 88 miles on 28 dollars worth of gas and now my gas light is on again. I don't remember exactly how much gas was when i filled up but that should be somewhere around 10-11 gallons of gas. Now 88 miles divided by 10 gallons of gas comes to a wopping 8mpg. I know this isn't the most accurate way of calculating mpg but it should get me in the ball park. The CEL is not on and the car seems to run fine. Im completely puzzled why I am getting such terrible gas mileage. I plan on getting a full tune up done once it warms up a little bit. Does anyone have any idea why my mileage is sooo low?

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03-11-2010, 09:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
jndejure Senior Member Member Number: 5848 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Holland, Michigan Visit: My Garage Posts: 366 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	If you are getting less than ten miles to the gallon you either have a clogged fuel filter or a leak somewhere between the fuel tank and the injectors. This is considering that the car is running well without stumbling especially when getting on the gas pedal. Either that or your motor is totally worn out.

03-12-2010, 07:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
jndejure Senior Member Member Number: 5848 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Holland, Michigan Visit: My Garage Posts: 366 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	A dirty fuel filter reduces injector pressure and the time it takes to recover the needed pressure to correctly fire the injectors. I have taken a fuel injector out of an engine and watched it spray while the motor was running. Low pressure equals what appears to be a "heavy" spray pattern. Normal pressure brings about a finer more atomized spray pattern. Hence, more power and better mileage.