My 2003 Neon gets awful gas mileage. What can I do to improve it?

Question

My gas mileage for my 2003 Dodge Neon SE isn't so great. I get about 21-24 mpg city and about 26-28 mpg on the highway. It's an automatic and it's a former rental car so the dang thing doesn't have cruise. What can I do to improve my gas mileage on this thing? Or is that pretty par for the road?

My car is well maintained. Oil is changed regularly every 3000 miles and my tires have proper pressure and my air filter is in great shape. I use fuel injector cleaner in the gas about every 3000 miles as well. I generally don't use 92 grade gas, though I've tried it. I didn't find the MPG to increase by more than 1 MPG if that.

Answer 1

you seem to be getting about what you should be with a neon.it seems that you are taking care of the car(most people don't) i would watch with the additive,alcohol is not good for mileage and can hurt.you don't need to run high octane in this car and will hurt the engine(build up inside the combustion chamber and valves)it can cause misfires,or even no starts . if it is a high mileage car,you might install a new 02 sensor,they get lazy with age and keep the tire pressure 32(sticker on drivers door)may want to put 35psi, harder ride and may gain a mile or two.good luck.

Answer 2

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My 2003 Neon gets awful gas mileage. What can I do to improve it?
My gas mileage for my 2003 Dodge Neon SE isn't so great. I get about 21-24 mpg city and about 26-28 mpg on the highway. It's an automatic and it's a former rental car so the dang thing doesn't have cruise. What can I do to improve my gas mileage on this thing? Or is that pretty...

Answer 3

Higher octane has less btu's (heat energy) than regular octane gas. regular octane gas is best for mileage, hi octane is better for performance(ahem spirited driving with hi compression/performance egines) To sum it up, use regular gasoline (preferably without ethanol) unless your car needs it. You'll know if it needs it cause it will rattle and ping on the cheap stuff. Have the ignition system(spark plugs and wires) checked. Check the air filter. When was the last time the fuel filter was changed, people tend to forget them.Make sure your exhaust is not pinched or crushed shut and you might want to check your oxygen sensor too. Your mileage doesnt sound all THAT bad, but should be a little better. good luck!

Answer 4

2003 Neon

Answer 5

We have a 2000 Neon that gets about the same mileage as yours does. We think it is okay.

Answer 6

you will not get better gas mileage and that is good, and above average gas mmileage for a car. You should be happy with it, i don't know what you are complaining about!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

This may sound stupid but the best is to drive slower and don't use 92 octane fuel unless your car requires it. Otherwise you send more on gas and it will NOT make the milage better

Answer 8

My friend that is not an awful mileage, that is about what you should get on those engines you can't get any better than this

Answer 9

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Likely need to take out those platinum laser do-dads! Most Dodge/Chrysler engines take copper core plugs if you use the wrong ones it can damage the coil pack overtime and affect the engines performance. Look in your owner's manual or call your local auto parts store it should list the correct plug type for you engine. In most cases it is champion plugs.

Answer 10

Put some injector cleaner through it, change the air filter, clean/replace the oxygen sensors, check spark plugs and wires.