I have a two year old Hyundai Accent (2005). All in all, what you'd generally expect from a cheap car, I knew I was buying cheap and I really just wanted a point A to point B car, which I got. Anyway, here's my concern--I'm at 23000 miles and I STILL tend to get very inconsistent gas mileage. Before anyone jumps in, this is NOT about city/highway variations. Nor is it about the gas grade; it will be the identical gas each tank, at the appropriate grade. I can drive almost identical patterns daily, with almost the same level of starting and stopping, and still get variations per tank anywhere from 22 mpg up to over 30. I did have it checked at the dealer about a year ago; they insisted they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'd hoped it would level out as the engine worked in, but now, two years in, I just barely made 230 miles on my last tank when the tank previously was still more than a third full at 230 miles. This is irritating! Any ideas?
2007-01-01 02:19:19 · 9 answers · asked by Bzl1 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
More info: Yes, I know mileage varies. This just seems excessive. No, no one is stealing my gas; the cap locks, plus I'll watch the needle drop faster as I'm driving on some tanks versus others, in route. This is so annoying!
2007-01-01 02:30:01 · update #1
Do you always get your gas at the same gas station & pump?
Maybe it's not your car. Maybe it's a mis-calibrated pump or substandard gas from your local station.
The profit margins for gas sales are less than a penny per gallon (really). Many owners "cheat" their customers to add to their own bottom line.
Pay attention to which pump you use and where, see if there is a pattern that you can attribute to an actual pump at a gas station.
Also, consider that just because you think your drive is the exact same, it may not be. Waiting just 4 or 5 extra minutes at a light, in a drive through, or because of a train or an accident, would skew your mph results.
And I thought I was the only anal person performing mph checks daily.
2007-01-01 02:30:30 · answer #1 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How are you calculating the mileage? The way I do it is with my trip-meter which I reset every time I fill my tank. Then I divide the number of miles I've traveled by the number of gallons I've just bought. However, this assumes that I fill it to the same level every time. If you're not, that could account for the big variations.
I know on my car that pushing the nozzle all the way in or not quite so far makes a big difference. I don't think the air can squeeze out of the tank when I'm pumping the gas as fast as it can go. So i do the last gallon really slow so I know the level is the same every time.
2007-01-01 10:31:59 · answer #2 · answered by Neebler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first thought was that there may be leaks either in the tank or the gas line, but you said you'd had it checked out and it was ok.
I don't agree that gas mileage varies that much. My gas mileage is always very consistent, but I've never owned a Hyundai.
If you drive the same way, that is you let off the gas when you come to a red light and don't punch it when it goes green, there should be very little variance in gas mileage.
One other thing. Make sure it's tuned up good. A badly running car can eat up gas.
If it's tuned up then I think it's kind of a mystery. Hope you figure out what it is.
2007-01-01 10:31:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it may be a problem with your car, either mechanical or electronic, then again it may be the way of the world.
Let's face it, some days you stop at more red lights, some days your car carries more luggage or passengers, some days there is better weather, some days you are in a hurry and drive more aggresively, some days you use the A/C.
Many factors contribute to mileage, that said you still have a wide margin, and a more knowledgable mechanic (second-opinion) may be in order.
2007-01-01 11:04:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, gas mileage dosent vary that much... I would clean the fuel injectors, pour some fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank. Change the air filter. If the air filter is restricted your engine will burn more fuel. Maybe you should just do a full tuneup. Spark Plugs, oil change, air and fuel filter.
2007-01-01 10:25:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The third answer is something I did to my father as a kid, It drove him nuts for awhile too.
It is likely to be in the EMC (Engine Management Computer). Some systems (Cheap ones mostly)can be influenced by subtle changes to atmospheric conditions such as humidity, barometric pressure changes and density (heat and cold). I would suggest changing your Chip and monitor the change, it will be cheaper than doing any sort of tuneup.
2007-01-01 10:48:19 · answer #6 · answered by Commonsense 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to agree with Bumbles on this one. My vehicle use to have inconsistency's like yours and I put the fuel injector cleaner in it and changed my air filter and presto.... she runs like new. It is definitely the cheaper way to figure things out rather than spend money on plugs, and wires etc. Good luck.
2007-01-01 10:39:52 · answer #7 · answered by kashallgonna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's perfectly normal; gas mileage varies, doh
2007-01-01 10:23:36 · answer #8 · answered by timbo44b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe someone is stealing your gas.
2007-01-01 10:27:11 · answer #9 · answered by R1volta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋