Over the last 2 months, my milage per tank of gas has dropped quite a bit. I never got much in the first place (1994 Mazda MPV with a V6), like 450-500 to a tank. But now I'm barely able to get 330 before I have to fill up again. I haven't had a tune up in a while which may be one reason but might be some other reasons?
2007-01-30 02:26:40 · 16 answers · asked by infinitenull 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Please note I only really drive this vehicle to and from work (so there can be frequent stops) and for the usual errands around town. Hardly any highwar driving.
2007-01-30 04:41:33 · update #1
And I forgot to add I'm in Canada so that's 450-500 KMs to tank, not miles. and it is cold, but I didn't think I'd be losing over 120 KMs to a tank just because it's cold.
2007-01-30 04:43:03 · update #2
First you may consider getting a tune up. This will help a good bit. Also, most mechanics will be checking the vehicle while doing the job, and present the problem to you, both helping you to maintain your vehicle and to of course help the mechanic do their job and make money. However it is your decision whether to have the repairs done or not. It sounds as if you may need a fuel filter, or something could be wrong with the fuel pump. I drive a '95 model car myself and it still gets good gas mileage. Of course you may want to take into consideration you have better mileage on the highway than driving in town, with all the stop and go traffic. Still a tune up would be worth having done. Good luck with your vehicle.
2007-01-30 02:57:45 · answer #1 · answered by auburnfan2172000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not being an expert on this (as with most here) let me take a layman's shot at this.
If it's fuel injected, that could be a issue. Also old spark plugs and wires might need replaced.
If you know someone that really knows what they are doing, replacing your spark plug and wiring may not be too overwhelming.
If it's your fuel injectors, pay a little extra for a certified mechanic. That way if they screw it up more, you have some sort of recourse.
Lets say you invest 500 into upgrades. You will easily get that back in no time with gas prices the way they are today. Good Luck!
2007-01-30 03:08:37 · answer #2 · answered by Kari 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with the obvious, and get the tune up.
Now check your tires for proper pressure. A low tire can rob your mileage. Jack each tire up and see if it spins like it should. A dragging brake or bad bearing could also affect things. Make sure you have the opposite tire blocked before putting it in neutral to check the drive wheels. Take a good look at your tires, are they worn down to where they need replaced? Do that. Is one or more wearing unevenly? Perhaps you are due for an alignment. How about filters, especially the air intake filter, is it clean? If not, change it.
Have you lost power by chance? Look for a blockage in your exhaust system.
2007-01-30 04:15:43 · answer #3 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First get a tune up. And get the spark plugs changed and the spark plug wires. Get a oil change. Change the filters, dont floor it any more cause that sucks down allot of gas. But first change the spark plugs because think about it, you got 6 cylenders and if you have a bad spark plug than your other five are trying to make up for it. but still you problobly should get a new car. that or a new eingin, trany, drivetrain. It would be cheaper to get a new car though.
2007-01-30 03:09:04 · answer #4 · answered by Prince_Krona 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you do the tune up also try to replace as many filters as you can, the air filter, the gastank filter, and one thing that if your car is fuel injection get the fuel injection maintenace. The jiffy lube can do it for like $182, this has to be done every 50K miles to maintain superb conditions on your vehicle, I have an old car and I mantain it and I still get pretty good mileage.
Another sign of poor mileage is your tires. If they need air that might be another reason why your car is doing bad on gas. When the tires are not full they tend to struggle more to drive making th car heavy.
2007-01-30 02:39:06 · answer #5 · answered by curls 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the aerodynamics, if you've had a roof-rack or cycle carrier fitted. the tyre pressure,and the way you accelerate. if you set off faster, or drive everywhere quickly. having the windows open on motorway journeys, not using fifth/cruise on long journeys.book your car in for a service and get a diagnostic done, it could also be choked up with carbon from emissions, take on motorway and give it a good fast run this sometimes is all that's needed.
2007-01-30 02:49:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bad oxygen sensor will really cause poor gas mileage but they are expensive.anywhere from 50-100 bux.First do the tune up like you planned on.You can go wrong with a tune up especially if it hasnt been done in awhile.Plugs,wires,distributor cap,rotor button fuel filter,and air filter.If this doesn not fix your problem,best bet is to check on your oxygen sensors.There are 2 of them on your vehicle.Good luck.
2007-01-30 02:43:47 · answer #7 · answered by lift&shift 101 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Plugs,Wires,Cap an Rotor Button, and Oxygen Sensor,air filter.
2007-01-30 02:37:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do need to get a tune-up (six months) change spark plugs, wires, and so on. You may need to check where u get ur gas from cuz I get poor gas mileage if I get my gas at certain places.
2007-01-30 03:22:45 · answer #9 · answered by Starchild 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What part of the country do you live in. Is it cold cars get bad gas mileage during the colder months.
2007-01-30 04:37:15 · answer #10 · answered by bbh4r4l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋