I have a 1989 Oldsmobile. Lately it has been sucking up gas like crazy. My exhusband would keep up on maintanance regularly but since i left i haven't really been that good at the upkeep. . Any idea what it could be? Maybe tune-up or oil change?
2007-09-03 02:31:54 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
it probably needs a good tune-up with plugs and wires, air filter and fuel filter and put a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank the next time you fill it up.
2007-09-03 13:52:26 · answer #1 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the above are good suggestion (tire pressure, new air filter, oil change, etc.). Those are the cheapest things to try first anyway.
Also, make sure you are not just "guessing" or assuming you are getting bad MPG. You need to measure it to make sure. Or else you would be chasing ghosts and spending money on needless repairs - just because you FEEL the MPG is low. Try this MPG measurement experiment:
(1) Fill the tank to the max
(2) get on the highway - late night
(3) run the car for about 20 or 30 miles
(4) use cruise control (reason for late night run)
(5) note the MILES
(6) get off the HWY and get gas
(7) fill to the max again - note the GALLONS.
Now yo have miles and gallon. To get REAL MPG, divide
MPG = miles / gallons.
It may seem like waist of gas, but this experiment will only cost you about 1 or 2 gallons of gas. But that's not bad compared to blind attempt. Try it after each repair attempt. When you feel your MPG is back up to acceptable level, then just note the MPG and try it once in a while (when you have to drive anyway), just to make sure.
Good Luck.
2007-09-03 03:34:06 · answer #2 · answered by Lover not a Fighter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always change oil every 3 months. Lots of short trips can really use the gas. 19 year old oldsmobiles could have wear issues. You did not say how many miles model and engine size. Don't spend lot's of money on a car that old.
2007-09-03 02:44:19 · answer #3 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whats the mpg?
That's a old junker i drive a 92 and it's a junker too :) They're old they use a lot of gas.
Tune-up will help but only a little. If it's really bad you might have a bad oxygen sensor. That's the only thing that would improve your mileage 20% or more if it's bad.
2007-09-03 02:41:26 · answer #4 · answered by Yoho 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it in for a tune up , 1989 may have a big engine .
Need to stay up with maintenance .
2007-09-03 02:44:59 · answer #5 · answered by bigfred1954 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds odd, but check your tires.
I was watching the gas flow through my car so fast it was making me broke. I took my car to get worked on (oil change) and they said my tires were so flat it was dangerous (he said he was going to call my husband to come get me- he didn't want me driving home!). After my tires got replaced, I get great gas mileage again!
Not saying that's what's going on, but it's a possibility.
2007-09-03 02:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by MACgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be any number of things, easiest and cheapest fix would be to replace the air filter, and dirty oil wont affect MPG.
2007-09-03 02:44:48 · answer #7 · answered by ~ Floridian`` 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check engine operating temperature,thermostat should close,cooling fan should come on only when hot,and oxygen sensor.
2007-09-03 02:40:25 · answer #8 · answered by CarmaNguyen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you might have an injector problem. Also a tune-up wouldn't hurt one bit.
2007-09-03 03:36:56 · answer #9 · answered by heavyhauldad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
does it have a manual choke or an automatic one ???
when this sort of thing happened to me , it was because the automatic choke was stuck on the " on " position
all the best
Ian
2007-09-03 02:40:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋