Poor gas mileage.

[jhoke]

Any idea what I should be checking to deterimine why my gas mileage might be so poor? If I had my foot in it all the time I could understand it but I don't. 13-15 around town. 17,000 on 2003 Coupe, 6MT. Air cleaner good.

[MattB]

If you're doing a lot of short trips where you are starting and stopping a lot you will get poor fuel economy...I averaged about 15.2mpg in my I30 over the last two weeks because of this kind of driving. There's likely nothing wrong with your car, frequent short trips are death on fuel economy.

[Q45tech]

Always a good idea to test 100 miles [fill to refill] of premium at the standard epa test proceedure [55 mph and never exceed 61 mph even in a pass on level interstate] ac off widows up. Fresh egg under accelerator.

The above should meet or exceed the epa sticker highway number.

The above will tell you if it's your style or a car problem [tire inflation, alignment, dragging brake pads rotors, wheel bearing, etc].

You must use conventional [non ethanolized] fuel that meets >114,000 btu per gallon.

[jhoke]

Thanks. I'll see if I can find some time to do this.

[captainluigi]

wait till nov. to perform that test. 2 hrs. with ac off, windows up in sept. you will be dead of heat stroke & mileage will not matter.

[Q45tech]

Check the weather: Springfield Missouri is in the mid 60's as we type.

[elwesso]

if you dont drive more than 10 miles per startup then your not gonna get good mileage..

Take the car on a nice 100 mile hike without shutting it off and that will tell you if gas mileage is bad... my Q only gets 11-12 on short trips but still gets 20-22 on the highway.

[jhoke]

I think the problem may have resolved itself. When I got the car a few weeks ago, the exhaust smelled bad and the mileage was also bad. Three of the wheels had curb rash and Motorwerks (where I got the car) had them repaired. When I looked at the right rear suspension there were cobwebs. Car hadn't been driven in quite some time. I think the gas got old and sour. Burned that take out, refilled and got 17 around town. Can live with that. Next fillup was even better and that was after 3 pulls on a dyno. However, I did some intake and exhaust mods which may have helped somewhat.

[Jesda]

A smell... perhaps sulfur in the fuel and now its okay.

[maxnix]

I did some intake and exhaust mods which may have helped somewhat.

Most actually hurt performance. Try BG44K?
Modified by maxnix at 9:53 AM 9/25/2006

[qship96]

just got back from a short trip to the Md beaches-temp was low 80`s,a/c on whole time,speeds of 70-80mph all highway.............22.8mpg over the 317 mile trip on the 96q with 182,055 miles on it with all 4 original oxygen sensors,original knock sensors,and 113,000 on the current plugs!

plugs,1st plenum job,1st valve cover reseal,original w.pump and pullys,and hoses all to be done at 200,000 as a preventative service to get past 300k.

[captainluigi]

thats the mileage i contiually obtain in my 96q. my wifes 98 camry v6 consistently delivers 28mpg @ 75-80mph but sooo much noisier. both cars have original ox. sensors, injectors etc.