Hi,
My max is now at 99,8xx miles and I am getting poor gas mileage.
I had the O2 sensors and the knock sensor replaced last summer when the CEL came on. I did the routine tune up at 65k few years ago and I've always put in Premium gas for my car.
My commute to my internship is about 30minutes away and I am noticing that my car is thristy for gas.

So my question is:
What can I do to improve my MPG??

I wouldn't be able to do anything on my own since I'm busy with my internship, part-time job, and full time class schedule.

I remember reading posts where members have mentioned about cleaning the throttle body (don't know too much about cars), and getting an Auto Transmission Fluid Flush.

Oh, and where is the best place to get the job done? I don't want to get ripped off. I am currently near Reading, PA.

 

Its a winter time. Right now from each tank I can make 200 to 230 miles. During the summer is much better 300 to 350.

 

Yeah, I do notice since its the winter, my mpg has decreased. Any suggestions?

 

Do not go over 2500 rpm.
My record is 180 miles from a tank

 

65k? Scheduled maintenence is at 60k and 90k.. Perhaps you need basic stuff done (fluid flush, spark plugs (possibly), etc) as you mention.

What is "bad?" - There's a lot of mileage threads if you look. I think the max is thirstier than most people think, especially in the later miles. I'm getting ~22-23mpg in mixed city/hwy driving on my 85 mile (round trip) daily commute. I'm at 101k miles and am Auto as well. I'm sure if I did a few things I could probably up that by 1 or 2 mpg, but other than that I think it's to be expected.

 

And use only 93 oct gasoline.

 

Change the airfilter...you can do that no matter how strapped for time you are.

Sparks, fuel filter...all the other general maintenance can help too. Get tire pressure up to spec.

Right when winter started I was leaving the heat on defrost all the time, and I found that my MPG seemed to drop (not as bad as you guys, but still). I have since started using it only when needed and switch to one of the other options once the windshield is unfogged. The defrost works by drying the air using the AC which takes gas, so that's why it is bad for fuel economy.

I think there is also just a natural drop in fuel economy in the winter though I don't know why. I have heard about it being from additives in the gas, but I don't know how true it is.

You're also likely letting the car warm up. That will consume gas too.

 

I checked the air filter. It's still clean.
I check my tires every weekend. (32 psi in front and 30 in the back)
I let my car warm up for about a minute or less. I don't gas it above 2k rpm until the car's fully warmed up.

The next time I fill up the tank, I'll start taking notes on "exactly" what my mpg is.

 

I have heard the drop in fuel economy in winter is because of a different additive they put in it.

 

Cold idle fuel enrichment goes WAY up when temps are below freezing. Cooler air, even if the engine is at operating temp, will force the ECU to inject more fuel to keep the correct A/F ratio (denser air). The ECU will inject about 1% more fuel for each 10ºF below 68ºF.

And fuel suppliers add oxygenates to the fuel during winter time so that the fuel burns cleaner. Cold fuel doesn't atomize as well and consequently doesn't burn as clean - and oxygenates help with that. They drop fuel economy also because they don't yield as much power.

Trav

 

So what can the consumers do about this situation? Besides waiting for the Spring to arrive. Are there any additives that we can pour in our gas tank?

 

When the SES lamp goes on, isn't that an indication of the EVAP usually? Because mine went on in the high 50's, never came back after replacement. My car has 103,xxx now and I got 28.5 mpg last weekend, and it was about 16 degrees. I live in Philly so I would think we have that MTBE fuel too. All I can say is I did have the 60k service done by the dealership, and I change the oil myself every 5k, at which time I will clean the K&N and reoil. It's my opinion that every 5k with the air filter is not overkill. When my car was brand-new, at 9k the mileage crashed and burned. When I popped-in a new factory air filter, it went back up. So that's what I'm going by......

 

My gas milage sucks around 19.3 mpg City/highway wiht out driving really hard

 

Mine is similar

 

On short trips the maxima is the ****ing worst, highway I'll still get 26/27 but man I'll get liek 12 if I'm only doing 5 minute trips ...

 

If you're car is warmed up properly expect less mpg as well, in the winter time at least. I noticed that my car would never reach normal operating temp when we hit -24 for a few days out here. When i just let the car run instead of turning it off when i went into the store or whatever, i got much better gas mileage.