Ok so before anyone says anything about using the search feature....I have done that and picked up bits and pieces of info from here and there.

Here's my problem. I have a 01 Max SE with about 157k miles. I average 280-300 Miles per tank if I'm lucky. I drive about 85%-90% highway and the rest city and drive pretty conservatively 65-75 (sometimes 80 mph) on the freeway.

After doing some research and without being 100% sure, I determined I probably needed a new MAF sensor, so I bought a MAF sensor ($100) thinking that would solve the problem. But I just went through another tank an only got about 300 miles. I just got new tires and they are inflated properly. I just got a new Air Filter. Spark plugs got checked out and don't seem like they need to be replaced.

I don't know what to do! I'm pretty frustrated. I am thinking about getting a Fuel Induction and Fuel Injector service done on the car and see if that helps. I just don't want to be throwing unnecessary parts and services on the car that it does not need.

I use premium fuel on it, although I don't know what fuel grade the previous owner used on it.

Any recommendations...thoughts?

Our 2003 SE gets around 400 miles per tank and that has a 3.5L engine...

Thanks

 

Try driving at a slower speed? 80mph can't be helping your situation.

 

400 per tank? Wow! I have never hit 300 per tank. I avg 25 mpg.

 

300 miles per tank or 25mpg? 18.5 gallon tank @ 25mpg would be over 450 miles per tank, wouldn't it?

 

I quess if I went to empty i could go that far? 25mpg is right on the money according to the EPA for my ATX.

EPA Fuel Economy:

Manual transmission:
city: 21 MPG (11.2 L/100km)
hwy: 28 MPG (8.4 L/100km)

Automatic transmission:
city: 20 MPG (11.8 L/100km)
hwy: 26 MPG (9.0 L/100km)

 

Between west Texas (where 80 is legal) through New Mexico and into Arizona (where 75 is legal), I averaged 79 mph for 412 miles and got 26.3 mpg. Not trip computer mpg (it said 30.4) but real mpg.

First thing I'd check for is excessive exhaust back pressure. Bad cats or muffler.

 

Make sure you brakes are not dragging. After you have driven the car for a while, see if rolls easily or better after you have stopped, see if any of the wheel is hot.

 

Op those silver and chrome wheels are nice what's size and model are they?

 

i get AT THE VERY LEAST 350 miles to a tank...thats with the coilpack issues and needing new plugs and w/e else is wrong w/ my car (maybe IACV)...and some of those times im going 80 to work because i wake up late. you should be getting mileage close to that of the 03. does your 01 have anything wrong w/ it? SES light or anything?

 

Is there a easy way to check exhaust back pressure. I am getting 220 miles for a refill of about 16 gallons in all city driving which is very bad. I used to get about 280 - 300 a couple years before.

 

I've got an 01 SE w/88K and I get about 300-350 with mixed driving. Im not sure how you guys are getting 26 mpg. I check mine every time I fill up and it ranges from 22.5-17 (all stop and go). Is there something going on with my car? Also, I use premium, as I have read is best for these engines.

 

My 02 gets about 300 - 330 but the light will be on. I need to change the spark plugs (original ones with 135k miles). I've never seen 400 miles on a full tank.

 

Why are the trip computers so inaccurate?

 

http://www.aa1car.com/library/exhaust_backpressure.htm

 

hmmm this I have never thought of. Maybe I should do a real MPG test.

Fill to full drive around a while, calculate milage, refuel check how much fuel used. Divide to get MPG. that sound right?

Anyways my computer says i get 25 with ghetto intake mod. when i put it back to normal it gets 28.

FYI rims make a difference in MPG, so does an intake.

 

Try doing the PCV & also replacing the fuel filter.
Here is a how to...
http://shiftice.com/fuel_filter.html

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

cmax1 - The wheels are 19 inch Momos but I forgot the model name cuz I sold the wheels on the forums a long time ago. I put the Titanium Edition wheels back on the car.