Horrible Gas Mpg

Originally Posted by jackal2000

how did you test it?

it threw a code!! hence, its bad.

it threw a rich condition code... nothing related to the o2 sensor, also, they're supposed to be within a speced voltage.. mine is off, still within specs but not where it should be

I'm getting 11MPG right now with my 3400. no clue what the hell is going on with it. I'm gonna run some seafoam through her when I get home, hopefully clearing out whatever the hell is going on with it. Not throwing any codes, so I don't know whats going on in there.

[Exit9alero]

well if the milage is horrible and the prices are a slap we should all just buy nice little honda hybrids and cruise around town at a about 25mph and never worry about gas and perhaps try a soy diet and regular yoga excercise!!! YAY!! LMAO Right...

[jackal2000]

Originally Posted by El_Diablo

it threw a rich condition code... nothing related to the o2 sensor, also, they're supposed to be within a speced voltage.. mine is off, still within specs but not where it should be

you said the rich condition only lasted a few minutes....sounds like faulty reporting to me.

ultimately a tuned PCM is a must for great mpg. it all boils down to fuel trims.

[Vinalero]

WoW I just calculated what my mpg was. Im doin generally 360 km on a tank with the 2.4L, that's 225 miles. When I say "on a tank", it is from full to like 15 kms after the light of low gas appear. According to some site, the size of the tank varry from 14.0 gallons to 14.6 . Anyone know the exact value? And anyone know how much gas is left in the tank when the light goes on?

[IRONDOG442]

GM reports there are 2-3 gallons of gas when the light comes on I have ran a LD-9 2000 Alero out of gas before relying on that info. My Intrigue has a 17 gallon tank and the light comes on at exactly 3 gallosn left in the tank every time.

[Ryan from Ohio]

They say the 00 Alero has a 14 Gallon tank.

Ive had my car a bit over a year now, no issues.

I religiously get 300 miles froma toped off tank to the light comes on, at which point I add 11.4 gallons or so in gas.

So Im getting 25 MPG.

I drive about 90 miles Highway and 10 city per day. I fill up twice during the week... lol

I consider myself satisifed with 25 MPG.

Anyone who is getting below 20 has OBVIOUS issues and should seriously have their car checked by a professional, not just crap shooting in the wind...

10-15 miles per gallon? Thats about what my dads 69 Z28 gets with a 327 and 410 gearing...

[freakout]

Originally Posted by eag182

My ass it's just winter blend. I get identical mileage in summer and winter, and I dont live in an easy weather region. Don't drive like an idiot and take care of your car.

You live in Virgina. They don't even put additives in the diesel fuel why would they put it in the gas. I've had PA fuel gel up and they do put additives in it. The further north you go the more they put in it. I loose 1-1.5 mpg in the winter just due to additives, but that's in a transport. It's noticeable when I can't get 7 mpg in the summer.

Is the car coming up to temp. it might need a thermastat. The computer will run it in "choke" till it's fully up to temp. Did you change to a real agressive tire for the winter? Check the tensioners, pulleys and the rest of the engine driven accesories, If one of them has a bad bearing that would cause more draw on the engine. Check the brakes are they dragging? I could keep going on. There alot of variables when it comes to mpg, the biggest is the loosenut behind the wheel. The extra idle time for warm up alone will add up quicker than you think.

[shackney]

i had my o2 sensors check today they are good my fuel mixture is 14.1 so its almost perferct (15.1) but i drive with defroster on which guy said will drain your gas alot...

[jackal2000]

Originally Posted by shackney

i had my o2 sensors check today they are good my fuel mixture is 14.1 so its almost perferct (15.1) but i drive with defroster on which guy said will drain your gas alot...

your air fuel mixture should be 14.7. your car is running rich, hence low mpg.

and why in the world do you drive with defrost on?? lol

[Mischief007]

In other words the computer is dumping more fuel because it is detecting a lean condition from an O2 sensor .

[shackney]

never change it off defrost for some reason lol ohwell i will now

[jackal2000]

Originally Posted by shackney

never change it off defrost for some reason lol ohwell i will now

driving around with defrost on is the same as driving around with the a/c on. the condenser runs with both.

[Ryan from Ohio]

Ok, gotta ask.

Whats defrost to you guys?

The rear window defrost?

The front windshield, front windshield w/floor heat?

Also why does it use more gas to use this feature? And how much more?

Im a bit baffled...

[jackal2000]

Originally Posted by Ryan from Ohio

Ok, gotta ask.

Whats defrost to you guys?

The rear window defrost?

The front windshield, front windshield w/floor heat?

Also why does it use more gas to use this feature? And how much more?

Im a bit baffled...

rear window is an electric defrost which doesnt hurt mpg.

when the front defrost is on, it uses the a/c compressor, which is of course turned by the belt which makes the engine work harder which uses more gas.

[Mischief007]

My front defroster is almost always on during this time and when it rains. Anything else will fog the windows right up.

[jackal2000]

defrost = dehumidifier

thats my understanding

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by jackal2000

rear window is an electric defrost which doesnt hurt mpg.

The rear defrost most assuredly does make the car use more fuel. It's one of the more demanding electrical devices in the car. that in turn makes the alternator work more, and the engine have to work harder to turn it. It might be an insignificant amount, but it's still there.

[jackal2000]

Originally Posted by Cliff8928

The rear defrost most assuredly does make the car use more fuel. It's one of the more demanding electrical devices in the car. that in turn makes the alternator work more, and the engine have to work harder to turn it. It might be an insignificant amount, but it's still there.

how can the engine work harder to spin the alt pulley more than it already is ALL THE TIME?

[Ryan from Ohio]

I know, its strange... But its true.

Dont believe me?

Sit in your car, start it up. Roll the windows up, look at the tach. When they roll all the way up, keep trying to roll them up. It will surge...