Crappy Gas Mileage

[alero440]

I have an 01 Alero with the 3.4L. The sticker says 20 city 30 hwy (or something like that) Anyway, I get crappy crappy gas mileage. I drove to NC and got like 15-17 mpg, and no I wasn't driving like an a-hole. I was told that this motor has an issue with the EGR and that could be the reason. Also the guy that owned it before did something with the fuel injectors at 40k miles (car now has 62K). Anyone out there that can help? Oh yeah before I forget, my trans shutters at like 40-70 mph. It only does it in D. I tried 3rd gear and it went away. Possibly Overdrive? HELP!! :unsure:

crappy mileage is due to a lot of things........air filter, plugs, plug wires, fuel injectors, bad o2 sensor, egr valve, tire pressure......you can figure out which is cheapest and eliminate what you have already done......

What modifications have you done to your car?

Also when did all this start. I am in South Lyon MI, by the way if you need some help.

[alero440]

Originally posted by overdrive75@Aug 13 2004, 06:02 AM
What modifications have you done to your car?

Also when did all this start. I am in South Lyon MI, by the way if you need some help.

I noticed it the a week after I bought it so I had the dealership re-PDI it and they said everything is fine. I really noticced it when I went to NC and had to fill up like every 250-275 miles. The fuel injecters were replaced prior to me owing it so whjo knows. It's a good thing I only have a 2 mile drive to work each day.

I can't help with the trans except to ask if you have had it serviced. Trans service is recommended at 60K I think. Bad fuel mileage can also be caused by fuel line constriction, like an old fuel filter. There is no recommended interval on these, so they tend not to get done at all. Most cars recommend 15-20K replacement, and my old chrysler used to need a new one every 15K. When fuel economy and power dropped, I knew it was time. The filters (air, fuel, trans) may be a decent place to start.

BTW, I get about 20 mpg city, so you're not too far behind me.

Yeah, your millage is making sence, if you are driving city, highway that is low, but then again, mountains, and depending if you drove cruise on vs. cruise off, if you were in and out of the throttle alot, that can really give low fuel economy on the highway, so I am not sure of your driving style, but that may be a contributor as well.

I've never gotten mileage that bad, even now driving in Detroit traffic to work and back (down I-96 from Kent Lake Rd. to M-5).
It kinda sounds like what happened to me when my egr went wonky. I also had trouble starting it after I got gas though.
You haven't set any lights?
I do remember a TSB about the fuel filter, maybe?
If you do get a light, the guys at Superior Cadillac in Brighton were really nice about scanning it for me and telling me what it could be.

Originally posted by misslindseysue@Aug 16 2004, 02:20 PM
If you do get a light, the guys at Superior Cadillac in Brighton were really nice about scanning it for me and telling me what it could be.

your also a female. that helps them be "really nice"

[alero440]

Originally posted by misslindseysue@Aug 16 2004, 02:20 PM
I've never gotten mileage that bad, even now driving in Detroit traffic to work and back (down I-96 from Kent Lake Rd. to M-5).
It kinda sounds like what happened to me when my egr went wonky. I also had trouble starting it after I got gas though.
You haven't set any lights?
I do remember a TSB about the fuel filter, maybe?
If you do get a light, the guys at Superior Cadillac in Brighton were really nice about scanning it for me and telling me what it could be.

I work for Superior, lol Actually Brighton Honda which is owned by Superior. They are nice, but sloooooow to get things done. Thats funny you'd say to go there.

Originally posted by Steve03TropicTeal@Aug 16 2004, 02:26 PM
your also a female. that helps them be "really nice"

Actually, it usually helps them treat me like an idiot. Pat was with me, that helped.

That's funny that you work there. And they won't help you out? I usually don't go there, which is why I was surprised when they helped me out. Most places will try to charge you to scan a code for you. Overdrive's dad owns a shop in Redford, so he takes care of my car now that ti's out of warranty.

Also, I got 21mpg on my last tank. Boo to Pat towing around a trailer full of rocks and woodchips with my car.

[sound_xtreme]

yea, change the fuel filter. they get dirty really quick for some reason. i changed mine probably around 60k and the gas that came out of it i could not believe, i should have took a picture.

and yea, there are a lot of things that can contribute to bad gas mileage. i wouldnt think you would need your plugs changed yet, you can take one or 2 out and look at them but i highly doubt it at ~60k

i think the fuel filter needs to be changed a lot more often than 60 thousand miles........i change mine every 4 oil changes or so, between 10-12 thousand miles......after i have changed it i can definately feel the difference on how easily it starts and what not......im getting crappy mileage too, i think my cars runnin rich which would suggest my o2 sensor is gone and the cars runnin in a security mode.......

when i get the money for a new one, and figure out how to get my arms down there I will give it a go.......

and as far as spark plug replacement, mileage isnt just what you need to think about, how you drive, if you have any problems with any other parts like cat, egr valve, or something to alter the air and/or fuel.......

I have 54K on mine with I believe the original fuel filter. Wouldn't surprise me, since I bought it at 49K and it had the original air filter :withstupid:
I will see what my new gas mileage is, see if there is a change. Right now I get ~20mpg city

With the gas we have here my mechanic told me that i have to change my fuel filter every 6 months. I went in for a check up after i made a 500km trip. I had noticed that my car was excelerated slowly. I mean with 170hp i felt like i had 50hp, and sure enough he pulled that sucker out and it was almost plugged up. If i had driven some more my fuel pump would have gone. Now im getting around 9l/100km. (i belive thats around 22-23mpg)

My dad just traded in his car for a 2004 prius, he gets something like 500miles per gallon, got it at discount too, it's sweet, nav... everything, lotta upgrades, the new model is completely redesigned, the deaership told him, if he wanted he could sell it on e-bay and make 5-6,000 quick!


anyways, It does suck, my 2.4 gets a little better, but just take advantage of the coasting and try to be a little softer footed and your car will do better!


oh, and getting it looked at, will also help, but it's so hard to trust a mechanic!

[alero440]

I changed the plugs at like 59K Put some nice NGK's in it. The plugs weren't bad when I pulled them, But since I had to wait for the plugs to be ordered I figured what the hell. Plus I hate going to Murray's. As for the fuel filter.... Never thought of that. I will get my mechanic of a boyfriend on his hands and knees to look at it. Thanks for the advice guys!!!

Originally posted by Hobbes@Aug 19 2004, 10:47 AM
My dad just traded in his car for a 2004 prius, he gets something like 500miles per gallon, got it at discount too, it's sweet, nav... everything, lotta upgrades, the new model is completely redesigned, the deaership told him, if he wanted he could sell it on e-bay and make 5-6,000 quick!

d00d, 500 miles per gallon is sic! :o

im soo getting one of those things!!

:P

The new hatchback design is pretty filthy, his is red, I'll take some pics of the features this weekend...


His new smart key design unlocks the car if he comes within range, he doesen't have to even take it out of his pocket or push the button, he dosen't even have to put in in the ignition, and the ignition takes the key like a old school nintendo game, pop the cartrdige in, (the key is the remote keylees entry thing, that's the key!)... but he dosen't even have to do that, just has to have it inside the car... theres' a power button that starts the car, all you have to do is press it, it's insane!


and yeah, he never fills up, he's only got 18 miles on it so far, but the mileage is crazy, he's got gas for the horsepower, and electric for the coasting, two engines!

[alero440]

and yeah, he never fills up, he's only got 18 miles on it so far, but the mileage is crazy, he's got gas for the horsepower, and electric for the coasting, two engines!

It's actually a engine and a battery. Not two engines. The car would be a haus if it had two engines!