fuel mileage

Hello everyone, I have a 2000 2.4 dohc, and I usually get 320 miles per tank, well now a days I can't get more then 240, 250 per tank... anyone have any ideas?

Thank you for your time

[King Asoka]

tune up?

[Aleromaster]

I have the same problem I have a 3.4 and used to get a combined milage of 31 mpg now i'm getting 23mpg on the highway. car only has 45,000 on it but I may have the ford dealership near my house look at it since they hold the warenty on it (100k and about 90% bumper to bumper best warenty i ever had. Oh yeah free oilchanges for the life of the warenty)

[johny_boy32]

check the fuel filter....it could just be a change of your driving habits too.

[justinusaf]

Tune up would probably make a Huge difference.

i usually average about 22 mpg but my gas gauge is a little off and i had the floater replaced but it still wont work right. so i could be on empty with 250 miles and still run it until 320. maybe you have the same problem i have.

Most common problems that would result in loss of fuel economy:
-plugs/wires
-injectors
-air filter
-fuel filter
-low tire pressure
-added weight
-running defrost/AC
-plugged cat
-egr (would set a light)
-cold weather

It's the same for me.
I think it's because it's winter.
Did you have the same problem last year?

I usually get 500 km (313 miles) per tank
In the winter I only get 400 km (250 miles) per tank.

I don't know if it's cold where you live but here in Sweden it makes a lot to the gasmilage.
For every cold start the choke is on for some minutes and the transmission (if you have automatic) don't shift as it's supposed to. So I think an engineblockheater would do a great difference.

Also have you been sitting in your car while its been running. When i go on break and lunch at work i always sit in my car and listen to music. It definately sucks up gas but doesn't add to the miles. Just a thought.

Yes I have noticed that as it gets cooler the fuel goes faster..... Thanks everyone.

[johny_boy32]

winter is also a main problem

cooler air makes the car run richer, using up more fuel.

Thanks again for the input everyone.

Originally posted by Storm@Dec 11 2003, 02:29 PM
It's the same for me.
I think it's because it's winter.
Did you have the same problem last year?

I usually get 500 km (313 miles) per tank
In the winter I only get 400 km (250 miles) per tank.

I don't know if it's cold where you live but here in Sweden it makes a lot to the gasmilage.
For every cold start the choke is on for some minutes and the transmission (if you have automatic) don't shift as it's supposed to. So I think an engineblockheater would do a great difference.

Ok, step one, a fuel injected car does not have a choke, so that logic doesn't apply. Step two the electronic transmission in these cars behaves similiar hot vs, cold, with the exception of TCC operation, till fluid has warmed slightly and firmer shifts cold. That has minimal if any impact on fuel economy as the fluid in the trans warms rapidly when the torque converter is in open mode.

No body has mentioned the fact that when it is cold people tend to let there cars iddle longer to warm up in the cold.

The only annalogy that is corrects is that the air is colder and denser so that makes the engine use more fuel, it doesn't run richer, it just takes more fuel for that denser charge of cold air.

[sound_xtreme]

i'd check the fuel filter first, then the air filter. you shouldnt have to worry about plugs or wires. i have 90,000 on mine, plugs are gettin worn out but still running good. my last tank i got around 323 miles to the tank. I recently changed the fuel filter and air filter.

Fuel consumption soars in cold weather - sometimes by as much as 50 percent!! Thats a fact!

I know that modern cars don't have regular choke. But the air-fuel mixture is richer (yes it is!!). And that what happens in a regular choke too.

And no the transmission doesn't behave the same when it's cold. Take your car for a cold ride, and you'll see.
From own experiences I have seen that the transmission is slower to shift, but shifts harder. And it doesn't lock up the first minutes of driving.