LordHades

Hi there, first post here and very first car as well!
I bought this lovely 2002 mustang convertible a month ago at 68,000 miles and the mileage was supposed to be around 19mpg city/ 29mpg highway. I am doing about 70% of my driving on the highway, yet I just calculated that I am doing about 16.8mpg (183miles done with 10,9 gallons) which is very low, even for city driving. I know that driving habits have a lot to do with mileage, but I have been driving quite carefully/ slowly just to see what my mileage would be.

Like I said though, I don't know much about cars in general, is there anything that I should check that may have a bad effect on the mileage (eg: gas filter, etc...)? Or does that mileage sounds about right?
I just checked the tires pressure and they are close to recommended settings: 34/34 (recommended pressure 35/35).
Any idea?

cbrysoncarter

I have a 2004 v6 that is about 80% interstate driving and I am averaging about 20 mpg. I do suggest common checks/changes for air filter and pcv and fuel filter since they are all pretty easy to change. Plugs and wires also can help as well as using something like seafoam to clean out build-up. I use the 1/3 plan at oil change....i put 1/3 of a can of seafoam in my gas, 1/3 in the crank case, and then after about 5/10 mins of idle, i put the last 1/3 in the brake booster to cycle through. From there I change the oil and plugs that they can get fouled out from the release of build up. I did that when I first got my mustand and I bumped up from 16 mpg so it might help.

Derf00

EPA estimates versus real world estimates will never coincide.

The EPA does not do a good job of emulating real world city driving. Their highway mileage is also based on an average speed of 60 to 65 mph and a flat open road where cruise control (or a steady foot) is the norm. No turns, no slowing down, no speeding up.

The older EPA estimates were even less realistic (Prior to 2008). They were based on 45mph on a flat surface, straightlint, no stopping. That method was adopted from before Highways even existed and the fastest car out there went 50mph (yes, you read that correctly)...

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml

P.S. According to the "New" EPA estimates 16.8 mpg is better than the 16mpg they calculated So, you are fine.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calcu...umn=1&id=17425

desertt5

My wife's 02 vert auto got an even 20mpg in the last tank, before it got totalled. This was with about 40% hwy.

cbyrsoncarter is right on the spot. check basics like plugs, plug wires, and air filter. A friend brought over a kit from Wynns, Fuel system cleanup kit. He ran it thru her intake while we drank beer. Mileage jumped up from 18 to 20 two tank fulls later.

Cleaning the MAF is a very good start also.

O2 sensors can also destroy gas mileage. These are harder to check without a scanner to read their output voltages. But have seen mpg jump by 5 when new ones were put in.

IMO there is no reason why you should have to settle for 16mpg, especially whne you are driving easy.

NYstang

when my 02 V6/auto was stock, my overall average was 22mpg for a 70/30 mix of city/highway. Straight highway was 27-28, with long trips hitting the 30 mark.

check your filters, plugs, wires, tire pressure, brakes for dragging.

LordHades

Thanks everyone, that is super useful info. I ll try to clean wires, plugs, etc... and I ll post again to report the results
Thanks again!