Fuel Economy dropping every day
09-14-2008, 11:24 PM
#1
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,775
Fuel Economy dropping every day
Ok, before I get on with this post I have to say-- YES I know there are many threads out there with this. And that "I shouldn't own a mustang if I want good fuel econ"
With that said, I Love my Mustang, fuel economy does hurt my wallet though lately (hey, I'm a college student!)
It seems that lately my fuel economy is just getting worse and worse... When I first got the car a couple months ago it was actually great (around 350-375 miles per tank), now I'm averaging about 250-300 miles per tank. Last tank I measured was about 300miles to the tank (for about 15 gallons). I filled it up again and now since I last filled it up my tank is 1/4 gone and on my trip odometer it says 60 miles, so 60 x 4 = 240 miles to this tank?! Something seems wrong as it is getting worse and worse it seems like...
The only mod I've done is put a K&N Air filter in it (which if anything should improve MPG)
Could it be the oil I'm using?? My last oil change is around the time I started to notice it getting a little worse (if I remember right). I believe I put Mobil5000 in it (I'd have to check to make sure).
Last fillup I didn't drive conservatively and I averaged about 75 miles per 1/4 tank. My fillup after that one (the one I'm on right now) I've drove VERY conservatively (even 55 on the highway) and I'm getting worse mpg...
Also if I let my car sit for a while and start it up and rev up the engine it makes a Popping noise. Could this be the culprit? What is this noise?? I only does it on startup if I rev it (I havent checked if its still doing it for a week or so).
Something seems wrong here, help?!?
-Thanks, Max
P.S. could someone inform me on what a fuel econ tune-up is (I forget if thats what its called)
With that said, I Love my Mustang, fuel economy does hurt my wallet though lately (hey, I'm a college student!)
It seems that lately my fuel economy is just getting worse and worse... When I first got the car a couple months ago it was actually great (around 350-375 miles per tank), now I'm averaging about 250-300 miles per tank. Last tank I measured was about 300miles to the tank (for about 15 gallons). I filled it up again and now since I last filled it up my tank is 1/4 gone and on my trip odometer it says 60 miles, so 60 x 4 = 240 miles to this tank?! Something seems wrong as it is getting worse and worse it seems like...
The only mod I've done is put a K&N Air filter in it (which if anything should improve MPG)
Could it be the oil I'm using?? My last oil change is around the time I started to notice it getting a little worse (if I remember right). I believe I put Mobil5000 in it (I'd have to check to make sure).
Last fillup I didn't drive conservatively and I averaged about 75 miles per 1/4 tank. My fillup after that one (the one I'm on right now) I've drove VERY conservatively (even 55 on the highway) and I'm getting worse mpg...
Also if I let my car sit for a while and start it up and rev up the engine it makes a Popping noise. Could this be the culprit? What is this noise?? I only does it on startup if I rev it (I havent checked if its still doing it for a week or so).
Something seems wrong here, help?!?
-Thanks, Max
P.S. could someone inform me on what a fuel econ tune-up is (I forget if thats what its called)
09-15-2008, 02:43 AM
#3
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: New York City
Posts: 1,154
ahh another thread concerning fuel. I too was in your shoes and got paranoid as well before these guys answered my questions. it depends on many factors: your way of driving, whether it's city or driving, etc. i had my car at 300 to E from the stealership bought stock. I do city driving the most so I saw that drop to 210-215 to E. so you're ok. keep in mind though that what you're reading is not truely accurate as if it were done on paper.
09-15-2008, 09:06 AM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MICHIGAN
Posts: 374
Do you notice worse gas mileage the more you sit and rev the engine?
09-15-2008, 10:34 AM
#6
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,775
For some reason I sense sarcasm here.
I said I had'nt done this in a few weeks. And when I said "sit" I meant with the Engine OFF ( let it sit, cool down for a few hours). Then when I said Rev the engine I meant immediately after I start the car if I rev it, it will pop.
09-15-2008, 10:56 AM
#7
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MICHIGAN
Posts: 374
I'm trying to put myself in your shoes, Mustang, Minnesota, September... have you put on snow chains recently?
Seriously, these cars are sensitive to driving style, has your type of driving changed recently? Run with your defrost on more often? Minnesota change its fuel formula recently? Wearing heavier shoes?
My car pops under hard acceleration until it has warmed, after two city blocks it stops, but I have a flow through muffler.
Have you checked your plugs for discoloration due to poor combustion?
Seriously, these cars are sensitive to driving style, has your type of driving changed recently? Run with your defrost on more often? Minnesota change its fuel formula recently? Wearing heavier shoes?
My car pops under hard acceleration until it has warmed, after two city blocks it stops, but I have a flow through muffler.
Have you checked your plugs for discoloration due to poor combustion?
09-15-2008, 12:13 PM
#8
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
For some reason I sense sarcasm here.
I said I had'nt done this in a few weeks. And when I said "sit" I meant with the Engine OFF ( let it sit, cool down for a few hours). Then when I said Rev the engine I meant immediately after I start the car if I rev it, it will pop.
I said I had'nt done this in a few weeks. And when I said "sit" I meant with the Engine OFF ( let it sit, cool down for a few hours). Then when I said Rev the engine I meant immediately after I start the car if I rev it, it will pop.