pedro sanchez iv

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/18283.shtml

2002 taurus I speak of....A year ago when I bought it I recall 16-19
MPG city driving 99%, now I NEVER get over 13 MPG and the car runs
fine, not a miss or shimmey or nothing. It still has as much HP and
everything is in working order. There also NO computer codes,
everything is clear and normal.

I'd like to at least get it back to that min 18 MPG if possible... any
ideas fellas?

tom

try to find real gas. the ethanol blend is what is stealing your mileage.
before ethanol my crown vic would regularly get 30+mpg on the highway. now
i an lucky if i get 25-26 mpg.

mach1

Check your tire pressure. Brakes dragging?

pedro sanchez iv

All is correct and working.

gasoline blends should be the same WITHIN a city, right?

On The Date of Mon, 6 Apr 2009 17:28:04 -0600, "Mach1" <HaHa@No.com>
Said:

steve stone

If all was correct and working then you would be getting the original
MPG instead of 13 MPG.

How many miles on the odometer?
Last time you had routine maintenance performed.. ?
Ever have the spark plugs changed ?
What type tires, how many miles on them?
Does the parking brake work? Does it fully release?
Have your driving habits changed, more or less people driving the car?
Do you park in a garage or outdoors? Could some one be sucking gas out
of the tank at night?
Are your MPG calcs based on an onboard computer or pen, paper and
calculator?
Can you compare the computer results to manual calculations?
Do you always go to the same gas station(s)? If you change stations do
your MPG calcs change?
Ever have the transmission serviced ?
Do you have a tach? are the RPM's higher than expected at typical
driving speeds?
Have you lost any lower body ground effects air dams, either due to a
road/parking lot hazard or a mechanic not putting everything back
together properly?
Have you had any MAJOR repair work done on the car or a significant
fender bender?
Are the gears and computer still the proper match for the engine?
Did you change tire sizes?
Car running hot lately? Catalytic converter or mufflers plugged?
Engine computers ever so slowly tweak adjust for wear, to a point, so
everything feels great until you exceed
program limits.
Any aftermarket bolt ons? cold air intake kits? power chips? high
airflow air filters?
Ever clean the MAF (if it has one)?
any junk in front of the radiator blocking airflow?
Just some places to start..

steve stone

I forgot a couple of things..

Do you carry alot of unneeded weight in the car?
Is your timing belt due for replacement?
Do you drive with the windows open or closed?

ashton crusher

Maybe. I noticed that in the past few months I got significantly
better gas mileage on a couple tanks and my driving is all pretty much
the same. In fact, on my mustang GT I got the best city gas mileage
I've ever gotten. I can't help but wonder if the disruption in the
oil industry oil supplies due to pricing changes have actually changed
the blend of stuff that's in gasoline.

kent_diego

I bought an old Mercedes 380SEL and when I did the math it was getting 11 to
13 MPG. I replaced fuel lines, tuned it up and did everything. The funny
thing was I could drive from San Diego to Phoenix and still have a 1/4 tank
left. I was watching the odometer one day and noticed it would sometimes not
kick up the next number wheel. So that monster with a V8 engine was getting
20 to 24 MPG so I am sure you have something very wrong with your Taurus.

happy trails

2 things I see visibly demonstrated since I bought a new vehicle with
a fuel consumption display:

1) going in a direction of increasing elevation uses significantly
more gas than going an average downhill (duh!)

2)even a slight wind behind greatly increases apparent fuel economy,
while even a slight headwind measurably decreases it.

Are you considering these factors in your estimates?

kevin

There is always different blends for the 4 seasons. I have noticed the
last 2 years the winter blends have delivered much poorer milage than in
the past regardless of the viecle. KB

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