Bad gas mileage! Help
Originally Posted by Takeoff
My 03 lancer es has been getting really bad mileage. I have never done a total count on my mpg but I drive about 2/3 the distance I used to drive on a full tank. I changed the spark plugs, the air filter looks good, and I am unsure what else to do. I have been told fuel injector cleaner is bad and will damage the seals? Any suggestions and has anyone solved their own mpg problem?????
I usually get around 350 to a tank and then i divide it by the number of gallons i put in at the pump.. and that usually puts me at the 32mpg mark.. with about 60/40 highway/city split. This is after the emanage, i only averaged around 27 before it.. Stock the ECU runs very rich.
I get about 150-175 miles per tank. It is mostly driving highway miles from work and back. I got a pcv valve but can't find it. Can any post a pic of where it is so I can change it. I also have problems when the ac is turned on. It is like the car is going to die. This is probably related to my fuel problem.
I just checked my fuel level and im a millimeter away from empty and i can feel the light coming on. When I checked to see how many miles I did on the tank it was a mesely 136 LMAO.
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From: Miami Lakes, Florida --Da 305 baby!
Originally Posted by Kid Lancer 7
im in the same boat as him. im getting only 180 a tank
i used to see at least 230.. (auto) but my rear tire situation is all jacked up. im on a donut from a recent tire blow out... But it feels like my fuel is lasting a long time just like when i bought the car.. i think im getting a false reading due to my rear tire issue... im getting a set of fresh rubber next week, so i'll let you know how my situation turns out next week.
i used to see at least 230.. (auto) but my rear tire situation is all jacked up. im on a donut from a recent tire blow out... But it feels like my fuel is lasting a long time just like when i bought the car.. i think im getting a false reading due to my rear tire issue... im getting a set of fresh rubber next week, so i'll let you know how my situation turns out next week.quoting myself because.... i went from this measley 180 miles on auto to a satisfactory 215 miles. (same winter weather conditions) 90% highway miles 10% street so thats roughly a pathetic 18MPG to 21.5MPG. What i did was i went to auto zone and bought a spark plug anti-fouler (part# 42002 i believe) i bored it out with a 1/2" metal drill bit, so the 1st O2 sensor can fit on to it and screw in to the header... i poped it in the header and gained some MPG. basicly what that did was lean out the mixture. this weekend im gonna use injection cleaner and change the spark plugs and install my new magnecore wires... and a CEL fix... hopefully i can gain another 10MPG
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From: Miami Lakes, Florida --Da 305 baby!
i guess it leaned out.. i dont have the guages to tell.. but b4 i know my car was just P1$$ing fuel. even though the fouler is bored, less air gets into the sensor. once i put it in.. i gained 215mpg constantly.. tank after tank whereas before with out it... 180 if im lucky.. i just threw up a hail mary and experimented with it and the sh8t worked lolol.. when i saw 215 on the gas light for the 1st time since the car was stock.. My 1st initial thought was "i forgot to reset my odometer for the 1st few miles.. but i tried it again and again with odometer reset.... 215 baby!
Last edited by Kid Lancer 7; Feb 24, 2006 at 11:21 AM.
I don't think it leaned out, from what I remember the MAS/MAF determines how much fuel goes into the mixture while the O2 sensors basically act as "check ups" to make sure nothing strange is happening with the motor.


