Alright so I just bought a 5 spd 03 Mitsubishi Lancer last week. So after a week of driving Im pretty disappointed in the fuel economy. Im getting low 20's even cruising highway at 65-75 mph. Going over the car I found this split in the pipe. Its the 90* bend at the bottom of the car from the header to exhaust. Would this affect my gas mileage?
Picture of it


Thanks for any help!

 

That's the heat shield, the pipe is under that

 

Hahah shows how much I know! Thanks! Any ideas on reasons why my gas mileage might be so low then? I'm new to driving a stick so Im sure Im not driving it particularly efficiently but that wouldnt make a difference driving in 5th gear on the freeway.