Poor Fuel Consumption
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- Junior Member
- Posts: 17
- Joined: February 25th, 2004, 2:01 am
- Location: Telford UK
Poor Fuel Consumption
HELP!
I have a 1996 MX-3 V6 and its completely standard, But the fuel consumption is really bad!
I am currently getting just over 200 miles to a tank of petrol, even though i have been driving it really carefully.
I have only had the car for 3 weeks, and the first week i just thought that it was me being a bit heavy on the gas.... so the next week i drive really carefully, with not much improvement!
I love the car but the fuel bills are stupid!
I hope someone can help me... thanks in advance
I have a 1996 MX-3 V6 and its completely standard, But the fuel consumption is really bad!
I am currently getting just over 200 miles to a tank of petrol, even though i have been driving it really carefully.
I have only had the car for 3 weeks, and the first week i just thought that it was me being a bit heavy on the gas.... so the next week i drive really carefully, with not much improvement!
I love the car but the fuel bills are stupid!
I hope someone can help me... thanks in advance
I rock.... so you dont have to!
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 3825
- Joined: June 26th, 2003, 2:01 am
- Location: Puyallup, WA
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
Even a properly tuned one usually only gets 250 miles a tank with nice driving. The fuel tank is unusually small, though. Although 23 MPG still isn't great IMO.
Look at a new cap and rotor, and possibly new O2 sensors and see if that helps your MPG a tad.
Look at a new cap and rotor, and possibly new O2 sensors and see if that helps your MPG a tad.
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
The worst my (unmodified) car has done is 25 mpg (imperial gallons), and the average is 30. I inadvertently ran my tank dry, and when I refilled, it took only 45 litres, even though the nominal capacity is 50. So when you say "a tankful" I assume that's less than 45 litres, say 9.5 gallons (imperial). That's 21 mpg. But if you're going by the gauge - don't. It shows empty after about 35 litres (7.7 gal) have been used. That would mean you're getting 26 mpg. You really need to know how much you put in to fill the tank.
Lots of engine things to check (plug gaps, clean air filter, O2 sensors), but first check the brakes. Its not unknown for the handbrake not to release fully, and/or the calipers to bind. Go for a drive using the brakes very sparingly, then feel the disks. If they're really hot, check the calipers and the handbrake action.
<small>[ February 25, 2004, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>
Lots of engine things to check (plug gaps, clean air filter, O2 sensors), but first check the brakes. Its not unknown for the handbrake not to release fully, and/or the calipers to bind. Go for a drive using the brakes very sparingly, then feel the disks. If they're really hot, check the calipers and the handbrake action.
<small>[ February 25, 2004, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>
Re-shaped and re-sized gearshift lever. Best driveability mod you can do!
Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system
Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system
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- Junior Member
- Posts: 17
- Joined: February 25th, 2004, 2:01 am
- Location: Telford UK
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
Thanks, i will check the things you mentioned.
I worked the mpg out to be about 23mpg (£32.00)
I love the car, so im just hoping that i sort the fuel prob out or it will have to go!
I have read elsewhere on the forum about resetting the ECU, by disconnecting the power for 30secs. do you think that this will help (im gonna try it anyway)
Cheers
I worked the mpg out to be about 23mpg (£32.00)
I love the car, so im just hoping that i sort the fuel prob out or it will have to go!
I have read elsewhere on the forum about resetting the ECU, by disconnecting the power for 30secs. do you think that this will help (im gonna try it anyway)
Cheers
I rock.... so you dont have to!
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 3825
- Joined: June 26th, 2003, 2:01 am
- Location: Puyallup, WA
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
I honestly don't think you'll get much more than 23MPG, even if you give it a good tune up and replace the parts mentioned. But can't hurt to try. You'd want to reset the ECU after the tune-up parts re replaced. You're computer would eventually adjust without resetting it, but it will learn much faster if you reset it first.Originally posted by Lord_Matt:
Thanks, i will check the things you mentioned.
I worked the mpg out to be about 23mpg (£32.00)
I love the car, so im just hoping that i sort the fuel prob out or it will have to go!
I have read elsewhere on the forum about resetting the ECU, by disconnecting the power for 30secs. do you think that this will help (im gonna try it anyway)
Cheers
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
23mpg really isn't that bad, considering our cars are EPA rated for 20-23mpg city and ~27mpg for highway driving. I usually average around 25-26mpg on a fill up with my car.
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
We Brits have bigger gallons, so 23 US mpg = 27.5 UK mpg, and 23 UK mpg = 19 US mpg
Re-shaped and re-sized gearshift lever. Best driveability mod you can do!
Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system
Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
Ahhhh...ya crazy brits
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- Junior Member
- Posts: 17
- Joined: February 25th, 2004, 2:01 am
- Location: Telford UK
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
Maybe i should get a towbar and tow a petrol tanker behind the car?
I rock.... so you dont have to!
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
I get a regular 32mpg (UK) from my KLZE on a 40 mile city commute every day - 56 sets of traffic signals and no speed faster than 80 km/hr. My old K8 got around 33mpg - I can't imagine how fast you guys would have to drive to get 23 mpg!!!!!!
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- Junior Member
- Posts: 17
- Joined: February 25th, 2004, 2:01 am
- Location: Telford UK
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
That was the whole point of me starting the thread.... I havent been driving fast!
If i had been driving hard and fast i would not be bothered about getting only 23mpg.
I have been driving really carefully so i would expect much better fuel consumption than the 23mpg that i am currently getting.
I am going to check the things suggested to me earlier in this thread this weekend and hopefully resolve the problem.
but if anyone else has any good suggestions i would be very greatful for thier help.
Thanks
If i had been driving hard and fast i would not be bothered about getting only 23mpg.
I have been driving really carefully so i would expect much better fuel consumption than the 23mpg that i am currently getting.
I am going to check the things suggested to me earlier in this thread this weekend and hopefully resolve the problem.
but if anyone else has any good suggestions i would be very greatful for thier help.
Thanks
I rock.... so you dont have to!
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- Regular Member
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- Joined: July 3rd, 2003, 2:01 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
I drive my car hard and fairly fast. Usually 20-30km/h over speed limit...i know, don't have to lecture me on it. Anyhow, i get between 400-450km's for every 40L of gas.
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- Junior Member
- Posts: 17
- Joined: February 25th, 2004, 2:01 am
- Location: Telford UK
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
Just filled up my car...
41.87 Litres or 9.210 Gallons(UK)
215.6 Miles.
23.41 MPG (UK)
That cant be normal Mx3 performance considering i havent been above 3000rpm all week!
Please send petrol donations to:- matt@..
LOL
41.87 Litres or 9.210 Gallons(UK)
215.6 Miles.
23.41 MPG (UK)
That cant be normal Mx3 performance considering i havent been above 3000rpm all week!
Please send petrol donations to:- matt@..
LOL
I rock.... so you dont have to!
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
Tanker on the way
Re-shaped and re-sized gearshift lever. Best driveability mod you can do!
Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system
Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system
Re: Poor Fuel Consumption
I Live in Ontario Canada, I put 420-450 km with 45 litres. Literally my tank was chocking from gas when I filled it, and then I drove it to work and home, literally commuting. It was empty at 430 or something, when i went to fill it up it did not take more than 44 litres and some change.
I drive really relaxing, and no more than 2500 rpm, in other other words low shift.
There were times that it went to 448 or something km with exactly 45 litres.
I have all new parts though, like the disty, cables, sparks, O2 sens, pcv valve, clean throttle, new K&N filter, and more.
But even when I bought it, it was doing real good.
I found that BOCH +4 plugs help a lot. I mean these are no gap plugs and they,re much more expensive that the regular, but it does help on fuel efficiency.
Good luck
I drive really relaxing, and no more than 2500 rpm, in other other words low shift.
There were times that it went to 448 or something km with exactly 45 litres.
I have all new parts though, like the disty, cables, sparks, O2 sens, pcv valve, clean throttle, new K&N filter, and more.
But even when I bought it, it was doing real good.
I found that BOCH +4 plugs help a lot. I mean these are no gap plugs and they,re much more expensive that the regular, but it does help on fuel efficiency.
Good luck
Never think that you will get two if you don't give one!!