Poor Gas mileage

[98mazdaprotege]

Hey guys,

Im new on this site. Im from up in Canada. Anyways I was wondering if you could help me figure out my gas guzzling problem. Im getting 20mpg in a mix of highway and city driving.

I have changed:
-plugs
-wires
-cap & rotor
-checked EGR valve (seems to be working fine although has carbom build up)
-air filter

The mechanic has looked at it multiple times...nothing has changed. There are no leaks. Any ideas? at 125/liter this is killing me!!

 

[sanblaster]

Same problem with mine. I have an auto 97.

I have changed plugs, wires, cap & rotor, I have a K&N air filter, I have now replaced my timing belt, water pump, tensioner. I have to recheck it now but haven't filled up because the damn gas is so expensive. I also forgot to mention that I noticed my bad mileage after I got rid of my stock wheels and tires, went way bigger (17") & also have a heavy sub-box enclosure in the trunk.

I am in the same boat dude.

 

[nativebackup1]

i have a 97 standard and while i get better than 20mpg i only get about 27-28, on 30% city and 70% highway... i have done plugs wires dist. cap cleaned the EGR and recently i had to replace all the exhaust from the header to the aftermarket muffler... how r some guys getting 32-38 mpg?!?! i wanna kno cuz i put alot of miles on the car and gas is expensive!

 

[98mazdaprotege]

I think im going to do the fuel filter and get the injectors checked. ITs getting ridiculous.

 

[NCZ13]

if your injectors or filter were clogged you wouldnt be using more fuel....

 

[nativebackup1]

besides i heard that the filter is a pain to get to...

 

[NCZ13]

on the p5 the fuel filter is right behind the rear bumper.

i would assume it would be in the same general vicinity on your car

 

[slingblade]

On mine it is on the firewall, buried. IDK, i get great milage. Even when i drive aggresive i've never goten bellow 32 mpg. what engine do you have the 1.5 or 1.8?


Chris

 

[nativebackup1]

i have the 1.5...i dont know but i have never gotten over 31 mpg...so i guess im saying that im jealous of you-lol

 

[SeZaR_323]

did u look the clutch ? if clutch-pressure plate is worn , it drinks fuel. ı know it from my car

 

[Spooley]

I'd check the following things:

The clutch might be slipping though you'd probably notice it on acceleration. (previously mentioned above by another poster)

Your odometer might be very inaccurate, especially if you've got much bigger diameter tires (less rotation means less distance indicated).

Measure your mileage from fill to fill with only one click off on the pump at the same pump, same station.

Check your tire pressure.

Check your emergency brake; it might be rubbing a bit. Check by coasting down a hill, better yet beside another car to compare.

You might have a leak in the gas-train somewhere that is above the fuel level so the fuel is evaporating (rather than leaking). You wouldn't notice this, except for a slight smell.


All told, you can improve your mileage up to 100% (double) by hypermiling. I get about 50% more than normal with a 95 Mazda Protege 5-speed (maximum was 61 imperial mpg [50 US mpg] [4.5 l/100km] and I've only been doing it for a few months (still learning). Mostly it's coasting down hills, timing lights, faster cornering and pulsing and gliding (accelerating at about 3000-4000 rpm to a target speed and gliding to the next light, etc.) but there are many other small things which, when added up, make a big difference. If you're interested, here is a link to 105 tips to save gas when driving. I'm sure no one would think of all of them alone.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php


Good luck.

 

[benkelley20]

I have a 1.5 and I must say I get great gas Milage. Around high 20's for city and mid 30's for highway.

 

[nativebackup1]

well im getting better-i got 30 mpg this week!

 

[justanothermp5]

i would check the oil level
i was getting horrible gas mileage and then i checked my oil to find it was almost halfway empty!
i guess ive been burning some lately
but i filled it up to full and now im on 210 miles at half a tank, pretty good i think

 

[nativebackup1]

well i jus got about 32 mpg!!! it keeps getting higher...is this normal? my only adjustment is more highway miles (i love having no school!)(rockon)