Very Poor MPG in 2011 CX-9 GT FWD

[Rustyfishook]

First time CX-9 owner. Bought used with 39,000 miles on it. Drives great. Checked all obvious things: air filter, tire pressure and oil level. Im getting about 10 MPG and that generous. Would love to hear any ideas. I read about threads about a transfer case, but I'm FWD so no transfer case right?
Thank you in advance.

 

[furballs]

If you have the mpg monitor, put it into 'current' mode (as opposed to 'average') then drive on a highway at a steady speed and see what it shows. It's a big beast and appreciates a light touch on the go pedal. Darling wife, aka Lady Leadfoot, it's the primary driver of ours and found a huge difference when she stopped driving it like it was a go-cart. Not saying that's what you do, just telling you our experience. We're averaging around 18 mpg (13 l/100) now, about 70% city.

 

[Rustyfishook]

yes, I do have the CPU that tells average MPG and current MPG. my average is 17-20 and my current MPG seems ok, consistent with what I would expect. At a consistent speed it shows above 20MPG, but there no way I'm getting that. Im getting my MPG average from distance driven and total gallons at fill up. (old school). currently i've gone 110 miles on half tank and I drive slow. last fillip was 17.1 gallons/distance 230 miles= 13.5 MPG average. But that gas gauge drops fast. last I checked 1/4 tank got me around 30 miles. Dang.

 

[furballs]

The problem with looking at the 'instant' and saying it indicates I should be getting 20+mpg, is that we all ignore the part where it drops to 12 mpg when we pull out to pass, or accelerate onto the highway, or climb a hill, etc. And I've seen that one short full throttle acceleration drinks fuel at what can only be called a stupendous rate. Sigh...

 

[Pootie Tang]

You should be getting over 300 on a full tank. Modern day cars like this would almost certainly give you an error code with this kind of symptom if there was something wrong with the powertrain. To rule out the engine, here's a few items:

1. Does it feel like it has a lot of power in first gear? The engine should be smooth.
2. Replace the plugs or at least inspect them. If all look fine, look elsewhere.

If clear, I would suspect a fuel leak.

1. Do you smell gas when parked engine off?
2. Do you smell gas with car idling?
3. Check the entire fuel system tank, lines, filter and pump.

Bottom line is that much consumption would quickly mess up your powertrain in some way- almost always the plugs first. If the car seems to be driving normally, then it could be a leak.

I am assuming you are running normal, healthy tires (not snow tires, chains, or otherwise an unusual setup)

 

[Rustyfishook]

I will look at the plugs. Good idea. No gas smell that I have noted. Ill have to get under it and look, I park in a garage so I would notice an leak. Power seems good, it just drinks the gas and I don't drive it like ruff. My CPU says I should be getting somewhere around 18 in the city.

-I think I might start with a different gas station ( I used Shell now)
-change the oil
-check the spark plugs. although the SUV has only 40K miles on it...
-Maybe o2 sensor???

 

[Pootie Tang]

Happy New Year!

Also check the fuel pressure regulator.

 

[Bargain]

You better undo 3 front spark plug and check for it condition (check for gap), your 39,000 miles = my 60,000 km, my spark plugs already not in factory recommended specs. It support to last for 60,000 Miles but they were not.

 

[sjg]

yes, I do have the CPU that tells average MPG and current MPG. my average is 17-20 and my current MPG seems ok, consistent with what I would expect.

Are you resetting the "Average MPG" every time you fill up? I do this and find that it's always within 1 MPG of the old school calculation I do at each fill up.