RT getting horrible gas mileage.

Have searched and searched through I think the first 13 pages of threads in this section and haven't found anything that helps. I was getting good gas mileage previously, making a 100 mile trip up into a mountain town nearby, driving around on the mountain sporadically over the course of a little 3 day vacation, and driving back using roughly a tank and a half for the whole time. Now, I fill up about 3 times weekly just from routine local driving. What in the world has caused this drastic drop in fuel economy? Heeeeeelp! :hopelessness:

Comments

  • I would start with a tune up ,check any CEL lights and fix, tire air pressure check wheel bearings that might be causing unwanted drag
  • It has had an entire new distributor kit put in, new plugs, new wires, getting an oil change today, and is driven easily. "bingbong" is my girlfriend, and she doesn't have a leadfoot in the least, so that's not the issue. There are no CEL's and all tires are straight. I really don't think it's a wheel bearing but I suppose it's worth a look. Thanks for your input either way.
  • AbideAbide Council Member
    i noticed i get better mileage on the hills since you dont use any fuel decelerating in gear. However mine seems to have gone way down in the last month or so as well.
  • There are no actual figures you gave us (MPG figures) so its obviously tough to say anything may be wrong. Some things to keep in mind:

    * routine local driving (stop/go, short trips...etc) is the worst type for gas mileage
    * winter blend fuel sucks
    * If you want assistance, it is best to describe (as NCxEE4 did) your situation a little better, give some actual MPG figures so we know what range you're in

    I've seen RT's in the low 20's with local city driving, stop n' go type stuff. Most cars are incapable of producing good figures in that type of traffic/driving. I used to manage about 25-28 in town with my RT(s) in Colorado - but the same car in Portland would do 3-4MPG less just from stopping more often, creeping in traffic...etc Road trips were always easy to get 32 or so if I wanted.
  • AbideAbide Council Member
    noahrexion wrote: »
    There are no actual figures you gave us (MPG figures) so its obviously tough to say anything may be wrong. Some things to keep in mind:

    * routine local driving (stop/go, short trips...etc) is the worst type for gas mileage
    * winter blend fuel sucks
    * If you want assistance, it is best to describe (as NCxEE4 did) your situation a little better, give some actual MPG figures so we know what range you're in

    I've seen RT's in the low 20's with local city driving, stop n' go type stuff. Most cars are incapable of producing good figures in that type of traffic/driving.

    i dunno about the in town. mine gets almost 30 in town due to low gearing im guessing and only getting up to 55. now i dont have a lot of stop and go traffic here though. And significantly less on the interstate(usually 24-26). my guess is wind resistance and because i drive 80 which is well over 4000 rpm, not heavy on the throttle just not in the efficiency range. I have plenty of data for both of my Rts if anyone wants to see it.


    both however have ended up with a 27 average overall. which is respectable
  • I would check to see how well it coasts on a smooth flat area. Not the best test for some sort of mechanical drag, but might clue you into something. Also, You could have a leaky injector. Other things that come to mind are a vacuum leak on the line that goes to the MAP sensor (or just a bad MAP) or a bad intake air temperature sensor. If the map sensor is reading less vacuum than it should, that would cause you to run rich, same thing happens if the intake air temp reads too low.
  • MotionMotion New Wagonist
    Did you check the spark to make sure its good spark? maybe the coils acting up ? Causing combustion problems.
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