DRASTIC MPG drop
11-19-2013, 04:07 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-17-2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 161
DRASTIC MPG drop
Hey all,
Wondering if anyone's experienced this.
I just completed a 1500 mile trip in my 06' 2.4 5 speed. One way averaged 34 mpg at 65 the whole way, but on the way back it dropped to 25.2 and stuck that way for the last 280 miles. Still doing 65, same route.
Anyone know why this might be?
Wondering if anyone's experienced this.
I just completed a 1500 mile trip in my 06' 2.4 5 speed. One way averaged 34 mpg at 65 the whole way, but on the way back it dropped to 25.2 and stuck that way for the last 280 miles. Still doing 65, same route.
Anyone know why this might be?
11-20-2013, 08:45 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-17-2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 161
Har har on the 5th gear, lol. No.
The elevation didn't vary much in either direction, (yes I am one of those geeks that uses an altimeter app)
Gas formulation wise, I always 91, or 93 octane, whichever is available. I'm thinking it MIGHT be possible that the gas in the destination state could have been a bad batch, that would be my only thought.
Weightwise, nothing was added to the car for the return trip.
In hindsight, I don't think this car has ever been on a LONG trip with little to no variance in RPMs for 500+ miles at a time. I'm wondering if a Seafoam session and oil change may have an effect.
As an extra note, filled up this morning, did the math, and the mileage was accurate, I reset the MPG meter this morning (65mph) on my way to work (32 mile trip) and it dropped back to 25.2.
The elevation didn't vary much in either direction, (yes I am one of those geeks that uses an altimeter app)
Gas formulation wise, I always 91, or 93 octane, whichever is available. I'm thinking it MIGHT be possible that the gas in the destination state could have been a bad batch, that would be my only thought.
Weightwise, nothing was added to the car for the return trip.
In hindsight, I don't think this car has ever been on a LONG trip with little to no variance in RPMs for 500+ miles at a time. I'm wondering if a Seafoam session and oil change may have an effect.
As an extra note, filled up this morning, did the math, and the mileage was accurate, I reset the MPG meter this morning (65mph) on my way to work (32 mile trip) and it dropped back to 25.2.
11-20-2013, 06:14 PM
#9
Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,776
Formulation does not mean Octane, it means alcohol and other chemical content.
Why over do the Octane? I thought only the SS needed 91. If the car is tuned from the factory for 87 Octane you are wasting your money. It's yours to use.
Why over do the Octane? I thought only the SS needed 91. If the car is tuned from the factory for 87 Octane you are wasting your money. It's yours to use.
11-20-2013, 08:42 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-13-2008
Location: Washington State, where it rains
Posts: 4,708
I've seen this where a bad tank of crap gas will burn thru quickly.. run it down..fill it up with good stuff from a familiar gas stop and see what happens...May also want to pull the ECM fuse and do a reset.