elocs

I have a 2006 xA RS 3.0, 52,000 miles.

I know it's winter and I do have a bit of a lead foot, but I'm only getting 20 mpg. Is it only just my driving habits or is there something else I might be looking at as a problem? I used to get at least in the low 30 and as good as 40 on the Interstate. Even a couple of years ago when I was delivering a USA Today motor route within my city I was getting 25 mpg, so I find this drop in mpg a bit puzzling.

jct

have you changed your air filer, pcv valve, spark plugs cleaned your maf sensor? run some fuel injector cleaner

FreedomPenguin

Seafoam through the intake as well, if you don't know how to correctly seafoam your engine then just pour in fuel along with all that.

elocs

The car has had a tune-up in the last 10,000 miles and the plugs and air filter were replaced. I'll have to take it to the shop on Monday to get it checked out. Winter in Wisconsin is not time to work on a car outside even if I had a clue as to what I was doing.

I do love it that in the 40+ years I've been driving that there has always been a magical additive that so many people swear by. Kind of reminds me of the wonder elixir sold off a wagon in the Old West that would cure anything that ails you.

Then there's the car that runs on water. WATER!!!

jct

elocs

There's the graphic I was looking for. Same idea, different century.

eignub

eh, i believe in seafoam also

MidnightScion

Have you looked into servicing your car's muffler bearings?

jct

this is how you replace them

elocs

That's grand, it has to appear to work otherwise nobody would use it. Unfortunately belief is not proof of consistent and reliable efficacy. If Seafoam were really the miracle final word of auto additives its fame would be unrivaled and a household word. It's not.

I've learned that if things seem too good to be true, they generally are, but it's good if you believe.

elocs

Good suggestion, they might have come loose on the snipe hunt.

eignub

Wow, somebody had a soggy bowl of cereal this morning. I never said it was a miracle final word of auto additive. I just said i believe in it, meaning i believe it does what it claims to do.

elocs

Lighten up, I was just using hyperbole--it wasn't a personal attack. I never claimed that you "said".... I've been around the block too many times to believe in automotive additives in the decades I have driven to believe in any of them. If you believe and it works, great--just poking a little fun at you

jct

elocs has a great sense of humor!!!

MidnightScion

One cannot convert believers back to reality...

SatsumaxA

Check page 31 on this .pdf link to 1nzfe specifications. Muffler has door inside??
http://www.mr2.com/files/mr2/techinf...Data/1nzfe.pdf

MidnightScion

And couple of ball joints...

elocs

An update: I started with the most simple and made sure my tires were properly inflated and they were low. Then I filled up with premium gas (no ethanol so I should get more mpg just with that) and its been 3 weeks now and I'm getting close to empty again with just under 200 miles on this tank-full. My last fill-up was with 220 miles so I was expecting at least another 20 miles with the premium gas (which cost me $3 more than regular on that fill-up).

So clearly something else is wrong. A few years ago when I was delivering USA Today with the car in the city with lots of stops I was getting 25 mpg. Bummer, I've got a little car and get bad gas mileage as well.

FreedomPenguin

I get 20-22mpg every tank
I just put summer tires on so hoping for a change but if it doesn't get better I may sell car and buy a mazda or something

eignub

why are you using premium?
http://www.cartalk.com/content/premium-vs-regular-1#1

i got almost 36 mpg last week, in the city, with an automatic.... 35 if i turn on my a/c