burning through fuel

[yotaman34]

Hey guys, I have recently noticed that my 2000 4R is using a lot more gas than usual and am wondering if its an odometer problem (which varies slightly every time I turn the car on) or if its just something else? I have a completely stock 4R, no lifts, bigger tires, etc. Since I noticed this, I also realized that my car (on park or idling), tends to smell of oil. However, there are no leaks that I see from the exhaust.
If it helps, I had about one tick left of gas left and filled it up and it would take only about 13 gallons. I know the max capacity for this rig is 18.5, but I doubt that the one tick of gas was 5 gallons worth.

Any advice would be great. Thanks guys

 

[86SupraMKII]

Fuel is always a tuff one to figure out. Smells like oil and not fuel (running rich)? Could be a bad 02 sensor, they usually trip a check engine light. I suppose oil could be passing into the exhaust if something's wrong internally causing an 02 sensor to read wrong. Just a thought. Dirty MAF sensor you could inspect and clean if needed (it's a delicate process though) but be careful as they are spendy. It is possible the smell and economy are unrelated. I would recommend using a scan tool and see if there's anything that pops up. Start with less expensive items and work up. Starting with cleaning the air filter and MAF, maybe move to the fuel filter next and then 02 sensors.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Hard to say since you don't really give us any actual mileage figures. The fuel gauges in these are notoriously inaccurate. So the light coming on with 5 gallons left isn't a big deal. You'll have to tell us how many miles you've driven after a fill up and then how many gallons it took to refill it in order to get a better idea of is you have a problem or not.

For example: I do have a problem with mine. Drive 216 miles, burned 17.2 gallons of fuel. Yes, winter gas is part of the issue. Letting the truck idle longer to warm up is part of the issue. Using my 4WD in the four recent snow events we've had is part of the issue. But I'm at 12.55 MPG's right now. Time for a tune up.

 

[I_bRAD]

How much do you figure winter gas cuts down the fuel economy as a percentage?

I recently went from 13L/100kms to 17 and I'm trying to figure out why...

 

[Nervo19]

How much do you figure winter gas cuts down the fuel economy as a percentage?

I recently went from 13L/100kms to 17 and I'm trying to figure out why...

Can you repeat that in American English please? :drama:

 

[I_bRAD]

Can you repeat that in American English please? :drama:

I might done thinks it's run out of gas! She won't go no more! shazaam!

Better?

 

[jeff88]

How much do you figure winter gas cuts down the fuel economy as a percentage?

I recently went from 13L/100kms to 17 and I'm trying to figure out why...

I can't imagine you losing more than a couple of mpg when using winter blend. But a difference of 5 seems to be quite a bit. There are two other associated issues though. With colder air (denser, more O2), you use more fuel to stay stoichiometric. You also get a little bit more pep in your step, so to speak. That means (even subconsciously), you will zip around a little more than usual. Those three things could very easily lose you 5 MPG, especially if you do a lot of city driving.

Can you repeat that in American English please? :drama:

I know you were giving him a hard time, but just in case: 13l/100 = 18MPG and 17l/100 = 13MPG :thumb:

 

[I_bRAD]

I can't imagine you losing more than a couple of mpg when using winter blend. But a difference of 5 seems to be quite a bit. There are two other associated issues though. With colder air (denser, more O2), you use more fuel to stay stoichiometric. You also get a little bit more pep in your step, so to speak. That means (even subconsciously), you will zip around a little more than usual. Those three things could very easily lose you 5 MPG, especially if you do a lot of city driving.

I thought about that, but I'm not sure. Driving hasn't changed much (city vs highway) Funny enough I just put new plugs in and was hoping the mileage would increase! (and yes, it's done properly and everything is running peachy)

Going for a highway road trip tomorrow so it will be interesting to see what kind of mileage I get.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Cold weather and the winter blend of gas is a big part. I dropped about 3 mpg when the temperture was in the single digits a couple weeks ago. Pretty sure the same blend of gas is still being used since its only gone up maybe 1 mpg

 

[Grenvilleter]

Cold weather, more snow, longer warm up times and little more use of 4x4 and, maybe more alcohol in the winter gas have cut my mileage almost in half these last 2 weeks.
I know the gauge cannot be trusted but it's close enough to know there has been a big drop recently.

 

[541joseph]

I know that here in bend, Oregon there was a week 2 weeks ago where we didn't get above 10 I went through 13 gallons and only drove 180 miles or so. Normally I get close to 20. But now that its warmed up this week it looks like it will be close to normal. But I also have a 2nd gen 3.slooow