2010 Trail Edition, I've had it since October. I have been getting 21-22 MPG, but about a month ago it suddenly dropped to 15-16. I thought it was the gas - 2 consecutive tanks from brand X (different store, same company). Took an out of town trip, filled up of the way back and the mileage came back. Since then, 2 other tanks at different brand name stores, and I'm back to 15. My driving hasn't changed since I bought it in Oct. the only difference is that I'm overdue for an oil change, by 10 miles. Thoughts?
Gas Mileage taking a dive
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brockeverly
New member
Are you calculating manually or using the trip computer?
1engineer
Moderator
Need more data such as:
How many miles did ithave when you got it
How many miles do you drive a week or month
Any mods like new tires, etc
Where are you driving
That said, usually there are only a few things that influence fuel efficiecy. Give us more and we will try to help.
Need more data such as:
How many miles did ithave when you got it WHY? He said it was averaging 21ish and now 15ish... what bearing does that have on it? Are you implying there is a mileage point that efficiency goes away?
How many miles do you drive a week or month WHY? MPG is MPG perhaps did your driving style or environment change would be a better question. the computer MPG readout is adaptive to driving behavior not distance
Any mods like new tires, etc NOW that is a valid question but think the OP would have figured that one out.
{annoying isnt it?}
How many miles did ithave when you got it WHY? He said it was averaging 21ish and now 15ish... what bearing does that have on it? Are you implying there is a mileage point that efficiency goes away?
How many miles do you drive a week or month WHY? MPG is MPG perhaps did your driving style or environment change would be a better question. the computer MPG readout is adaptive to driving behavior not distance
Any mods like new tires, etc NOW that is a valid question but think the OP would have figured that one out.
{annoying isnt it?}
limamike
New member
Get lost.
whaaaa I just want to flaunt my engineering title in threads too! I mean no harm lol
1engineer
Moderator
Stifler,
In order to help someone effectively you must have some information to begin with. For example, if the vehicle only has a few thousand miles then mechanical issues are not as likely as enviromental issues. This guy has a valid question regarding a loss of efficiency. Sure, I can assume he knows about mods and their effect on efficiency but by asking a few questions up front I don't have to assume anymore,they become fact.
I have explained my username and avatar in the past. I am an engineer and just one guy, hence "1engineer." Apparently my lack of imagination at creating some "cool" username using my name or initials or my favorite bike, plane, car, band or anything else causes some consternation among a few of you. My avatar is a running joke between my son and myself and he laughs every time he sees it. It is an equation from "The Big Bang Theory" on partial string theory. I do not know how you got your username nor do I care. I post here because I really enjoy vehicles and I feel that I can help a few people by answering their questions if I can. Why are you here?
Lots of A/C use since it's been getting warmer?
I know my MPG takes a hit using the A/C.
Going to work in the morning with the cruise set at 65 on a flat section of road, I'll reset the onboard MPG indicator and it shows 24.
In the afternoon with the A/C, same speed, same stretch of road after a reset the MPG indicator will show 21.
Realize this is old man driving at it's finest.
I know my MPG takes a hit using the A/C.
Going to work in the morning with the cruise set at 65 on a flat section of road, I'll reset the onboard MPG indicator and it shows 24.
In the afternoon with the A/C, same speed, same stretch of road after a reset the MPG indicator will show 21.
Realize this is old man driving at it's finest.
I am here to get ideas, share ideas as they relate to T4Rs... that is what a forum is.... the Engineer quip was actually just me being me... I have no issue with you. You'll get used to it with time or just hate me... either way it's me.
My questions however are valid I think.... maybe I just give people too much credit and assume if there was mechanical failure they would know something was different before they came here asking about gas mileage. My guess is the OP is using the computer for MPG readings.... and we all know these readouts are flakey... stomp the gas for a few days and fill up and you will see what I mean.... drive like a grandma, fill up and viola... now I am posting HEY I AM GETTING 4 MPG more all of the sudden! lol
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1engineer
Moderator
If you really want to help someone or figure something out you DO NOT guess and you DO NOT assume anything. You get as many facts up front then solve based on information provided. It might end up as a guess but it does not have to start out as one.
stanleybb50
New member
Frozen/dragging caliper? See if one wheel is hotter than the other after driving? Worth a look.
Is there a moderator?
That's a lot of energy going missing to lose 25%+ fuel economy. Does it roll freely? Is it obviously down on power?
Find somewhere completely flat, put it in neutral, push and see if it rolls.
Did you check tire pressures? Heck of a lot to lose that way though.
That's a lot of energy going missing to lose 25%+ fuel economy. Does it roll freely? Is it obviously down on power?
Find somewhere completely flat, put it in neutral, push and see if it rolls.
Did you check tire pressures? Heck of a lot to lose that way though.
Jesse1983
5th Gen Moderator
Stifler - we have a lot of long-term, helpful, knowledgeable members here. so far, you are not one of them. no one will want to "get used" to you if you keep annoying everyone, as you have been. I don't know what other forums you belong to but that's not how we work here. please change your attitude. thanks.
For what it's worth after my 10k service I gained an average of over 1mpg. I don't see an oil change doing that so I figure it's the cleaner air filter. The OP's problem sounds like something potentially more serious but figured it's worth mentioning a clogged up air filter can have a big effect on fuel economy.
In saying that! What engineer1 said. Just throwing my 2 cents in.
In saying that! What engineer1 said. Just throwing my 2 cents in.
philsey
New member
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Reata
New member
Stifler-
Jesse is right on here. We all get along great and have learned to respect each other for our own individual talents. We have grown to rely on each other regularly in our areas of expertise. We would enjoy having you as part of the team, but would appreciate a more professional and courteous approach.
We are all for joking around, and in fact many of us have a great sense of humor. We do however, hold off on comedy until appropriate.
I've noticed that my rig is very sensitive to how it's driven (maybe I'm just more sensitive with the ECO light and all the great posts here regarding mileage). I've noticed that my wife completely ignores the ECO light and gets substantially less mileage (2-3 mpg less by the rig's trip computer), so I wonder if someone else has been driving your rig more? I also wonder if something happened to the gas cap to make it leak (although then I would think that the "Check Engine" light would illuminate). It will be interesting to hear what the stealership says about it when you take it in for the oil change.
Bought with 24k miles, have 35k on it now. Daily commute is ~7 miles one way in the Burbs. AC use has increased; Houston is hot, what can I say. I'm the only one that drives the vehicle, wife has her BMW. I thought about tire pressure with the first tank - they were at 40-42, and I dropped them immediately to 32-35. As for AC, when it first happened it wasn't really hot outside, but it was the first time the AC got real use since I bought it. No mods whatsoever, stock Dun-flop tires. Eco stays on, no sense of loss of power. I do reset the computer with every tank. I've tried fuel additives several times. No mechanical issues so far. I will try killing the AC for a few weeks and see what that does. I fill up the as tank about once every 2 weeks. Haven't checked the air filter, but will.
I really appreciate everyone's comments. I think I've hit all the questions. Thanks!
I really appreciate everyone's comments. I think I've hit all the questions. Thanks!
