Could be a dead Lambda sensor? Causes rich running and drop in MPG. Cheap and easy to replace (ish), not sure how easy it is to test though - any smart guys reading?
Cheers
Chuck

 

In the last 2 weeks I've noticed a dramatic drop in MPG. It wasn't great to start with (avg of 20 - mixed motorway and city). But now it's down to 15!!! (barely managed to squeeze 170 miles out of a full tank).

I've been driving in the same way. Haven't done anything to the car except for the oil change to Mobil 1 (5/40 or something like that).

Is this because of the cold weather? Or could it be a sign of a problem with the car?

Thanks for the info!

 

The sub-zero temps we've had do knock mpg right down, simply because the engine's colder and needs more enrichment for the first few miles. If it doesn't feel like its misfiring or any other symptoms, don't worry. On my usual 5-mile commute & general driving I typically get about 26mpg summer, 20-21mpg winter ...

 

Because of the denser air though you get a bigger bang = More Power so look on the bright side. Mind you thats not much use in the ice and snow.

Cheers
Andy

 

Do you have air-con? If so, have you been working it hard to demist the car from cold?

On the other hand, have you been thrasing round Tesco's car park doing donuts?

Chris.

[This message has been edited by ChrisB (edited 04 January 2001).]

 

Sorry, no new lambda sensors allowed after swapping exhaust for full length scorpion pooh system

Seriously, have you swapped your downpipe back Andrei as the lambda is very fragile and a couple of downpipe swaps wont help the cause.

Sunil

 

Hi Sunil,

Yes, the original dp is back on the car. I'll check with Steve re the lambda. By the way thanks for recommending him to me.

Hopefully it's just the cold weather but worth double checking I guess.

Cheers guys!

 

When my Lambda went i was averaging 150-160 miles to a tank, after replacemetn it was very good for a week or so, then went back to 200 miles a tank

 

I have noticed my MPG drop from around 22 to 18. Hopefully when it starts getting warmer this will rise again.

Haven't noticed much performance increase, but there again it is hard to tell when stuck in traffic.

 

Did 120 motorway miles today starting with a full tank - and still have more than half a tank left

So hopefully the low MPG was just due to the cold weather.

I'll keep an eye on it for a while in case it's the lambda thingy

 

HELLO MY NAME IS CHRIS, I AM 37 AND I LIVE IN DERBY AND I TOO HAVE NOTICED A LOWER MPG IN THE COLD - OH - AND IM AN @LCOhoLiC



[This message has been edited by CharlieWhiskey (edited 06 January 2001).]

 

HELLO MY NAME IS CEM I AM 27 YEARS OLD I LIVE IN A FARM WITH MY PIGS AND HORSES I LIKE DOLLS

 

HI MY NAME IS SUNIL AND I AM 28 YEARS OLD AND FROM INDIA AND WITH ALL MY TOYS ON MY CAR AND DAILY TOWN DRIVING THROUGH SOUTH LONDON/SURREY AND TWICE A DAY SEEING 1.2BAR IN 5TH DOWN THE A217 I STILL GET 200 MILES TO A TANK SO STICK THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT STANDARD UK SCOOBY OWNERS

[This message has been edited by sunilp (edited 06 January 2001).]

 

MY MPG IS 21 WITH THE HIGHEST BEING 26 IN NOVEMBER WHILST WATCHING THE NETWORK Q, BUT MY DAILY DRIVE TO WORK IS ONLY 4 MILES EACH WAY SO IT ONLY JUST WARMS UP