Very low mpg, help plz

[Mike689]

Originally Posted by Fintro11

how is your air filter / tire pressure?

The tire pressure is fine I checked it 2 days ago. I should probably change the filters though.

Originally Posted by 911monty

Yes; Listen to your engine and feel the pressure you are using on the throttle. The engine will communicate back to where it wants to run. You will have much better results. I have driven my 2.5 into So CAL down the 215 rarely using 5th gear and have gotten 32 calculated freeway. I believe you are so low in RPM the knock sensor is retarding the ignition timing. Try keeping at 3.2k +. I don't think your plugs are an issue since you just bought car so had to pass CA smog. Of course new plugs are always good.

Damn I'm such a newbie lol. I've driven a manual car before but it wasn't a sports car and this my first car with manual. So I've been lugging my engine for like 3 weeks I hope I didn't screw things up too bad.

[911monty]

Damn I'm such a newbie lol. I've driven a manual car before but it wasn't a sports car and this my first car with manual. So I've been lugging my engine for like 3 weeks I hope I didn't screw things up too bad.[/QUOTE]

Mike; I went and looked at your original posts and hopefully without starting a war I noticed you are aware of the IMS. There is lots of informative reading on this subject in here when you have time and popcorn. Jake Raby is a very knowledgeable resource. I hope he doesn't mind my referencing him but he has stated that the IMS has the most loading at low RPM. IMHO This is why there is a theory that engines that have been driven hard have less IMS failure than a garage queen, Lugged around engine. Hence the statement Drive it like you stole it! These cars love to rev! Their pedigree is racing. Get out and enjoy the way it was meant to be driven!

[Mike689]

Thanks. I hope to get the IMS and clutch replaced as soon as I have the money. I had a mechanic tell me a LN and the pelican parts bearing both failed on him. I don't think I believe him lol.

[911monty]

Mike there is something else that is bothering me about your thread. You say you have filled up once in 3 weeks and getting 16 mpg. That only works to a maximum of around 240 miles a week or around 10 miles a day. Are you only driving around 5 miles one way? Sorry I'm not trying to pry, but, short trips are also bad.

[hancock1701]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Mike there is something else that is bothering me about your thread. You say you have filled up once in 3 weeks and getting 16 mpg. That only works to a maximum of around 240 miles a week or around 10 miles a day. Are you only driving around 5 miles one way? Sorry I'm not trying to pry, but, short trips are also bad.

Sorry I don't mean to hijack OP's thread, but since this is here, I need to ask. I know short trips are bad, but from my understanding, it's because the engine hasn't had time to warm up properly, so basically short trips are cold driving trips. I currently do 5 miles one way too, no freeway, takes a bout 12 minutes. But the engine temp always get to 180 on the gauge when I get there, so I assume my engine is safe?

[911monty]

Originally Posted by hancock1701

Sorry I don't mean to hijack OP's thread, but since this is here, I need to ask. I know short trips are bad, but from my understanding, it's because the engine hasn't had time to warm up properly, so basically short trips are cold driving trips. I currently do 5 miles one way too, no freeway, takes a bout 12 minutes. But the engine temp always get to 180 on the gauge when I get there, so I assume my engine is safe?

Hancock; You are correct. Now I don't wish to pass off my idiosyncrasies I've developed from my years of driving an shall we just say array of vehicles. This was crucial in older carbureted cars where chokes caused raw fuel etc in the oil pan. Current fuel injection has gone a long way to deal with the cold start issues. However the logic still continues that lots of freeway miles are much better than many short trips. Reason is systems haven't stabilized at "Normal" temps to cook off the contaminates that have condensed into oils, trans included, forming corrosive contaminates in the engine etc. 5 minute trips hardly recharge the battery from the start! Many opinions, mine included, but I try to drive no less than 20 min after normal temp achieved. SO get out there and paste a grin on your face a little longer! Oh the horrors! LOL.

[Mike689]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Hancock; You are correct. Now I don't wish to pass off my idiosyncrasies I've developed from my years of driving an shall we just say array of vehicles. This was crucial in older carbureted cars where chokes caused raw fuel etc in the oil pan. Current fuel injection has gone a long way to deal with the cold start issues. However the logic still continues that lots of freeway miles are much better than many short trips. Reason is systems haven't stabilized at "Normal" temps to cook off the contaminates that have condensed into oils, trans included, forming corrosive contaminates in the engine etc. 5 minute trips hardly recharge the battery from the start! Many opinions, mine included, but I try to drive no less than 20 min after normal temp achieved. SO get out there and paste a grin on your face a little longer! Oh the horrors! LOL.

According to the manual you aren't supposed to warm up ur car idle. It says to drive the car immediately after start and don't go over like 4.5k rpm for first 5 minutes.