Very low mpg, help plz

[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.