Horrible MPG

[dsmotors09]

I am getting horrible MPG (10mpg), 1996 Talon TSI AWD, it smells like it's burning rich, but when I drive long distances on the interstate I get 24-25mpg. It's just the short distances that kills it I guess? Advice?

I recently bought NGK Iridium Spark Plugs to solve this problems, but it didn't make a difference. (Car just rolled 90,000)

 

[xdxoxuxgx]

Typically short distance trips (town driving) will get less gas mileage, but it shouldn't be that drastic of a difference. I would check for maybe any leaks dealing with the fuel system (around injectors and fuel pump) to see if you can find something.

 

[Whophlungpoo]

How is it accelerating? Drive ability still alright?


BTW, those iridium plugs are probably already fouled, they are very sensitive and do not work well in most boosted applications(Including ours).

 

[Brutus]

at 10 mpg the car should be black smoking like a diesel.

 

[Jimmer307]

If you have already put those 550's on and they are untuned that might cause a little problem. Plus how many times do you boost when you take off from a stop sign/light? Do you have any smoke going out your exhaust?

 

[knochgoon24]

Your poor gas mileage is probably caused by a heavy foot while driving around town. I can get 26-28mpg on the highway, but it drops to 16mpg in the city because my foot is a bit heavy on the gas.

 

[LandoAWD]

On a side note, take those shitty plugs out and pitch em.

 

[Aphix]

I dont think you can get 10 mpg just with a heavy foot. Was the cat removed?

 

[LandoAWD]

I dont think you can get 10 mpg just with a heavy foot. Was the cat removed?

1 get <1mpg under WOT...it can average out.

 

[Aphix]

true

 

[Akoi Meexx]

I dont think you can get 10 mpg just with a heavy foot. Was the cat removed?

I'd be anxious to know that as well, the cat on mine was in too rough of shape to be usable and had to be removed... I'm really not wanting to buy a new one.

 

[Bluefire16]

Get some NGK BPR6ES or the 7's. I was getting pretty bad gas mileage as well, just switched the spark plugs and now seem to be doing better. Oh and run a bottle of that injector cleaner, worth a shot.

 

[hubz91talontsi]

Replace the o2 sensors. Get a new air filter...Exhaust...all these things help in gas mileage. I hear some pretty good things about people caming their cars and increasing the gas mileage.

 

[soccerplayaz16]

you might have a small fuel leak near the rail...might want to replace all the o-rings and such

 

[dsmotors09]

Sorry, I havn't been on lately, I have noticed some white smoke when it's driving, but it's not too bad, sometimes the turbo lags which I don't understand since it's a T25, it's completely stock. When the car starts up you can hear the lifters? Knock. Idk if that has anything to do with anything.

 

[dsmotors09]

No the cat wasn't removed.

I dont think you can get 10 mpg just with a heavy foot. Was the cat removed?

 

[dsmotors09]

If you have already put those 550's on and they are untuned that might cause a little problem. Plus how many times do you boost when you take off from a stop sign/light? Do you have any smoke going out your exhaust?

Nope it's stock fuel injection.

 

[shredwin]

I get horrible gas milage too but I have a bad O2 sensor. I had autozone check out why my check engine light was on and he said the O2 sensor. So hopefully when I change that I will get better gas milage

 

[MrBoxx]

Check your turbo for shaft play. And ditch the iridium plugs. Swap them out for NGK BPR6ES. Do a boost leak test. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Lofty]

I get horrible gas milage too but I have a bad O2 sensor. I had autozone check out why my check engine light was on and he said the O2 sensor. So hopefully when I change that I will get better gas milage

I wasn't even throwing a cel, and just replacing it made my gas problem go away.

 

[habitatguy187]

If it really drives like dookie you could have a bad coil pack. Does it accelerate ok? Also if it runs rich for a long time unburnt fuel will burn in the CAT and cause it to melt, therefore causing loads of back pressure, and destroying gas mileage.

 

[LandoAWD]

I wasn't even throwing a cel, and just replacing it made my gas problem go away.

A note: while the shotgun approach to repairs and tuning can yield decent results, it is not economical, nor very bright.

 

[airmail96]

. Works for the military