Poor Fuel Economy

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Feb 21, 2013 | 04:08 PM
  #1  
We have a new to us 2004.
We filled the tank about 220km ago.
Gauge shows only about 1/4 tank remaining.
I'm pretty sure it's a 55litre tank ( correct me if wrong ).
I doubt we'll be able to make 300km for this tank.
This is all city driving, but even so I would expect to get nearer 500km per tank.
What do I need to check, what is the usual cause of poor economy?

( For those in the US...this translates to about 185 miles per tank or about 17mpg ) edt: thats about 15 mpg in the smaller US gallon
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Feb 21, 2013 | 07:59 PM
  #2  
-The tank is roughly 48 liters/12.5 gallons. My '05 Neon still gets around 30mpg/48kpl with regular weekly driving. All highway driving gets about 35mpg/56kpl. All city driving gets me roughly 27mpg/43kpl. Also don't go just by the fuel gauge. Average it out from fill-up to fill-up.

-If you are still experiencing low numbers, a general tune-up should get it back up some. Replace the air filter, pcv valve, plugs, etc... Good luck with the Neon. I got mine in '07 with just under 20k on it, and now it's sitting at 132k. No issues what-so-ever...

L8R,
Matt
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Feb 21, 2013 | 08:34 PM
  #3  
OK....48 litres would be 10.5 gallons. ( you must mean the smaller US gallon )

Plugs are new, air filter is new....first things I checked. I had a friend plug in his OPD(ODP? ) sensor....no code errors showed up.
Car seems to run smooth
I always check tank to tank on my other cars, and not go by the gauge, but this just seemed a bit much.
I'll double check when we refill ( trip was zeroed )....but expect bad news.
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Feb 21, 2013 | 09:31 PM
  #4  
-The tank in my '05 SXT is 12.5 US gallons. Guess I used the wrong conversion chart. Also check the tire air pressure.

L8R,
Matt
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Feb 22, 2013 | 12:44 AM
  #5  
Yes....tyre pressure is good
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Feb 22, 2013 | 06:42 PM
  #6  
It's cooooold outside, so your gas mileage is bound to be bad. 15 is horrible though, so you should probably invest in a tune-up.
I get about 25mpg mostly highway from my 2002 ES at about 30 degrees Fahrenheit , and that's with a cold air intake and heavier 17" alloy wheels.
I wish I could get the mileage that some of the guys here claim to get from their Neons, I don't want to call 'Bull" but the EPA estimates for our cars are not that optimistic.

Poor Fuel Economy-neon-epa.jpg  

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Feb 22, 2013 | 10:23 PM
  #7  
Mpg
11111111
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Feb 22, 2013 | 11:09 PM
  #8  
Quote: It's cooooold outside, so your gas mileage is bound to be bad. 15 is horrible though, so you should probably invest in a tune-up.
I get about 25mpg mostly highway from my 2002 ES at about 30 degrees Fahrenheit , and that's with a cold air intake and heavier 17" alloy wheels.
I wish I could get the mileage that some of the guys here claim to get from their Neons, I don't want to call 'Bull" but the EPA estimates for our cars are not that optimistic.
Gauge reads as a 10 gallon tank. Not bad doing 75-80 on the highway with the windows down and driving around Daytona. 2000 with the 3 speed auto.

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This was with straight highway driving after I filled up.
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Feb 22, 2013 | 11:33 PM
  #9  
Quote: It's cooooold outside, so your gas mileage is bound to be bad. 15 is horrible though, so you should probably invest in a tune-up.
I get about 25mpg mostly highway from my 2002 ES at about 30 degrees Fahrenheit , and that's with a cold air intake and heavier 17" alloy wheels.
I wish I could get the mileage that some of the guys here claim to get from their Neons, I don't want to call 'Bull" but the EPA estimates for our cars are not that optimistic.
-I've routinely hit just over 35mpg in my Neon when on vacation. I would fill up where I live in Ohio, about 20 minutes South of Canton, and not fill up again until the first gas station in Virginia. The same trip in my '10 Sebring Touring with the 2.4L in it, I don't have to fill up until I get to Asheboro, NC! Even there, it's just under 1/4 tank. Some cars get better than the EPA estimate, some get worse.

-I know a girl who bought a new Ford Focus back in '04. She couldn't get more than 19-20mpg out of it. She had it at the dealer a few times trying to get it figured out, but they couldn't find out the cause. Just glad I'm not on that side of the spectrum.

L8R,
Matt
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Feb 23, 2013 | 03:00 PM
  #10  
I realise winter driving will lower expected fuel economy...but this is just too low.
Things should start warming up soon.
Been -30 lately....some days up to -10.
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