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How many miles to the tank do you get?

17K views 53 replies 48 participants last post by  Cobrawannabe  
#1 ·
Mine is getting crapy gas mileage. It has 84,000 and i know people with foci that get over 400 miles to the tank. I filled up yesterday and reseted my trip mileage and drove on the interstate and thats it. Today i'm at a half a tank and the mileage says 110!:eek:. I had my oil changed, new air filter, new tires and rotated them, and all this was done recently. What could be the problem? Please help
 
#5 ·
I usually get 300-325 on a full tank in my SVT...average 28-32 with about 80% highway, but I've never gotten less that 26 even with a bunch of city driving (shifting below 3000rpm ftw)

Oh and I have 116000 miles on my car
 
#36 ·
Update: I am still getting the same mileage out of my car, and have 186.5k on it now
 
#7 ·
I thought the different engines had different gas tank sizes... like the 2.3L has a 13.9 gallon tank, where the zetec has like 11.9 or something like that?

Im in a 2.3L and I get anywhere from 300 - 390 miles per tank. (and im just under 96K miles)
 
#8 ·
I get about 200-240 per tank on my 01 zx3 and usually fill around 10 gallons if I even run it down that far (around 20-ish mpg). Of course, I'm not exactly taking it easy most of the time...even when I try:evilgrin: I've had tanks as low as 16mpg and as high as 33mpg.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the comments! well atleast i'm not the only one getting low gas mileage. I've tryed to slow down and easy up on the accelerator and get behind grandma, but i ain't got time for that!!! i mean damn, i've almost rear-ended an old guy because he was going 55 in a 70 zone:eek:!! and i try to go 5 over the limit, what makes you think i want to get rear-ended and be like the slow ones:what:
 
#13 ·
I get about 300 miles to the 1/4 tank mark and normally put around 9 gallons in. I run between 33 and 35 MPG. It all depends on your driving style, I have only a few stoplights, then about 20 miles of open highway each way to work, so I'm not accelerating/decelerating a lot.:dunno:
 
#14 ·
Lately I've been getting about 440 to 450 miles before the fuel light comes on. I filled up this morning and was surprised with 37 MPG. I guess the more fuel efficient driving style I have adopted is making a difference. If I didn't have the 2.3L, I bet I could get it to 40 MPG.

indicated 1/2 tank is usually about 225 miles for me.

Oh, it's a 2004 ZX3, 2.3L, MTX-75, MBRP 2 1/4" and 36,000 miles.
 
#17 ·
125K on my ZX3 and I never do a full tank... I get about 200 in a half tank but most of mine is highway/stop and go traffic on the highway

if I go the 2nd half I usually get about 150... Lose a lot to gas vapors esp in Texas...
If im on a highway cruise ive hit 34 mpg but normal driving im between 28 and 30.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Don't forget the quality of the gas you buy. I've seen a 20% swing in gas mileage because of gas. The first and best way to get better fuel economy is to avoid ANY alcohol blended fuel.

Next you have to train yourself to be light on the throttle. I play a game of trying to be the last person at the next light. That means I've wasted no gas and no time :D. You can get a Scanguage for $160 that will give you an mpg readout or a $30 vacuum gauge to show engine load, but whatever you do you need to train yourself to be light on the gas to get up to a 30% improvement in mileage.

Do the speed limit! No kidding. You'll get 1 to 3 more mpg just by doing the speed limit.

Air up your tires. (WARNING! this can increase braking distance and lower traction in wet conditions) I put 40 psi in my tires. This will reduce rolling resistance and add mpg. It will also increase tire life because your tires will run cooler. The only other downside is a less comfortable ride.

EDIT:

A couple of more things:

Get your battery checked by a place that has the advanced model. Our Autozone has one and they do it for FREE. It advanced battery & charging system checker should test each cell voltage. A battery with a dead cell will load your alternator and kill your gas mileage.

Additional loads are the A/C and the car electronics. Keep them to a minimun. Plan trips so you don't have to drive in the heat of the day.
 
#50 ·
Don't forget the quality of the gas you buy. I've seen a 20% swing in gas mileage because of gas. The first and best way to get better fuel economy is to avoid ANY alcohol blended fuel.

Next you have to train yourself to be light on the entir. I play a game of trying to be the last person at the next light. That means I've wasted no gas and no time :D. You can get a Scanguage for $160 that will give you an mpg readout or a $30 vacuum gauge to show engine load, but whatever you do you need to train yourself to be light on the gas to get up to a 30% improvement in mileage.

Do the speed limit! No kidding. You'll get 1 to 3 more mpg just by doing the speed limit.

Air up your tires. (WARNING! this can increase braking distance and lower traction in wet conditions) I put 40 psi in my tires. This will reduce rolling resistance and add mpg. It will also increase tire life because your tires will run cooler. The only other downside is a less comfortable ride.

EDIT:

A couple of more things:

Get your battery checked by a place that has the advanced model. Our Autozone has one and they do it for FREE. It advanced battery & charging system checker should test each cell voltage. A battery with a dead cell will load your alternator and kill your gas mileage.

Additional loads are the A/C and the car electronics. Keep them to a minimun. Plan trips so you don't have to drive in the heat of the day.
but over inflation on your tires can wear out the middle of your tires too