Horrible gas mileage - help!

**aziff** · 05-02-2011

I have an '02 GT. I'm lucky to get 17 - 18mpg out of a tank (I don't remember the last time a full tank showed up with a range of more than 500KM (310 miles). My driving consists mainly of city driving with the occassional highway trip. Sometimes I have a heavy foot, but I don't drive like I have a rocket powered car either. Now I don't know if I'm being unrealistic but this seems awful.

Here are some details to consider...

-Car has 140,000KM (87,000 miles)
-Drive train is stock except for a cone filter intake and dynomax mufflers
-Recent related service has included a new PCV valve, new air filter, new plugs, new plug wires, new fuel filter and an engine flush
-Tires are in good shape and kept properly inflated

It runs great, but does smell rich after starting.

Any suggestions on what to attack next to try and gave a few bucks at the pump?

**Explicit_Spade** · 05-02-2011

Thats about right for in town driving on a GT with a mildly heavy foot.

They were rated 17 city 27 highway with 20 combined from the factory.
Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/17746.shtml

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-02-2011

epa for ours cars is like 18-19 city and 28-30 freeway

**aziff** · 05-02-2011

Bah. That aside, with the work done lately is there anything else you would think would cause it to run rich at idle? I've been meaning to dig out the MAF and have a look to make sure all is well but haven't gotten to it yet.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-02-2011

when the car idles its in open loop at start up, more fuel is needed to have the motor heat up and then it slowly levels down. Hwile driving the car will go into closed loop function and run leaner to save fuel once the car is heated up.

**aziff** · 05-02-2011

Makes sense. Guess I'm just missing the days when the car was newer and more efficient and gave me 600km to a tank instead of the 480 or less that i'm lucky to get lately