Sudden fuel mileage drop

[Bill K]

Something is definitely wrong there Bill!
See your dealer.

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[Blitz-Hacker]

Hi My name is Bill, because I earned a "nick name" when I worked I will use DollarBill. I filled up about 3 weeks ago and am only getting 16.3 mpg. Anyone else having such a Issue?

Do you fill up at the same gas station? How many miles do you get out of 1 tank? How many gallons do you put in it when you only have 50 miles left in the tank?

 

[The Real Maverick]

The only thing wrong is people jumping to conclusions. 99.9% of the time NOTHING is wrong with the truck.

 

[CajunMick]

Driving around in suburban town, display shows approx 23 mpg average.

Just did first cross country trip from Texas to Louisiana, interstate roads, display showing 34 mpg . Driving 68-69 mph, set on Econ mode, whatever that is, on cruise control, 95-98 deg F ambient.

 

[Oscarcat]

mainly just get in and go. most trips are around 2 to 5 miles. ill check tire pressure but sensors don't show low pressure

According to my quick research, the TPMS alerts the driver when tire pressure is 25% below recommended. That means for our Mavs it doesn't alert until the tire has 26 psi. So driving around w/AC and TP in th, say 28 range won't set off the alert but will reduce your MPG.

 

[dollarbill]

According to my quick research, the TPMS alerts the driver when tire pressure is 25% below recommended. That means for our Mavs it doesn't alert until the tire has 26 psi. So driving around w/AC and TP in th, say 28 range won't set off the alert but will reduce your MPG.

thanks tp was 30 psi, adjusted to 35 i'll wait and see. Thanks

 

[dollarbill]

Do you fill up at the same gas station? How many miles do you get out of 1 tank? How many gallons do you put in it when you only have 50 miles left in the tank?

more than 360, mostly fill at 1/4 tank. right now going with low tp only 30. filled to 35 I'll wait an see. thanks

 

[dollarbill]

Something is definitely wrong there Bill!
See your dealer.

I just did thanks

 

[dollarbill]

Next step - jack up each wheel and check for a stuck brake. Also, are you leaking fuel? A couple of people have reported that their fuel lines were not connected properly. With that low mileage I would have thought that the cat converter would be overheating and throwing a code. It may be time for a dealer visit to check for the oxygen sensors going full rich all the time, although that would also be throwing a code. Weird. Dealer visit time.

 

[crgator]

more than 360, mostly fill at 1/4 tank. right now going with low tp only 30. filled to 35 I'll wait an see. thanks

Am I misunderstanding you? You get more than 360 miles on a tank, filling at 1/4? It seems to me that you're filling with around 12 gallons, and that equates to 30 MPG.

 

[dollarbill]

According to my quick research, the TPMS alerts the driver when tire pressure is 25% below recommended. That means for our Mavs it doesn't alert until the tire has 26 psi. So driving around w/AC and TP in th, say 28 range won't set off the alert but will reduce your MPG.

Thanks tp was 30 adjusted to 35

 

[Blitz-Hacker]

more than 360, mostly fill at 1/4 tank. right now going with low tp only 30. filled to 35 I'll wait an see. thanks

Yes I agree you are getting good gas mileage. You can't always believe the gas mileage read out on any car/truck. You said you towed a flat trailer a couple times and that 16.2 mpg would match what I would expect to get so was that recently? I know after I towed mt trailer it takes a couple tanks of gas for the mileage estimator to get accurate again. In the past anytime I get a funny read out for mpg I will do the Manal method.
1. Fill your tank until the pump klicks out.
2. Wait 30 seconds for the gas to settle in your tank.
3. fill more until it clicks again. (your tank is full)
4. re-set your odometer or take picture of your odometer.
5. Drive until you have 50 miles left in the tank.
6. Fill at same gas station using same method.
7 take your miles driven (in this example) 360 and divide by gallons purchased (12) and you will get your real gas mileage in this example 30mpg.

 

[Zed79]

Many Factors Affect MPG (fueleconomy.gov)

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Hi My name is Bill, because I earned a "nick name" when I worked I will use DollarBill. I filled up about 3 weeks ago and am only getting 16.3 mpg. Anyone else having such a Issue?

Hmmm! When you worked did you make higher denominations turn into $1 bills at a "dancing girl" store?

 

[HeyBales]

According to my quick research, the TPMS alerts the driver when tire pressure is 25% below recommended. That means for our Mavs it doesn't alert until the tire has 26 psi. So driving around w/AC and TP in th, say 28 range won't set off the alert but will reduce your MPG.

He was probably referring to the TPMS sensors showing the pressure on the screen under settings, not the alert icon merely indicating low.
And while that reading can't be trusted for absolute pressure unless you've confirmed your own set (mine match accurate gauge), usually close enough for a clue.

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