Newly Acquired Solara... First tank of fuel ~ 16mpg HELP

[ampreston85]

Alright, so i finally filled the tank for the first time... I'm about to E, and only @ 300 miles to the tank. Simple math tells me that i have gotten no better then 16.5 mpg average (18.5 gallon tank). This is very upsetting, especially knowing that my POS Neon got 22 mpg average and it was POS on wheels lol. Everything is stock, it's a V6 SE of course, and i use Mobile 5000 synthetic blend oil. I'm wondering what needs to be addressed. Tune up maybe? I know it's a V6 but i should be at least 22 - 25 mpg average considering at least half my drive is freeway to work n back. Wondering if new spark plugs, spark plug wires will help... What else? And also wondering how much a Injen SRI will help in the matter as well. Your feedback is much appreciated!

[Dawgz]

Alright, so i finally filled the tank for the first time... I'm about to E, and only @ 300 miles to the tank. Simple math tells me that i have gotten no better then 16.5 mpg average (18.5 gallon tank). This is very upsetting, especially knowing that my POS Neon got 22 mpg average and it was POS on wheels lol. Everything is stock, it's a V6 SE of course, and i use Mobile 5000 synthetic blend oil. I'm wondering what needs to be addressed. Tune up maybe? I know it's a V6 but i should be at least 22 - 25 mpg average considering at least half my drive is freeway to work n back. Wondering if new spark plugs, spark plug wires will help... What else? And also wondering how much a Injen SRI will help in the matter as well. Your feedback is much appreciated!

Spark plugs, plug wires, a good treatment of Sea foam, Clean out the Throttle body, clean the MAF with CRC MAF cleaner. Tire pressure set to correct psi....also depends on how you drive (lead foot vs conservative). Another thing you could try is some injector cleaner in the tank.

[Garrryyunit]

Alright, so i finally filled the tank for the first time... I'm about to E, and only @ 300 miles to the tank. Simple math tells me that i have gotten no better then 16.5 mpg average (18.5 gallon tank). This is very upsetting, especially knowing that my POS Neon got 22 mpg average and it was POS on wheels lol. Everything is stock, it's a V6 SE of course, and i use Mobile 5000 synthetic blend oil. I'm wondering what needs to be addressed. Tune up maybe? I know it's a V6 but i should be at least 22 - 25 mpg average considering at least half my drive is freeway to work n back. Wondering if new spark plugs, spark plug wires will help... What else? And also wondering how much a Injen SRI will help in the matter as well. Your feedback is much appreciated!

Spark plugs, plug wires, a good treatment of Sea foam, Clean out the Throttle body, clean the MAF with CRC MAF cleaner. Tire pressure set to correct psi....also depends on how you drive (lead foot vs conservative). Another thing you could try is some injector cleaner in the tank.

what he said. haha

[cklinh]

Did you actually see the pump say 18.5 gal?

[ampreston85]

Ha no... thats how big the tank is... it hit 17ish @ the pump. and the light had just come on when i filled it... now i have the light on for about the last 15 miles... and im barely @ 305 miles.

[unbalancedwood]

I would say tune up also.

If you want just remove one of the spark plugs (check the tutorial section) and see what it looks like. Did you get any records when you bought it?

seafoam works good too...do it before you change the plugs though, then change the plugs after a tank goes through. I also do the seafoam 500miles before i change my oil...

Ive gotten an average of 25-30 highway with easy driving...

[SleeperSolara]

Do what "Dawgz" suggested.
That will help your MPG's.
Gettin' an SRI will decrease your MPG's by alittle bit.
It also depends on how hard you drive your car also.

[mazen222]

i should do that tune up too...

[NightRider]

Spark plugs, plug wires, a good treatment of Sea foam, Clean out the Throttle body, clean the MAF with CRC MAF cleaner. Tire pressure set to correct psi....also depends on how you drive (lead foot vs conservative). Another thing you could try is some injector cleaner in the tank.

I agree w/ him. He pretty much said what I was thinking as well.

[GreenSolara01]

http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

ha dsame problem. try to use the search tool at the top of the screen so we don't have so many dup posts

Thanks and good luck

[Chinky420]

do you have a CEL right now?

driving with a CEL (or maybe only certain CELs) will make your car run rich....the ecu keeps the car in a warmup loop......one of the side effects is that your gas mileage goes down. right now, with a CEL i'm getting around 250miles/tank - 330 miles/tank depending on if it's city driving or highway.

those numbers basically boil down to approx 17 - 22 mpg....which is less than ideal, but consistent and predictable with my situation.

[Chinky420]

oh yeah, i also have a lead foot...which effects mpg too.

[lexmex]

The more constant you keep your foot on the accelerator (meaning use cruise control when you can or staying at the same velocity), the greater the mpg. Cleaning the IACV valve can also help. Also examine your air filter.

[RandySolara]

The more constant you keep your foot on the accelerator (meaning use cruise control when you can or staying at the same velocity), the greater the mpg. Cleaning the IACV valve can also help. Also examine your air filter.

Air filter n Gas filter too >?

[SolaraMan7890]

I get 360 miles a tank... on average, and usually run it to til the E light comes on, at which point I force in roughly 16.3 gal... hmmm