6th Gen ('00-'05): Poor fuel mileage
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 63
Poor fuel mileage
Just wondering if anyone else sees a significant drop off during the winter months? Mine was doing 27+ now it seems to be only around 23? Any clues or is this normal? BTW it is an 04 SS supercharged. Thanks
MOTM Mod
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,499
From: Nebraska
Like all the cars we tend to warm them up, prior to driving.
Which you should do.
That idle time reduces the gas mileage some, and if you run around in the snow some too. But most of us drive a bit more cautious in the winter as well.
I did own an 1989 Oldsmobile 98 with a 3800 motor that would consistently get in the Mid 30's all year long, and I drove it for my sales job.
Which you should do.
That idle time reduces the gas mileage some, and if you run around in the snow some too. But most of us drive a bit more cautious in the winter as well.
I did own an 1989 Oldsmobile 98 with a 3800 motor that would consistently get in the Mid 30's all year long, and I drove it for my sales job.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
As mentioned, if you warm the car up, that idling consumes fuel.
Also, I believe many gasoline suppliers switch to a "winter blend". More additives like ethanol to prevent harsh winter fuel line freezing. Down side, it reduces MPG.
Also, I believe many gasoline suppliers switch to a "winter blend". More additives like ethanol to prevent harsh winter fuel line freezing. Down side, it reduces MPG.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
I too live in Ohio (Mentor specifically) and I can say on my daily driver (04 Grand Am GT), I don't know what my MPG normally is, but I know about how many miles I can normally get to a tank and I'm not getting that at the moment. And that's been about a month or so. I attribute it not just to winter fuel, but the older temperatures and how these cars are tuned.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 63
I too live in Ohio (Mentor specifically) and I can say on my daily driver (04 Grand Am GT), I don't know what my MPG normally is, but I know about how many miles I can normally get to a tank and I'm not getting that at the moment. And that's been about a month or so. I attribute it not just to winter fuel, but the older temperatures and how these cars are tuned.
Monte Of The Month -- January 2017
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 322
From: Papillion, NE
Yes, from my own experience too it's pretty common for miles-per-gallon to drop somewhat during the winter months, for all cars & trucks.
My previous car had an oxygen sensor going bad (and it was indicated in the diagnostic codes), which was hurting its gas mileage all the time. When that O2 sensor was replaced, its mileage noticeably improved back to where it should be, so a bad oxygen sensor might be a culprit.
My previous car had an oxygen sensor going bad (and it was indicated in the diagnostic codes), which was hurting its gas mileage all the time. When that O2 sensor was replaced, its mileage noticeably improved back to where it should be, so a bad oxygen sensor might be a culprit.