My gas mileage down right sucks!

[snoopy041824]

Ok just filled up Sterling on the 27th of August and here it is on Thursday the 2nd of September. I am a little shy of a half tank of gas and the trip odometer reads 173.3. I do not drive fast, nor do I so call gas it... I am an easy driver and baby Sterling all the time. I put 93 octane in him, seems to run a lot better on that but my mileage is not doing so well. Does anyone have any suggests as to what is could be? I have checked the pressure in my tires and they are all ok.. I do sometimes get a code of the haunting P2181. Could that contribute to some of my gas mileage problems? Please help.... Thank you!

Oh also the timing belt, water pump and tensioner all have been changed along with spark plugs, coil pack.

[MichelleRoze]

I have a TDI so I can't say much, but in all honesty that's not bad. Considering you are just shy of a half a tank, you could go another 170 miles...which would put you at about 340 miles on the tank. For a 1.8T that's good. Average mpg on a 1.8T is what? 24mpg? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Things to consider: fuel filter, air filter, traffic conditions, is this car a manual or automatic? Did you fill up with fuel that has ethanol in it?

Lots of things can cause poor gas mileage, but considering you have a half a tank left, let it go ALL the way to empty, then fill ALL the way up. Subtract the number of gallons you filled up from the number of miles you've gone, and find your mpg that way. Let us know then and maybe someone can help.

[Smileybug]

What type of driving do you do? Is it all local? Highway? Mix? Thats about spot on for what I get in my 2.0 with all city driving. You also can't judge too much on the gas gauge. Wait until you fill up again. Then see how many miles you travled and how much gas you put in. Then figure out our gas mileage. Rough calculation puts you at almost 24mpg with that info, which isn't bad at all, if its all city.

Oh and that P code is probably a bad coolant temp sensor.

[kcfoxie]

1.8Ts can get up to 36 highway, but about 24-28 in the city. They're no better than the 2.0 except faster and they take more expensive fuel.

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by MichelleRoze

I have a TDI so I can't say much, but in all honesty that's not bad. Considering you are just shy of a half a tank, you could go another 170 miles...which would put you at about 340 miles on the tank. For a 1.8T that's good. Average mpg on a 1.8T is what? 24mpg? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Things to consider: fuel filter, air filter, traffic conditions, is this car a manual or automatic? Did you fill up with fuel that has ethanol in it?

Lots of things can cause poor gas mileage, but considering you have a half a tank left, let it go ALL the way to empty, then fill ALL the way up. Subtract the number of gallons you filled up from the number of miles you've gone, and find your mpg that way. Let us know then and maybe someone can help.

Yes i have a 6 speed manual. and yes i got about 28mpg when i filled up on the 27th of Aug. I used 93 octane the one with less additives in it..the driving condtions was a beautiful sunny day with very low humidity... I will let it go all the way down. and i don't really think i will get another 170 miles out of it. do you think i will? i get scared when i get a 1/4 tank of gas. question, i am still new to driving a stick, me popping the clutch a bit can that contribute to my poor gas mileage? just a thought. Just seems like the mpg is not very good.. frustrating...

[Smileybug]

Is this city driving? Highway? Mix? That all matters. Going the speed limit? Taking it easy off of lights? Little changes in driving can have a big effect on mileage. Though your mileage sounds pretty much spot on.

[Wingnut_rb]

I also have a Turbo S and I drive 80% highway 20% city and I average 370-380 miles per tank. If it were all freeway I think I might get 400 miles at 70 mph. I run 40 psi in my tires and NEVER run anything less than premium fuel and synthetic oil for the obvious turbo reasons.

[MichelleRoze]

Originally Posted by snoopy041824

Yes i have a 6 speed manual. and yes i got about 28mpg when i filled up on the 27th of Aug. I used 93 octane the one with less additives in it..the driving condtions was a beautiful sunny day with very low humidity... I will let it go all the way down. and i don't really think i will get another 170 miles out of it. do you think i will? i get scared when i get a 1/4 tank of gas. question, i am still new to driving a stick, me popping the clutch a bit can that contribute to my poor gas mileage? just a thought. Just seems like the mpg is not very good.. frustrating...

You might be surprised at how many more miles you'll get on that tank.

How you drive the stick does change the mpg. If your easy on the clutch and don't rev it too high often, that'll help save fuel. I know I could get better mpg in my diesel, but I too am new to stick driving, so I have my "issues" as well. Just practice smooth starts and stops. Coast in neutral to stop signs, traffic lights, etc. The more you can be in "neutral" (meaning clutch pressed in, you can leave it in gear) while driving, the less fuel you'll consume. So, next time your going downhill, push the clutch in, leave it in gear, but just push the clutch all the way in and coast down the hill.

Next time you're at the pump, look and see if it says "this fuel containes % amount of ethanol". Ethanol will actually gets used FASTER than oil, so you'll go less miles the more ethanol you have in the fuel. Bummer I know.

Start and stops will hurt fuel economy much more than just highway driving. So, even if you're going 55mph, if you're constantly starting and stopping, or shifting gears a lot, that'll take up some fuel economy.

Sounds like you are about on track though. Try out this neat site; Fuelly It'll keep track of your mpg FOR YOU! Plus, it'll take how much you've spent on fuel, what your average mpg is, etc. Here's my fuelly page. I have two cars on my page because I wanted to compare the difference between my car as an automatic and my car as a stick. Obviously the stick is getting better mpg! I like it because I can keep track of my mileage and I write little notes like "changed the fuel filter" so I know. And sometimes I"ll get poor mpg, and I can note "lots of A/C driving, very hot weather lately" and then I'll be like "OH YEAH! that's why." And not fear that something is horribly wrong...

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Is this city driving? Highway? Mix? That all matters. Going the speed limit? Taking it easy off of lights? Little changes in driving can have a big effect on mileage. Though your mileage sounds pretty much spot on.

I drive a lot in the city. My highway comes only on wed. and thrus. that is it.. so i guess you are all right about my mpg...i was thinking the p was the temp sensor too. would that effect my mpg? I am new to driving a stick but am a lot better now than i was in may when marc and i went to get sterling.

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

What type of driving do you do? Is it all local? Highway? Mix? Thats about spot on for what I get in my 2.0 with all city driving. You also can't judge too much on the gas gauge. Wait until you fill up again. Then see how many miles you travled and how much gas you put in. Then figure out our gas mileage. Rough calculation puts you at almost 24mpg with that info, which isn't bad at all, if its all city.

Oh and that P code is probably a bad coolant temp sensor.

Is the coolant temp sensor easy to fix.? it is that bowl thing up in the left hand corner right? I just flushed the coolant out and got all new G12..do i need to get the sensor at the dlr or any auto part store? Please let me know..
Thank you..
Kerri

[Smileybug]

Its $28 from the dealer. A bit cheaper online. You can try germanautoparts.com. I know they have them. Make sure you get a new o-ring and clip too (only a few extra cents). Its a super easy fix. Its basically a little plug. Not sure where it is exactly on the 1.8T, but I know on my 2.0, if you take the engine cover off, you can see it on the drivers side of the engine on a coolant line. Color may vary.

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by MichelleRoze

You might be surprised at how many more miles you'll get on that tank.

How you drive the stick does change the mpg. If your easy on the clutch and don't rev it too high often, that'll help save fuel. I know I could get better mpg in my diesel, but I too am new to stick driving, so I have my "issues" as well. Just practice smooth starts and stops. Coast in neutral to stop signs, traffic lights, etc. The more you can be in "neutral" (meaning clutch pressed in, you can leave it in gear) while driving, the less fuel you'll consume. So, next time your going downhill, push the clutch in, leave it in gear, but just push the clutch all the way in and coast down the hill.

Next time you're at the pump, look and see if it says "this fuel containes % amount of ethanol". Ethanol will actually gets used FASTER than oil, so you'll go less miles the more ethanol you have in the fuel. Bummer I know.

Start and stops will hurt fuel economy much more than just highway driving. So, even if you're going 55mph, if you're constantly starting and stopping, or shifting gears a lot, that'll take up some fuel economy.

Sounds like you are about on track though. Try out this neat site; Fuelly It'll keep track of your mpg FOR YOU! Plus, it'll take how much you've spent on fuel, what your average mpg is, etc. Here's my fuelly page. I have two cars on my page because I wanted to compare the difference between my car as an automatic and my car as a stick. Obviously the stick is getting better mpg! I like it because I can keep track of my mileage and I write little notes like "changed the fuel filter" so I know. And sometimes I"ll get poor mpg, and I can note "lots of A/C driving, very hot weather lately" and then I'll be like "OH YEAH! that's why." And not fear that something is horribly wrong...

Thanks Michelle for the great response. puts in all in to perspective for me... I agree i think my mpg is doing ok.. i didn't realize that i would only get 24-28 in the city and of course higher on the highway. I will be keeping track of my mpg when i fill up next. I also try not to use the ac i know that really gets you bad mpg.

If is funny you say about coasting down a hill, i just figured that out last week.. i looked at what i was doing per say and saw that rpms go down to like 1200 while coasting. i was whoot whoot!!

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Its $28 from the dealer. A bit cheaper online. You can try germanautoparts.com. I know they have them. Make sure you get a new o-ring and clip too (only a few extra cents). Its a super easy fix. Its basically a little plug. Not sure where it is exactly on the 1.8T, but I know on my 2.0, if you take the engine cover off, you can see it on the drivers side of the engine on a coolant line. Color may vary.

So what you are saying is, is that i can actually fix it myself???? holy crap batman, i can do it myself yah!! lol!
do you think autozone or something like that would have it or should i just go to the dlr.? i am sure i can find it in the bently only problem would be the bently does not show color,

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

What type of driving do you do? Is it all local? Highway? Mix? Thats about spot on for what I get in my 2.0 with all city driving. You also can't judge too much on the gas gauge. Wait until you fill up again. Then see how many miles you travled and how much gas you put in. Then figure out our gas mileage. Rough calculation puts you at almost 24mpg with that info, which isn't bad at all, if its all city.

Oh and that P code is probably a bad coolant temp sensor.

Smilebug:
Do you think the p code is the coolant temp sensor?

[Smileybug]

Probably. The Ross-Tech Wiki says:
18613/P2181/008577 - Performance Malfunction in Cooling System
Possible Solutions

* Check Engine Coolant Temperature Sender (G62)
* Check Coolant Thermostat
* Check Engine Cooling System
o Put the key on, fan speed on 1, and push the a/c switch. Are both fans kicking on? If not, you found the problem.
o Put the key on and fan speed on 1 with temperature set to hot. Does heat come out readily from the vents?
+ No. Probably the water pump is gone.
+ Yes. Probably the thermostat is gone.

The temp sensor is a common fail point. Check the Bentley. You don't need color to find it. It should show where it is pretty clearly. If you take off your engine cover, you should be able to find it. Not sure if its at local parts places. I got mine from the dealer. And I know places like germanautoparts.com have it.

[snoopy041824]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Probably. The Ross-Tech Wiki says:
18613/P2181/008577 - Performance Malfunction in Cooling System
Possible Solutions

* Check Engine Coolant Temperature Sender (G62)
* Check Coolant Thermostat
* Check Engine Cooling System
o Put the key on, fan speed on 1, and push the a/c switch. Are both fans kicking on? If not, you found the problem.
o Put the key on and fan speed on 1 with temperature set to hot. Does heat come out readily from the vents?
+ No. Probably the water pump is gone.
+ Yes. Probably the thermostat is gone.

The temp sensor is a common fail point. Check the Bentley. You don't need color to find it. It should show where it is pretty clearly. If you take off your engine cover, you should be able to find it. Not sure if its at local parts places. I got mine from the dealer. And I know places like germanautoparts.com have it.

Thank you very much and I will get the bently out and see where that is.. I did do all the other things and it all works both fans come on and what not.. so i think it is the coolant temp sensor too...

Thank you very much for all your help and advice.
Kerri

[snoopy041824]

Well, I am at 222.4 on my trip meter, and i am not at 1/4 tank yet.. so i can't wait to fill up and see what kind of city driving i got on this tank of gas... i will let you all know...

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by snoopy041824

Well, I am at 222.4 on my trip meter, and i am not at 1/4 tank yet.. so i can't wait to fill up and see what kind of city driving i got on this tank of gas... i will let you all know...

The most i've ever got in Titan was just shy of 340 miles on a tank of mixed highway and city. I'm sure if i went all highway with cruise control on, he would get hopefully close to 400 on a tank. Fortunately, i can set the cruise to 75mph vs me using my foot and finding myself at 95 and feeling like 50...

[dbmcd]

You guys will never know what is going on until you divide the gallons added into the miles driven. All this half tank at this many miles and went this many miles this time - is a waste of time!
You are just guessing...get accurate, do the math!

[snoopy041824]

Ok, i am at a 1/4 tank of gas and i am at 235 on the trip. i will go as far as i can and then fill up.. and i will do the math.. I do 90% city and 10% hwy. i am right on as Michelle said. right at 240 mpg probably... Way to go Michelle your so awesome!!!