[pantablo]

I've had this 2000 626 now for about 5-6 weeks. It only has 32,000 miles on it.

I thought I'd be getting better gas mileage but the first few tanks were consistently 20.x mpg. I realized the front tires we way under inflated (under 20psi) so with all 4 tires properly inflated I checked again...same rough mpg.

I haven't done a thing to the car since buying it except put 2k miles on it. Seller told me it needed a oil change, which I have yet to do, but otherwise no info given.

My driving is mostly short drives in town, almost exclusively with possibly one 30 minute each way freeway drive a week. My fuel gauge shows little less than 1/2 tank and I'm on target to make 20.x mpg again based on trip mileage this tank.

Is my poor mileage a function of my driving short trips? Are there things I should do to the car maintenance-wise to better that? I suppose I should give it a tune up. I was expecting to do a major service at 36k miles but should look at the manual again.

Is my experience unusual or common?

[edit: It is an automatic as well.]

[tuckie]

Same here.... I have a 2001 626 Lx 2.0 Auto transmission. Just bought it for a month, average 20.x mpg. Have no idea why the mileage is so poor....

[pantablo]

Ah, forgot, mine is also an automatic.

[XeNoMoRpH]

According to fueleconomy.gov, that's right. 19mpg city, 25mpg highway for the automatic 2.0. The manual gets 4 more mpg for highway and city.

What's messed up is my V6 manual gets the same mileage as yours. I've been able to get 28mpg sometimes actually...

[PrinceValorum]

Wow, that's ridiculous. Even with my heavier wheels, I still average 27-28mpg almost all city/short trips (it's less than 2 miles to work...), but with more conservative driving. When I had my stock wheels on my foot never left the floor and I'd still get 28 city. I've averaged around 33 highway before on a ~300+ mile trip. I've got the 4 cyl with a 5 speed.

I dunno what to tell you. RESEARCH this first, DON'T take this as advice on what to do: I've heard that if you add more ATX fluid it'll make the shifts more firm and makes the system more efficient, I'm guessing. My buddy always talked about that, and said people did it with shift kits and stuff to get harder/faster shifts in their autos, even to the point where they could chirp the tires.

[edbutera]

Now I don't feel so bad about "only" getting around 25 mpg. I thought it might be something with the flashing "hold" light: I've read that that keeps the vehicle from operating in overdrive(?). I suppose it makes sense that it would be pretty low with majority city driving and a slushbox.

Perhaps a full synthetic oil and K&N air filter will help a little bit, as a simple start. Has always helped in other vehicles I've owned.

[BOARDMAKER]

I have been doing quite well with mpg on my 5 spd manual,i regularly hit 40mpg,remember the UK gallon is 4.546 litres,compared to the US gallon is less,iirc approx 4 litres.

I have done several mpg improvements on this car,these are the same as my previous car with great success.

[Mikaila31]

That is pretty low. I have a 1999 2.5L V6 with 171K on it. Its had synthetic oil its whole life, currently I'm using 0-30 oil. For at least the last 4 years been on regular gas. I don't drive conservatively IMO, I'm not slow on acceleration but I do like to shift early. I perfer to be between 2k-3k rpm if possible. I average 25mpg with my car. I can do better though and get about 27mpg. Early this year I changed from Mobile 1's 0-40 synthetic oil to the 0-30 "advanced fuel economy" which you can get a Wally word. It's given me a consistent 4mpg increase. I'm not super proud of my summer mileage, but I got to say its surprising I still get around 23-25mpg sliding around in those Minnesota winters. Lowest I've ever gotten is 21mpg.

I would just start with the simple things, change oil and oil filter and change the air filter. Then see what you get with that.