Olds Alero poor gas mileage - Engine Troubleshooting


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Olds Alero poor gas mileage

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ez50nj
User

Dec 17, 2011, 9:56 AM

Post #1 of 5 (2729 views)

Olds Alero poor gas mileage	Sign In

2002
4 cyl auto
130k miles
1 mile to/from work
easy pedal/driven carefully
engine runs strong with smooth as silk idle

any recommendations on air filters or tire pressures increasie 3-4 mpg?

I weigh 260 lbs. is this costing me 2-3 mpg's?

averaging 14-16 city (14 gallon tank gets me approx 210 miles

Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Dec 17, 2011, 10:16 AM

Post #2 of 5 (2712 views)

Re: Olds Alero poor gas mileage	Sign In

Check engine light on? I wish I lived that close to work. I'd be riding a bike.

Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

ez50nj
User

Dec 17, 2011, 10:55 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2701 views)

Re: Olds Alero poor gas mileage	Sign In

check engine light not on. With the new required mileage estimates on modern cars (i.e Honda Accord 4 cyl) estimated at 23 city under perfect conditions (110 pound female, no cargo in trunk, feather throttle, 35 LB tire pressure, I guess I can't complain considering 10 yr old car with older emissions controls, cat conv., sensors, ignition parts, etc... Weighing 260 with the 1 mile commute doesn't help either. I should count my blessings with the 2 mile round trip and ignore the 15 MPG's.

Thanks again. Great feedback!

Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 17, 2011, 11:02 AM

Post #4 of 5 (2697 views)

Re: Olds Alero poor gas mileage	Sign In

Those short trips can be a killer on the car. It never fully warms up, barely gets into closed loop before it's shut off...If you can get it out on the highway ever once and a while and get some time on it.....

Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Dec 17, 2011, 12:33 PM

Post #5 of 5 (2689 views)

Re: Olds Alero poor gas mileage	Sign In

Another factor of really short trips like than one is the likelihood of the engine oil becoming acidic and causing mechanical problems down the road. You should change your engine oil 2-3K under that driving condition.

Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 17, 2011, 12:33 PM)

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