Re: Dropping MPG
 

I believe that the gas blend is changed in the winter for cold climates. I
guess it could be possible that the winter blends are arriving already.
Might be worth an ask at the gas station, but they may not know unless you
talk to someone at a higher level than cashier.

Chris

"Jeffrey DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:y7hWg.11998$fy.1334@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
> Are you using the same flavor of gas? Might the fuel blend have changed?
>
> If you were using real gas and switched to some kind of alcohol blend
> that's going to drop your mileage.
>
> Jeff DeWitt
>
> kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
>> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
>> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>>
>> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
>> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>>
>> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
>> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>>
>> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
>> Anyone have any thoughts ?
>>
>>
>> BTW 4.0L, 4 speed auto, 3.55 rear
>>
>> Kevin

Re: Dropping MPG
 

I believe that the gas blend is changed in the winter for cold climates. I
guess it could be possible that the winter blends are arriving already.
Might be worth an ask at the gas station, but they may not know unless you
talk to someone at a higher level than cashier.

Chris

"Jeffrey DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:y7hWg.11998$fy.1334@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
> Are you using the same flavor of gas? Might the fuel blend have changed?
>
> If you were using real gas and switched to some kind of alcohol blend
> that's going to drop your mileage.
>
> Jeff DeWitt
>
> kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
>> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
>> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>>
>> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
>> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>>
>> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
>> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>>
>> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
>> Anyone have any thoughts ?
>>
>>
>> BTW 4.0L, 4 speed auto, 3.55 rear
>>
>> Kevin

Re: Dropping MPG
 

I believe that the gas blend is changed in the winter for cold climates. I
guess it could be possible that the winter blends are arriving already.
Might be worth an ask at the gas station, but they may not know unless you
talk to someone at a higher level than cashier.

Chris

"Jeffrey DeWitt" <JeffDeWitt@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:y7hWg.11998$fy.1334@tornado.southeast.rr.com. ..
> Are you using the same flavor of gas? Might the fuel blend have changed?
>
> If you were using real gas and switched to some kind of alcohol blend
> that's going to drop your mileage.
>
> Jeff DeWitt
>
> kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
>> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
>> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>>
>> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
>> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>>
>> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
>> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>>
>> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
>> Anyone have any thoughts ?
>>
>>
>> BTW 4.0L, 4 speed auto, 3.55 rear
>>
>> Kevin

Re: Dropping MPG
 

Other comments on measuring techniques and alky gas are good for some of
the change but if it seems to be outside temp sensitive, I'd check the
thermostat and engine temp. If the thermostat does not allow engine temp
to get over the computer minimum (around 140 degress depending on the
sensor and engine/year), the computer keeps it in open loop (and very
rich) mode. You temp guage should be reading around 200F or 210F within
3 to 5 minutes of a cold start and low sppeds at say 40F outside.

I've had similar issues with other vehicles at this time of year or
whenever the morning temps are in the 20F to 40F range.

kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>
> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>
> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>
> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
> Anyone have any thoughts ?
>
>
> BTW 4.0L, 4 speed auto, 3.55 rear
>
> Kevin

Re: Dropping MPG
 

Other comments on measuring techniques and alky gas are good for some of
the change but if it seems to be outside temp sensitive, I'd check the
thermostat and engine temp. If the thermostat does not allow engine temp
to get over the computer minimum (around 140 degress depending on the
sensor and engine/year), the computer keeps it in open loop (and very
rich) mode. You temp guage should be reading around 200F or 210F within
3 to 5 minutes of a cold start and low sppeds at say 40F outside.

I've had similar issues with other vehicles at this time of year or
whenever the morning temps are in the 20F to 40F range.

kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>
> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>
> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>
> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
> Anyone have any thoughts ?
>
>
> BTW 4.0L, 4 speed auto, 3.55 rear
>
> Kevin

Re: Dropping MPG
 

Other comments on measuring techniques and alky gas are good for some of
the change but if it seems to be outside temp sensitive, I'd check the
thermostat and engine temp. If the thermostat does not allow engine temp
to get over the computer minimum (around 140 degress depending on the
sensor and engine/year), the computer keeps it in open loop (and very
rich) mode. You temp guage should be reading around 200F or 210F within
3 to 5 minutes of a cold start and low sppeds at say 40F outside.

I've had similar issues with other vehicles at this time of year or
whenever the morning temps are in the 20F to 40F range.

kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>
> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>
> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>
> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
> Anyone have any thoughts ?
>
>
> BTW 4.0L, 4 speed auto, 3.55 rear
>
> Kevin

Re: Dropping MPG
 

kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>
> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>
> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>
> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
> Anyone have any thoughts ?

O2 sensor can do this, but it's more likely in warmer weahter.
Does your area switch to "winter blends"?

FWIW, this is what I use to track milage and other stuff.

instructions not included. :)
http://www.revbeergoggles.com/gasminder/

--
DougW

Re: Dropping MPG
 

kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>
> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>
> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>
> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
> Anyone have any thoughts ?

O2 sensor can do this, but it's more likely in warmer weahter.
Does your area switch to "winter blends"?

FWIW, this is what I use to track milage and other stuff.

instructions not included. :)
http://www.revbeergoggles.com/gasminder/

--
DougW

Re: Dropping MPG
 

kevin.dooks@ns.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Hi all, after purchasing the '04 GC I posted about a few weeks back, I
> was initially thrilled with a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG !
>
> However now that the temperature is starting to drop here in the
> frozen north, I am somewhat distressed with the current 14 MPG.
>
> Nothing has changed, my driving habits, routes and distances are the
> same, the only change has been the outside temperature.
>
> I am thinking that I may have a sensor going a bit flakey.
> Anyone have any thoughts ?

O2 sensor can do this, but it's more likely in warmer weahter.
Does your area switch to "winter blends"?

FWIW, this is what I use to track milage and other stuff.

instructions not included. :)
http://www.revbeergoggles.com/gasminder/

--
DougW

Re: Dropping MPG
 

Hi Doug,
Do you still keep a detail log book of your fuel stops and expense?
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

DougW wrote:
>
> O2 sensor can do this, but it's more likely in warmer weahter.
> Does your area switch to "winter blends"?
>
> FWIW, this is what I use to track milage and other stuff.
>
> instructions not included. :)
> http://www.revbeergoggles.com/gasminder/
>
> --
> DougW