Should I get crappy fuel mileage when it is frikkin cold out? I have lost 24 miles to the tank since the cold set in. I am wondering if its due to the cold. Blue

 

i know i get worse gas mileage when its cold, i dont know exactly what causes it, maybe higher rpms at times? sorry cant answer it exactly. ~KyLe

 

I dunno if they have done it yet, but the gas companies usually do something different to the gas in the Winter time...and I believe you burn through it faster because of it.

Any snow in Wenatchee yet?

Jim

 

It snowed a few days ago but melted shortly after. I got supreme gas and got crappy FM then went to my regular mid grade and still got crappy fm. Per quarter tank of fuel i usually get 33 miles but currently am getting 23. It sucks especially being so close to Xmas and trying to save money for toys for umm other people not myself. Uh yeah thats right. LOL Blue

 

Yeah, hasn't snowed here yet either (North Bend). I can't wait for it...

You were only getting 33 miles per quarter tank? Man, that's a bummer...

 

Isn't the 2nd Gen tank 16 Gallons? If it is, you are getting a little over 8 miles per gallon normally and less than 6 when its cold? That's the worst mileage I've heard of...

 

u gotta remember BBB is runnin 35's on stock gears I believe

I get around 240 miles per tank. That's pretty bad too, cuz I'm running 32's on 3.90's

 

Yeah I am guessing it has just a little to do with my 35 inch TXR tires and not being geared up yet. Maybe just a little.

 

When's the last time your thermostat was changed? With all of the crap that can build up in the coolant system if it hasn't properly maintained over it's entire life...

If it sticks open a little, you'll never get to full operating temp, will will affect mileage. Which would make sense since it's happening when it's cold.

My old neighbors Celica was actually failing emissions test, because the thermostat was sticking open, and it wouldn't let the computer trim the fuel down to normal levels. This was in Florida during the summer!!

Thank god they stick in the open position!!

I would also recommend going to the dealer, and spending a little extra, and getting the new thermostat, correct gaskets, and maybe even a new radiator cap. No need for RTV blue with factory parts.

I changed a water pump on my old Celica (22RE) and used a cheap gasket, and it blew a couple weeks later, replaced it with the OEM type, which actually seem to bake on and form an awesome seal, never another problem.

EDIT:
I get 16.5 MPG with in-town driving, but if I compensated with the
difference in the odometer, by dividing 28.3 by 31 = 91.3% (8.7% difference) then taking 16.5 and multiplying by 1.087, I get 17.9, which isn't too bad for in city driving, with the 3.0 and stock 4:30 gears.

Are you guys calculating the difference in tire sizes? Blue, with 35's would have a 19% difference between stock 225/75R15.

I use powerdog.com to calculate tire sizes.
225/75-15 6.6 in 14.1 in 28.3 in 88.9 in 713 / mile

 

when it was still warm out I was having issues with high idle low idle. It would not stay at a normal idle even after having the TB adjusted. Now that its cold the idle issue is not showing its ugly face but the chitty FM is. I think I will take it back to the shop that replaced the stat last and tell him its acting up. Thanks for the info. Blue

 

Ok I've been wanting to ask this, but what exactly is "normal" idle? After letting my truck warm up, it stays in the 1200-1400 range I think, then when I shift it into drive, it drops to 800. Is that good?

 

That's around where mine is - 800 at idle in "Drive" about 1100-1200 in neutral...

 

Mine was at 800 idle then 500 in gear. Thats when I had it raised to 1000 to 1200 idle and 800 in gear.

 

Mine idles at 750 rpm all the time, except when it is really cold out...then it idles about 800-850 rpm. Of course, it idles higher intiallly as it is getting up to operating temp.

 

That's what I get on my 3.0L

 

240 miles to the tank. Jesus Pete! Ive gotten 150 miles to the tank once but that was back in the day of 31s. I forgot to mention I also have 204,000 miles on mine and that damn lead foot gets me to the land of nowhere. Thats on a good day ofcourse. Frikkin thirsty engine.

 

Let's see..... Isn't this the time of year they start adding the Ethanol back into the gas. I just noticed the Ethanol Stickers go back on the pumps here last week. That's a Gas Mileage hit.

 

can I buy an additive at the parts store to compensate whatever they take out? This sux arse because im only going to get 115 or 120 for my entire tank of fuel.

 

I get around 180-200 to the quarter tank mark. Used to get 220-230 to the same spot before I put the taller tires on. BBB most places run oxygentated fuel in the winter to reduce emissions at the tailpipe. Most big cities have prolems with temperature inversion. As it cools at night all the polution settles close to the ground and creates a haze. You'll get worse mileage with oxygenated fuel and in some older vehicles it damaged fuel pumps and rubber fuel lines. The bright spot is that it does a better job of cleaning the injectors and keeping the fuel line clean for newer vehicles. I had to change the fuel filter all the time in my 67 Mustang when oxygenated fuel was first sold as the rubber lines were disintegrating on the inside and plugging the filter. Even had to do a carb rebuild for the tiny particles that got past the filter and started to coat the inside of the fuel bowls and their floats.

 

That's a big time mileage hit. I know that when I see a sticker on the pump that says "Contains up to 10% ethanol" I know that my mileage goes down by 1-2 mpg, which really hurts when I have to run premium. Brings me to my old question: How are we cleaning the air and saving fuel by burning more during the winter? (Note: no hijack attempt here). Stupid EPA B.S.