What can one do

[BLKOUT]

What can one do to increase the fuel economy in the 2005 3 GT Sport? Throughout the summer, I was averaging apprx. 450-500km until the light came on. I have put on my winter steelies and am averaging apprx. 375-400km until the light comes on....Should I be taking this into the dealer? What can one do? I do about 85-90% city driving.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[bubba1983]

using your heat more now that the weather is gettin cold? that dramatically effects it too

[BLKOUT]

right now i dont have the heat turned on and the temp is set to the middle. I remeber reading on tm3.com that having the location setting to a certain spot will cause this too, is this correct? If so, what setting is that?

[Flagrum_3]

What can one do to increase the fuel economy in the 2005 3 GT Sport?* Throughout the summer, I was averaging apprx. 450-500km until the light came on.* I have put on my winter steelies and am averaging apprx. 375-400km until the light comes on....Should I be taking this into the dealer?* What can one do?* I do about 85-90% city driving.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!


First, what size winter steelies did you put on? If you went to a 16" then that could be one reason.
Second, Its a normal occurance to use more fuel in cooler or colder temps (obvious statement).
Third, Have you ever tried some fuel injection cleaner? With that much city driving your engine can foul up faster and one remedy is Fuel-injector-cleaner and a nice brisk hwy run.
Fourth, You can try cleaning or changing your air filter.


_3


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[BLKOUT]

What can one do to increase the fuel economy in the 2005 3 GT Sport?* Throughout the summer, I was averaging apprx. 450-500km until the light came on.* I have put on my winter steelies and am averaging apprx. 375-400km until the light comes on....Should I be taking this into the dealer?* What can one do?* I do about 85-90% city driving.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!


First, what size winter steelies did you put on? If you went to a 16" then that could be one reason.
Second, Its a normal occurance to use more fuel in cooler or colder temps (obvious statement).
Third, Have you ever tried some fuel injection cleaner? With that much city driving your engine can foul up faster and one remedy is Fuel-injector-cleaner and a nice brisk hwy run.
Fourth, You can try cleaning or changing your air filter.


_3


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I have the 16" steelies....my car only has 18k on it, do you think that the injectors are dirty or the air filter is already dirty?

[Skarbro]

I'm doing a little experiment right now and trying to drive very conservatively. I'm using 5th gear a lot on roads I normally would ride in 4th on. We'll see...

[majic]

I'm doing a little experiment right now and trying to drive very conservatively. I'm using 5th gear a lot on roads I normally would ride in 4th on. We'll see...


i did that on a tank.. yielded insignificant fuel savings.. was a boring week :P

[Wild Weasel]

I'm doing a little experiment right now and trying to drive very conservatively.* I'm using 5th gear a lot on roads I normally would ride in 4th on.* We'll see...


i did that on a tank.. yielded insignificant fuel savings.. was a boring week :P


I wouldn't expect a tank to get good fuel mileage no matter what you do with it! ;D

[Flagrum_3]

What can one do to increase the fuel economy in the 2005 3 GT Sport?* Throughout the summer, I was averaging apprx. 450-500km until the light came on.* I have put on my winter steelies and am averaging apprx. 375-400km until the light comes on....Should I be taking this into the dealer?* What can one do?* I do about 85-90% city driving.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!


First, what size winter steelies did you put on? If you went to a 16" then that could be one reason.
Second, Its a normal occurance to use more fuel in cooler or colder temps (obvious statement).
Third, Have you ever tried some fuel injection cleaner? With that much city driving your engine can foul up faster and one remedy is Fuel-injector-cleaner and a nice brisk hwy run.
Fourth, You can try cleaning or changing your air filter.


_3


.



I have the 16" steelies....my car only has 18k on it, do you think that the injectors are dirty or the air filter is already dirty?


Well the steelies are one reason definitely, and sorry you never mentioned your mileage so I would assume your air filter is fine but your injectors could already be slightly fouled only because of the high percentage of city driving.You could also try what scarboro mentioned drive a little more conservatively but there is one more thing I forgot, ... make sure you don't have your heat switch set to any position that will cause your air-cond compressor to start,....that alone robs fuel economy.


_3


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[Skarbro]

I'm doing a little experiment right now and trying to drive very conservatively.* I'm using 5th gear a lot on roads I normally would ride in 4th on.* We'll see...


i did that on a tank.. yielded insignificant fuel savings.. was a boring week :P


Yeah that's pretty much what I expect. I've been monitoring the trip computer feature that shows you what your kilometrage is in real-time. It's interesting how it fluctuates about the same in both gears on 60 km/hr roads with the cruise on.

[BLKOUT]

What can one do to increase the fuel economy in the 2005 3 GT Sport?* Throughout the summer, I was averaging apprx. 450-500km until the light came on.* I have put on my winter steelies and am averaging apprx. 375-400km until the light comes on....Should I be taking this into the dealer?* What can one do?* I do about 85-90% city driving.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!


First, what size winter steelies did you put on? If you went to a 16" then that could be one reason.
Second, Its a normal occurance to use more fuel in cooler or colder temps (obvious statement).
Third, Have you ever tried some fuel injection cleaner? With that much city driving your engine can foul up faster and one remedy is Fuel-injector-cleaner and a nice brisk hwy run.
Fourth, You can try cleaning or changing your air filter.


_3


.



I have the 16" steelies....my car only has 18k on it, do you think that the injectors are dirty or the air filter is already dirty?


Well the steelies are one reason definitely, and sorry you never mentioned your mileage so I would assume your air filter is fine but your injectors could already be slightly fouled only because of the high percentage of city driving.You could also try what scarboro mentioned drive a little more conservatively but there is one more thing I forgot, ... make sure you don't have your heat switch set to any position that will cause your air-cond compressor to start,....that alone robs fuel economy.


_3


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which heat setting causes the air-compressor to start?

[Flagrum_3]

right now i dont have the heat turned on and the temp is set to the middle.* I remeber reading on tm3.com that having the location setting to a certain spot will cause this too, is this correct?* If so, what setting is that?


According to the manual pgs 6-2 to 6-9 if the mode selector is pointed at any position from 12 o'clock position to 4 o'clock position the Air-conditionaing will activate.I usually have mine at 10 o'clk position and find it works fine.If I see the windows fogging I'll place it at 3 o'clk position till the windows are clear back to 10 o'clk and crank a window open a bit to prevent condensation....try it.


_3


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[BLKOUT]

right now i dont have the heat turned on and the temp is set to the middle.* I remeber reading on tm3.com that having the location setting to a certain spot will cause this too, is this correct?* If so, what setting is that?


According to the manual pgs 6-2 to 6-9 if the mode selector is pointed at any position from 12 o'clock position to 4 o'clock position the Air-conditionaing will activate.I usually have mine at 10 o'clk position and find it works fine.If I see the windows fogging I'll place it at 3 o'clk position till the windows are clear back to 10 o'clk and crank a window open a bit to prevent condensation....try it.


_3

I will try that...I have mine set to defrost/feet setting @ i think 3 or 4 o'clock....will there be a significant change?

Thanks everyone for their input!


.

[Flagrum_3]

right now i dont have the heat turned on and the temp is set to the middle.* I remeber reading on tm3.com that having the location setting to a certain spot will cause this too, is this correct?* If so, what setting is that?


According to the manual pgs 6-2 to 6-9 if the mode selector is pointed at any position from 12 o'clock position to 4 o'clock position the Air-conditionaing will activate.I usually have mine at 10 o'clk position and find it works fine.If I see the windows fogging I'll place it at 3 o'clk position till the windows are clear back to 10 o'clk and crank a window open a bit to prevent condensation....try it.


_3

I will try that...I have mine set to defrost/feet setting @ i think 3 or 4 o'clock....will there be a significant change?

Thanks everyone for their input!


.




You've basically had your air compressor "on" constantly in that position so you will defintely see an improvement in economy.....keep it to the left of 12 o'clk unless you really need it. Keep us posted on the improvement.


_3


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[stas]

i gave up on fuel economy a month ago, the only thing that does help me is when i play full out during my soccer match and then too tired to press on the gas pedal.

honestly i never knew i could drive so slow, was going 40 in a 60 and bearely got to the speed limit.

[Skarbro]

right now i dont have the heat turned on and the temp is set to the middle.* I remeber reading on tm3.com that having the location setting to a certain spot will cause this too, is this correct?* If so, what setting is that?


According to the manual pgs 6-2 to 6-9 if the mode selector is pointed at any position from 12 o'clock position to 4 o'clock position the Air-conditionaing will activate.I usually have mine at 10 o'clk position and find it works fine.If I see the windows fogging I'll place it at 3 o'clk position till the windows are clear back to 10 o'clk and crank a window open a bit to prevent condensation....try it.


_3

I will try that...I have mine set to defrost/feet setting @ i think 3 or 4 o'clock....will there be a significant change?

Thanks everyone for their input!


.




You've basically had your air compressor "on" constantly in that position so you will defintely see an improvement in economy.....keep it to the left of 12 o'clk unless you really need it. Keep us posted on the improvement.


_3


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12 o'clock is the floor-only position. It does not make any sense for the air compressor to come on at that setting. I'll have to read the manual, but I don't think that it comes on in that position.

[TheProfessor]

12 o'clock is the floor-only position.* It does not make any sense for the air compressor to come on at that setting.* I'll have to read the manual, but I don't think that it comes on in that position.*


The compressor does run in the floor position (along with the defog setting and the defog/floor split).

[BLKOUT]

I have noticed a marginal decrease in fuel consumption so far. I have used about 1/2 a tank and I have done apprx. 200km. Previously, I was getting about 175km for 1/2 tank. I am waiting for the light to come on before I find out the total fuel consumption.

[Skarbro]

12 o'clock is the floor-only position.* It does not make any sense for the air compressor to come on at that setting.* I'll have to read the manual, but I don't think that it comes on in that position.*


The compressor does run in the floor position (along with the defog setting and the defog/floor split).


Well then that's just a stupid design! Why have the compressor on in the floor-only setting? The blower isn't directed at the windows, so defogging them is totally inefficient in this setting.

[TheProfessor]

12 o'clock is the floor-only position.* It does not make any sense for the air compressor to come on at that setting.* I'll have to read the manual, but I don't think that it comes on in that position.*


The compressor does run in the floor position (along with the defog setting and the defog/floor split).


Well then that's just a stupid design!* Why have the compressor on in the floor-only setting?* The blower isn't directed at the windows, so defogging them is totally inefficient in this setting.


I belive the owners manual states that even when 'floor' is selected, some air is in fact directed towards the defog/windshield. I can confirm this as when my car fogs up I just set it to floor and the windows clear up in a matter of seconds. I personally find this quite useful as I don't like the amount/force of air when the defog setting is used. BTW, this was also the case on my old Mazda6.

[Skarbro]

12 o'clock is the floor-only position.* It does not make any sense for the air compressor to come on at that setting.* I'll have to read the manual, but I don't think that it comes on in that position.*


The compressor does run in the floor position (along with the defog setting and the defog/floor split).


Well then that's just a stupid design!* Why have the compressor on in the floor-only setting?* The blower isn't directed at the windows, so defogging them is totally inefficient in this setting.


I belive the owners manual states that even when 'floor' is selected, some air is in fact directed towards the defog/windshield.* I can confirm this as when my car fogs up I just set it to floor and the windows clear up in a matter of seconds.* I personally find this quite useful as I don't like the amount/force of air when the defog setting is used.* BTW, this was also the case on my old Mazda6.


Yes, I know. Some air is directed through all vents at ANY setting - even when you have the blower off. But it still doesn't make sense to have it on the floor-only setting and not any of the other settings to the left of 12 o'clock. Why not have it on all settings if you are going to have it on floor-only? ???

[Flagrum_3]

12 o'clock is the floor-only position.* It does not make any sense for the air compressor to come on at that setting.* I'll have to read the manual, but I don't think that it comes on in that position.*


The compressor does run in the floor position (along with the defog setting and the defog/floor split).


Well then that's just a stupid design!* Why have the compressor on in the floor-only setting?* The blower isn't directed at the windows, so defogging them is totally inefficient in this setting.


I belive the owners manual states that even when 'floor' is selected, some air is in fact directed towards the defog/windshield.* I can confirm this as when my car fogs up I just set it to floor and the windows clear up in a matter of seconds.* I personally find this quite useful as I don't like the amount/force of air when the defog setting is used.* BTW, this was also the case on my old Mazda6.


Yes, I know.* Some air is directed through all vents at ANY setting - even when you have the blower off.* But it still doesn't make sense to have it on the floor-only setting and not any of the other settings to the left of 12 o'clock.* Why not have it on all settings if you are going to have it on floor-only?* *???


The 12 o'clock or 'floor only' position is not just to the floor, and air is not directed to all vents all the time at any setting.Please study pg 6-4 of the manual closely...it shows clearly which vents operate at specific mode settings.
I agree with you that it is an extremely ellogical set-up and it bugs me also that the compressor or air-cond will be activated at any time! They should have left atleast one position that would direct air to both floor and windshield but just used heat without activating the air-compressor which has been a tried and true method for decades.
But as I mentioned in an earlier post I keep it to the left of 12 o'clock unless I need to defrost the windows at which time I put it to full defrost than back to left of 12 o'clock once the windows are clear.I find this method works well and saves fuel.


_3


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[Skarbro]

Ah I see. The little diagram doesn't have arrows coming through the dash vents. The next time I drive my car I'm going to see if that's true. I could have sworn that some air does come through.

EDIT:

I just confirmed that I'm correct. The diagram should have little arrows coming out the dash vents because there is definitely air being blown through them in the floor-only setting - albeit weak airflow.

[TheProfessor]

Ah I see.* The little diagram doesn't have arrows coming through the dash vents.* The next time I drive my car I'm going to see if that's true.* I could have sworn that some air does come through.

EDIT:

I just confirmed that I'm correct.* The diagram should have little arrows coming out the dash vents because there is definitely air being blown through them in the floor-only setting - albeit weak airflow.

Strange, I have no air whatsoever coming through the front vents if the floor only is selected.

[FLIPDADY]

That's probably air coming from the engine that you're feeling. Turn off the fan switch and while you're driving you'll feel it.

Try replacing the stock air filter with a K&N drop-in. There's no way your injectors are fouled so soon maybe around 48,000km.

[BLKOUT]

Where can I get a drop-in K&N filter?

[FLIPDADY]

Where can I get a drop-in K&N filter?

Parts Source has them and I'm currently working on getting a supplier for them.

[Skarbro]

That's probably air coming from the engine that you're feeling. Turn off the fan switch and while you're driving you'll feel it.

Try replacing the stock air filter with a K&N drop-in. There's no way your injectors are fouled so soon maybe around 48,000km.


You've lost me. What does the engine air filter and injectors have to do with the HVAC system?

Oh and I have K&N drop-in filter. I bought it from you, remember? ;D

[BLKOUT]

Skarbro, how did you buy it from? What did it cost you? Have you noticed any change since putting it in?

[wtom]

You've lost me.* What does the engine air filter and injectors have to do with the HVAC system?



You lost yourself man. OP was asking about fuel consumption, not HVAC. HVAC was OT.

[FLIPDADY]

I was just mentioning the fact that when your driving along you feel the heat from the engine through the vents.

The air filter thing is related to the fuel economy.

Yeah I sold you the K&N. :D

[Skarbro]

Ah I see.

For the record, I'm feeling air through the dash vents when the car is standing still. If I turn up the blower, more air comes out. ;)

[Flagrum_3]

That's probably air coming from the engine that you're feeling.* Turn off the fan switch and while you're driving you'll feel it.

Try replacing the stock air filter with a K&N drop-in.* There's no way your injectors are fouled so soon maybe around 48,000km.


No dissrespect here mang but let me get this straight, your telling the guy his plugs can't possibly be fouled!, but that it may be his air filter? Plugs foul not only because of mileage but mostly because of type of driving...he has mentioned that 90% of his driving is city, mix that with maybe some bad gas or bad habits and it would foul plugs in no time.As for the air filter it is much less likely to be the problem... I'm still using the original and I still get 300km at the half tank mark, not to mention a bottle of fuel-injector cleaner is like $6.00 whereas a filter will cost him maybe $60.00....I think during the process of elimination it would be wise to pick the most inexpensive and simpler things to correct first before spending too much and he can always try cleaning his filter.
I believe he has already found the main culprit, in that he had his air-compressor on at all times.That alone may increase his mileage by 10% or more.
A good full tank of Shell gas and a can of fuel injector cleaner would be the next logical step and would probably heed improvements in mileage....(I've noticed a considerable difference in mileage just from using different fuel.) Shell and Petro seem to work the best with my vehicle anyways.
The third point here is that he's changed to 16" winter steelies,...that in itself will hurt mileage, be it to a more insignificant amount but nevertheless still affect it....that u just have to live with.


_3


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[wtom]

No dissrespect here mang but let me get this straight, your telling the guy his plugs can't possibly be fouled!, but that it may be his air filter?


Flippy wasn't intentionally connecting those two together. Better/Breathable air filter was to aid in improved mileage (treatment of problem).

[BLKOUT]

I only use Petro-Canada for fuel. Before my fill up last night, I had about 220km on half a tank of gas. I do not drive my car hard at all. It is an auto and the gears change no higher then 3000rpm. Since switching the direction of the air flow, it has made an improvement. I have also picked up, and started using a fuel line cleaner with the last tank and will see if the fuel cleaner makes a difference. The milage is not as high as what I would like it to be, but what can ya do.

[Flagrum_3]

I only use Petro-Canada for fuel.* Before my fill up last night, I had about 220km on half a tank of gas.* I do not drive my car hard at all.* It is an auto and the gears change no higher then 3000rpm.* Since switching the direction of the air flow, it has made an improvement.* I have also picked up, and started using a fuel line cleaner with the last tank and will see if the fuel cleaner makes a difference.* The milage is not as high as what I would like it to be, but what can ya do.


Good to hear you've seen some improvement...Did you get fuel line cleaner or Fuel-injector cleaner? If you got the latter, follow the instructions and use your full tank before you re-fill it, also you don't want to use that stuff too often, like maybe once every few months.Also just for the heck of it, next tank fill try Shell regular gas.Personally my vehicle gets the best mileage with Shell.....hey you never know!!


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