I've had it with this horrible Gas Mileage! Idea's?

[Ruflyf]

As Joe asked, did this start suddenly, escalating, or simply always been this way?

[Numba1goalie]

Opps, I didnt read that part.

This problem accually just started to escalate shortly after I bought it. I origonally averaged 400-430 miles to the tank. Then I was starting to get 350-370, and you guessed it, I'm now averaging 275 miles to the tank.I was so proud that My VX was one of few that did get 20 MPG but i guess i forgot to knock on wood huh? Does that open a doorway to anything?

[Joe_Black]

You may be having some issues with the venting/canister system. When I first took delivery of my new '01 Dragon I would notice a strong fuel odor after fill-ups until the tank was down to about 3/4 or more. Turned out one of the canister lines was pinched and damaged. After correcting the problem the smell stopped and my mileage went up a little. You may be having a related issue, like fuel in the canister from over-filling or perhaps just failure/degradation/damage.

That being said, our '99 IronMan that was purchased used with about 100K miles on it consistently gets better mileage than the purchased-new '01 Dragon.

Here's a web page with some general info on vehicle mileage, including some overview of the canister system and good methods for determining accurate mileage records: Fuel Mileage Calculation

[crager34]

Anyone have any ideas on stripping the VX down a bit.... save some weight? What can we loose, but still keep it the same (kinda).

[Numba1goalie]

How about remove the box frame, lol!

I would start at the hood if they made a real carbon fiber one for it.

[blacksambo]

Another trick you might try is boosting your tire pressure up to 39lbs. It sounds too easy but it works if you can handle the ride. Your just reducing role resistance like with the brake caliper clearence suggestion.

[Numba1goalie]

Thats a really good idea however I have mine set to 35PSI but i will deffinatly put em up some more.

Anybody know if there is a way to adjust the pressure of the brakes while not stepping them?

[GOVEHIX]

mine is even worse, i only got 10mpg since i changed to 20"rims...

[JULIAN911]

As mentioned above. Bad gas mileage is usually (80% of the time) attributed to the O2 sensors. I only get 12MPG city but anticipated that is normal due to bigger tires.

[climbcovey]

Im averaging 14.5mpg, partially attributed to my driving style. One improvement I made was putting a k&n air filter on. milage went up to about 16-17 mpg.

[Numba1goalie]

Yea I have that K&N filter.

My girlfreidn took the VX to Tahoe today and said she got 210 miles to the tank.

Funny thing she said is she stopped at almost 1/8 tank to fill up, and the tank only took 11 gallons! Arent our tanks 22 Gallons? this could be the sign of something.

[Dare2Dream]

How about the fuel filter? I know a friend with a civic who had never changed the fuel filter and suddenly got 2-3 mpg more when he changed it. If you've never had it changed, then I'd say it is overdue.

[psychos2]

that would be 19 mpg. how do you figure your gas mileage? shawn

[Numba1goalie]

Yea it would be 19 MPG if I had a 11 Gallon tank. But we have what i now know to be a 22.5 gallon fuel capacity.

275 miles to the tank last week. 22.5 fuel capacity.

275/22.5=12.22

here is a list of thing I am going to fix or replace.

*Fuel Filter
*o2 Sensor
*infalte tires to 39 PSI
*Clean EGR Valve and Tube
*Replace Intake Gasket
*Check Brake Calipers for possible drag

[psychos2]

I know we have a 22.5 gallon tank. But if you does not take 22.5 gallons at the time you fill it then you do not use the 22.5. If you drove 200 miles and it took 10 gallons to fill it up, you would divide 200 by 10 and get 20 mpg. The only time the 22.5 comes into play is if it takes 22.5 gallons when you fill it up. You are figuring your fuel mileage wrong. You need to go buy the amount of fuel you put in, not the capacity of the tank. And it sounds like your fuel gauge is wrong. shawn