I have to admit that my VX has a somewhat of a rough startup and my gas milage is the same as yours, but then again I think that the gas milage is normal.

Small update ---- I didnt mess with the cap at all and today it turned off while I was on my way to work. I didnt pull the battery or anything, it just turned off on its own.

I still plan to take it in to get an oil change/check fluids/and brakes on wed so we just might find out something that is wrong.

-Mike

Beast... do you think it may be the weather (remember that we live in the same city)? Mine has only started doing this once it started to get colder?