Only 15 mpg!

[hdsalinas]

I have been observing a sharp decline in my car`s fuel economy.

The other day, the yellow gas light turned on so I added two gallons of gas. This should have taken me for around 50 to 60 miles of city driving, but the light was on after only 30 miles. I have not filled the tank to see what is really happening but i have been seeing this trend for the past weeks.

I have also noticed a slight decrease in power when accelerating.

Sparkplugs, cables and fuel filter are all new. What else should I check first?

[Nx2k]

change your air filter, that'll probably make the biggest difference

[Chris Corolla S]

Distributor cap

Sticking brake calipers

ran out of oil?

[hdsalinas]

Sorry, the filter that I chaged was the air filter as you suggested. i have not changed the fuel filter yet since it seems to be a bit more complicated.

My oil is due for a change. I am going to change it this weekend. I have checked it and looks good and is all there, so is not that.

My car is a 99 and it does not have a dristributor cap

Brakes are fine, I just had the rear wheel bearings changed yesterday, I had to change the whole hubs, maybe that was causing extra friction. dont know.

My car needs to be aligned, is slightly pulling to the right. other than that everything is fine.



I will apperciate more suggestion. What sensors could be malfunctioning that would cause excessive fuel consumption and can I tell?

[Chris Corolla S]

Bad alignment will reduce gas mileage, however running a couple of gallons is a poor indicator of fuel consumption. Fill up your tank everytime and set your trip meter. When you fill up again see how much you put in and how many miles you went. My 2001 has gotten a total combined city/highway mileage of about 33-34mpg for the life of the car. with a low of 28 and a high of 39.

[hdsalinas]

Chris

You are right. I filled it up the other day to check but my fiance used the car and then added a couple of gallons to the tank and did not reset the trip odometer so it messed up my record.

I will do as you say and fill it up.

[Morpheus]

hole in your gas tank?
That is pathetic mileage for a Corolla, I don't see how it couldn't possibly run that ineffiecently.