1990 Celica GTS Liftback Poor Gas Mileage

I used to get about 300 miles to a tank of gas - until recently (about
6wks ago)...now I'm getting about 150 miles to a tank. Has anyone else
experienced this with their Celica - is this normal for the age/miles
on the car (240K)? I have correct tire pressure, don't use the A/C,
and don't let the car idle....haven't been able to take it to a
mechanic....what if any simple things can I check myself to possibly
improve the recent poor gas mileage? I know next to nothing about
fixing cars so my apologies in advance!

ToyotaGal, 11/5/2006,9:04:21 PM, wrote:
[color=blue]
> I used to get about 300 miles to a tank of gas - until recently (about
> 6wks ago)...now I'm getting about 150 miles to a tank. Has anyone
> else experienced this with their Celica - is this normal for the
> age/miles on the car (240K)? I have correct tire pressure, don't use
> the A/C, and don't let the car idle....haven't been able to take it
> to a mechanic....what if any simple things can I check myself to
> possibly improve the recent poor gas mileage? I know next to nothing
> about fixing cars so my apologies in advance![/color]

That's a rather significant difference in MPG. First easy thing you
can do is check/change the air filter. Next thing is fill up the tank
again and check your mileage all over. Perhaps you made a mistake in
your calculations with one of the numbers.

"ToyotaGal" <coayone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162778661.882011.57560@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I used to get about 300 miles to a tank of gas - until recently (about
> 6wks ago)...now I'm getting about 150 miles to a tank. Has anyone else
> experienced this with their Celica - is this normal for the age/miles
> on the car (240K)? I have correct tire pressure, don't use the A/C,
> and don't let the car idle....haven't been able to take it to a
> mechanic....what if any simple things can I check myself to possibly
> improve the recent poor gas mileage? I know next to nothing about
> fixing cars so my apologies in advance!
>[/color]

A lot of things can cause a significant decrease in fuel economy. How does
the car run?

How long has it been since the car was serviced? When was the last time the
spark plugs were changed? Does the car have an automatic or a manual
transmission?

Possible causes are:
clogged air filter - you should be able to shine a light on the filter and
see light on the opposite side
obstruction in the exhaust system
transmission problem like slippage or not shifting properly - if it has an
automatic transmission, it should be translucent red and not brown or black.
vacuum leak - usually causes drivability problems
worn or bad ignition system (spark plugs, high tension wires, distributor
rotor, distributor cap)
incorrect ignition timing
dragging brakes
bad coolant temperature sensor or wiring between the coolant temp sensor and
computer
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Also, if you are keeping up with servicing the car don't forget about
the possibility that someone could be siphoning gas from your tank when
you are not around. Not likely, but it can happen.


ToyotaGal wrote:[color=blue]
> I used to get about 300 miles to a tank of gas - until recently (about
> 6wks ago)...now I'm getting about 150 miles to a tank. Has anyone else
> experienced this with their Celica - is this normal for the age/miles
> on the car (240K)? I have correct tire pressure, don't use the A/C,
> and don't let the car idle....haven't been able to take it to a
> mechanic....what if any simple things can I check myself to possibly
> improve the recent poor gas mileage? I know next to nothing about
> fixing cars so my apologies in advance![/color]

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 18:04:21 -0800, ToyotaGal wrote:
[color=blue]
> I used to get about 300 miles to a tank of gas - until recently (about
> 6wks ago)...now I'm getting about 150 miles to a tank. Has anyone else
> experienced this with their Celica - is this normal for the age/miles
> on the car (240K)? I have correct tire pressure, don't use the A/C,
> and don't let the car idle....haven't been able to take it to a
> mechanic....what if any simple things can I check myself to possibly
> improve the recent poor gas mileage? I know next to nothing about
> fixing cars so my apologies in advance![/color]

My fuel economy nearly doubled when I replaced my rusty tank.

Do you keep it full, can you smell gas?

On 5 Nov 2006 18:04:21 -0800, ToyotaGal <coayone@yahoo.com> wrote:[color=blue]
> I used to get about 300 miles to a tank of gas - until recently (about
> 6wks ago)...now I'm getting about 150 miles to a tank. Has anyone else
> experienced this with their Celica - is this normal for the age/miles[/color]

Sudden, significant change is seldom (never?) normal.
[color=blue]
> mechanic....what if any simple things can I check myself to possibly
> improve the recent poor gas mileage? I know next to nothing about
> fixing cars so my apologies in advance![/color]

Check the gas gauge before you turn off and after you start the engine
each time. If there is a difference, you are losing gas other than
using it.

Is there any new or strange noises?

Does the car seem sluggish (perhaps brake is stuck) or engine not as
smooth as normal (miss firing)?

Take it to a trusted shop. Soon. Sudden change bodes ill.

sdb

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