Recent Mileage Drop?

[03ranger30]

Over the past couple weeks, my mileage has gone from good to bad. Usually I get around 19.5 to the gallon. Last week it was around 17.5, and this week it was 16.5. I know that the cold weather usually has something to do with this, but do these engines really react that much to the cold or is it something else?

 

[four100d]

That seems a bit much. Since it has been cold my mileage has dropped anywhere from just below 17 to just above 18. With the larger tires I have, I was getting about 18.5 average mpgs. So at most, my mileage drops about 1.5 mpgs when cold. But, I drive the same every day, I'm easy on the gas pedal, it hasn't been real cold here for an extended period of time yet, and haven't put sand bags in yet this year. Have you been getting that mileage for more than one tank full?

 

[Earl43P]

Check the PCV tubing elbow.
They tend to crack and collapse, creating a vacuum leak which will affect your mileage.

 

[03ranger30]

Probably a dumb question...but isn't that what connects to the air intake hose?

 

[JohnnyO]

Depending where you live, some parts of the country get the crappy oxygenated gas in the winter. Where I live we get it in the summer and mpg drops. Try a tank or two of 89 octane and see if it gets better.

 

[snake]

I suspect gas too. Mine has dropped some this winter, I'm thinking the government has probably upped the ethanol to 15% without telling us...

 

[LIMA BEAN]

HEGO on the way out maby?