Very low MPG with 01 Malibu

[kracka]

Hello all, I have been looking around at forums and thought this one seemed like everyone knows what their talking about, and for my first post, I have a question that has been bugging me for a while.

My 2001 Chevy Malibu is getting about 13MPG city, and about 18MPG highway. I drive normal, and try my best for fuel economy. The car has 135k and a 3100 V6 This problem is not satisfactory since I commute 60 miles a day.

Im a noob seeking help, what can be wrong? Is it able to be fixed? I am not engine savvy. Thanks!

-Dan

[BEEF]

you definitely have a problem. you should be getting 18/26/21 (city/hwy/combined)

have you done maintenance stuff? plugs, wires, clean intake, clean EGR (if it has one), maybe just replace o2 sensor.

is it spitting any codes?

BTW, welcome to the site.

[Pete]

Welcome from me as well.

Start with the basic stuff...tyre pressures , take all the junk out of the trunk , etc , etc.
Have a look through the 201 tips to save gas at the top of the screen and see how many you can tick off the list.

Post back what you find and there will be someone ready and willing to help you start your hypermiler journey.

Cheers , Pete.

[kracka]

I replaced the oil with 5w30 synthetic oil less than 1k miles ago, I don't even remember when the plugs were replaced, or anything else for that matter. The tire PSI is almost at the maximum rating. A friend of mine who owns the 2000 malibu tells me he is getting about 30 mpg.

edit: the car is not giving any codes.

Maybe I just need a tune up?



-Dan

[Jay2TheRescue]

That car came from the factory with a "100,000 mile" ignition system. Plugs, wires, Cap, (& rotor if equipped) should have all been replaced at 100k miles. If it wasn't you're severely overdue. Catch up on your maintenance that's behind, then re-evaluate the vehicle.

[theholycow]

That's very extreme even if all maintenance has been neglected. It's got to be a large combination of things.

In addition to the other stuff people have posted:
- How do you calculate your fuel economy?
- Is most of your driving in traffic jams?

[bowtieguy]

could be an array of things. that engine can yield near 30mpg hwy if driven right.

def start w/ maintenance as Jay suggested...plugs, wires, fuel and air filter. that car has (ignition)coil packs that are sometimes overlooked in regard to performance and maintenance. i would add a fuel cleaner or 4oz of acetone to a tank or 2 as well.

also a good, true synthetic oil may or may not help fuel economy, but it could very well clean up a dirty motor and tranny. don't discount a dragging brake pad or worn wheel bearings.

all the above symptoms would be indicative of no codes being present. oh, and welcome!

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

don't discount a dragging brake pad or worn wheel bearings.

That's what's been missing from this thread.

I'd start looking for that sort of thing. Filters, ignition parts, oil, even O2 sensor and EGR won't bring it down to 18mpg, in my opinion.

You could jack it up and see if the wheels spin freely, although a failed wheel bearing may offer no symptoms when it's unloaded.

[Ford Man]

Check for vacuum leaks too. I'd really consider a new 02 sensor. I've had them go bad on my car before and see a 25-35% decrease in mileage. Do you have a CEL? If you do have the codes checked and it will probably lead you right to your problem.

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by theholycow

That's what's been missing from this thread.

thanks HC. it could very well be a combination of issues.

kracka, i'd recommend making a log of maintenance and repairs to keep up w/ what needs done in the future.

[kracka]

Okay! Thanks guys. I'm going to have a friend look over this thread and perform these tasks. I will respond to this thread and calculate my mileage after my car has been serviced.

Thanks again,

-Dan

[Project84]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

That car came from the factory with a "100,000 mile" ignition system. Plugs, wires, Cap, (& rotor if equipped) should have all been replaced at 100k miles. If it wasn't you're severely overdue. Catch up on your maintenance that's behind, then re-evaluate the vehicle.

If your mechanic finds a cap or a rotor, do yourself a favor and find a new mechanic.

Do not believe everything you read on the internet.

[Jay2TheRescue]

That's why I said if equipped, because I was going from memory, and wasn't sure if that vehicle had a cap & rotor or not.

[Project84]

the way you wrote (& rotor if equipped) made it sound like the car could have a cap but no rotor...

In either case, there are coil packs.

The OP should remember to use plenty of di-electric grease on the spark plug boots and make sure the coil pack towers (the nipples if you'd rather think of them that way) are clean of rust.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I have seen cars with something resembling a cap, but no rotor, and that's the configuration I was thinking the car had. That's why I worded it that way. Sorry for the confusion.

-Jay

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

that car has (ignition)coil packs that are sometimes overlooked in regard to performance and maintenance.

that was already covered BTW.