Bad gas mileage with the Zephyr

[Dana_15]

Anyone else not getting close to the 20 city 28 highway miles per gallon? My wifes car has about 1500 miles on it, pretty much a 50/50 split of highway and city driving and we have been getting just under 17 mpg. She doesn't drive with a lead foot or too conservatively either, this was one of the selling points of the car to us and its bad when my pick-up truck gets 3 more mpg. We've been tracking it by receipts and by the readout on the dash. I'm just a little upset. Anyone else have any numbers? Thanks.

[GorgeZeph]

I have just over 3000 miles on mine now.....

I get around 30 on the highway, closer to 25 city...... The only time I dipped to 20 was when I was towing a trailer (with a complete king size bed on it) and 3 FULL sized adults. Other than that, I couldn't be happier with the milage. I even usually run with the A/C on, even in the winter (to remove humidity in the air).

It'll be interesting to hear what everyone else gets..... Maybe you can ask Ed (www.2006zephyr.com) what he gets......

[Dana_15]

Hmmmm....maybe its still in the "break-in period"? I was just thinking about it--I'd say 90% of the time she drives alone, not much weight there. Maybe theres something wrong like a fuel filter or something. But thanks for the response.

[v8_dave]

ahhh new car warranty. You can always have em check it out if your in doubt; easy as long as you dont have to share the same ride whn its in the shop. But, I havnt had to do a real break in on a car, but I thought at some point you have to go out and drive it hard :confused:

[cason1]

Hmmm, I am averaging low 20's 21-23 mixed with a plugged EGR valve in my Towncar with 204k miles on it.:eek: Best of luck getting that up a bit as that isn't too good for a brand new car. Mine actually averages over what the EPA estimate is by usually around 5mpg or so. EPA est on my car is 18 city and 25 highway and I usually average 20-24 city and 26-33 highway.

[94MGM]

I still dont believe you Cason...;)

[Dana_15]

you have to go out and drive it hard

I guess I should have stated I usually drive it by myself every two weeks or so, and I drive it much faster than she does. But I am concerned, maybe I'll wait another few weeks, but it sucks. I didn't expect much, honestly around 22 mpg would be great but 16 sucks. Thanks for all the responses.

[CobraConti]

def. shouldn't be 16.........there is something wrong. My 4.6 V8 with 11 year old spark plugs, wires, and O2 sensors plus maybe a small vaccum leak gets 18 in the city.

[Philip]

Anyone else not getting close to the 20 city 28 highway miles per gallon? My wifes car has about 1500 miles on it, pretty much a 50/50 split of highway and city driving and we have been getting just under 17 mpg. She doesn't drive with a lead foot or too conservatively either, this was one of the selling points of the car to us and its bad when my pick-up truck gets 3 more mpg. We've been tracking it by receipts and by the readout on the dash. I'm just a little upset. Anyone else have any numbers? Thanks.
Obviously you need input from other Zephyr drivers here, but I know that as the miles acculumulate engine parts "seat in" and friction is reduced as time goes on. You will probably see a gradual increase over time. The EPA estimates are barely even for comparison these days, but do you do a lot of idling or something that you can attribute to this? Anything is possible.

[Dana_15]

Almost no idling at all, its been pretty warm up here so need to warm the car in the morning. Its just frustrating. Were going to wait a little longer, but its odd when another Zephyr owner here says he gets 25-30 mpg. We'll see what happens.

[cason1]

Like I said, in my Towncar with basically no EGR valve to help with highway mileage, I am averaging right at 20-21 highway and 19-20 city and that is with me getting on it a good bit both on highway and from stoplights.

[pro-five-oh]

Almost no idling at all, its been pretty warm up here so need to warm the car in the morning. Its just frustrating. Were going to wait a little longer, but its odd when another Zephyr owner here says he gets 25-30 mpg. We'll see what happens.

Yeah, your economy is way off. Before you go to the dealer, make sure your tire pressure is at spec and there isn't a dead mouse in the air box. ;)

[Dana_15]

Yeah, your economy is way off. Before you go to the dealer, make sure your tire pressure is at spec and there isn't a dead mouse in the air box. ;)

The tire pressure is good, but I'll check the airbox :eek:

We're heading out to Boston this weekend to check out the Sox play, so we'll see what the mileage is.

[pro-five-oh]

Odds are the computer needs to be reflashed. It happens on new designs, shouldn't be a big deal.

[Rick2]

I suggest you check your air filter too. The caddy deville I used to own sunk to about 13 mpg with a few dangerously placed leaves and grass. This was after it sat for like a week, and I think something tried to nest in it, lol. Seriously though, anything could clog it. Though definitely take advantage of your warranty, and have the dealer check it out.

[Dana_15]

Interestingly enough we got 25.5 mpg on a 200 mile round trip. Maybe it just needed to get opened up on the highway....hopefully we'll be all set now. Thanks for all responses.

[pro-five-oh]

Definitely take a long trip to break the motor in. Vary your speeds too. They always need loosening up to get the best fuel economy.

Glad to see that's all it needs (needed).

[carfixer]

I've been driving a Mercury Milan for about 2K miles. Since new, I get about 18 MPG city and 27 Highway.
If the check engine light is not on, the dealer will not even address a mileage concern.

[pro-five-oh]

I've been driving a Mercury Milan for about 2K miles. Since new, I get about 18 MPG city and 27 Highway.
If the check engine light is not on, the dealer will not even address a mileage concern.

I get about that in my 1995 Mark VIII! (in Houston traffic)

Again, a new motor is tight, and doesn't get great mileage. You might not see improvements until 10,000 miles or so. Depending on your driving conditions, 18/27 might be ok.

[Vector]

Don't depend on the computer, do a fill up, reset the trip odmeter and check the mileage the old fashioned way before you assume that it is getting bad mileage.

My Conti (95 w/102K) usually shows 17 on the 'puter, but actually gets 19 city and 26+ highway when I check it via the fill up and do the math method.

[Led Zephyrlin]

I recently bought a Zephyr and find that on the comp I am getting about 21 mpg with a combined city highway driving of about 50/50. The car hasn't gotten fully broken in just yet with only about 800 miles on it so far but I did notice a slight increase in gas mileage after the first tank.

One thing I did notice was that the computer needed to be reset about two days after I had it because I did alot of idling the first few days and it caused my mpg rating to go way out of whack.