horrible gas mileage

mtw24740 · #1 10-24-2005, 10:09 AM

I have a 2001 olds alero. It gets horrible gas mileage, about 18 miles to a gal. and it's a 4 cyl. It also jerks very hard going into first gear and idle's at 2500-4000 rpm, all depends on what kind of mood it's in. Also, the trac off light will come on and then go off after a while. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

GTP Dad · #2 10-24-2005, 11:47 AM

Do a tune-up by changing both plugs and wires, PCV, fuel filter and new air filter. Check for vacuum leaks as that will cause a high idle. Clean the idle air control motor located on the side of the throttle body using throttle body cleaner. Finally, change the oxygen sensors. They are expensive but it will help your mileage. Good Luck and welcome to AF!

JTrujillo86 · #3 10-24-2005, 12:20 PM

It wouldn't be a bad idea to also run some fuel injector cleaner through it for a few tanks.

Jeremy

PotIsYourFriend · #4 10-25-2005, 03:34 PM

Gas Mileage on these cars is crappy... But that is really bad.. I get about 250 miles on a supposed 14 gal. tank...

Ridenour · #5 10-25-2005, 07:52 PM

It actually sounds like; among those other things; he could have a bad MAF. I mean, an idle of 4000 RPM and hard shifts sure as hell sounds like a bad MAF.

vamc · #6 10-25-2005, 10:50 PM

The shifting hard into 2nd and 3rd..that is common on aleros. on other posts you will hear alot of complaints on that issue. the gas mi. i get about ohhh 20 mi per gal. now... sence you live in WV. there are alot of hills correct? i been through there when i go on vacation down to florida, and i noticed that the mi does go down to about 17 or so, and i have a v-6. i beleve its when the transmission shifts up to the higher gear, more fuel is being used. just my 2 cents.

mtw24740 · #7 10-26-2005, 06:15 PM

we only drive the car to work and back which is about 4 miles each way. it's pretty much flat the whole way there. we took the car to the dealership and they scanned it. nothing came up on it. the guy at the dealership even reset the comptuer in the car. it purred like a kitten for the first few weeks, and now it's the worst it has ever been. it will idle and pull itself up a hill. that's how bad it is.

GTP Dad · #8 10-26-2005, 06:18 PM

What was his reasoning behind reseting the computer? If there was a check engine light on that code may have given you an idea to the problem.

mtw24740 · #9 10-26-2005, 06:21 PM

he checked to see if gm had any updates for the comptuer. in order to do that, he had to reset the whole thing. no lights were on when he did it.

JTrujillo86 · #10 10-26-2005, 10:07 PM

I completely disagree with those who are saying that gas mileage is horrible on these and that its "normal". Its not normal. I have a 3.4 V6 Alero with 53K miles on it and it gets nearly 34MPG on the highway and always between 24 and 26 MPG in the city. Somethings not right if you're getting 18 MPG on the highway.

Jeremy

vamc · #11 10-26-2005, 11:05 PM

34Mi per gal? WHAT!!!! On a V-6?? No way! a small honda with a 1.8 can get that. But if you insist, ill take your ward for it. but i would have to see it to beleve it.

nqc2k · #12 10-27-2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTrujillo86

I completely disagree with those who are saying that gas mileage is horrible on these and that its "normal". Its not normal. I have a 3.4 V6 Alero with 53K miles on it and it gets nearly 34MPG on the highway and always between 24 and 26 MPG in the city. Somethings not right if you're getting 18 MPG on the highway.

Jeremy

Whats your secret? I have a 99 4dr 3.4 and I get 24/26, all stock. What do you do for maintanace? Any aftermarket parts?

Thanks.

GTP Dad · #13 10-27-2005, 12:33 PM

Although it comparing apples to oranges, I can average 29mpg on my 97 GTP going over two mountains per day each way to work and back as long as I keep my foot out of the supercharger!

BNaylor · #14 10-27-2005, 01:27 PM

The last time I checked on my son's '02 Alero GL2 (3.4 V6) gas mileage, we were getting approximately 22 in city and 27 highway. I'm not sure how the 2.4L or 2.2L Ecotecs fair.

Rob_M · #15 10-27-2005, 02:22 PM

I agree with Jeremy; the Alero can get much better gas mileage than some are reporting. My 2004 Alero GL1 with 2.2L Ecotec, completely stock, has averaged 29-30 mpg since I bought it used in January. I would estimate I am driving 2/3 hwy and 1/3 cty. The best mileage I attained was 34+ mpg on a long trip while running the AC with cold tire pressures of 35psi. The worst mileage I have seen is 26 mpg while attempting to get bad mileage by accelerating faster.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD