Mileage Drop! HELP!

[escort_jay102]

Ever since the winter came, my mileage dropped.. I was getting around 30 before winter and now I am getting 24. I recently got a new head gasket, and the place where I brought the car, adjusted my valves...Can this a problem? I changed my plugs/wires in Feb of last years.. My tires are inflated correctly..What do I do? I am getting a little mad because I dropped 6 mpg. I also use heat, but only on the #1 out of 4 and sometimes I use a #2, but really...

Thanks

[GTP Dad]

There are several reasons for mileage drop in the winter. First the winter blend of fuel is different and may not give the mileage that the summer fuel does. Second, the engine uses heat to run properly and when it is cold it takes more fuel to get the same amount of power from an engine. Third the engine warm up times are longer and this uses fuel that decreases fuel mileage. Finally one mechanical issue that may cause it is an O2 sensor that is going bad and causing the engine to run richer than normal. If you change it you may increase the mileage. If that doesn't help then pray for warmer weather and your mileage should go back up.

[escort_jay102]

thanks for that... I'll check out my 02 sensors... they could be stock sensors because everything else on that car was.. i will need more than prayer to get warmer weather in michigan in this time of the season..thanks

[AzTumbleweed]

There probably is an initial valve adjustment. After that the hydraulic lifters take up the slack. If you can run a compression check on each cylinder you can tell if the valves are closing like they are supposed to. A few cogs off on the timing belt and no telling what it would do to your mileage. An oxygen sensor sounds like a good investment if your's is old. Even if it doesn't fix it it's probably about due. When I lived in Nevada we got 'oxygenated' fuel in the winter. It really brought down the fuel mileage.

[[iV]Kermit]

I had this problem too. I was getting about 32 MPG around town and then it went down to like 17. I checked with my mechanic he told me to buy a K&N Air Filter.

I went to the auto store and bought a regular one for about $7 and the problem wasn't fixed. About a month later I went back and bought a K&N and the problem was solved. I should mention that my mechanic also replaced the O2 sensor.

Now I get about 30 MPG around town and my vehicle has 101k.

97 Escort LX.