1998 SC1 gas mileage

[katmack7]

My 98 SC1 has been getting really poor gas mileage. I bought the car used last August and came on this forum and received tons of help so I thought I should come back again. I've changed the plugs, checked the ECTS, replaced the O2 sensor. I live in Los Angeles and do almost all street driving and sometimes it is stop and go. It's also been hot lately and so I've been using the AC sometimes. My trips are short - usually 2 - 6 miles at a time. But today I just filled up the tank and I figured I was getting around 18 - 19 mpg. That just doesn't seem right. Is there something else I should check? Is there an additive that will help?

Thanks!

[RC1488]

Honestly that is on target.

With alot of stop and go traffic, short drips, and the a/c on...yeaa that sounds about right to me.

[spencer112]

dude, you're definatly going to need to get that checked out...i dont know 2 much about cars, but i have the 1998 sc2 and i got about 39....(i know it sounds unbelievably high,,but its true) on the highway going about 70....didnt run through the whole tank, but about a quarter of it.

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by spencer112

dude, you're definatly going to need to get that checked out...i dont know 2 much about cars, but i have the 1998 sc2 and i got about 39....(i know it sounds unbelievably high,,but its true) on the highway going about 70....didnt run through the whole tank, but about a quarter of it.

Highway driving is VERY different than city driving. Like RC1488 said, the stop and go, short trips and A/C running really cut into the mileage. Something you can check though is to make sure your engine is warming up quickly enough. If it doesn't reach operating temp it's going to burn more fuel. How high does the temp gauge get?

[pencilneck0]

That is totally normal under those driving conditions stop and go driving with the A/c running really cuts down your mileage.

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by spencer112

dude, you're definatly going to need to get that checked out...i dont know 2 much about cars, but i have the 1998 sc2 and i got about 39....(i know it sounds unbelievably high,,but its true) on the highway going about 70....didnt run through the whole tank, but about a quarter of it.

Absolutely RARE. Your mileage isnt accurate since you did the math with 1/4 tank of gas. Try doing a full tank of gas and seeing your mileage.

[Ruley73]

That mileage does seem low even after you factor in everything. Under those same conditions I still manage 23-24 MPG even with the shorter DOHC gear ratios and aggressive acceleration habits. With that said, stop-and-go traffic (which is almost negligible around here) probably involves much more stopping than going in L.A. If you are idling long enough during your stop & go traffic that can drop it down to where you're at, but that would take alot of idle time.

[dcc81187]

you may want to consider a warm air intake, If you are just making short trips the engine does not have time to warm up and enter closed loop. with a WAI it will warm up much faster

[nmikmik]

I'd just wait a little bit until it cools down a bit outside and try a freeway trip to like San Diego (our beaches are MUCH better) and drive on a cruise all the way with A/C off and windows rolled up. Or take a trip with A/C on. See what kind of mileage you're getting then. Having short trips and traffic you're adding so many variables to your drive that it's practically impossible to gage what is actually causing the poor mileage. Add to it a style of driving you do and you are done