Hello.
Merry Christmas an all that.
I've had my Impreza 1.6GL (first car) for about a month now.
It was my mum's for 3 years from new (1995), then my cousin's for another 3 years, and now mine.
It used to get around 32MPG on average, but for me I'm getting closer to 22MPG!
Ok, I'm 17, so perhaps dont drive quite as economically as my mum, but I havnt been pushing hard, especially since realising how quick the fuel gauge needle was moving. I tried one tank driving as gently as possible at all times, still no more than 24MPG.
I have taken the car to the local garage (not a Subaru dealer) for a service, I explained the fuel consumption problem, the only possible cause he could find was evidence of rich running on the spark plugs. He adjusted this and replaced the plugs. I havnt used a tank full since this service, so I dont have an MPG figure, but the needle suggests the situation isnt much better.

Any ideas what the problem could be or how I can find out what it is, and of course, how to fix it!
Tyre pressures are all as they should be, most of my journeys are 5+ miles on A roads.
The car seems to be running ok, only notable thing is what seems to be a flat spot in acceleration at about 2200rpm in any gear.

Any advice would be much apprecated.

Cheers,
Ben

 

I think people have mentioned faulty Lamda sensor causing this. I would wizz the car to a Subaru dealer who can stick it on the select monitor and perform various other tests. Providing you have a good one that is.

P.

 

Thanks for your reply Sith. How do you tell if a Subaru dealer is a good one?!
What's the Lamda Sensor do then?
Worked out the consumption since 'local garage' service, 23MPG
Will book it into the Subaru dealer in the new year, any guesses what this is likely to cost (assuming the Lamda Sensor is at fault).
Cheers,
Ben.

 

As far as I know, the Lamda mesures something in the exhaust gasses, I think. Just know from this site that if it goes belly up then all kinds af things happen. Could also be MAF sensor I suppose - messures amount of air into engine and helps adjust fuel mixture.

Finding a good dealer is trial and error. If you drive to Surrey goto Cheam.

 

Have booked the car in to Threeways in Abergele, North Wales for next week.
I asked about the Lamda sensor being a possible cause for the problem, but they thought that would bring the Check Engine light on.
We'll see next week.
Thanks again Sith.
Ben

[Edited by scoobyster - 12/28/2001 8:43:23 PM]

 

The car had its service at the Subaru dealer today.
They ran a check with the 'select monitor', and did an emissions check, and found nothing to be wrong.
The guy wasnt helpful at all in suggesting what else could be wrong, they just took £40 from me!
So, given the select monitor has found no faults, what can be wrong? Surely 23MPG cant be normal, I promise I'm not driving her hard!!

Cheers,
Ben

 

Any suggestions as to what could be wrong?

Could an ECU reset perhaps help? Everyone seems to suggest this as a cure for anything! If it could be helpful, and is worth a try, could someone give instructions as Search is still down.

Thanks.
Ben

 

I'm very silly indeed.
Have been using US Gallons!!
1 litre = 0.22 Imp. Gallon = 0.264 US Gallon
22 Miles per US Gallon = 26.5 Miles per Imperial Gallon. (ish)

26.5MPG still aint great for a 1.6, but a fair bit better than 22!
Will try driving as gently as possible on the next tank and see what the real MPG is.

You can laugh now.

Ben

 

..snigger....won't laugh...ahhhhhhhh haaaaaaaaahhhh. LOL

Only joking, I've made mistakes like that, easily done. One thing tho, it's winter and all engines use more fuel. The more short distances you do with a cold engine then the worse the consumption will be.

P. (Pleased there's no fault).

 

.. At least you admitted it, i'd have made something up

 

Scoobyster
When did this change in the mpg take place, was it at the same time/around the same time as you took ownership of the car?

It is a huge difference something like 45% worse FE, sounds like something has failed or your driving style may need adjusting
Is the car running any differently, irratic tickover, loss of power, slightly more noisey???

You may even have a leaky tank/fuel pipe, happened to me!

Give your local dealer a call and ask them first.


This ain't gonna help but i average 23mpg in a Turbo

[Edited by Paul Habgood - 1/4/2002 9:04:31 AM]