why might my MPG be low?

[f0xy]

was just looking at the 2002 1.2 16v for sale in the marketplace on here, with the listing stating he gets 45mpg... i drive my 2005 1.2 16v sensibly and hardly ever hammer it, max ive seen is 33-35mpg. Is there something wrong with the car? if there is what might be causing this low mpg?

 

[tidyclio]

Could be a huge number of thing changing giving it a good service including all filters and spark plugs may help.
Does the engine run ok how many miles have you done?
It might also be your driving?
My old 1.2 engine was knackered on about 110k drank loads of oil etc and I couldn't get that above 34mpg.
You should be able to get around 40-45 with normal driving though

 

[f0xy]

its just about 400 miles shy of 16k on the clock, i even tried driving like a old man for a week to see if it went up, but it didnt. Its never been hammered and usually keep revs as low as i can apart from on motorways when in 5th its obviously going to be running high... but cant really see why its so low.

 

[Ross M]

do u do short journeys ?? or idle alot ? as that would explain low mpg

 

[f0xy]

um quite a few short journeys... it seems to be running smooth as i can tell, although ive never had another car the same to compare it with... hear a bit of a ticking on idle but i dont know if thats normal or not?

 

[tidyclio]

Has it had it's first service yet if not that'll be due soon that should see some improvements since with only 16k you should be getting a lot more

 

[edde]

um quite a few short journeys... it seems to be running smooth as i can tell, although ive never had another car the same to compare it with... hear a bit of a ticking on idle but i dont know if thats normal or not?

That normal the injectors it is.

Some cars are better than other for mpg I don't get much more than 35mpg out of any petrol realy.

 

[f0xy]

no service yet, coming up at 18k as ive not passed 2yrs with it yet, im hoping will get a bit more after it.

That normal the injectors it is.

ah good, thought it was something wrong with it.

 

[edde]

yeah im hoping will get a bit more after its 18k service.

That normal the injectors it is.

ah good, thought it was something wrong with it.

Arr right if its not been serviced for a bit thats one possible problem ever 9k IMO minimum.

 

[Kneel]

not to steal the thread a little, but if my MPG went down from around 40mpg to 34-35mpgish on the trip comp whats gone wrong?

 

[tidyclio]

Maybe your just driving in different conditions?
Got to remember the temperatures dropped big time last couple of weeks colder the air the more petrol you use