MPG issue

[brysawn]

I think either my gas mileage is way off, or my gas gauge is wrong. I am getting about 250 miles per tank (when the gas light comes on), and that is all highway going around 75 mpg.

 

I figured I should be getting more than that, so is my gas gauge messed up? Or is that actually what I'm getting?

 

But also, sometimes my gauge will say i have a 1/4 of a tank, but then the next time I start it, it will have a litte under a half tank. What causes this?

 

The car is a 1993 legacy

[Suzam]

The sending units inside your gas tank are dirty and giving false readings. A common problem. If you search for "sending unit" you'll find out more about it an ways to make them read better.

 

Rather that saying it only goes 250 miles before the light is on can you tell us how many gallons of gas are used in those 250 miles? That's the way to accurately get MPG.

 

 

MPG = distance divided by gallons used, not distance per gas gauge reading.

[brysawn]

When I put it gas, it took a little over 10 gallons, for my 250 mile trip = 25 MPG.

 

Is that common for 75mph?

[bstone]

Carry an extra gallon or two and drive it until the car dies from no gas. See what the trip meter says.

[brysawn]

how many gallon tank do these have? and what should the MPG's be?

[johnceggleston]

how many gallon tank do these have? and what should the MPG's be?

 

the tanks are all 60 liters, or 15.9 gallons. but i have felt my car sputtering on turns and only filling up with 15.4 gallons.

 

as far as what should the mpg be, that is kind of like asking ''how long should a mans legs be?''

 

it all depends on the way you drive and how long since a tune up. but 25 isn't bad. otheres will tell you they get more. i don't know what the rating is. you may be able to see it on one of the government web sites or http://www.cars101.com , and FWD will be better than AWD.

Edited November 19, 2010 by johnceggleston