HELP! Getting 7-8 miles to to gallon!

[Ekstrandd]

I have a 1993 subaru legacy. It's an automatic 2.2 liter. It has 191,xxx miles on it, and it was well taken care of by the previous owner. I have owned it for about a month now, and mind you I am a BRAND NEW driver (2 months) and this is my 2nd car.

 

According to my mechanic husband I should get 20 miles to the gallon. Last time I filled up I reset my trip mile counter thing, and I am now at a quarter tank after 90 miles. Since it's a 15.9 gallon tank, 11.9 gallons for 3/4 of a tank, that is about 7.5 miles per gallon... I am hoping there is something obvious I am missing.

 

After I bought it there was an electrical wire problem with the starter, which was fixed, and then the alternator went out, which was also replaced with a brand new one. I use as little heat as possible to try to conserve gas (however I do live in Alaska), and I am NOT a speed racer whatsoever - I always drive the speed limit if not slower. (I hate driving) My check engine light HAS been on as long as I've had the car, and my car SUPER hates the cold mornings - I always have to start it a couple times to get it going.

 

Ideas? Suggestions? Help? Please? Pretty please?

 

PS - Why are the fuel tank measurement lines (on the dash) so uneven/disproportionate? Is that related?

[Cougar]

I haven't heard of a Soob with that bad of mileage before so I wonder if what you are seeing on the fuel gauge is really a true tank level. There are two fuel level sensors inside the tank and I suspect that one of them isn't working correctly. When you filled the tank did it show full? If not then that would be a clue to a faulty sensor. You could also refill the tank and see how much fuel it takes to fill it again and then calculate your mileage using the amount it took to fill the tank. Sometimes using a product called Techron in the tank has cleaned the fuel sensors for some folks.

 

There could also be a problem with the coolant temperature sensor for the engine which is making the engine run more rich than it should be.