Why only 25 mpg?!!! Help?!

[surfnk8]

I've been tracking my mileage for several months and have been getting 25 mpg hwy and less in town. WTH!

I'm going on a road trip soon and want to boost my mileage (and hopefully the overall 'get up and go' cause this thing has less power than my '70 VW Bug).

What the heck do I check?

The possible problems:
1. My muffler is trash. Should I replace it?
2. My power steering pump's been going out. Do I replace it?
3. Car pulls a little to the right. Wheel alignment?
4. I have a 98? Aspire Transaxle in my 91 Festy...no idea if this is causes less power and bad mileage.
5. Is a general tune-up needed?

Any suggestions or advice on where to start are very welcome and greatly appreciated!

[Jim Rockford]

first off make sure the speedo isn't slow due tot he trans swap, that is going to cause incorrect mileage. alignments help ..alot

[tkannegaard]

general tune ups always help if its been awhile

[jjk1224]

Bad or over torqued wheel bearings can cause loss of mileage, along with anything dragging such as the hand brake. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause a rich fuel mixture leading to poor mileage. Fouled spark plugs can cause unburbt fuel, and result in poor mileage. There are many possibilities.

[surfnk8]

Sounds like I might just need a professional diagnostic to really hone in on the main problem(s). I just feel like there must be a link between the low MPG and the low power and thought someone might know what would cause both.

[Darlo]

If you have a GPS you could track your mileage that way....... Is your car a 5spd? How are you driving? Your biggest gain will be going only 55-60mph on the HWY, rather than 70+.......Also, check the e-brake as per jjk1224's post......

where is your road trip to?

[surfnk8]

Car's a 5 speed and I drive pretty economically, I'm a lightfoot on the gas, coast when I can, etc, etc. My e brake doesn't hold too well, so that could be an issue, too. Will check.

[Darlo]

I guess I got fortunate then, cause I get an average of 46.3mpg (as per sig), and that includes some winter driving, city, and a bunch of hwy........

But as a rule, I get about 48-50mpg summer, and 42-45 winter.......

I am sure that whatever the issue is will be easily fixable, and someone on here will know.....

[sc72]

Have you done a compression check, low compression would = poor mpg's and slow get up and go, this will tell you if your engine is in good shape or just getting worn out. You might need a o2 sensor. Good luck.

[Movin]

There is another Festiva in Oregun! Low power will get you bad gas mileage.
As bad as yours is it is not minor things like difference in transmission. You
did not mention missing, hard starting, check engine light and other clues so...
Ignition timing, Cam timing and plugged cat need to be checked.