Lazy8 wrote:



 
Have you gained a lot of weight lately?

Grown a huge goiter?
 
Gotten into the bad habit of dragging your feet in the road while you drive?

Do you give rides to clowns?

Have you started towing an RV behind your car when you go on vacation?

Do you release the parking brake when you drive?

How do you like your steak? Well done or medium rare?

When did you quit taking steroids?
 

 Lazy8 wrote:

 
All the above.

rosedraws wrote:

20K miles/year? Damn, I thought you worked from homeI

If wheel bearings were costing you 2mpg they would be toast, and you'd hear them. O2 sensors usually either work or they don't, they don't degrade and affect mileage without the fuel injection computer issuing an error message. Injectors ditto—closed loop system. By the time they are bad enough to affect gas mileage the car will run terribly. More likely culprits:

When was your last tuneup? On a car this age you might be due for spark plugs.

Tire pressure. This can sneak up on you.

Wheel alignment. If it's costing this much it's costing you tires too.

Do you have a temperature gauge? Is it reading cold all the time? A thermostat can stick open as well as shut, the engine will run cold, and you'll see a drop in mileage.

Have you added any accessories, like a roof rack or cargo box? They cost more than you'd think.

Are you running the A/C more than usual?

Are teenagers driving the car between fillups? Teenagers are hell on gas mileage.

Has the composition of your fuel changed lately? Gasohol will give worse gas mileage.

There are a few more things that might be sources of trouble, if I think of any I'll post.

 rosedraws wrote:



 
That car likely is front wheel drive I'm thinking, and only has bearings in the rear. If you've had brakes replaced likely they were repacked.
 Get the CV joints and dust boots inspected in the front, as well as struts and rear shocks. Note any fluid leaks. Buy a quality injector cleaner additive and change the air filter every 3 to 4 months, even if it looks clean. Make sure that there aren't any rotten vaccuum hoses. Keep oil and filter changed regularly.
I don't think 26 or 27 mpg with a light foot would be too much to ask.

 rosedraws wrote:



 
holy moly! ya dun all that math in yur haid? and then ya dun re-memberd it awl? 

MrClean wrote:


Safety First. Wear Safety Glasses, that sucker can fly off real fast.

I was doing math while driving today (I often do this).

My car mileage has dipped to even worse lately, not sure why. (25mpg to 23mpg)

So, I looked up ways to increase efficiency... fuel injectors and O2 sensors seem likely.  I've also thought I might have someone repack my wheel bearings (my '02 Accord has 154K.  I'm so proud!)

But then I was thinking... 2mpg... 

Lets say I drive 20k per year. 
25MPG = 800gallons x $4 = $3200 per year.  (really?! shit.  no wonder I can't make ends meet.)
23MPG = 870gallons x $4 = $3478 per year. 

So, If I could get ALL that work done for under $300... I'll break even. In a YEAR.  If I improve to 26MPG, It's only $123 more in fuel savings.  $3478 for 23MPG, $3076 for 26MPG.  $402 in fuel savings for 3MPG.

So, I'll focus on keeping my tires inflated properly, and driving more cautiously, and driving less (of course).

It was interesting to finally figure it out though.  Although, I understand, in the grand scheme of things, if EVERYONE saved 3MPG, it would have HUGE implications to our fuel usage.