Why Is My Car Doing Low On Fuel ?

timmy · November 6, 2007

Hi,

I have recently bought a Mitsubishi Lancer CK2 - MX Extra. This has auto transmission with EFI. It also uses a lean burn technology called the MVV (Mitsubishi Vertical Vortex) to reduce fuel usage.

However it doesn't do well on fuel. It does around 7.8 kmpl with mostly town riding, but even that you cannot call city driving since I haven't driven around when there was heavy traffic. I have done the necessary oil service, but havent done anything other than that in way of service. The car hasnt been used much although its YOM is 1997. ODO meter reads close to 60,000 kms and the previous owner said that he hadnt even done the ATF change.

I have heard that cars with EFI do usually 9-10 kmpl in city and close to 15 kmpl outside. Or is this too much to expect from a Lancer ?

Please advice me as to wat to do to bring down the fuel consumption.

thanx in advance,

Timms.

edit :: engine code - 4G15 12 Valve SOHC - 1500 CC

Edited November 6, 2007 by timmy

Watchman · November 7, 2007

timmy said:
Hi
thanx all for your help, this really is a helpful forum. I have a few points to make.

@Dilesh How do i figure out if my car needs an ATF change or not ? The service guy who did the oil service looked at it and said that the oil looks ok and can be used more. However I am aware of oil decaying over time. And i did see the ATF filter with "Genuine Mitsu.. part" or some kinda wording like that with the Mitsu logo (which meant to me that its the original ATF filter fitted @ the factory). So I believe the previous owner wasn't lying when he said he hadnt done an ATF change.

To give you an exact answer on when you should change the ATF i went online and found this site.. it says every 24,000-36,000 MILES or 2-3 years.. so even if you DOUBLE these figures your car is way overdue...

http://www.aa1car.com/library/atf.htm

it might help.. it has a lot of useful tips on checking/changing oil.....

the thing is even though the filter has changed with a genuine part the oil itself gets less viscous.. meaning it looses its thickness... so this is sort of like having a clutch that slips... the engine turns but not the wheels... you might notice that your car is revving more than it normally should even though you dont get as much power, if the ATF is bad... normally its better to goto a reputed place for a ATF change cos the engine flush isnt simple taking out the old oiland putting in the new.. it kinda washes the entire insoide.....

Our Vitara has a recomended ATF change at every 60,000km.. but the last change we did was at around 55,000 cos i felt the engine wasnt giving as much power as it should.. the ATF chaange fixed that....

Hope this helps... I'm sure the other agree that 10 years is sorta too long to go without a ATF change..

GearHead · November 7, 2007

Pericles said:
Didn't Honda do a recall recently? Something to do with faulty odometers or summin?

yup there was a recall but wasnt it only for the USDM models?

GearHead · November 7, 2007

well my advice is just that when you get a used car its a must that you carry out a full service on the car.get all the oils in the car changed, even if the service centre guy says its ok for several thousand miles..compair the cost of that with the value of the car.even if the oil looks a bit new you never know when it was changed the last time.and always keep in mind that oil should be changed after a specific time period regardless of the actual miles travelled..as for the ATF, its normally said that its sould be chanded once every 40000km or every 2-3 years,which ever comes first.and always use an ATF exchanger when changing ATF..

The Don · November 7, 2007

Hi,

I think first thing on the cards is to do an ATF change

Second is to do a full service, air filter, fuel filter to be changed with oil and oil filter

these are possibly things you should do anyway if you have just purchased a car from somebody you do not know personally

second thing is to hook your car up to a diagnostic system and based on the results due a tune up. You can also change your plugs and clean your injectors if that is necessary.

I have got diagnostics done from 2 companys up to now, Macro and that place down darley road whose name i do not even want to mention, and Macro is actually a bit better than that joint.

UM have a reputation of not being very customer focused

But judging by the information posted on this forum possibly Mr Zackie Ismail is the best person to go and see and hopefully the new diagnostic equipment he has got will support Mitsubishi's as well. You can find his contact details by searching the forum.

I drive a DOHC Mitsubishi from time to time, and get excellent fuel figures as long as I keep the RPM levels bellow 3000RPM, as beyond that the cams go in to performance position opening the valves up and fuel efficiency goes for a six (but must say its a lovely feeling )

The Don

GMI · November 7, 2007

timmy said:
Hi
thanx all for your help, this really is a helpful forum. I have a few points to make.

@Dilesh How do i figure out if my car needs an ATF change or not ? The service guy who did the oil service looked at it and said that the oil looks ok and can be used more. However I am aware of oil decaying over time. And i did see the ATF filter with "Genuine Mitsu.. part" or some kinda wording like that with the Mitsu logo (which meant to me that its the original ATF filter fitted @ the factory). So I believe the previous owner wasn't lying when he said he hadnt done an ATF change.

@MAS thanx for the location. Are their prices cheap ? have u any experience with them ?

@GMI It would be really helpful if I cud get hold of the manual myself or the correct procedure of doing the recalibration. I tried searching on the net but to no avail.

btw, I jus topped the car up with hi-octane petrol and it seems like its doing well. The meter reads 3/4 of a tank after doing 125 kms of colombo and suburbs driving. I'll let you guys know if the fuel change did solve the problem.

Timms.

I will try to get the relavant pages scanned if i manage to get hold of a copy. any way the steps are simple as start > keep on idle for 10 mins > drive few KMs, etc , - you will not need to edit fuel maps by connecting a computer or anything to recalibarate the Lancer ECU.

Edited November 7, 2007 by GMI

timmy · November 9, 2007

The Don said:
Hi,
I think first thing on the cards is to do an ATF change

Second is to do a full service, air filter, fuel filter to be changed with oil and oil filter

these are possibly things you should do anyway if you have just purchased a car from somebody you do not know personally

second thing is to hook your car up to a diagnostic system and based on the results due a tune up. You can also change your plugs and clean your injectors if that is necessary.

I have got diagnostics done from 2 companys up to now, Macro and that place down darley road whose name i do not even want to mention, and Macro is actually a bit better than that joint.

UM have a reputation of not being very customer focused

But judging by the information posted on this forum possibly Mr Zackie Ismail is the best person to go and see and hopefully the new diagnostic equipment he has got will support Mitsubishi's as well. You can find his contact details by searching the forum.

I drive a DOHC Mitsubishi from time to time, and get excellent fuel figures as long as I keep the RPM levels bellow 3000RPM, as beyond that the cams go in to performance position opening the valves up and fuel efficiency goes for a six (but must say its a lovely feeling )

The Don

Yea Ive decided to get the engine disgnostics done and see if there are any faults in sensors, plugs, injectors etc. Hope to be doing that by the end of this month. Could u recommend me some places other than UM ? I dont mind even if you PM me the contacts. Jus let me know who are the cheapest around and do a good job. As fot the ATF, ill be doing that soon enuf.

Also would hooking upto a non-mistu diagnostic equipment cause problems to the ECU or give misleading readings ? If thats not the case, why do most car owners go to the agents ?

Btw, I hardly revv up above 3000 RPM so its gotta be something wrong with my engine.

thanx all.

timmy · November 9, 2007

The Don said:
Hi,
I think first thing on the cards is to do an ATF change

Second is to do a full service, air filter, fuel filter to be changed with oil and oil filter

these are possibly things you should do anyway if you have just purchased a car from somebody you do not know personally

second thing is to hook your car up to a diagnostic system and based on the results due a tune up. You can also change your plugs and clean your injectors if that is necessary.

I have got diagnostics done from 2 companys up to now, Macro and that place down darley road whose name i do not even want to mention, and Macro is actually a bit better than that joint.

UM have a reputation of not being very customer focused

But judging by the information posted on this forum possibly Mr Zackie Ismail is the best person to go and see and hopefully the new diagnostic equipment he has got will support Mitsubishi's as well. You can find his contact details by searching the forum.

I drive a DOHC Mitsubishi from time to time, and get excellent fuel figures as long as I keep the RPM levels bellow 3000RPM, as beyond that the cams go in to performance position opening the valves up and fuel efficiency goes for a six (but must say its a lovely feeling )

The Don

Yea Ive decided to get the engine disgnostics done and see if there are any faults in sensors, plugs, injectors etc. Hope to be doing that by the end of this month. Could u recommend me some places other than UM ? I dont mind even if you PM me the contacts. Jus let me know who are the cheapest around and do a good job. As fot the ATF, ill be doing that soon enuf.

Also would hooking upto a non-mistu diagnostic equipment cause problems to the ECU or give misleading readings ? If thats not the case, why do most car owners go to the agents ?

Btw, I hardly revv up above 3000 RPM and mine is only a SOHC so its gotta be something wrong with my engine.

thanx all.

Edited November 9, 2007 by timmy

dinosh · November 9, 2007

timmy said:
thats awesome... but since u say u own a l-DSl car, wat are the figures in real life ?
I know a person who commutes down south regularly in a Corolla 121 (1.8 l engine Jap domestic model) and gets a stunning fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl. But in town it only does 9-10 kmpl.

These new cars are really efficient on fuel. I drive a Corolla 121 from colombo to negombo sometimes (this is my bosses car with fuel sponsored by office so not bothered much about the fuel consumption ) It does well on fuel but very low reponse on when you accellerate.

If you cruise at a average speed you can get better results of fuel. Since we run mostly within city limits we end up with low fuel results. Not to forget that your driving style has a major impatch as well.

Timmy, for your problem get your ATF changed & check how much your car carries you for a liter