MPG decreased from 24mpg to 16mpg on my 1998 Mazda Protege... What could be wrong?

Question

According to everything I've read online, the average mpg for a 98 Protege is about 24 mpg, or about 312 miles per tank. But I felt like my gas was getting used up pretty quickly and started keeping an eye on it. Lately I'm only getting about 200 miles per tank, which is about 16 mpg...

I know the car is 10 years old, but it runs perfectly, and there's no odd sounds or feelings, nothing unusual, no dash board lights are lit up... So what could be bringing down my mpg so much? I know it fluctuates by different conditions, by 24 to 16 seems like a lot!

I'm going to have my fiance change my oil tomorrow, even though I think it was done before I bought the car last December, (though I've already driven it nearly 3,000 miles since then). I'm also going to check my tires to make sure they're properly inflated, though none of them look TOO underinflated, so I don't think that alone could change my mpg so drastically...

Any other ideas of simple things I could have my car-savvy friends check before resorting to paying a mechanic with money I don't really have...?

virgo7254 · Accepted Answer

have your fiance do a complete tune up
1.oil change/filter
2.air filter
3.pcv valve if you have one
4.plugs and wires
5.fuel filter
6. check the tire pressure
7.take the junk out of the trunk
8. change your driving habits/ try not to jack rabbit start and stop
go to autozone.com and see if you can find your online repair manual so he can follow the step by step instructions to help him do your tune up
9. slow down on the gas lever when pumping your gas so it will eliminate the gas from becoming vapors instead of in your gas tank
i read this on a news channel in our local town because our gas was 4.19 a gallon a few months ago .and everyone was wanting advice

Anonymous · Answer

The most likely cause of this problem is a clogged air filter. Air filters are the most overlooked, underrated part of an engine and if not changed that can greatly decrease your fuel mileage. You didnt say if it was auto or manual but if its auto the stator inside the tourqe converter could be locked up, that will cause bad mileage and prevent top speed from being attained(not to mention emissions). The air filter you or your fiance can easily check out and the tourqe converter problem can actually be checked out by you as well. Put the car in drive and with your foot on the brake lightly step on the gas until the engine stops reving up, if it revs to anything less than about 1800 RPM then it's your tourqe converter. But start with the air filter.

Jeffrey M · Answer

Its time for a tune up. If it has to wait try cleaning or replacing your air filter this will help but likely wont get MPG back where it was.

ladystang · Answer

maybe you're using highway mpg and you're driving city.

Matt and Brandie C · Answer

probably best to have a mechanic hook up to the computer that big of a drop in mileage

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MPG decreased from 24mpg to 16mpg on my 1998 Mazda Protege... What could be wrong?

5 Answers