Hi guys,

Just got a question about MPG for my 1.6 Sport Active 3 door 2004 Stilo…

I recently topped up the oil (it was a bit low), sorted the tyre pressures and filled my car up with fuel from Shell (normal unleaded) right up to the brim.

Ever since I’ve done this (it might be all a coincidence!) but my MPG seems to have dropped. I normally average about 32mpg (is that any good, seems a bit low to me?) but I have been recently watching my instant MPG and getting some very strange readings…

When I used to set off in 1st or 2nd, it would normally read about 10-15mpg, now it reads around 3-6mpg!

If I block change the first 3 gears, its again around 3-6mpg until I totally get off the throttle and then put it back on, then it goes up to around 25-30mpg, but with the same amount of throttle/rpm/speed! It never did this before, it used to be around 25-30mpg through the first 3 gears. It seems as if when I totally get off the throttle it resets something and then starts running at the correct mpg when I get back on it.

Any ideas? Could be the type of fuel I’m using? I’m not sure if my average mpg has dropped as I’m driving differently to stop this (i.e. dropping down to 3-6mpg) from happening at the mo! As a test what sort of mpg should the 3 door 1.6 do at 70mph on a flat motorway in 5th?

Cheers
Matt
:worship:

If you've got mpg concerns then the first test to do is a full tank to tank check on consumption (make sure you return to the same pump and fill to auto shut off - and don't forget to make a note of the price/litre - like I just did ). You can then compare with on-board computer.

If there's something wrong with the engine then YOU should know that and not need the car to tell you

You say the instant MPGs is what you're watching - switch to the average on the trip and you'll probably find (overall) that things will have improved a bit
I hope.................................

Sounds a bit low to me - My 1.8 averages 33 MPG?......and I like a bit of right foot.......

Something's up
1.6 should be around 45-50mpg easy at 70mph 5th gear flat road

32-35mpg around town

"When I used to set off in 1st or 2nd, it would normally read about 10-15mpg, now it reads around 3-6mpg!

If I block change the first 3 gears, its again around 3-6mpg until I totally get off the throttle and then put it back on, then it goes up to around 25-30mpg, but with the same amount of throttle/rpm/speed!"
Could be more of a reading fuel used problem than an actual poor mpg

Are you getting poor running or acceleration problems?

Deckchair5 said:

Something's up
1.6 should be around 45-50mpg easy at 70mph 5th gear flat road

32-35mpg around town

Click to expand...

my 1.6 returns about 30mpg to and from work, tho its new so not had the chance to test a long higher speed journey.

Right guys, I've been looking it to this. Everything 'seems' to be ok now...:yum:

I'm averaging about 34mpg over a tankful, both confirmed by the dash reading and by my maths! This seems about right for a 1.6 3 door?

The car is running really well, but it just scares me a bit when the mpg is down in single figures through the first three gears! It still acting a bit strange on the reading as I can be travelling along getting 12mpg, lift of the throttle, and then put it back on at the same speed/place/revs and its goes up to 25mpg. Very strange! Any ideas why it does that?

Did a test last night, 5th gear, 70mpg on flat motorway - average 45mpg, so that’s ok?

Thanks guys

It still acting a bit strange on the reading as I can be travelling along getting 12mpg, lift of the throttle, and then put it back on at the same speed/place/revs and its goes up to 25mpg. Very strange! Any ideas why it does that?
This is instant mpg readings right? Thing is it's not that instant, it's still an average but over a short space of time. When you throttle off then the fuel is shut completely off so you're running on air hence the larger mpg figures

Did a test last night, 5th gear, 70mpg on flat motorway - average 45mpg, so that’s ok?
Yep that's fine