holy bad gas mileage batman!!

[I'll_SHO_U]

I just purchsed a 92 SHO with 104,000 on the clock. I brought it from michigan to minnesota and it never skipped a beat the whole way home. What I did notice is the gas mileage was really poor. When traveling in the 75-80mph range it mustered around 19mpg and keeping it areound 65 it was around 21. I'm a tad worried about this. I have practically no money after buying the car so is there a list of things I can check to help remedy the situation? Also the owner didn't know if anything on the engine had been replaced except the spark plugs. Thanks for the help.

ps: another thing I just thought of is it doesn't fire right off. If I give it a little trottle it'll crank right up which I just read i the manual your not supposed to do. Thoughts on that?

<small>[ January 20, 2003, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: I'll_SHO_U ]</small>

 

[fricker66]

I'll add to Shoterror's response by saying you should also check tire pressure and the alignment as they can have a significant impact on overall fuel mileage. Sounds like you probably should start saving for some maintenance costs!

 

[rangerj]

I'll SHO You,

If you have a SHO with over 100K miles on it, AND the only thing changed was the spark plugs, you have a great deal of maintenance that needs to be done real soon.

You should get a look at the timing belt ASAP, especially if you have a manual transmission (MTX) SHO. It should have been changed at 60K miles. An Automatic transmission (ATX) SHO should be changed at 100K. Either way you are due for a timing belt.

If either, or both, of your O-2 sensors (oxygen sensors) have failed, or are failing, the computer puts the car in a rich fuel mode to protect it from running lean. If they are bad, or suffering from a bad connection, there will be a "code" in the computer.

A failed temperature sensor may let the computer think that the car is cold and close the IAB (Idle Air Bypass or Idle Air Control), so that the engine runs richer. A failed IAB could have the same effect. Again, check for codes.

There are several other possibilities, such as a dirty air filter, that could be causing your poor fuel economy.

Since this car is new to you, check it over very carefully and make a list of what needs to be fixed or replaced. Then prioritize the list of items.

The timing belt, and any failed sensors should be first on the list.

Do a search on this site for the proceedure for checking the codes in the computer, if any. Then search the 60K proceedure for a list of maintanence items.

Then do the items in their order of priority, over a period of time as you can afford it, but before a failure. LOL with you SHO, rangerj

PS If money is going to be an issue, and you do not do your own automotive work, you bought the wrong car!

 

[luigisho]

What he said.

 

[LaTechSHO]

ignition wires are also a consideration... i had gas mileage problems and when i changed the plugs and wires it got much better..... still have lots on the list.... but college is expensive and i can only do a little at a time

Louis

 

[Jr's Sho]

I get around 20-21mpg on the average, what kind of mileage do you expect? I replaced my plugs, wires, O2's, fuel filter, and air filter and can not get any better mileage than that. Maybe I should be getting better mileage though...

 

[AutoSHO]

Jr's Sho:
I get around 20-21mpg on the average, what kind of mileage do you expect? I replaced my plugs, wires, O2's, fuel filter, and air filter and can not get any better mileage than that. Maybe I should be getting better mileage though...

Is that primarily in-town or highway driving? My new car got ~25 driving around town for the first 1/2 tank and driving up to go skiing the second half. They are rated 18-26 for the MTX's, and IIRC, 17-25 for the ATX's.

 

[Jeff93ATX]

Just adding my 0.02 - I've been monitoring my gas mileage for the past 2 weeks & 19-22 mpg in rotten, cold weather. My 3.0L Sable got maybe 26 mpg. So IMO, the SHO's mileage is not bad, given the fun factor over a Vulcan V6. Also, for most of my driving, the car is turning 2500-3000 grand (no torque convertor lockup - too cold in upstate NY). Finally, that sound after 4K on the tach is awfully addictive and tends to encourage diminished gas mileage .


Jeff
93 ATX
88 Turbo Coupe (gets 30-35)
Garage - too cold to work on either car

 

[rangerj]

I'll SHO U,

You went a long way to get a SHO, so it should have been obvious to me that you wanted a SHO.

OK, you got one. It will be very impotant that you learn as much as you can about the care and feeding of your SHO, unless you hit the lottery.

Go to the SHO Times web site and read through the FAQs. Stop by your local Ford dealer and ask if they will check their computer for the service record on your car. Any service that was done by a Ford/Mercury dealership will be in there.

If you cannot afford a set of service manuals right now, stop at your local library and read a service manual, such as Haynes, Chiltons, Mitchels, Motor's, etc. for your model year. The manuals are in the referrence section. The idea is to become familiar with your car and its systems.

Search this web site for the proceedure to get the codes with a jumper wire and counting the number of flashes of the check engine light (CE light).

If the car is running fine, and the only problem you have is little loss of fuel milage, you have time to plan for the repairs you need to do to maintain the SHO. If the timing belt was replaced at 60K you are not due until 120K. If it was not replaced, you need to address that very soon.

If you do not do your own mechanical work, start putting away $100 to $150 per moth for repairs (normal maintainence). Search for SDPATTs list of parts, where to get them, prices, and when they should be replaced, or at least considered for replacement.

Whether you got the right car, or not, is up to you. I do know you came to the right place to ask about it. These folks know their SHOs. thumbs_u

Until you find out about the condition of your timing belt, I suggest that you not push the car to hard! rangerj

 

[Jr's Sho]

That mileage is around town. Even on the highway, I will only get 22-23 at the max, don't know why I can't get any better either.

 

[I'll_SHO_U]

See I had heard from other people about them gettin mileage like that. Thats why I was thinkin my mileage is so off. Maybe they all had ATX's.*shrugs*

 

[I'll_SHO_U]

Oh and thanks for all the replys from everyone, every littel bit helps. It was jsut a tad more than I was expecting. Thanks again.

 

[RI-SHO]

I usually get about 18-22MPG in the city, and 22-25MPG on long highway trips. Thats with my granny driving and running ruch problem i've had for so long, once I fix it i'm shooting for 20-24MPG in the city in my MTX.

 

[I'll_SHO_U]

This should prolly be a new post but is there any difference between a ATX water pump and timeing belt vs. an MTX water pump and timeing belt?

 

[projectSHO89]

This should prolly be a new post but is there any difference between a ATX water pump and timeing belt vs. an MTX water pump and timeing belt?

The replacement aftermarket parts are the same (gates T248 and the Cardone reman pump).

The procedure for setting the timing belt tension is different as the ATX and MTX use different tensioning schemes.

Steve

 

[PaulRuffo]

About the timing belt...

This is a non-interference engine, so even if his belt does break, unless he has significant carbon buildup, there should be no damage other than a towing bill.

I'm not suggesting that he shouldnt replace it. I think it's something that should be done soon. I'm just saying that if he doesnt have the money, it wont be the end of his car if he doenst fix it today.

I'll_SHO_U ...

If you feel at all confident in your mechanical skills, you can do the 60K service yourself. Mark Nunnally sells a video that he filmed showing exactly how to perform the 60K service. It's very straightforward and will save you a good deal of money. You can contact him via email at:

[email protected]

(Mark is away now so you wont get a response for a week or two.)

or you can buy it from

www.shonutperformance.com

Also, shonutperformance is a good place to purchase most parts for the 60k service.

If you need to change your plug wires, go to

www.fordpartsnetwork.com

They have them for something like $84 delivered. It's the best price I've heard of.

Paul

<small>[ January 21, 2003, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: PaulRuffo ]</small>

 

[BlackMagik]

I'll SHO U,

Do you have a warped rotor?
I just did a front brake job on my SHO and in the process replaced a warped rotor that was making the pedal pump. Because the brake pads ride right against the rotor, a warped rotor will rub and thereby decrease fuel mileage, accelleration, etc. My gas mileage jumped 33% after I replaced the rotor. Hope this helps....It might sound like BS but it's true.

 

[I'll_SHO_U]

Nope,the brakes had been refurbished before I got the car. Along with a new clutch, struts, starter and new tires is what kinda sold me on the car. Thats pretty much why I went all the way to michigan to get it. Other than the small amount of rust over the rear wheels, which I know is common but wasn't mentioned in the add, and the dash lights not working, I checked the fuse and replaced it, only the clock light and door chime came on but still no dash lights which also wasn't mentioned in the ad and I found out on the drive home, and the door ajar and abs light which are lite which also wasn't mentioned in the ad, its an awesome car. Now I'm scrounging around for parts for the 120k service, well it might be the 60k service. I don't know whats been replaced on the engine besides the spark plugs and fuel filter. Time will tell I guess.

 

[qiksho]

Ok here is my input on mileage. The 89 SHO I had never got better than 26 on the highway. My dads 92 doesn't even get that. My 91+ got 31 at times comin back from california to North Dakota, and I was doin 75!! thumbs_u The only gas we use is premium, and I do notice a difference between the premium gases. Some give better mileage than others.

 

[Emerald94]

Cold weather is also a factor in your poor fuel mileage.
How old is your thermostat? If your engine doesn't warm up enough, it'll make it run rich, hence the poor fuel economy.