Some of you may have remembered my question regarding clutch life, and the subsequent problems with a dealer in replacing the flywheel. I did manage to get a replacement wheel, and was reimbursed for what I'd paid..so that was resolved.
However, since the car came back from the dealer in August, I've struggled to get 28 mpg on the freeway (I had been getting 31+ every drive). Most recently (probably due to winter gas here in WV), my gas mileage has gone to utter crap.
Using all the tricks I know to try for higher economy (so far it's working), has netted me 26.5 mpg on the highway, doing 65-70, with a LOT of neutral coasting and drafting. City is roughly 12, depending on how little idling I do.
For the record, I'm getting passed by literally everything on the road by going slow, and trying to get some reasonably similar numbers to what I had (my personal best was 34.9 mpg on a 58 mile stretch shortly after getting the car).
I've changed the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, and cleaned the MAF sensor...no dice on any of it. I did manage to catch a quick whiff of the exhaust after stepping out of the car briefly, and the thing smells like my old carb'd Bronco. To say it's running rich by smell is an understatement.
I'm driving grandma slow in this thing, and it's topping at 16 mpg with 50/50 highway/city. Coasting isn't quite as good as I remember, but I haven't found any dragging brakes, and the tranny fluid is full. Shifting is also a PITA lately, and the clutch let a small squeal out yesterday. Mileage is now just passed 60k.
To top it off, my car has the passenger floorboard leak, which has me wondering if I should keep it. I may be able to work out a deal for a newer model (probably a V6 as well..don't mind them), but the whole reason I went to buying a CPO, or newer vehicle was so that I would be able to avoid problems, or at least lessen the likelihood.
If people have some suggestions on what to possibly check (outside of codes..which I plan to check soon) that would cause a drastic change in mileage (without changing habits, terrain, traffic patterns, or even gas blend in the beginning). Yes, I've kept tire pressure at the 4 PSI above door jamb recommendation..the car felt best with that pressure.
I love the car, but maybe I should bite the bullet and spend a little more to get something new. As for having a dealer work on it, I won't take it back where I bought it from, and can't get a loaner from any other dealer. My old Escort is getting a new project engine, so it's currently down at the moment, with the Mustang as my daily. No public transport to speak of here, no sidewalks, bike lanes, or really any form of transit aside from driving myself, so this is a relatively big deal in terms of mobility.
Sorry for the ramblings, and thanks.
However, since the car came back from the dealer in August, I've struggled to get 28 mpg on the freeway (I had been getting 31+ every drive). Most recently (probably due to winter gas here in WV), my gas mileage has gone to utter crap.
Using all the tricks I know to try for higher economy (so far it's working), has netted me 26.5 mpg on the highway, doing 65-70, with a LOT of neutral coasting and drafting. City is roughly 12, depending on how little idling I do.
For the record, I'm getting passed by literally everything on the road by going slow, and trying to get some reasonably similar numbers to what I had (my personal best was 34.9 mpg on a 58 mile stretch shortly after getting the car).
I've changed the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, and cleaned the MAF sensor...no dice on any of it. I did manage to catch a quick whiff of the exhaust after stepping out of the car briefly, and the thing smells like my old carb'd Bronco. To say it's running rich by smell is an understatement.
I'm driving grandma slow in this thing, and it's topping at 16 mpg with 50/50 highway/city. Coasting isn't quite as good as I remember, but I haven't found any dragging brakes, and the tranny fluid is full. Shifting is also a PITA lately, and the clutch let a small squeal out yesterday. Mileage is now just passed 60k.
To top it off, my car has the passenger floorboard leak, which has me wondering if I should keep it. I may be able to work out a deal for a newer model (probably a V6 as well..don't mind them), but the whole reason I went to buying a CPO, or newer vehicle was so that I would be able to avoid problems, or at least lessen the likelihood.
If people have some suggestions on what to possibly check (outside of codes..which I plan to check soon) that would cause a drastic change in mileage (without changing habits, terrain, traffic patterns, or even gas blend in the beginning). Yes, I've kept tire pressure at the 4 PSI above door jamb recommendation..the car felt best with that pressure.
I love the car, but maybe I should bite the bullet and spend a little more to get something new. As for having a dealer work on it, I won't take it back where I bought it from, and can't get a loaner from any other dealer. My old Escort is getting a new project engine, so it's currently down at the moment, with the Mustang as my daily. No public transport to speak of here, no sidewalks, bike lanes, or really any form of transit aside from driving myself, so this is a relatively big deal in terms of mobility.
Sorry for the ramblings, and thanks.