Re: 2005 Malibu LS V6 Fuel Filters

On Jul 18, 10:41 am, "C. E. White" <cewhi...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
"ChrisCoaster" <ckozi...@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
CR data snipped to keep post within one zipcode. :)




I had a UTH fuel injector cleaning, the tires are inflated to
31psi(door panel says 30psi).  They are "H"-rated Yokohamas and will
ride too harsh if I go more than 1-2lbs over factory recommended
pressure, and I replaced the air filter 1,000 miles ago.
Frankly this car never got more than 20 city and 24 highway when I
bought it new, but this is ridiculous.
So I'm trying to think of everything.  The alignment was done last
September and is fine - car pulls slightly to the left even with
front
camber set up to pull to the right, but car rolls forever when I let
off the gas, especially in city driving.
My trunk has only 20lbs worth of toolkit in it.  So my issue really
is
what is causing my car to average 10mpg lower than what it
potentially
could achieve in fuel economy?

I would suggest you check your odometer against a standard (or at
least Interstate mile markers). Make sure your brakes are not
dragging. Where do you live?
___________
Fairfield County, CT
___________
Because of varying gas standards,
different parts of the country have different gas mixtures. If you are
in one of the E10 areas,
________________________
Acc to this site: http://www.drivingethanol.org/ethanol_in_vehicles/e10.aspx
My octane rating and mileage should actually be better!
"E10 area"?? That would include most of the lower 48 states according
to the article.
________________________

you could expect 3% worse mileage than an
area with "pure" gasoline. How carefully are you recording your
mileage. I wouldn't trust single trip average.
______________________
The '04-'07 New Malibu/Maxx had the information center on the dash.
Don't know how accurate it is. As of this week it's been averaging
19.4mpg.
During the first year I owned the Malibu, the worst mileage displayed
was 21mpg and the best was 24mpg.
Since then it has gradually gone down. Winters were worse because of
additives put in gasolines during that season.
________________________________
The best way to check
mile is to keep a log book and average the mileage over several tank
fulls. I think you need to average the mileage over 40 gallons or more
(3 or 4 tanks) to get a reasonably accurate estimate (reasonably
accurate being =/- 1 mpg).

I doubt a partially plugged fuel filter would have any measurable
effect on fuel economy unless it was so plugged it turned on the check
engine light (ditto for the air filter). The engine component most
likely to affect fuel economy is the O2 sensor (two of them). I
suppose a sensor that appeared to work properly, but that indicated
the engine was running leaner than actual could drastically affect
fuel mileage, but this seems very unlikely. The check engine light is
off - right?
________________
Yes
_________________
Before I started poking around with the sensors, I'd make
sure the there was not a mechanical problem with the brakes, or
transmission. Are you using the proper oil (5W30 I assume)?
____________________
5W-30 Castrol GTX
__________________
Also, are
you sure your driving style and where you drive might not be part of
the problem?
____________________
Since last summer, I've incorporated the "eggshell" method of
acceleration when and wherever possible. I never rev above 2500RPM
when accelerating because I lift my foot off the pedal slightly to
allow the automatic to downshift. I'm barely turning 1500rpm at 40
miles per hour and 2000rpm at 65.
_____________________
Have you had it checked out by the dealer? I know my SO,
when driving basically the same route and same vehicle as I do, will
get around 2 mpg better mileage than I will. On the other hand, my son
will get 4 or 5 mpg worse than me......

My old 2003 Impala averaged 24mpg on it and was a bigger car.

Not that much different, particularly as far as weight is concerned.
The EPA ratings for a 2003 3.4L Impala were 19 city / 29 highway / 22
combined (only 1 mpg less than a 2005 Malibu V6).
________________________
The V6 in my Malibu is supposed to be of an older design than even
that used in the 2000 Impala. Am I just expecting too much of it?
It's also a little bigger than the 3.4 Impalas, - it's a 3.5.
Remember, my mpg has dropped an average of 3-4mpg in the last 3 years.
__________________________

Ed- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
_________________
See my boxed answer to your questions above.

-CC

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