S70 fuel economy or lack of it...

Post by **kcodyjr** » 09 Apr 2011, 22:47

Mine turns on at 50 too. You shouldn't let it run too low, or anything floating in the tank will get sucked into the fuel filter.

Weird how?

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 09 Apr 2011, 22:50

50 miles is a long way, half the island for me.. I thought there was something wrong with it.

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Apr 2011, 22:57

Don't trust the car to that; or make it much of a habit. mine stays at 35 miles to 0 forever. I once put 17.5 gal in it - running low isn't good for the fuel pumps.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 09 Apr 2011, 23:05

Wont, normally if the light goes on, gas too..thats why I asked, I'm used to resetting the odometer and go with miles per tank, just to have a ballpark idea..
Owning VW bugs when young created that habit..( those fuel gauges sucked)

crezzy2k1 · Post by **crezzy2k1** » 11 Apr 2011, 02:51

Hello all!

I have a 850R, on a run its doing around 22-25 MPG (US) and in town that will drop to around 14 MPG (US). I used to own a T5 stick that could manage 29MPG (US) but with some extremly careful throttle control! The thing is here in the UK a US gallon of regular unleaded (95 oct) costs $8.22 here and premium (97-99 oct) about $9.00. Its totally rediculous, and its why many people are opting for very small gas cars or diesel cars, i also i own a Renault Clio diesel which does 45MPG(US) a US gallon of diesel cost around $8.60! But who wants a cluttery diesel!!! Consider yourselves lucky guys!

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 11 Apr 2011, 08:05

~15mpg sounds about right for these cars for purely city driving, especially with the A/C on. Check the basics - alignment - that the wheels spin freely (ie. no caliper or bearing binding), etc - but city mileage is just not great on these cars. Unless you see a definitive decrease from what you have gotten before, under the same driving conditions, I think you'll spend a lot of money changing parts that could buy an awful lot of fuel instead.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 11 Apr 2011, 09:41

You are right.
I find the buying of doo dads and snake oils a waste of money, although a good starting point is finding out what is normal on the fuel consumption. One of the reasons I ask is that I would like to see what is the effect of changing something, would it be better? Theres many way to look at things..

The car is from 1999, but has a 49k miles, should I change the timing belt? Would that change help things?

For less than $45.00 you can get a K&N filter, would it improve mileage? Horsepower? At least i wont have to buy another filter

The car is full with 91 octane, will it make a difference?

New plugs?

Check air pressure?

Is it time for an oxygen sensor? I've read here it helps quite a lot

Besides fuel mileage, just things to make the car improve as it was in 99 when it came out of the dealer..

After reading the forum looking for a specific noise I might have narrowed it down to spring seats,so what I thought was misalignment could be something else..

Its my wifes car so I cant "control" my information quest..

Post by **kcodyjr** » 11 Apr 2011, 10:21

The K&N filter in the factory box is a well worth it at $45.

Expect a slight but noticeable improvement in power throughout the RPM range, and probably 1mpg savings due to not having to stand on the gas quite so much.

It's the first thing I do to every Volvo I've owned.

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Apr 2011, 10:32

If that timing belt has never been changed, IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED! It's over 13 years old now - the belts are supposed to be good for 7 yrs. Losing an engine will put you in a much, much more expensive hole.

Copper core plugs work best on Turbo models - Bosch Supers gapped at .028".

It sounds like this car never gets much high speed driving. Go out and drive like you stole it for a little bit, keep it in the 'L' gear, and get/keep those revs up. Blow some of that built-up carbon out of the cylinders! Lots of low-speed, low-RPM driving isn't good for them - the fluids/pressures never really get up where they should be.

If you can get your hands on some Seafoam, I think it would be a good thing for this car.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 11 Apr 2011, 11:04

Jblackburn

Just the belt or water pump etc should be changed?
Normal speeds here are between 50 and 70, but I see a coming trip to a very good churrasco steak place on the South side of the island..and watching out for cops, that have been brutal in these hard times..( how I miss those $15.00 tickets for speeding!!!!!)
Thanks for the help

S70 fuel economy or lack of it...

Re: S70 fuel economy or lack of it...