Improve Gas Mileage V8 XC90

[4strokesmoke]

Ok ok ok, don't kill me if this has been posted before, because I've been searching and haven't found anything.

I have a 2007 Volvo XC90, and it is one of the best cars I've ever had. Really, it's only failing is the horrible gas mileage. I've been averaging 13-14 mph because I mainly do city driving. It is stage 0 as I've been good about doing preventative maintenance such as plugs, engine air filter, tire pressure, etc.

For the 2011 model year XC90 V8, the posted fuel economy is slightly better than previous models. I want to know why and if it is worth it to alter my vehicle to get the better gas mileage. My guess is it is different programming on the ECU combined with a couple of things like different injectors or something along those lines.

Does anybody know? I called IPD, and they didn't know. I've found chip tuning companies that can get a little more horsepower and torque out of the engine with a corresponding improvement in gas mileage (if driven softly), but these chips cost around $1000. If it was as simple as the stock programming being better on the 2011 XC90 (and it was backwards compatible with mine), I'd just get an ECU from one at the junk yard or on ebay and make the swap.

Thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[jimmy57]

I think the EPA testing method changed as no mods were done between 2010 and 2011.
That is poor MPG for an XC90 V8 but you may be in slow stop n go driving with lots of idling.
I do not know of anything that will improve MPG unless you are warming up car before driving or doing something else that wastes fuel.

[4strokesmoke]

Ok, thanks for your input. I'm doing mainly city driving so it doesn't really surprise me.