1997 850 T5 fuel economy

Chzman · Post by **Chzman** » 09 Mar 2009, 09:34

For those who have a turbo 850, I have a question. What kind of fuel economy are you all getting? I recently filled up and calculated about 12 MPG around town. This is the first time I did this since buying the car last month and getting it ready to use on a daily basis.

I think it should be better than that, even with some spirited driving on my part. I drove the car back from Oregon where I bought it, some 500 miles, and got an average of 23 on the road. I think that is a bit low also, considering it was all freeway back to Boise.

Your input on what I should look for to replace to help this issue would be greatly appreciated.

mdempst_79 · Post by **mdempst_79** » 09 Mar 2009, 09:55

I am getting 10.8 l/100km (mixed) hwy/city, and I also have some days of "spirited" driving with my 94 850 T5. That works out to ~575km/tank. My 98 V70 T5 is getting 9.8 l/100km and gets about ~650 km/tank. Hope that helps.

gjz30075 · Post by **gjz30075** » 09 Mar 2009, 11:02

I have a '97 850 GLT which some consider a turbo. I get much better mileage so you are correct in that there is improvement to be had.

You should probably start with the basics of plugs, wires, cap and rotor.

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Mar 2009, 13:23

You should see roughly 17 around town in a hilly city, 28-32 on the highway, steady driving at 70mph.

Is your Check Engine light on?

If not, do what gjz30075 said, give her a tuneup, use some fuel injector cleaner additive, and check tire pressure.

Post by **tailor** » 09 Mar 2009, 13:36

Hmmm,

Only on long trips have a managed to break the 10L/100KM barrier and get a very respectable 8,9L/100.
The best I can achieve in the sedentary traffic of Toronto is 525km which works out to about 13.3L/100km and close to running dry , which i know is no good.

Chzman · Post by **Chzman** » 09 Mar 2009, 14:43

Thanks for the input.

I changed the spark plugs, but nothing else. The old ones looked like the original Volvo plugs with the electrode worn to a point. I will work on the other aspects since I think this car was neglected for service over time.

Is there any vacuum leak or sensor malfunction that might cause some issues here? Being new to the turbo model, (I have a 850 GLT wagon that gets 25 MPG in town) I want to be sure I am looking at this issue correctly.

I am going to check all the vacuum hoses and see if they are all in good shape this weekend.

Thanks for the input, and let me know if you have anymore good ideas to look at. I appreciate all the help.

Chzman · Post by **Chzman** » 09 Mar 2009, 14:56

Thanks, Matthew.

The check engine light is NOT on, and I have tire pressures at 36 psi for the stock tires. I will add some injector cleaner tonight and see if the MPG will improve.

Thanks again...

Post by **wndsrfr** » 09 Mar 2009, 21:07

1000 miles on I95 & I87 from Virginia to Western Mass. and back last week--26mpg running 75mph most of the time and 65 the rest. '94 855 Turbo.

rustyg · Post by **rustyg** » 09 Mar 2009, 23:58

Have 1997 with 170k miles on it. Get a respectable 22 around town, 27 down the highway at 70+. Keep it tuned up and make sure using 92 octane. MPG falls quickly when trying to save a few $ with 87 octane, plus burns up the spark plugs quickly.....

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Mar 2009, 05:06

Mine is around 21 in the city, high 20's on the highway- '98 T5 w/ chipped ECU.