Is 11.5mpg too low for a 04 2.5t?

owl · Post by **owl** » 11 Jun 2012, 14:20

I decided to check the mileage I was getting on my 04 2.5t with 101k miles and doing the calculation by hand gives me 11.5mpg. I think is fairly low, I was expecting something more like 14mpg (which is what the trip computer says). I do 100% city driving, short trips (not more than 5 miles), hardly going more than 3 blocks without having to stop. 100% highway gets me around 21-22 mpg.

So, is 11.5mpg too low for slow city driving? Any ideas how to improve it?. I already cleaned my MAF and used Redline Si-1 without much change... at most 0.5 mpg.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 11 Jun 2012, 17:09

owl wrote:I decided to check the mileage I was getting on my 04 2.5t with 101k miles and doing the calculation by hand gives me 11.5mpg. I think is fairly low, I was expecting something more like 14mpg (which is what the trip computer says). I do 100% city driving, short trips (not more than 5 miles), hardly going more than 3 blocks without having to stop. 100% highway gets me around 21-22 mpg.

So, is 11.5mpg too low for slow city driving? Any ideas how to improve it?. I already cleaned my MAF and used Redline Si-1 without much change... at most 0.5 mpg.

You may have other issues but for the suspension department keep the tire pressure around 36 to 40 PSI depending on the weather and use Nitrogen (Costco and others) instead of gas station air. An out of Spec Alignment can also easily cost you 2 mpg.

Friend just sent his son back to College from CA to TN for a summer internship with their 2000 Odyssey. I had change the Spark Plugs, Motor Oil (Costco - Chevron) with Swepco Oil Improver and a Trans Drain and Fill with Swepco also. They are at 20 from 18 mpg Combined and 27 from 24 mpg Highway. A 2 to 3 mpg improvement respectively. They are not Automotive Literate by any means but notices the difference in performance and especially at the pump. I have both in my S70 besides the motor oil and have use the products for over a dozens years now.

SWEPCO 502 Oil Improver
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... co_pg6.htm

SWEPCO 714 Automatic Transmission Fluid - 20W
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... o_pg10.htm

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... detail.htm

Independent Volvo uses their products also and swears by it. I buy the motor oil and trans fluid by the case from the Local Rep but get ones and twos of other items from Independent when needed.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/independent-vol ... lnut-creek

Blessings,
BKM
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The Blue Whale · Post by **The Blue Whale** » 11 Jun 2012, 22:35

Seems low.
I have an 06 2.5t. Mine is FWD only. We get a steady 20 mpg combined town and hwy driving. We have gone as low as 17mpg when we stay in town a lot, and 26 mpg on the interstate on vacation, but its pretty consistant at 19 or 20mpg for our everyday use.
AWD would make a difference.

But then again, if you really are stoping every 3 blocks and having to acclerate, could be that low.

Tonyx · Post by **Tonyx** » 12 Jun 2012, 07:54

Mine gets 17mpg almost exclusively city driving(23mpg on highway driving). 2003 T6 AWD. Running premium 92octane.
Will be trying mid grade 89 octane as that has helped to improve F/E on my XC70.

owl · Post by **owl** » 12 Jun 2012, 15:55

Thanks for the replies!

I do check the air on my tires frequently and my alignment was OK when I changed the tires a few months ago.

As for the oil, I'm using Mobil 1. Before that I used the Walmart full synthetic oil with MOS2 additive for an oil change, and I might have gotten better mpg. My ATF fluid is also relatively fresh, I used Toyota T-IV in the flush.

It does sound low to me, but then the highway mpg seems normal, maybe is just the stop and go in a hilly city.

Has anyone tried changing spark plugs for getting better mpg. Mines are 45k miles old... they should last for another 15k according to the maintenance schedule, but maybe they have deteriorated already?

Post by **MoVolvos** » 12 Jun 2012, 17:23

owl wrote:
Has anyone tried changing spark plugs for getting better mpg. Mines are 45k miles old... they should last for another 15k according to the maintenance schedule, but maybe they have deteriorated already?

Spark plugs should be changed at half the recommended intervals. It is a cheap consumable part compared with other items. The factory Specs are for ideal conditions which do not exist.

Blessings,
BKM
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owl · Post by **owl** » 28 Jul 2012, 07:36

I changed the spark plugs about a month ago, but didn't get any noticeable change.
I used Denso platinum TT and re-gapped them to 0.03. No ill effects from using non-OEM plugs, but no gains either.

Flip07 · Post by **Flip07** » 29 Aug 2012, 01:28

Have you tried replacing the Fuel Filter? When was it changed last? Not sure if this would help but if it is do for a replacement you might give it a shot. I replaced mine and provided a how to video on YouTube if you want to give it a try. Its so easy to do.