- Jan 4, 2012
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My Father and I were sitting down and discussing my purchase of a decently neglected Convertible Fox last night. There weren't too many problems (it wasn't a total basket case-- or I hope that it isn't), but there is something bothering me. I'm only getting 13 mpg. This bothers me mainly because I bought the car hoping I would get 15 or more and still have the thrills of having a small block V8. Here's how I figure it. I drive 34 Miles per day. I fill up every four days and I have found that I am using 10 gallons in four days (I like to fill up when the gauge reads 1/4-- I have 5 gallons left over every time as buffer space). Now, 34 x 4 = 136 and 136/10= 13.6 miles per gallon. This is a bone stock car with the exception of a full catback exhaust added by the PO, and by no means do I hot rod around in this car, so I know it isn't because I'm getting crazy and flogging it everywhere. Every now and then I smell gas pretty strongly on the car. Not every day but once in a while. I've never dealt with a fuel injected car before (my last car was Carbed and all of the other cars I've every worked on are carbed). What should I check/replace to improve mileage? (The more I save on gas, the more I can put towards getting the seats reupholstered, they're pretty bad.) Other things to note: The temp stays pegged at the bar right above 130 on the gauge when I'm driving down the road, and I know I need a new heater core and maybe a new radiator. I'm having the latter checked out. Any help you guys could give would be great.