03 Eclipse - why only 15 mpg?!?!?!
I just bought a 2003 Eclipse GT with 59,000 miles. Awesome car but... I am only getting 15
mpg and it uses premium gas!!! Any thoughts on why the gas mileage is so bad? It was clean
according to my mechanic only a month ago... Now with all this snow I kinda wish I'd kept my
4x4 Suv!
you know, that ain't so bad for a sportscar in city traffic or having the extra push for snow. You have what a 2.2 liter engine...well my MINI has a 1.6 liter and only gets 20 mpg on 93 octane. so you are paying the price for sportiness...or your handbrake has been dragging this whole time.
The first thing to try is a new oxygen sensor. That can make a big difference. Also, the tires you are running can make a HUGE difference. I have found, on one car, a 30% difference in the fuel consumption, and all I changed was the brand of tire, not the size of the pressure. Some, especially the off brands, are not engineered for low rolling resistance. What brand tires are you running? I've had supremely good luck with Pirelli tires.
I will check the handbrake, I hadn't thought of that. I am getting the oxygen taken care of. I also hadn't thought about the tires... I just put on 4 new. Continental Extreme Contact DWS. I'd hate to think that that made the mpg so bad. It's supposed to avg 20 at least. My 4x4 got better mpg than 15! Thank you all for your answers!!!
The Continental should be a good tire for both grip and rolling resistance. Just make sure the pressure is up properly
Try a new set of spark plugs and a new air filter. It may not be miraculous but it should bring the car back closer to stock numbers. I would also go with the O2 sensor as mentioned and inflate the tires a few pounds over the recommended pressure.
The Eclipse GT actually has a V6 (3.0 liter, I believe) , not a 2.2 L 4 cylinder, but it should still get better fuel economy than 15 mpg, IMO. My GF had a '03 GT, very nice car and has good power and reliable too!...I just didn't like the seating position...I couldn't recline it back far enough, so my knees were always bent when I did drive it. Other than that...nice ride :) Glad you bought this year instead of the newer body styles...they aren't as cool looking..too bad Mitsu stopped making the Eclipse...I was waiting for the NEXT re-styling and contemplating a V6 convertible :(
The majority of V6 owners are reporting between 22-25MPG on Fuelly.com (http://www.fuelly.com/car/mitsubishi/eclipse/gas%20v6)
3.0 liter v6 non turbo mitz engines have a 10 to 1 compression ratio. Good High octane fuel is a must to keep it from predetinating before cylinder get all the way to the top of it stroke. Also check air filter. Hope this helps.
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