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poor mpg; poor mpg
Topic Started: Mar 6 2009, 08:55 AM (1,102 Views)
hertzonahill
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I have just recently purchased a 1993 Geo Metro 3cyl auto with 39k original miles. The car runs very well but I'm only getting around 20 mpg.! I commute 70 miles per day on the interstate with no stop n go traffic. The car does seem to have a higher than normal idle even after it's warmed up. Also, the torque converter doesn't seem to lockup. Also, there are receipts from a Chevy dealer for a complete tuneup which there is evidence of.(plugs,wires ) Any help would be appreciated.
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Will
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Victory is mine!!!!

hertzonahill
Mar 6 2009, 08:55 AM
I commute 70 miles per day on the interstate
How fast do you drive it on the interstate? The reason why I ask is that an automatic Metro has no overdrive gear. Anytime you drive over 55 you are going to see a large drop in mpg.

I have a 5speed, and my wife's Buick gets better mpg at 70 mpg than I do.
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hertzonahill
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I drive between 70 and 75 mph.
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Ryan
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Ryan

Will
Mar 6 2009, 09:02 AM
hertzonahill
Mar 6 2009, 08:55 AM
I commute 70 miles per day on the interstate
How fast do you drive it on the interstate? The reason why I ask is that an automatic Metro has no overdrive gear. Anytime you drive over 55 you are going to see a large drop in mpg.

I have a 5speed, and my wife's Buick gets better mpg at 70 mpg than I do.
You are certainly correct on that. I was driving roughly 70 on a 100-mile trip and I was using a lot of fuel.

So, I left Ludington on Monday and before I left, I had a half-tank. I drove between 55 and 60 and the way to Kalamazoo (about a 165 mile drive). When I arrived in Kalamazoo, the needle was a little above the red mark. I know the economy will improve once I get an alignment later this month.

I installed a new air filter and the new coolant temperature sensor before making the trip back to Kalamazoo. I won't see the results on that until we get another cold snap.

But, of course, this is on a 5-speed. Still is a big difference...
Edited by Ryan, Mar 6 2009, 10:49 AM.
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Will
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Victory is mine!!!!

hertzonahill
Mar 6 2009, 09:05 AM
I drive between 70 and 75 mph.
That is a large part of the problem. The Metro was never intended to go that fast for any sustained amount of time. You really should back it down to 55-60 for a full tank of fuel and see what your mpg is then.
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2000Firefly1.3L
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I hear about people on teamswift who drive their 3cyl metros floored constantly. The get no less than 30MPG with a good condition metro when driving it like they stole it. So yeah we got a problem and let's figure it out. Do a compression test.
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Will
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Victory is mine!!!!

Quote:
I hear about people on teamswift who drive their 3cyl metros floored constantly.

-No shortage of stupidity these days :shake

The get no less than 30MPG with a good condition metro when driving it like they stole it.

- I would be shocked if they are being truthful about that...

So yeah we got a problem and let's figure it out.

- Jury is still out :hmm

Do a compression test.

- Always a good idea... Make sure to post your results :thumb

Can anyone offer anything on the torque converter issue????
Edited by Will, Mar 6 2009, 02:31 PM.
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samp9983
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Parts Man

Put 13 inch rims and tires on the front that will help a little
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bennie442


39k miles on a car that is sixteen plus years old sounds a little bit low. Like a lot low! If you bought the car from the original that you trust is telling the truth, then 39k it is. If, however, you bought the car from owner number who knows :'( , then God only knows how many actual miles is on the engine as the odometer will roll over at 100k. I would check the compression numbers to see if you have a healthy engine that may need some tweaking to get the mileage numbers up. And don't expect anything like 40 plus m.p.g. My stock 91 Metro 1.0 liter auto transmission car only gets mid to high thirtys, and, no, not at 70 m.p.h. I once got 41.6 m.p.g. one trip on back roads accelerating so slowly to 55 that blue-haired people passing shot me the bird. As to your converter not locking up, it isn't going to. You have a plain old-fashioned converter. :smackface
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2000Firefly1.3L
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samp9983
Mar 6 2009, 03:28 PM
Put 13 inch rims and tires on the front that will help a little
no put 24's ! :lol
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Slow down! :)
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Woodie
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hertzonahill
Mar 6 2009, 09:05 AM
I drive between 70 and 75 mph.
Then you're getting pretty good mileage. The automatic transmission is shit, only three gears, no lockup torque converter, and insanely high rpm's at highway speed. (highway speed is 60 mph) At 70 to 75, not only are you going to get bad mileage, your exhaust valves aren't going to last long.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Well, if you want to cruse at race speeds you could get 3Tech's 218/350 cam/+10 cam gear and SuzukiRD's header to start out. :rocker
Sensible would be go over to metrompg and ecomodder.com but they'll suggest you to slow down also. :'(
I do inflate my tires 3-4 psi over recommended, use 87 octane gas and stay off the brakes.
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