16mpg normal???

[mccollum_007]

Just wondering if this was normal for a basically stock LS1 a4 to be getting this kind of mileage WITH 2.73's? I just filled up today and figured I'd check my mileage since I reset my trip meter last time I filled up and instead of 19-20 like I figured I got 16.7 when I calculated it up Now this isn't terrible but it doesn't seem to be on par with everyone else. I do drive nearly 100% in town besides a 6 mile trip from work and back on the highway where I usually travel around 55 or so. The car has bad cats but I doubt thats the problem, it also has 92,000 on the clock with stock plugs, wires, etc. as far as I know. I was thinking about getting gears this summer but with 2.73s and getting that bad I may need to rearrange my priorities...

[s900]

I usually average 26-28, but the lowest I've gotten was 20mpg with a 6spd. Wouldn't bad cats add to the problem?

[mccollum_007]

I wouldn't think so...but maybe? Hopefully someone else will chime in and help out.

[Lyle A]

I'm lucky if I can get 12 around town. LT1's suck on mileage except on the highway. I think 16 around town with a LS1 is good.

[mccollum_007]

Dang 12 is pretty bad man haha, but I know 16 isn't good for a LS1, it might not be bad but its definantly not good. I know from the factory the A4s are rated at 19city and 23 or so highway (cant remember the exact highway numbers) and 2-3mpg isnt a huge deal but I don't see why its not getting anywhere closer to 19 than that...

[s900]

Try checking your tire pressures and oil. Do you run the AC often?

[hissin'98]

I would start by just doing basic maintenance stuff like new plugs, new air filter or clean it, definetly check tire pressure and anything else that might need some attention. If it was getting good mileage before, it should continue too.

[mccollum_007]

I havent checked the air pressure in a while so I guess I could start there although they don't look low (what psi should I run them at) and my K&N's just a couple months old so I wouldn't think it would be too dirty...As for changing plugs/wires I was hoping I could figure out if thats really necessary or not before I do it since its a pretty big undertaking by what I've heard.

[s900]

I still have my 16s and typically set my tire pressure to 35psi for daily driving.

I know its hard, but try to let up on the throttle...it helps a lot!!

[mccollum_007]

Also what about the cats could they be causing the car to run crappy since the SES lights on?? I didn't think they could but if they are I suppose I could just get a set of high flow cats to fix the problem...

[tom]

If you don't have an ses light glowing, keep tracking your fuel economy to see if that was just a bad week.

[HMFDZ28]

start off by finding out the code, that could be key right there. Also a 2.73 gear set will hurt your in town low speed milage. A set of 3.73's will accually help there. I have the same issues though. Every car I have owned had a set of 3.73's and I have a set waiting to go in this car.

[mccollum_007]

Yea I figured the 3.73's might help a little around town because it wouldnt have to climb so high of rpms to get up and going but what else could be the problem??? The SES light IS on but the mechanic said he did some scans/tests and he thinks my cats have just gone bad. I thought about getting the gears and when they tune the car getting all my emissions crap deleted out of my system (rear o2's, air/egr just to keep from having future headaches) but didn't know if that would really help out much or not?

[HMFDZ28]

Get yourself a nice set of Offroad long tubes and delete all the extras, cleans up the engine bay very nicely and it is all really not needed. This also makes your tune and gears have the biggest bang for its buck. Well worth the headers and gears in the same clip then. I personally will never keep a car without 3.73's for this long of a period again, It accually bothers me. I am so used to the gears that something feels off. This is all with me also having a 3200 stall converter.

[Jessedale98]

Are any of you aware that, your mood can affect your MPG up to 33%. This is a proven fact, i heard it on the discovery channel. So why dont you lay off the peddle and watch ur mpg increase up to 21.28.