Article: EPA to Fortify Certification Oversight in Wake of Mileage Controversies - Page 4 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

oldtamiyaphile · 10-23-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

There has to be something wrong with that car.

There are some cars that just can't be hypermiled. Just look at my sig, the Fiat is way off the EPA estimates despite being a bit of a Sunday driver and being driven in more favorable conditions than the rest of the fleet.

Frank Lee · 10-23-2014, 02:15 PM

I don't hypermile my F150 and it beats that lil box?!?

dirtydave · 10-23-2014, 03:29 PM

I asked my grandfather and he said he does take short trips but took a trip out to west Virginia at 55 mph 75*F outside 42psi in the tires and only got 19.5mpg. And that's the best tank. Nothing is wrong with the car except it is thirsty and has strange shift points but like I said he will put it into manual mode and Upshift. I don't know what's wrong with it the dealer just tells him to drive efficient. And he does. .

Frank Lee · 10-23-2014, 08:16 PM

It must be leaving a trail of raw fuel out the tailpipe.

Years ago Ex-Gf's mom had a V8 Dodge that ran poorly. I mean, she'd let it warm up for at least 20 minutes before going anywhere and I observed huge wet spots on the ground under the tailpipe after such starts. She'd brought the car to a local garage for service multiple times for the problem yet after what had to have been over $1000 worth of parts and labor, nothing changed. The entire ignition system had been replaced including computer. This went on for- I don't know- a year? It was a long time, part of it prior to my knowing them.

GF inherits the car and I finally decide to get to the bottom of this nonsense. Took all of an hour or so to deduce that it was flooding badly, to pop the lid off that nasty '80s 4bbl, pull the pair of floats out and chuck 'em into a pail of water, and watch one of them sink to the bottom like an anchor. Run to the parts store and I don't know- $7 later?- had the float replaced and the car running like a champ.

To this day I rarely miss an opportunity to badmouth that shop. What an elementary FAIL. It's such a ginormous fail that I think they were screwing their naive female customer on purpose.

The point? Oh yeah- gallons and gallons of gas straight out the tailpipe; must have been some into the crankcase too. Stupid thing must have gotten single-digit fe.

redneck · 10-23-2014, 08:50 PM

.

Jack the car up and check if a brake may be dragging.

If you have a Ultragauge, check and see if it is coming out of open loop enrichment. The loop in the top right corner will be open when cold and close after a few miles of warming up. Using a ultra or scangauge will provide a lot of other info that may help identify the problem.

Other than that, I would keep taking it back to the dealer. Document everything. If the problem persists, tell them your going to get a attorney. In light of the EPA cracking down on manufactures false claims of mpg, they may offer some sort of compensation.

Remember, a squeaky wheel gets the oil...

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roosterk0031 · 10-23-2014, 09:13 PM

2015 Malibu is rated 36 hwy, I'd have to try hard and be burning E85 to get 19 mpg with my 3.5 Impala. Most people brag high about MPG, maybe he's the odd duck that goes the other way. Borrow it for a few hours and see how does for you.

Hersbird · 10-23-2014, 10:55 PM

Do these grandparents still start it 5 minutes ahead of taking a 2 mile trip to "let it warm up?" Something they probably got used to doing in their early carb days. Also the driving like a grandma, doesn't always turn out to be the best for economy. Taking 40 secs to accelerate slowly to 60 MPH doesn't get you into the most efficient acceleration. Hanging 8 seconds back from the car ahead doesn't give you any benefit of a draft. etc. etc.

digital rules · 10-24-2014, 07:55 AM

Sub 20's doesn't sound right to me either. Every Malibu I have rented would easily do 30+ MPG in the hills of WV. Take the car out for a spin & see how it does for you.