Doesn't make sense. The rear wheels are only engaged when there's a speed Δ between front and back. Even if you were running different size wheels front and back, the system would eventually overheat and disengage (a protective measure by design).
Stuck in 4WD causing bad MPG????
I've been following the mileage debate for a while because my 2006 AT 4WD mileage has gone from within the norm, as discussed here, to:
12-13 in the city
18 highway at the most
This has been the case consistently for more than a year, in all seasons, many many fill up checks, a checkup by the dealership, with no improvement. I am about ready to sell this thing, but I love the Kiwi color
QUESTION: I recall someone mentioning somewhere in this forum that low mileage may be due to the car driving in 4WD mode all the time. Does this make sense?? I have searched but cannot find that reference again.
If has any validity, how does one go about checking if the vehicle is "stuck" in 4WD??
Thanks!
12-13 in the city
18 highway at the most
This has been the case consistently for more than a year, in all seasons, many many fill up checks, a checkup by the dealership, with no improvement. I am about ready to sell this thing, but I love the Kiwi color
QUESTION: I recall someone mentioning somewhere in this forum that low mileage may be due to the car driving in 4WD mode all the time. Does this make sense?? I have searched but cannot find that reference again.
If has any validity, how does one go about checking if the vehicle is "stuck" in 4WD??
Thanks!
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
check your air filter and your plugs, thats my bet.
Unfortunately, I've already done that (also tires, etc.) with NO improvement. Even ran some of that fuel cleaner stuff through (pour in with gas).
I guess I'll have to go buy a Prius:x
I guess I'll have to go buy a Prius:x
Stuck caliper dropped me about 3-4 mpg early this year . . . didn't catch it for several months (it was COLD !! . . . hard to get motivated to look)
Have you checked your pads/rotors for abnormal wear ?
Have you checked your pads/rotors for abnormal wear ?
Hopefully 
confused that is something the dealership would have done during a "21 point multi-point" inspection and 30,000 mile services????
confused that is something the dealership would have done during a "21 point multi-point" inspection and 30,000 mile services????
I would certainly think they would catch that in a normal inspection; you may have paperwork indicating % wear/life remaining on the brakes from the check-up.
What does the dealer say about the low mileage and how many miles do you get from a full tank before the "low fuel" lamp comes on ?
What does the dealer say about the low mileage and how many miles do you get from a full tank before the "low fuel" lamp comes on ?
just out of curiosity, you don't have any roof baskets or extra roof rack items on your E do you? Those things will knock a couple mpg's off any driving style. Add that to some aggressive driving and you might be close to those figures.
I don't know what to tell but those are some low numbers and agree that something has to be wrong but like Dan said it would be hard to believe the 4wd system is stuck on. I hope with only 30k miles it is still under warranty and you can get them to really check it out.
I don't know what to tell but those are some low numbers and agree that something has to be wrong but like Dan said it would be hard to believe the 4wd system is stuck on. I hope with only 30k miles it is still under warranty and you can get them to really check it out.
Definitely that's low, I'll get a low of 17 driving like Mario Andretti driving in world rally. Something's definitely fishy there!
I know the Ford Dealer I live by has a machine that cleans fuel injectors (not sure if the injectors come out for the E!). Its not a gas additive, they take the injector out and hook it up to the machine which cleans it.
Might be worth looking into.
Might be worth looking into.
My milage... @ 24
I often have a large ski type roof box. With it on the car doing 75+-MPH I see @ 20MPG. Without the roof box I see a steady 23-24MPH. Not great for such a small car but that is consistent and driving the car hard.
JoeV
I often have a large ski type roof box. With it on the car doing 75+-MPH I see @ 20MPG. Without the roof box I see a steady 23-24MPH. Not great for such a small car but that is consistent and driving the car hard.
JoeV
I could only see getting those low mpg's if most of your trips were short, you carried an oversize load or you had lead foot. Otherwise I'd look for something that was slipping or dragging.
Easy things to check: exhaust system damage, dragging brakes/ wheel bearing, transmission fluid, dual pump fluid, engine oil, high alcohol content gasoline, tire inflation, engine air filter.
Harder to check: blown gasket, worn/fouled spark plugs, slipping serpentine belt, stuck thermostat, engine ground, voltage regulator.
Easy things to check: exhaust system damage, dragging brakes/ wheel bearing, transmission fluid, dual pump fluid, engine oil, high alcohol content gasoline, tire inflation, engine air filter.
Harder to check: blown gasket, worn/fouled spark plugs, slipping serpentine belt, stuck thermostat, engine ground, voltage regulator.
a really easy thing to check would be whether you're pulling a heavy trailer. <grin>
such low mileage suggests a lot of drag or heavy load somewhere.
(and the heavy load might even be on the accelerator pedal.)
such low mileage suggests a lot of drag or heavy load somewhere.
(and the heavy load might even be on the accelerator pedal.)
jeez, don't get all crazy. ^_^Unfortunately, I've already done that (also tires, etc.) with NO improvement. Even ran some of that fuel cleaner stuff through (pour in with gas).
I guess I'll have to go buy a Prius:x
when doing an evaluation on a used 4wd vehicle, one trick is to engage the 4wd, turn the steering wheel all the way to one side and drive in a circle. if it feels jerky and maybe makes some chirping, the 4wd is engaged. this isn't a great test elements because of the auto engage 4wd system, but it could be a good test for you to eliminate the system being locked into 4wd as your issue.
also...did you check to see if your tires are filled with water?
jeez, don't get all crazy.
also...did you check to see if your tires are filled with water?
That's a new one----the "Tractor Edition E."
That's a new one----the "Tractor Edition E."
Now that's Funny !!
Sodium Filling the tires would lower The Mileage some !
Dom
Can't manually engage 4WD on the Element. You could engage it by intentionally driving on ice, I suppose.engage the 4wd
right, but if the 4wd is stuck on, as the OP suggested, this little test would show it...or at least (as I suspect) rule it out as an issue.Can't manually engage 4WD on the Element. You could engage it by intentionally driving on ice, I suppose.
It is so close to impossible for the 4wd to get "stuck" on that I don't think it warrants any thought.
I just had a thought reading this post... your AWD has an iVTEC engine, correct? If you had everything else checked out, the only thing I can think of that's left to possibly look into is the fuel delivery system. Sounds like it's getting too much fuel for some reason or another.
The iVTEC has computer / circuit controlled overhead valves. Perhaps something weird's going on there? I've never had anything less than 18 in my AWD and that's with a full load and standing on the gas pedal.
Tweaking the computer on the iVTEC can prove to be dramatic. Check out the post on the 'Hellement' where the guy achieved about 375 HP by tweaking the valve timing and adding a few other bolt ons (no turbo).
Let us know if you find out what's going on with your mileage being so outa whack. Sure hope you don't have to sell her!
The iVTEC has computer / circuit controlled overhead valves. Perhaps something weird's going on there? I've never had anything less than 18 in my AWD and that's with a full load and standing on the gas pedal.
Tweaking the computer on the iVTEC can prove to be dramatic. Check out the post on the 'Hellement' where the guy achieved about 375 HP by tweaking the valve timing and adding a few other bolt ons (no turbo).
Let us know if you find out what's going on with your mileage being so outa whack. Sure hope you don't have to sell her!
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
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