If MPG drops, check PSIs more frequently!

[stevenvillatoro]

Just thought I'd post a quick important reminder to check your tire pressures frequently.

My MPGs were dropping... I hadn't realized that several months had FLOWN by already since checking tire pressures. Sure enough, I had lost 4 PSI in the rear tires and 2 PSI in the front ones.

Did a quick fill and boost to the fronts to test (31/36 rather than 29/36 previous), and can already notice more miles-per-bar.

If it's been a few weeks, go check your tire pressures!

[SharonRB]

Thanks for the tip! I'll have hubby do it tonight for me. I was going along great on my current tank -- 35 miles on the first bar (not great), but then 56 miles on the second bar and I thought I was on my way to a great tank! then I got 10 miles on the third bar and 16 on the fourth. I'm thinking, "WTF?" The 5th is going a little better, but none of this made sense to me. Your tip is very timely. If my pressure isn't down, though, I'm going to be totally stumped.

[stevenvillatoro]

I can't even imagine the MPBs (Miles Per Bar) that you're reporting. I think the smart could get that good with the tires totally flat!

[dcrooks]

Shouldn't the sensor kick in? Or when does the tire pressure sensor kick in???

[SharonRB]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

I can't even imagine the MPBs (Miles Per Bar) that you're reporting. I think the smart could get that good with the tires totally flat!

Yeah, it's pretty bad this tank. I typically get between 40 and 52 on the first bar, then in the 20s on bars 2 and 3 and then usually around 35-45 on the last five bars.

My overall mileage is typically 35-39, although it was only 32 on one tank and 40-42 on a couple of tanks.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by SharonRB

Thanks for the tip! I'll have hubby do it tonight for me. I was going along great on my current tank -- 35 miles on the first bar (not great), but then 56 miles on the second bar and I thought I was on my way to a great tank! then I got 10 miles on the third bar and 16 on the fourth. I'm thinking, "WTF?" The 5th is going a little better, but none of this made sense to me. Your tip is very timely. If my pressure isn't down, though, I'm going to be totally stumped.

AC any at all will cause that....

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

AC any at all will cause that....

I use A/C 95% of the time, and normally get near 40 MPG with a lead foot.

[SharonRB]

I rarely use my AC -- I have the top down all the time unless it's raining. I did have to use it a little bit this weekend, but not much.

Hubby checked the tires for me last night, and I definitely needed some air. He said a couple of the tires were down 5 lbs. Hopefully that will help, although I did get 41 miles on the fifth bar, most of which was driven before airing up.

[NY Smartie]

Originally Posted by SharonRB

I rarely use my AC -- I have the top down all the time unless it's raining. I did have to use it a little bit this weekend, but not much.

Hubby checked the tires for me last night, and I definitely needed some air. He said a couple of the tires were down 5 lbs. Hopefully that will help, although I did get 41 miles on the fifth bar, most of which was driven before airing up.

that's a huge amount on tires as small as ours. I bet you notice a big difference. good luck!

[SharonRB]

Thanks! It sounded like a lot to me, too. I think the rears were way down and the fronts were down by a pound or so. I'm leaving town tomorrow for Austin for five days, so I won't really know until next week if it really helps.