- #1331 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [ray80]
by kathiky1
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Nov 28, 2007 (7:51 am)
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Replying to: ray80 (Nov 28, 2007 7:19 am)
My drive was on cruise control at a pretty much constant speed of 70 mph. There wasn't much traffic, so I didn't have to pass or slow down much. I did have to stop and go at a few streets as I approached the mall. That's all. I wasn't running much air or heat (it was a beautiful 60 degree day). My son may have run his seat warmer (just because he could!). Windows weren't down, and there wasn't any drag from something like that. We were just driving... highway.
Could something inside my car be dragging on the wheels or something? I had a real scarey brake incident in the first 3000 miles where I heard a grinding noise as I tried to stop, and the brakes didn't stop. I had that happen a couple of times, but they never found anything. I have't had it happen recently, but I do hear a "pop" once in a while when I press the brake (during in-city driving speed).
Could I have crud in my gas tank that is pulling down the mileage?
This poor mileage has been the case since day one.
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- #1332 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [kathiky1]
by ray80
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Nov 28, 2007 (8:08 am)
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Replying to: kathiky1 (Nov 28, 2007 7:51 am)
Doesn't sound right to me for the condition you desribe, and I don't have any good for sure ideas. The reason I asked about A/C/recirc/defrost was because I had an issue with mine where A/C was overfilled with refridgerant. This caused engine performance problems (and fuel comsumption presumably) until I got it corrected. The symptoms I noticed where A/C blowing very very cold then not so cold (back and forth) and also flutter/stutter/falter in performance when running at constant speed.
Hopefully someone has better ideas on what trouble my be.
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- #1333 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [kathiky1]
by 62vetteefp
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Nov 28, 2007 (11:19 am)
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Replying to: kathiky1 (Nov 28, 2007 7:51 am)
If your brakes are hanging up enought lower mpg that much your wheels would be very warm after getting off the expressway. So next time on the highway check each wheel (not wheel cover)/smell for extra hot.
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- #1334 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [kathiky1]
by smogdung
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Nov 28, 2007 (4:30 pm)
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Replying to: kathiky1 (Nov 28, 2007 7:51 am)
Mine is the 2.4L automatic.....probably the worst mpg of the 4 possible engine/transmission combinations....suburban ...not much stop & go...after 22,000 miles I'd estimate we ave 26.5 mpg over the course of a year.
Have you checked your tire pressure? Bump it to 32-35 PSI if it's low.....
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- #1335 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [kathiky1]
by micweb
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Mar 05, 2008 (2:49 pm)
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Replying to: kathiky1 (Nov 28, 2007 7:51 am)
If you had a grinding noise from your brakes at 3,000 miles, it is likely you are "riding" your brake by resting your left foot on the brake pedal all the time. This would have led to rapid wear of the brakes followed by the grinding noise (no brake pad left) against the disc rotor.
I suggest you run the same test (reset fuel gauge, cruise control) but deliberately keep your feet AWAY from the brake pedal.
My father in law had the same problem with the clutch on his Cobalt, he burned out three of them until the service manager rode along with him and caught him resting his foot on the clutch.
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- #1336 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [micweb]
by kathiky1
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Mar 06, 2008 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Mar 05, 2008 2:49 pm)
I'm 44, not 84 and I don't rest my foot on a brake. Had the same sound happen again recently... it's definitely the ABS and it's definitely not acting right. I've had ABS brakes before. They should sound like a grinder and they shouldn't lock the car into a slide. How frustrating.
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- #1337 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [kathiky1]
by anduh5678
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Apr 15, 2008 (12:16 am)
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Replying to: kathiky1 (Mar 06, 2008 8:28 am)
I am thinking about buying an HHR. I was just wondering if anyone has any problems with driving in snow or rain? I have had an S10 and a '86 Berlinetta. Neither car was worth a poo in weather conditions. I haven't been without 4WD in 7 years, so I am a little worried about a FWD.
If anyone has any comments I would appreciate it.
Thanks
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- #1338 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [anduh5678]
by kathiky1
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Apr 15, 2008 (4:48 am)
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Replying to: anduh5678 (Apr 15, 2008 12:16 am)
I have been very disappointed in how the HHR handles. If ABS is engaged, the car rumbles and grinds and pulls way off to the side. If you look back at my prior postings, I was having a terrible grinding when I touched on the brakes. After many test drives, I was told it was the ABS brakes engaging. I told myself I could get used to it and so I drove the kids to school one day when we had some minor frozen spots (I'm in KY, so we don't usually get snow). I ran off the road twice while going 25 mph. It has been parked in my garage ever since. As for the MPG, I did start getting a better read after the first year. I got up to 19 MPG (never past that).
Here's the shocker... I put my car up for sale and couldn't get anyone to consider paying more than $8K for it (edmonds, ebay, craigslist, local). I paid $22K for it (it's loaded and in excellent condition) and it only has 10,000 miles. I looked up the blue book value and it's listed at $14-15K one year later (although nobody wants to pay that). Ouch! Now I'm just keeping it and driving locally when the weather is good. I have 3 teen boys and won't let any of them drive it because of the blind spots.
Oh, and I just got a recall notice that says they have to install "bumpers" near the inside windshield to help absorb impact to the head of a driver? I'm sure that's going to be real attractive.
My advice is to consider a different car.
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- #1339 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [anduh5678]
by ray80
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Apr 15, 2008 (5:11 am)
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Replying to: anduh5678 (Apr 15, 2008 12:16 am)
No matter what I drive we have winter here so I always put on winter tires. The only problem I have is a slight tendancy to overpower the tires a bit at startup with the 2.4 engine. Lower octane seems to help in that regard.
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- #1340 of 1402
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Re: Getting terrible MPG... what could be wrong? [ray80]
by smogdung
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Apr 16, 2008 (12:37 am)
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Replying to: ray80 (Apr 15, 2008 5:11 am)
I had the recall work performed yesterday......I can't see anything......maybe they just stuff more padding under the headliner????
Hey Ray.....found a fantastic deal a few months ago.....the marriage between Chrysler and Daimler ended in divorce.....the Crossfire that was really a Mercedes & manufactured in Germany....stopped production on 12/17/07......Chrysler is virtually giving these fantastic cars away....as much as $15K off sticker!!! With a LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY!!! I bought an '07 6 speed......151 mph top speed & I'm ave 25.1 mpg!!!! 3 valves & 2 spark plugs / cylinder ....19s on rear....owners manual...says ...."The laws of physics still apply..." (re. Stability Control) talk about lateral Gs !!!!
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