OK, I have this piece of crap 1999 Ford Contour. The thing has 73000 miles on it. I realised last night that I am getting only about 8-12 miles per gallon. I should be receiving about 23-25 mpg.

I don't think there's a gas leak--I'd surely smell it and find evidence of it on the ground--and I'm not carrying anything heavy in the car.

So...are there any grease monkeys in here who can offer a theory as to what could be causing the bad mileage? It's not a fuel leak...so what the hell is it??

it could be anything Dude

tyres, air-leak...anything

get it checked out by a qualified grease-monkey, org grease monkeys are

you probably need to get your fuel system cleaned out. try buying some of that stuff you add to your tank when you fill up. it may help and depending on where you live, it should only be about $5.00 per bottle. around here, us country girls know how to fix a car!!!

summerdawn said:

Yeah, could be, but the thing is I just had the fuel system cleaned out about 5 months ago--when the frickin' fuel pump went out!! I swear, that car has been nothing but trouble. The LAST Ford I ever buy!!

summerdawn said:

INJECTOR FLUID!

DudeDrops said:

make sure next car is German or Japanese

DudeDrops said:

i had a mustang that went crazy on me like that. i ended up buying the honda that i have now, but the only thing wrong with the 'stang was the oxygen sensor was unplugged. fords have so many relays and sensors its not funny. i'd do what ardeo said if its worth the $ and take it to an experienced mechanic. i love american made cars, but i was getting such awful gas mileage. i had to get me a rice burner that gets 500 miles to the gallon.

Sounds like your car may need a good service (tune up) U can do a lot of that urself

katt said:

That's true katt. DudeDrops, I'd invest in one of the manuals that they sell at auto zone or advance auto parts that troubleshoot your car. Well worth the $.