What is wrong with my Vibe - only getting 20mpg in city (1.8 awd)

20

Asked by Joseph Sep 23, 2010 at 09:25 PM about the 2004 Pontiac Vibe Base AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I am only getting 20.5 mpg  - at 55,000 miles, it should be doing better than that, no?

5 Answers

7,385

Depends on how you drive, what kind of oil you're running, how often you change the oil, what kind of filters you use and how often they are changed, hundreds of factors. Is it behaving normally?

20

Yes, although when I turn it up, it idles at about 2,000 rpm for a minute or two, I guess that might be a small factor. .. I will be changing the oil soon, and will put in synthetic ... but that wouldn't contribute more than a small percentage, no? .. I have a new air filter, and I cleaned the MAF sensor, but have not yet touched the plugs ... this car should be getting 50% more mileage ...

2 people found this helpful.
7,385

Synthetic should improve it some. Definitely check the plugs, look for any kind of fouling or deposits and find something that tells you how to "read" a plug, that could point out a problem that isn't immediately apparent.

1 people found this helpful.

DONT go to synt oil it will start useing oil,change your plugs and wires clean the IAC,idle air control,that is why it is going up to 2k on idle,is on TB,1 plugin round clean with carb cleaner,spray a little wd 40 in it replace,they get carbon build up in them and cause them not to work right,when removed DO NOT push in on the round part sticking out of it.

1 people found this helpful.
22,495

It is not going to get way more than that- they are rated for 26 city and 31 hwy under ideal condtions- if there is a lot of stop/starts, that will cut it back- you may want to run some fuel injector cleaner through the gas tank too to make sure things aren't getting gummed up.

Your Answer:

Vibe

Looking for a Used Vibe in your area?

CarGurus has 35 nationwide Vibe listings starting at $3,980.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    660
  • #2
    GuruSJJ8C
    Reputation
    580
  • #3
    Paul Washburn
    Reputation
    420
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Matrix
9 Great Deals out of 120 listings starting at $2,599
Used Toyota RAV4
124 Great Deals out of 2,931 listings starting at $6,950
Used Toyota Corolla
139 Great Deals out of 2,287 listings starting at $3,495
Used Honda Pilot
29 Great Deals out of 790 listings starting at $2,495
Used Honda CR-V
156 Great Deals out of 4,959 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Highlander
44 Great Deals out of 818 listings starting at $8,495
Used Honda Civic
186 Great Deals out of 4,226 listings starting at $2,499
Used Mazda MAZDA3
89 Great Deals out of 1,278 listings starting at $2,966
Used BMW 3 Series
63 Great Deals out of 1,233 listings starting at $3,995
Used Honda Element
13 listings starting at $3,495
Used Toyota Camry
45 Great Deals out of 1,150 listings starting at $3,900
Used Toyota Yaris
9 Great Deals out of 204 listings starting at $3,490
Used Chevrolet Equinox
93 Great Deals out of 3,623 listings starting at $1,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.