Fuel economy

It's been a little warm so I've had the AC running a lot and driving
almost entirely in traffic. I just filled up today and the gas mileage
is 27mpg for this last tank. Does this seem normal for a '92 with the
1.6 engine? It seems maybe a bit low to me, I'm wondering if it's time
for new plugs and wires.

The car has about 142,000 miles and I don't know when the plugs were
changed last.

Anyone run one of these with the AC on most of the time?

I think it's great compared to what I got with my 92 over 5 yrs. I'm not
sure what effect if any, it had on mileage but I kept my timing advanced to
14 BTDC all the time. In traffic with AC, I'd have probably gotten 22 or 23.
I think it's mainly because the car is geared to 'zoom-zoom' and not for
mileage. I've always argued that a tall top gear would be a wonderful thing.

In Houston, the hot summer months aren't the best convertible months.

Good plugs and wires can only help the situation though, right. If you don't
know how old they are, it's probably time ;-)

Chris
99bbb

"XS11E" > wrote in message
...
>
> It's been a little warm so I've had the AC running a lot and driving
> almost entirely in traffic. I just filled up today and the gas mileage
> is 27mpg for this last tank. Does this seem normal for a '92 with the
> 1.6 engine? It seems maybe a bit low to me, I'm wondering if it's time
> for new plugs and wires.
>
> The car has about 142,000 miles and I don't know when the plugs were
> changed last.
>
> Anyone run one of these with the AC on most of the time?
>

"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in
:

> I think it's great compared to what I got with my 92 over 5 yrs.
> I'm not sure what effect if any, it had on mileage but I kept my
> timing advanced to 14 BTDC all the time. In traffic with AC, I'd
> have probably gotten 22 or 23. I think it's mainly because the car
> is geared to 'zoom-zoom' and not for mileage. I've always argued
> that a tall top gear would be a wonderful thing.
>
> In Houston, the hot summer months aren't the best convertible
> months.
>
> Good plugs and wires can only help the situation though, right. If
> you don't know how old they are, it's probably time ;-)

Probably right, I'll plan on it soon... and not worry about the gas
mileage, it's still better than most SUVs!

In article >,
XS11E > wrote:

> It's been a little warm so I've had the AC running a lot and driving
> almost entirely in traffic. I just filled up today and the gas mileage
> is 27mpg for this last tank. Does this seem normal for a '92 with the
> 1.6 engine?

Sure, on a Miata the A/C will typically cost you 10-15%.

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

XS11E > wrote:

>
>It's been a little warm so I've had the AC running a lot and driving
>almost entirely in traffic. I just filled up today and the gas mileage
>is 27mpg for this last tank. Does this seem normal for a '92 with the
>1.6 engine? It seems maybe a bit low to me, I'm wondering if it's time
>for new plugs and wires.

In view of the fact that the AC takes noticeable power away, it seems
logical it would also have a noticeable effect on mpg. Turn off that
sissy AC, unzip the rear window and lower the side windows, and try
to keep enough distance that you do not have to brake constantly.

>The car has about 142,000 miles and I don't know when the plugs were
>changed last.

Well, obviously within the last 142,000 miles. I would even guess that
the plug wires were replaced within the last 30,000 miles or so.

Leon

>Anyone run one of these with the AC on most of the time?
--
Leon van Dommelen Bess, the Miata Bozo, the Miata
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas