VZ Calais: Exorbitant fuel consumption

[NicholasG]

Hi all,

I've recently noticed that the fuel consumption in my 2004 VZ Calais has been pathetic. I'm averaging 300-400 kilometers per tank, and according to the l/100km it works out to be 15-17 litres. I remember when I first bought the car I was averaging 600-800 kilometers on a tank, even more when I did country/highway driving. Even got it down to 9l/100km. I get that it's a big car and all that, but surely this can't be right. I run it on 98 too. Oh, and the engine is the Alloytech 190 V6.

Any suggestions as to why this is?

Many thanks,
Nicholas

 

[Surfwagon]

Sounds like you may need new O2 sensors.
Has any work been done on the exhaust recently as this can upset or ruin old O2's.

 

[NicholasG]

Sounds like you may need new O2 sensors.
Has any work been done on the exhaust recently as this can upset or ruin old O2's.

Thanks for your reply Surfwagon.

The only work I've had to do was change the exhaust tip. It had completely rusted away and needed to be replaced. Would this really have such an effect?

Oh, and what I didn't mention was, the car has only done 90,000 kilometers. Whether or not that helps.

Regards,
Nicholas

 

[losh1971]

Given its done 90k probably on the original 02 sensor it would be worth chucking some in and seeing if it makes an improvement.

 

[NicholasG]

Given its done 90k probably on the original 02 sensor it would be worth chucking some in and seeing if it makes an improvement.

Alright. Thanks for that. I'll give it a go.

The economy is getting worse. According to the car, it's using 18.5 l/100km

 

[losh1971]

I wouldn't rely on trip computers being too accurate. But given you're getting way less miles out of a tank. Something is not right.

 

[NicholasG]

I wouldn't rely on trip computers being too accurate. But given you're getting way less miles out of a tank. Something is not right.

You're right. I've questioned its accuracy before. Yeah, last tank got me 350 kilometers. Not right at all