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Gas mileage getting worse!!!

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24K views 11 replies 11 participants last post by  jimrinflorida  
#1 ·
i have a 2014 Santa Fe 2.0t awd. When I first bought it it was getting 320-340 miles a tank after having it for 6 months now we are down to 250-260. The engine feels sluggish, however no codes, no change in driving habits. Anyone have ideas?
 
#3 · (Edited)
That's quite a drop. QUITE a drop. Atmospheric temperature changes nor winter blends would have that much of a radical effect.

Not trying to make light of your situation, but you don't have a teenage son sneaking out of the house at 2AM to go see a girlfriend, do you? There's a reason I said that! :wink2:

I wouldn't play around with it. Two thoughts: It's a 2014. It's under warranty...best left to the guys at the dealership to diagnose. Maybe someone on here had a similar situation and can relay what transpired. @toy Toronto: your PSI suggestion deserves some thought. But even tire pressures wouldn't drop the fuel mileage that much, I wouldn't think. He's dropped 80 miles per tankful on both city and highway. And the "sluggish" reference fits into this equation, somewhere. I could be wrong.

Keep us posted on this!
 
#5 ·
Same vehicle here. Getting 320-340 on a tank after 8 months since new. Unless you are driving bumper to bumper city traffic, something is amiss. Yes, the dealer is the first place to begin with your dilemma. Even a tailpipe emmisions test might diagnose something. Maybe your engine air filter is blocked.

I run my tires at 35 PSI (34 is Hyundai recommended) and find that a good compromise. I wouldn't recommend going higher than 36, or you will definitely experience more uneven tire wear, not to mention a harder ride. Some nutty folks never check their tire pressure at all and wait for the dealer to do that at service time. I doubt that you are one of those mindless folks, however.
 
#6 ·
Sorry to hear that your fuel economy is dropping.
Have you changed where you fill up or has that company maybe changed which blend of fuel they are buying?

Check your air filter for the engine and the cabin filter. If the engine filter is getting dirty, then the cabin filter is also.

Tire pressure.... I run mine at 40PSI on the front and 39PSI on the rear with Nitrogen (came from the dealer like this). No need to constantly check your tire pressure then due to the smaller expansion and contraction rate due to temperature change. I have never found excessive tire wear at these levels or noticed a large difference in ride quality.
 
#8 ·
Tire pressure.... I run mine at 40PSI on the front and 39PSI on the rear with Nitrogen (came from the dealer like this). No need to constantly check your tire pressure then due to the smaller expansion and contraction rate due to temperature change. I have never found excessive tire wear at these levels or noticed a large difference in ride quality.
I just made a comment on another thread about the relationship of tire pressure and MPGs on our vehicles. After having two 2013 SFSs 2.0T AWD for about 2 years now, I feel like the recommended 33 PSI is kinda low for these vehicles. I've played around with different PSI and found that 38-40 is perfect for me because the MPGs improve significantly, I get better handling, and I don't notice any significant loss in ride quality. Since the Conti tires have a max pressure rating of 51 PSI, it won't really affect the wear in the middle of the tire since today's tires don't deform when kept within the recommended pressure levels. The best thing to do is experiment and see what you like.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Don't want to open a Nitrogen vs. Air war, but I also have it in my tires. And I check mine religiously. They hardly ever deviate from the original settings. But, knowing that, it's still no excuse for getting lazy about monitoring those tire pressures.

If you're not, you're just asking for trouble down the road. Either with excessive tire wear, replacement costs, ride quality, steering geometry, something... If monitoring air pressure wasn't that big of a deal, tire manufacturers, car dealers, highway commissions, and dear ol' dad wouldn't be nagging us about it all of the time.
 
#9 · (Edited)
#10 ·
i think the cliffs notes here is that when fuel economy drops on a significant level such as what the OP is experiencing, its not so much that you're losing money on fuel - its an indication that something isn't right.

as okie says, you have a warranty: use it! there's a whole array of issues that can cause the problem. you paid good money for the car, put that money to work ;)
 
#11 ·
a/c will reduce fuel economy

low tire pressure will reduce economy

plugging in a bunch of stuff into the cigarette lighter port will reduce fuel economy

driving around with your headlights on will reduce economy

adding weight to the car will reduce economy

driving style will reduce economy. very often when people buy a new car, they drive like the car is a baby- and then after a few months, they drive it like they stole it(its no longer the baby it once was)

ambient temps will play with your fuel economy.