1992 9000 CD Mileage

[xavierS]

I have a 1992 Saab 9000 CD which I've had since 1999. It has never given me more than about 13MPG (U.S. gallons) in the city, although highway can go over 30 if I leave it on cruise control.

I have thought that this is just what one gets with a heavy car in a city where there's lots of stops and starts, but could there be something I could do to improve it, or is something possibly out of adjustment?

I don't drive aggressively or accellerate fast, and I coast a lot, so I don't think it's my driving. And I keep the tires up to pressure, etc.

Anyone have suggestions or comments?

Thanks

[250Kandcounting]

Well, there is the usual; tire pressure, spark plugs, O2 sensor, (?). That mileage does sound low; my two Saabs (1987 Turbo, and 1995 Aero, both manual), both did about 30 on the highway and mid-to-low 20's, depending on season and traffic, commuting to work.

[boon94]

I drive extremely agressivly in the city and i still manage 23 MPG, i only get 28 on the highway

do CD's have the v6?

[xavierS]

It's a 4 cyl non-turbo engine.

I did get the sparks replaced at one point and the mileage didn't change. I also think the O2 sensor was checked, but I can have it checked again.

Anything else I should get looked at?

Thanks!

[sleepy3863]

Originally Posted by boon94

I drive extremely agressivly in the city and i still manage 23 MPG, i only get 28 on the highway

do CD's have the v6?

my 92 cd has the 2.3 turbo...i usually get in the city about 20mpg, and i drive aggressively ALOT... the people around here always drive under the speed limit, so getting anywhere is a pain unless you are aggressive about it... when was the last time you gave it a full tune-up? changed the plugs, o2 sensor, maybe even the DI cassette? also, does your CEL ever come on? is it lacking power as well, or just the bad mileage?

[xavierS]

What's the DI cassette? And what's the CEL light?

I do notice that the temperature gauge never seems to move, so that is probably not connected.

[sleepy3863]

the DI cassette is the direct ignition cassette that goes over where your spark plugs are, and the CEL is a Check Engine Light.... how many miles do you have on yours?

[xavierS]

Originally Posted by sleepy3863

the DI cassette is the direct ignition cassette that goes over where your spark plugs are, and the CEL is a Check Engine Light.... how many miles do you have on yours?

The CEL was on recently but went off. The battery had gone dead because someone left the door open while I was away for a few weeks, and then it started leaking and I had to replace it. The CEL was on for a day or so after that, but is now off.

I do find that the car won't start easily if the battery is a little low. I have to try starting it multiple times before it "catches" and turns over.

When this happens, I hear a little sound or nothing at all when turning the key. If I keep trying, it then will eventually catch and start normally.

There are 108,000 miles on this car.

[sleepy3863]

when was the last time you gave it a full tune-up? changed the plugs, o2 sensor, maybe even the DI cassette? is it lacking power as well, or just the bad mileage?