Terible Fuel Mileage, 05 Outback 2.5xt

[natejj]

Bought a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5xt in the summer. At the time I got it, I was getting around 20-23 mpg driving around in Calgary, and on the highway. I then did the timing belt a month later, and moved up to northern BC. Since I got up here, my mileage has dropped to 11-12 mpg. I've been feeding it premium, and not driving it hard at all. I do run it 5-10 minutes in the morning before I go to work, but that's it. I put in a new air filter when I did the timing belt as well. I know my mileage should go down in the winter, but to drop 50%?? This thing is costing me an arm and a leg to drive. Any suggestions?

[dimi]

Reset the ECU is a good way to start. I usually do that by yanking the battery cables off for a few mins.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Wow that's pretty bad mileage. I have a Legacy GT with the EJ255 which is the same as your car I believe. I have got as high as 24.33 US MPG and as low as 10.65 US MPG but that was flat out lapping at Race City.

Check your spark plugs, did a shop do your timing belt or did you do it yourself? Any modifications?

[sr20s14zenki]

Shop could have maybe screwed up and not set your tensioner properly. Maybe your belt skipped a few teeth. Also, its possible whoever did the timing belt had it off by a tooth OR didnt properly follow the instructions for dealing with the VCT area of the cams when setting the belt.

Also, as mentioned above check air filter, fuel filter, plugs, etc. Wouldnt hurt to get a timing light and check timing. to be sure its good

[heavyD]

Overly retarded igintion timing.

[natejj]

I had the Timing Belt done by a reputable shop in Calgary, I don't think it's that, but I'll check it. It's freaking -25 out right now, so I'm not in the mood to really work on my car at all, just carpooling as much as I can. Soon as I get it into somewhere warm, I'll check out the plugs, thanks guys.

[Prostrho]

How long is your drive to work?

If its less than 10minutes.. and you warm the car for 5-10min, 10-12mpg doesn't sound outrageous at all.

[rp_guy]

Originally posted by Prostrho
How long is your drive to work?

If its less than 10minutes.. and you warm the car for 5-10min, 10-12mpg doesn't sound outrageous at all.

i agree.. my mileage drops to shit when it starts getting cold (due to warming up or whatever)

[natejj]

Originally posted by Prostrho
How long is your drive to work?

If its less than 10minutes.. and you warm the car for 5-10min, 10-12mpg doesn't sound outrageous at all.

It's 10 km's.... so... your probably right lol. Doh. Shoulda kept the Civic.