Hello,
My wife's 94 850 non turbo wagon w/ 188K makes 14mpg city -big time stop and go, 19 mpg combined and 24mpg interstate. I did almost everything, switch to syn blend oil (not full syn), new plugs, air filter, rebuilt tranny, new tires, new flame trap- throttle service, use octane 89, check vacuum leaks, Not sure if my cat is bad or O2 sensors but i have don't get bad codes all 1-1-1. Although during cold starts(SOCALweather-no biggie) i smell gas fumes and there's a tick sound ( lifters perhaps) and it goes away after some time. My spark plug wires seems ok.
Basically car runs great just kinda' running out of options before i throw in the towel of DIY projects and visit my honest but $$$ indy volvo shop to save on gas costs.
Thanks in advance again for your valuable insights and inputs.
more power to our brick board!

a couple of basic things you could try are check the tire alignment, replace the gas filter if not done so already, and make sure tires are properly inflated, also try some fuel injector cleaner. Sounds like the problem is beyond those tips but they're worth trying.

Check your MAF next to your air cleaner and the air pump under the battery. You shouldn't smell gas at start up. It's not getting enough air. Also check the voltage of the O2 sensors, one of them may be going bad.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

hi,
My air pump is broken, could it be the problem?
thanks

Eventhough the air pump is only used during cold start to heat up the cat, that is why you are smelling gas at startup. Yes, getting that fixed will make a difference in your mpg around town. I am surprized that there is no code posted. Should be.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)