Just curious if 17-18mpg is normal for 1982 Volvo wagon. I do all in town driving at less than 3-4 mile trips. I have the GLT model but the Turbo engine blew and the previous owner had a regular non-turbo installed.

The new engine has about 17,000 miles and it runs great but it seems that my gas milage should be much better and if so what should I be looking for before I have a mechanic search at $75 an hour.

Thanks

Hi Len,

I get about 23-25 MPG urban and low thirties on a run. Check all service items such as air filter, plugs etc. It could be that such a low engine is still a bit 'tight' and is not yet giving its best. Don't run this motor on synthetic oil until you have 30 or so thousand miles on it (unlike more modern engines these were not designed to run on synth from the word go) otherwise it will not run in properly (poor ring sealing in the cylinders, sooty/oiliy tailpipe etc).

Finally, be honest. Are you booting the accelerator hard all the time?

Good luck,

Rich.

Len

I usually average about 15-17 with my 242Ti. Turbocharged, I do the same type of driving that you do normally with highway runs every now and again.

My engine has about the same mileage as yours does. I thought this mileage was low, but with the short hope, turn off engine, turn on engine driving. I would tend to expect this.

Do you have mechanical injection?

take care

Luke

82 242Ti 165k miles

Len,

I have an 87 240 GL, I do 95% city driving, almost all short trips. I get around 24 miles to the gallon. It dropped for a while, but I replaced the air filter, cleaned the fuel injectors, and replaced the cap, rotor, and points on the distributor. This helped the milage get back to around 24 mpg.

Nick, where did you get this car??? Is it a custom "retro special" of some kind?

When /Why did Volvo go to points in 1987 ??????????

Some one HELP, I don't get it!

I have a 79 242 DL and I also get 17-18 mpg...

From what i've heard also, it seems about the norm for those of us with older cars.

Robert

Len:

I have had my first Volvo for 4 months. I do a 80/20 mix of hiway and city driving and I have been geting about 21 mpg with my '89 740 GLE.

I thought this seemed low for a four cylinder car, but an expereanced Volvo owner said it was normal and that Volvos aren't known for gas mileage.

Mario