Really bad gas milage

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jessica

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I just bought a 2021 equinox lt awd. Can anyone tell me why it's saying I'm getting 16.1 miles per gallon city?? Bopught it Used, one owner and only 34770 milage.
 

Hey Vern!

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I could see it with the 2.0 if you were city driving and doing a lot of quick starts from red lights, but that is excessive. Normal City for your 'nox is 26mpg.
There are plenty of things that could cause it. bad injector. evap leak. MAF sensor. o2 sensor...
Is the check engine light on?
 

jessica

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I could see it with the 2.0 if you were city driving and doing a lot of quick starts from red lights, but that is excessive. Normal City for your 'nox is 26mpg.
There are plenty of things that could cause it. bad injector. evap leak. MAF sensor. o2 sensor...
Is the check engine light on?
No there aren't any lights
 

jessica

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A diagnostic will reveal the issue.
A diagnostic was performed when the used car place received the car. The report the car lot sent me doesn't have anything noticeable that would indicate any problems such as the one I'm currently experiencing. I just bought the car on the 10th.
 

bagbyjw

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Using proper octane of gas? When was last oil change? When was last filter(s) changed? Tire pressure correct?
 

Hey Vern!

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Maybe it's just me but I would view any report from the seller as suspect.
Me too! The Dealer/seller will hide all kinds of things from a buyer. I bought a truck from a dealer that had body filler in the frame. The dealer took it back in trade and sold it at auction. I found it 2 weeks later for sale at another dealer. I checked the car fax and it didn't show any frame work being done to it. It was swiss cheese! They use companies like Maaco, because they won't report it.
 

CPG

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I just bought a 2021 equinox lt awd. Can anyone tell me why it's saying I'm getting 16.1 miles per gallon city?? Bopught it Used, one owner and only 34770 milage.
I bought a new 2023 Equinox LT FWD in Maryland last year. I live in the eastern part of the state which is mostly coastal plain and small rolling hills. Just passed the one-year mark yesterday and getting fantastic gas mileage. The photo was probably my second best 50 mile run ever. Summer I usually average around 36 to 38..... During the winter I was getting 34 to 36.
 

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Vondoman

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I bought a new 2023 Equinox LT FWD in Maryland last year. I live in the eastern part of the state which is mostly coastal plain and small rolling hills. Just passed the one-year mark yesterday and getting fantastic gas mileage. The photo was probably my second best 50 mile run ever. Summer I usually average around 36 to 38..... During the winter I was getting 34 to 36.
1.5…2.0? Turbo?
 

CPG

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1.5…2.0? Turbo?
For the 2023 model year, the only engine offered was the 1.5 L turbo. After living with it for a year, I do not find myself wanting for more power. it has plenty of power and torque for what I use the car for. I'm retired, never do any towing usually never more than two people in the car. Love the engine so far and I certainly wouldn't be getting this gas mileage if I had a bigger one that I do not need.
 

Jimer

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I just bought a 2021 equinox lt awd. Can anyone tell me why it's saying I'm getting 16.1 miles per gallon city?? Bopught it Used, one owner and only 34770 milage.
figure on actual gallons and miles driven for accurate MPG.
 

CPG

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figure on actual gallons and miles driven for accurate MPG.
I've done that twice... Both times I was within 0.1MPG of what the dash computer said. I reset trip odometer B at every fill up... You know when you're getting 490 mi out of a 13 gallon fill-up... you're doing okay.
 

AmmoJoe

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Just out of curiosity, did you happen to reset the mpg screen? I’m wondering if the previous owner never reset it and it’s showing it for the entire 34k mileage.
 

TopHat

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Jessica, my daughter's 2019 1.5 L AWD gets probably 26 mpg all the time and has 43,500 miles. AWD is always engaged; it helps on traction especially on rainy days. A little wet pavement can cause most non AWD cars to go askew when stepping on the gas. You could buy a scan tool for less than $25 that has some good features but probably don't need it. Does the car run rough or self limit at about 55 mph; could be air hose disconnected on top of engine. Before you do anything, reset MPG as suggested. Chances are it has idled a lot before sale. Also try to avoid E85 gas if possible and use top tier gas like Costco, Shell, etc. You will see top tier label on pump indicating quality gas with sufficient detergent additives. Do stick with regular. Best of luck.
 

AmmoJoe

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Jessica, my daughter's 2019 1.5 L AWD gets probably 26 mpg all the time and has 43,500 miles. AWD is always engaged; it helps on traction especially on rainy days. A little wet pavement can cause most non AWD cars to go askew when stepping on the gas. You could buy a scan tool for less than $25 that has some good features but probably don't need it. Does the car run rough or self limit at about 55 mph; could be air hose disconnected on top of engine. Before you do anything, reset MPG as suggested. Chances are it has idled a lot before sale. Also try to avoid E85 gas if possible and use top tier gas like Costco, Shell, etc. You will see top tier label on pump indicating quality gas with sufficient detergent additives. Do stick with regular. Best of luck.
Just curious if your daughter manually turns AWD on everytime she starts the car.
 

TopHat

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Just curious if your daughter manually turns AWD on everytime she starts the car.
Never turns it off so AWD on all the time. On my 2022 Escalade ESV, I generally run in 2 wheel drive for better mileage; it stays in the last setting 2 WD, 4 WD, or AWD. We rotate tires at oil change. The 2019 Equinox still has even tread on all tires and plenty of tread at 42,500 miles. I drive her car a lot, and remain impressed with its MPG and (KOW) its lack of repair needs.
 

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