Loss of fuel mileage number has been going down for years

Tiny
TIMMCGRAW313
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 75,000 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above Sport model. When I first bought it new three and half years ago, I would fill it up and it would tell me that I could drive for 407 miles on the full tank. That number has been going down for years and is now at 328. Why?
Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 AT 5:19 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

The overall distance to empty is determined by the average miles per gallon. For example, if you have a 20 gallon tank and are averaging 20 MPG, a full tank should indicate 400 miles to empty. On the other hand, if you are averaging 10 MPG, a full tank will indicate 200 miles to empty.

With that in mind, have you driving conditions changed which may result in a lower average MPG? If not, the I would suggest ( and I have no idea what maintenance has been done to date) is to check the air filter to make sure it isn't partially plugged, consider a tune up (which requires the removal of the intake, and if the check engine light stays on while the engine runs, scan the computer to see what codes are stored.

Now with all that in mind, if you remove the intake to have the plugs replaced, I strongly recommend replacing the oil pressure switch when it is off. I have seen many failures. Make sure, however, to get one from the dealer that has been updated.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
TIMMCGRAW313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I think so. I'm going to take your suggestions and bring them to the car dealership and have them look into it. When I ask the car dealership about this about a year ago they said all of their cars do this and I just can't believe that that's true. Thanks for your help.
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
Welcome back:

That is a big change. Cars will use more as the wear, but at 75,000 miles, it shouldn't be that extensive.

If you don't mind, let me know what you find out or what they tell you.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 9:54 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Hello,

If I may jump in here. it sounds like the MAP sensor may have changed but not enough to cause a check engine light which is common. I would run the codes by following this guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Here is the location of the MAP sensor in case you want to swap it out. Below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 11:20 AM
Tiny
TIMMCGRAW313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for responding. I went to the dealer and they did not have an answer for me. They asked me to keep track of my mileage manually for a while and get back to them. So, I'm going to do this but when I do, I will bring your comment into them with me. I'll let you know what they say. Since I'll have to fill the tank a few times to get an accurate reading, this may take a couple weeks. I don't drive the car a lot. Thanks again!

Tim
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
Welcome back:
Let us know. We are anxious to know what fixed it.

Take care,
joe
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 5:08 PM

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