Rough Idle and Poor Gas Mileage

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SHOLMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1998 mercury tracer. The car runs fine, but there are some minor issues that concern me. The car has a rough idle when stopped, and it gets slightly worse when the cooling fan kicks in (though it isn't really that much of a differece), additionally my gas mileage has been around 25mpg (my car should be getting somewhere in the 30's with the amount of highway driving I do). I've replaced the timing belt and that slightly helped, but I'm still lost as to what could be causing this. I am about due for a tune up, and my mechanic suggested that I get that and a transmission service done because my car was a dealer rental and had regular maintenance done. I'm just wondering if these will help with the problem and if a tune up is really what I need?
Apr 17, 2007 at 7:06 PM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
Does the check engine light come on? Really poor mileage could be the ETC, temp sensor, 02 sensors...tho these usually set a code. Rough idle could be the idle air control. The best place to start is basic...you gotta know about the tune-up! including all filters....
Apr 19, 2007 at 6:37 AM
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