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1998 Mercury Tracer Repair Question


Topics covered: Engine, Gas, Mechanic.
Mileage: 145,000 miles.

Asked on November 18, 2010

Low gas mileage 98 tracer.

I have a Mercury Tracer 98 that I recently bought with 145k on it. It drives awesome, occasionally the instrument lights inside on the meters goes off and comes back again in a half an hour or so. But what I am really concerened is that the gas mileage on it is around 17.3 per gallon. I have verified this number thrice. It has a service sticker on that which says "next service due at 148 K. Do you know why instead of a regular 25mpg it is giving me 17 in city?
I would appreciate. Thanks!
Avatar Asked by victorock

Answer

Replied on November 19, 2010

Have you done a tune, and checked for a engine management fault with a scan as yet?

Mark (mhpautos)

Tiny Answered by mhpautos (expert)
26,898 answers provided
Replied on November 19, 2010

There are many possible reasonss for high fuel consumption.

1. Driving condition and habit. If vehicle is mostly driven in city traffic, fuel consumption would be higher. So would be a brisk driver who is heavy on the gas pedal.

2. Engine.
a). Mechanical. Any fault with engine mechanical would cause losses in engine performance and higher fuel consumption.
b). Tune-up. Some high fuel consumption problems can be rectified with a tune-up.
c). Transmission fault. If trans is slipping, it would be so.

As to the meter lights coming on and off, it couls be a loose connection somewhere.

Tiny Answered by KHLow2008 (expert)
39,862 answers provided