Fuel consumption on a Ford Ka?

[Emu2005]

Hi all
Had my ford ka for just over a month and haven't noticed any real improvements on fuel economy from my last car, an mg, which I think is a bit strange.
But yesterday I drove 160 miles, mainly motorway, about half an hour stuck in a jam, and it took up nearly 3/4 of a tank - �30! Surely this can't be right. Haven't noticed any leaks or anything. Is this really the fuel consumption I can expect? It's only a 1.3 I don't understand how it can use so much. I would expect it to use half as much.
Any advice anyone?
Many thanks

[kira000]

I had my 2002 52 KA for 4 years. In general, i used to get about 230-240 miles to a tank mainly urban driving traffic jams, and upto 40 mph. On the motorway if i took a steady 65-80 mph, then it could go up to 280 miles per tank.

Dont forget the tank on a KA isnt that big.

[Emu2005]

Hey Kira,
I guess - but �30 for 160 miles, that's about 27 litres, so about 6 gallons = 27 mpg!!! How can that be right?
I do drive fast on the motorway, but surely that wouldn't bring it down to 27 mpg???

[kira000]

If i work out your consumption of 160 miles as 3/4 of a tank and prorate it up to a full tank doing 213 miles, , it does take it slightly less than what i was getting.

But not significantly different to make me think there is a car problem. To maximise efficiency in a KA, you need to use as high a gear as you can. Even at 30mph, my KA prefered being driven in 5th. Also, driving fast on Motorway does effect the amount of miles. My motorway sweet spot did seem to be arond 70-72. The car was happy to go faster than that, but that seemed to be the point where the effificency dropped.

KA's are good little cars, but they arent that fuel efficient.
If you are really looking for savings, you'd be better getting a fiesta diesel. Thats what i swapped to, and i now get about 500 per tank!! plus Car tax of �35 pa, and congestion charge exempt!!!

[Emu2005]

Thanks - put my mind at rest a bit. I'm not that bothered if it's right, I was just worried there might be something wrong with it if it's less fuel efficient than my mg was!
Will try putting it in higher gears sooner and see if that helps.

Thanks!

[Teddio]

That's approximately 6 gallons consumption for 160 miles: 27 miles per gallon. That's far too high! On a long run, travelling at 60 to 70 mph, you should get over 50 miles per gallon. You are burning too much fuel. Things you could get a garage to check:
1. spark plugs: are they sooty?
2. has the air filter been changed recently?
3. is the ignition timing OK?
4. is the lambda sensor OK?
5. are your tyres too soft?

[Toureman]

It's no use saying things like half a tank, three quarters of a tank, etc.

Fill your car to the brim.

note your mileage.

run the car for 250 miles or so.

brim the tank again.

take a note of how much petrol/diesel you put in.

Also exactly how many miles you have done since you first filled the tank.

Now work out how many miles to the gallon your car does !

If you put 10 gallons in and did 200 miles, your MPG would be 20 mpg !

[SuperKav]

I think the fuel guages on the KA are set to err on the side of caution. Mine reads 'empty' at 250 miles but I can do 320 miles from a full tank before I chicken out and fill up again.