Gas Mileage droping

30

Asked by natparksroadtrips Jul 05, 2011 at 12:14 AM about the 2000 Subaru Outback Base Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

First question, I had a tune up done last fall on my outback wagon, fluids flushed, fuel filter, spark plugs, etc.  ever since then the gas mileage has drop by about 100 miles per tank.  I was getting around 390-400 on as full tank, even in the city now I'm lucky if I get 290miles out of a full tank.  The car has about 208,000 miles on it now.  I've tried using fuel injector cleaners an the such but nothing is working.  What could the issue be and how do I fix it?

3 Answers

735

It could be a wide variety of things. Can you list everything done? It could be the distributor or coil packs starting to go. Or an oxygen sensor. If you start it up and stand behind the exhaust does it smell as if the car is running rich? If so it isn't burning the fuel properly. It could also be that you have a small fuel leak in a fuel hose. Inspect the fuel lines while your at it.

2 people found this helpful.
30

I had a complete tune up done, Spark plugs and wires replaced, all fluids flushed and filters replaced. There was a head gasket leak last year and half the engine was rebuilt including the timing and distributor cap. The transmission was rebuilt about a month ago. When I first start it every day it reves up to around 1700 rpm, gradually dropping to about 1000 rpm and then not going down to 700 rpm until I put it in gear. I had it check for a vacum leak and there are no codes that come up.

3 people found this helpful.
735

I had a much similar issue about a week ago. Apparently I broke some wires that are responsible for sensors during cold startup. My car would idle high and then drop to 1000 and when I put it in gear it was around 800. But it also would accelerate and stall on its own. I took it to the mechanic and he fixed it in under 10 minutes, wouldn't even let me pay him. Ur best bet is to just take it to a mechanic there's too many electrical parts to these cars.

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 34,028 nationwide Outback listings starting at $900.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2000 Subaru Outback

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,510
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,670
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,390
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
1,046 Great Deals out of 34,037 listings starting at $1,999
Used Toyota RAV4
1,968 Great Deals out of 34,265 listings starting at $2,300
Used Honda CR-V
2,003 Great Deals out of 37,778 listings starting at $1,600
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,003 Great Deals out of 10,613 listings starting at $2,995
Used Subaru Legacy
324 Great Deals out of 7,064 listings starting at $1,250
Used Subaru Impreza
322 Great Deals out of 9,251 listings starting at $2,650
Used Toyota Highlander
1,457 Great Deals out of 14,915 listings starting at $1,825
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,176 Great Deals out of 55,903 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota Camry
2,124 Great Deals out of 43,929 listings starting at $1,150
Used Lexus RX
852 Great Deals out of 12,908 listings starting at $2,350

Used Cars for Sale

2025 Subaru Outback For Sale
16 Great Deals out of 19,463 listings starting at $24,985
2024 Subaru Outback For Sale
155 Great Deals out of 2,817 listings starting at $23,990
2023 Subaru Outback For Sale
87 Great Deals out of 1,006 listings starting at $21,500
2022 Subaru Outback For Sale
164 Great Deals out of 2,279 listings starting at $15,999
2021 Subaru Outback For Sale
95 Great Deals out of 1,063 listings starting at $14,950

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.