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2009 HHR 2.2 - Poor Fuel Economy

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Old 12-03-2011 | 01:23 PM
  #11  
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All the 09 Automatics came with Auto Start.... Didn't say yet if you use it.
Old 12-03-2011 | 04:23 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by bigjacksauto
How much ethanol in gas
None.


Last edited by Ali; 12-04-2011 at 12:05 AM.
Old 12-03-2011 | 04:25 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by BlackknighT
All the 09 Automatics came with Auto Start.... Didn't say yet if you use it.
Auto start is an option here & I don't have it.


Last edited by Ali; 12-04-2011 at 12:06 AM.
Old 12-03-2011 | 09:47 PM
  #14  
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Well I guess that answered my question. I try not to use mine unless there is ice & snow on the car. Kills my overall mileage. Funny though that the Canadian ones didn't come with the remote start.
Old 12-03-2011 | 10:10 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Ali
We live in North Vancouver where weather is mild & traffic is moderate at the worst of times. I drive a 50/50 combination of city & highway. The only explanation I could up with was the computer is mistaking gas for Ethanol, apparently when running on Ethanol computer makes the fuel to air ratio %30 richer. I will talk to GM people about this possibility. I hope, I have found the problem.
If you were running that rich you tail pipe would be caked with soot and your eyes would water if you stood behind the car while it was running.... I don't remember the algorithm that the ECM uses to switch from E85 to gasoline onec it senses alcohol but it takes a tank or so to go back to "normal" once you have used FlexFuel and gone back to gas..... Have you ever run E85?

I don't see how it would make those changes without you ever using E85.
Old 12-03-2011 | 11:59 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Greybeard999
If you were running that rich you tail pipe would be caked with soot and your eyes would water if you stood behind the car while it was running.... I don't remember the algorithm that the ECM uses to switch from E85 to gasoline onec it senses alcohol but it takes a tank or so to go back to "normal" once you have used FlexFuel and gone back to gas..... Have you ever run E85?

I don't see how it would make those changes without you ever using E85.
I will have to try every possibility. GM technicians have not been able to help me.

Old 12-04-2011 | 12:31 AM
  #17  
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So many variables that need to be addressed here. What you need to do is establish a true baseline before hitting the panic button. Here's some suggestions.

1. Check the pressure in your tires when they are cold and set them to the factory inflation spec.

2. Check and replace the engine air filter if necessary.

3. Remove all unnecessary weight from the vehicle, you'd be amazed how much incidental stuff collects over time.

4. Run the current tank of fuel through the vehicle, and then refill the tank.

5. Drive normally, don't try to hyper-mile because that'll introduce a statistical variable skewing the mileage reading.

6. Don't trust the DIC mileage readout, it can be off by 2-3 mpg.

7. Run a tank of fuel through and compute your mileage the old fashioned way with a pencil and a piece of paper.

If your mileage still is consistently low, then its time to dig deeper. As far as the algorithm used by the ECM when running E-85, its based on the information provided to it by a sensor in the fuel tank that measures the specific gravity of the fuel in the tank...that may be failing, but its too early to condemn it.
Old 12-04-2011 | 01:26 AM
  #18  
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make sure your water temp is correct..below 175 deg it locks out the Torque converter and if colder may be running on the cold circuit longer then necessary( equates to a choke on a carbed car) I dont like winter while in town because sometimes it takes longer to get properly warmed up before e verything settles down and runs normal..
Old 12-04-2011 | 01:29 AM
  #19  
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A very good point, a thermostat that is stuck "open" will keep the engine from warming up as quickly as its supposed to, thereby keeping it in "closed loop" mode longer than necessary.
Old 12-05-2011 | 03:37 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by IgottaWoody
make sure your water temp is correct..below 175 deg it locks out the Torque converter and if colder may be running on the cold circuit longer then necessary( equates to a choke on a carbed car) I dont like winter while in town because sometimes it takes longer to get properly warmed up before e verything settles down and runs normal..
Engine temperature is fine. It warms up quickly & stays warm ( Approx. 190 F or 88 C ).



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