big disparity between hwy and city mileage

[Bev A. Kupf]

On my '97 850 GLT (non-turbo), I routinely get about 16 - 17 mpg for
in city driving (sometimes as low as 15). On road trips I get 27 mpg.

Volvo service and my independent Volvo place cannot find anything wrong
with the engine -- which has been maintained regularly.

I know that my in city driving is mostly short drives (2 - 3 miles) with
lots of stops and starts. But I am not convinced that this is the only
reason I get such poor mileage for city driving.

Any thoughts on things I can ask my mechanic to look for?

Thanks,
Bev

 

[Rob Guenther]

Seems normal to me. You should be able to get a bit more out on the
highway.... when you drive for 2-3 mins you get HORRIBLE gas mileage.... its
just a fact.

 

[Scott]

This is exactly what I get on my 2002 Cross Country.
Seemed normal to me.

 

[Phil Lefebvre]

On my '97 850 GLT (non-turbo), I routinely get about 16 - 17 mpg for
in city driving (sometimes as low as 15). On road trips I get 27 mpg.

I know that my in city driving is mostly short drives (2 - 3 miles) with
lots of stops and starts. But I am not convinced that this is the only
reason I get such poor mileage for city driving.

Any thoughts on things I can ask my mechanic to look for?

[/QUOTE]

Sounds about as it should be to me. Trips in town of only 2-3 miles
yield about as bad mileage as you can get. Getting 27 on the highway
sounds right.

Normal here too. We get about 18-20 in the city with out '96 850 GLT
wagon, which includes some longer city/highway drives to visit family in
the suburbs. I normally get 25-29 for all-highway drives. Engine always
checks out in tip-top shape.

 

[Bev A. Kupf]

Thank you, Rob, Chuck, Phil and Scott. I guess my engine's okay, and
the poor in-city mileage is a function of the short drives I make.

It's also good to know that for long drives, my mileage is in line with
what the rest of you get.

Thanks!
Bev