Hi guys,
Just got a 98 s70 GLT. the car is great. it's my first volvo. and it's in a great condition i think. But for some reason my gas mileage is very bad. i'm not a crazy driver and i don't push my car. any idea what should i check to fix this problem since its really money consumer.
thanks

 

It may need a tune up. You might need a new air filter aswell. Mine gets horrible gas mileage also. Its a 2000.

 

my 2000 gets about 26 mpg average. and thats keeping my foot out of the turbo

 

I will check my air filter as a start if not then i will check with the dealer :S

 

Most should average 25 mpg.
Start a fuel log. Use http://www.fuelly.com to track your use trends over time and compare with similar vehicles. Always start simple and cheap, then lean towards the more expensive. Try filters, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fluids before you try O2 sensor, head, transmission. If you get the idea.
Find an independent mechanic to give it a check-up and find the base line.
Check check engine light light working?
Ed

 

If you don't have a trip computer, you should get a ScanGauge II. It will help you track and improve your milage.

What are you getting now?

 

Check engine is on all the time. The pervious owner said this is because he was doing the service himself :S

 

i'm getting something between 11 to 15 mpg

 

OMG, that is horrible. The CEL has nothing to do with servicing it one's self. You should get that scanned and fix the problems ASAP. At worse you should be getting 21. You'd have to be a lead footed syco to get that low.

Check your brakes to make sure they are not stuck and cut the chain on the safe/anchor you're dragging.

 

are you trying to tell me something?

 

it depends.. is it your "service" light, or the CEL the stupid yellow light with a green arrow?

 

He said CEL.

ShadowFist, it looks like you are getting about 21 mpg average. That is very common for people that pump 87 octane and do not watch their shift points all the time. I was getting that in my T-5R until I went to 93 octane, full synthetic and started watching my driving techniques and keeping it under 64 mph.

 

i'm getting about 18 MPG(US) 21.5MPG(UK) and is a non-turbo 5254S 2.5L

no check engine light, but LTFT is -10%, the TPS reads 10% even without depressing pedal
front O2 sensor seems normal, the rear O2 sensor reading 0V
Fuel Status showing "Close Loop Fault" (CL-Fault)

mileage seems very low too, so plenty of things to track down
I'm going to start with the air filter, then will try to clean the TPS to see if it improves..

 

yeah I've been puting 87 into it... oops. course I literally had JUST filled up when I made that post so i'm still looking at 3/4 of a tank before I can put some 93 in. Should be worth it as gas prices are getting close to $4 it would have to make something like <5% difference in gas mileage to be not worth it.

 

It should be at least 15% better. Also, run your tire air pressure a little on the high side. Make sure it's not low. I try to run 2 psi high.

 

Hey now I love my T5 its just too much fun to go slow, but that is horrible, maybe not so much for stop and go city driving. on hwy trips i will get 30mpg average doing 65-70 if i did 55 i will average 35mpg but city sucks i get 17 average these car's are not light and use fuel to get going, but once they are rolling along all is well