I have a 08 Subaru Impresa Outback Sport base engine with 35k. For 15 months I have always gotten 31.9 miles per gallon. Checked by odometer/gallons and also by digial meter on dash. Both are always within 2/10th of each other. Last month I went to Midas for oil change(always done at dealer every 3k including tire rotatation)and now I get only 26 miles per gallon. What happen? Any help would be appreciated.
Geoff.
Midas happened. Why did you all of a sudden decide to go to a chain store for an oil change? That’s a pretty big decrease in mileage.
And what’s this “tune up” you mentioned? What did they do besides the oil change? Are you sure they used the correct oil?
I meant just oil change and tire rotataion not tune up. Nothing else was done. Thanks
I would check ALL fluid levels.
Chain stores sometimes drain something other than the engine oil when Subarus come in, such as the front differential lubricant. I’m not kidding. When this happens the customer leaves with about nine quarts of oil in the engine and no oil in the differential. I hope this is not the case, but it does happen.
If you don’t like the dealer find an independent mechanic, but stay away from oil-change chains.
Underinflated tires will reduce mileage, but the tires would have to be pretty low for this much of a drop.
I read the header and thought “another guy blaming a tune-up for mpg reduction” and laughed, but it got better someone blaming a oil change for a mpg drop.
I checked all visable fluids under the engine and oil level. Tire pressure is correct. Air filter clean. The local dealers have almost doubled the service prices. I would think with all the sensors for monitoring the engine something would flash on the dash. Everything appears normal except for the drop in gas mileage. It is a great car. On the flip side, the dealer could never explain why I got consistantly got 31.9 mpg when the sticker tops out at 27 mpg.