Saab 9-3 2.0t fuel economy

-westy- · 22 Sep 2009 at 22:23

Hi,

As per title, I currently have a Saab 9-3 2.0 Low pressure turbo.

Now, i'm getting shocking fuel economy. I'm seeing low 20's most of the time, and that's a mix of driving! I'll be honest and admit that I don't have the lightest of right feet, but surely I should be getting more than that?!

I do have a boost controller fitted, however it's set to stock, and even before that the economy was shocking.

Any thoughts? Would a change of lambda sensor help? The car's done 103k.

Ta

Phate · 22 Sep 2009 at 22:36

I warned you it was thirsty

InvaderGIR · 22 Sep 2009 at 22:38

Parkers thinks around 30, never did get why it was worse than the 328 considering engine sizes and the turbo not being a massive one.

As for what would do it, unsure, as you say Lambda Sensor could do it I suppose if it's faulty, can't think of other reasons it'd use loads of fuel really as that should stop it from being rich, although it passed the MOT fine didn't it, without rich CO2 etc. figures?

Phate said:
I warned you it was thirsty

Shouldn't be though.

fonzee · 22 Sep 2009 at 22:44

like you say, change the lambda and go from there. if its still on the original one it probably could do with a new one anyway. it may even have two of the buggers.

-westy- · 22 Sep 2009 at 22:47

InvaderGIR said:
Parkers thinks around 30, never did get why it was worse than the 328 considering engine sizes and the turbo not being a massive one.

As for what would do it, unsure, as you say Lambda Sensor could do it I suppose if it's faulty, can't think of other reasons it'd use loads of fuel really as that should stop it from being rich, although it passed the MOT fine didn't it, without rich CO2 etc. figures?

Yeah, it passed the MOT fine, without even a comment from the tester, who I know well, he would've mentioned something if it was high. I might get emmisions tested again just to see what's going on, and as fonzee said, maybe replace the sensor as a starting point. Luckily it's only got 1, the really awkward one to get to in the downpipe :angry:. Needs a service too, might help?

InvaderGIR · 22 Sep 2009 at 22:51

Tried SaabScene or SaabCentral?

Should have a better idea as to if it's getting low MPG, we all know what Parkers is like.

Is odd though, never seemed like it was running rich, seemed fine whenever I was in it. :/

lambda · 22 Sep 2009 at 23:02

LPG conversion?

It could make sense if you cover enough milage. Remapping sometimes improves consumption, as you don't need to accelarate as much.

blueboy2001 · 22 Sep 2009 at 23:04

I used to drive a 9-3 1.8t Convertible. Mid 20's was about as good as it got unless you absolutely nursed it everywhere.

Spamalot · 23 Sep 2009 at 00:39

Hi,

I've got a 54 plate 210bhp aero 2L turbo. I can get 40mpg on a 70mph run, 80mph takes that down to 36 or so. Around town it's been as low at 20 over 100 miles. I would expect to get mid 20s min with normal town driving and even that's with the poor Cambridge traffic. I can't tell you wants up with your but that seems a little low. What you getting on a run?

mattyprice4004 · 23 Sep 2009 at 07:41

Does seem low, especially for an LPT engine.

I see 30mpg in a 2L turbo running 197bhp (well, when new!) and I drive like a tool most of the time.

iaind · 23 Sep 2009 at 07:53

If parkers reckons 30, mid to low 20s with a heavy right foot sounds about right - I dont see the problem

Dup · 23 Sep 2009 at 09:13

I assume this is the same engine as Amandas 9-5 (1998 2.0t). We see from 350-400 from a tank (when the red light comes on) with mixed driving and on a run (when we drove to goodwood) we could have closer to 500 miles or something like that.

It's about 25-30mpg with normal driving. Fuel economy greatly increased when we replaced the PCV breather kit to the newest version and dropped the sump to clean the oil sludging problem.

InvaderGIR · 23 Sep 2009 at 10:00

iaind said:
If parkers reckons 30, mid to low 20s with a heavy right foot sounds about right - I dont see the problem

When I was last in the car it got mid teens to mid 20s, mid 20s being very cautious with the throttle.

Parkers isn't normally that far out, They think 30mpg for my 328i, I used to average 28 with a mix of driving styles.

Dup said:
I assume this is the same engine as Amandas 9-5 (1998 2.0t). We see from 350-400 from a tank (when the red light comes on) with mixed driving and on a run (when we drove to goodwood) we could have closer to 500 miles or something like that.

It's an S reg, so...probably similar engine, I think it's the 170bhp version, can't remember and there are a few different ones for the 2.0t.

I may be way off but I recall the best tank he got shy of 300 or something...as I was commenting how I could get 330 or more from my smaller tank with a larger engine that is in theory more thirsty.

I seem to have taken over his thread...I'll leave now.