Poor mpg 2006 fortwo

[amyrosep]

Hi, I've recently noticed that my 2006 fortwo is only averaging 19mpg. I've done 130 miles since I last refuelled (almost a whole tank) and it's nearly empty. Dad seems to think the diaphragm on the carburettor might be perished (?) or it's overfuelling. I can't see any fuel leaking but it's a concern! I'm taking it to a garage on Saturday but wondered if anyone else has had this problem? Thanks.

[heinkeljb]

Well your Dad is certainly WRONG! The reason? Your car does not have a carburettor! It has fuel injection instead. So now that we have that out of the way, let's find out a bit more about your car.

Is this something that has just happened or has it been bad for a while?
When was the last time the car was serviced?
Did it have all 6 spark plugs changed? The oil and oil filter changed? The Fuel filter changed? The air filter changed?
Are the brakes binding? o for a drive and after a couple of miles, stop and put your hand on the wheel hub where the wheel bolts are - DO NOT put your fingers through the hole to try and feel the brake unless you WANT burn fingers! If the hub feels hot then your brakes are sticking on and obviously need fixing.

John

[amyrosep]

Thanks John. I've been to a garage this afternoon and their Smart mechanic is going to call me on Monday.

The brakes are good, I've had no issues other than quite a bit of brake dust on my alloys.

I'll keep my fingers out of holes for fear of being burnt!

Thanks, Amy

[markinnz]

Ouch! Mine does 54mpg (5.2 litres per 100km) and that's with me spanking it silly every day :-)

Do you have one of those OBD bluetooth thingies ? That and the Torque app on your phone might show show you what is going on.

[MrPoo]

Hold on, you've not actually calculated the MPG. "Nearly rempty" means nothing with the smart. I've had the 5l countdown come on and put 15l in the car. Brim it, drive it, brim it again and divide the number of miles covered by the gallons you've filled up with, then make a judgement. If you're new to the car it'll take a while to get used to driving it to return decent economy, especially if you're using auto. If you change up manually at around 3000rpm, you should get something fairly decent out of it, though that will depend on the journeys you're doing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MrPoo]

Oh, and don't take it to a generic garage, smarts need smart specialists for the majority of work/diagnosis. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Thrumbleux]

Hi, I've recently noticed that my 2006 fortwo is only averaging 19mpg. .

If genuinely that's all it's returning something is way wrong.
Brakes would be on fire if that was the problem I suspect. Fortwos are known for their fuel filters corroding and leaking it away. Filter is in the area below the driver's seat and leaks onto the ground so should be obvious.
Other than that mis-fuelling of the engine (suspect faulty Lambda sensor).
Whatever is the cause, it needs sorting ASAP to prevent either a fire or engine damage.
Suggest you seek out a smart independent who understands these cars - if you state your location someone should be able to recommend the nearest one to you.
(NB - take it to a garage unfamiliar with smarts and they'l be looking for a MAF meter, carb, etc - things smarts don't use).

[137699]

I believe (from another post) you are near Basingstoke - as am I (Barton Stacey - btw Basingstoke & Andover). We are not very well served for specialists in this area - I take our two Smarts to S2Smarts in Watford, though there is Smart Car Specialist in Guildford which is slightly nearer.

The car really needs to be looked at if you are really only getting 19mpg - it should be returning more than double that.

As has been said, don't be tempted to use a local garage, and equally I would advise against using Smart of Basingstoke unless you have VERY deep pockets!

[amyrosep]

Hello! I've been to Tim Purslow this afternoon and someone's going to contact me on Monday. A guy at the garage is a Smart specialist but they don't advertise this; parents have a Merc ML280 and have it serviced there so it's a customer favour. They don't have the Smart spec diagnostics but if the guy can't do it, we'll have to go elsewhere.

I'm hoping it is just a fuel leak. I do get a waft of fuel every now and again so that's what I suspect. I'll avoid Smart of Basingstoke!

[Thrumbleux]

As has been said, don't be tempted to use a local garage,

...unless it's for something as simple as a leak - the smell of fuel should be obvious.

and equally I would advise against using Smart of Basingstoke unless you have VERY deep pockets!

Yes, main dealer hourly rates will be very expensive.

[Thrumbleux]

Test post re editing. Which now seems to be OK.

[markinnz]

One other thought ... not got a neighbour helping themselves to the fuel in your tank do you ? Smart fuel caps not locking and all ;-)

[amyrosep]

I'd sincerely hope not! There is a petrol-y smell when I start the engine so I'm going with fuel leak/leaky filter. We'll see what the garage says on Monday!

[problemchild1976]

they lock but maybe the solenoid is stuck??

JJ