Baldandy

Hi all
I’ve recently purchased a 1999 S430 which has been unused for the last 6 years. This has been converted to a 6 door Limousine.
I know...I should have seen the red flags!
Anyway, there are a few issues but one that is really bothering me is the fuel consumption. I know it’s never going to be an economical car but the “after start up” MPG is between 3-6mpg. The other reading is showing as 17mpg. Could it be that because the car hasn’t been used for such a long time that the engine isn’t running efficiently or is this a common problem.
Thanks in advance.

wallyp

It helps to consider what you are measuring. Mileage "after start up" includes the fuel used during starting, backing out, waiting to get out in the street, etc., and the mileage for all of that is essentially "zero". It takes several miles to get to a meaningful measure of MPG, and the mileage will usually continue to increase as you drive more. Your in-town, in-traffic fuel mileage will be awful - that is a very heavy car. If you put it on a road trip, I would expect 14mpg at the lowest, and 18 - 20 at the highest, if everything is in good shape.

Driving the car vigorously on a road trip will probably improve both the performance and the mileage. They don't like not being driven enthusiastically...

Baldandy

That makes complete sense, as I’ve not driven it any real distance. What alerted me to the issue was that when I first put the fuel in, the miles left said 250 but 25 miles later, it said 100.

kraut56

within the first 100 feet of driving the car, push the reset button. Then you will see current rolling average, and you will breathe easier!

Baldandy

Thanks for that.
Yep, It did go up.