Curious about a possible correlation
12-08-2010, 11:19 AM
#1
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Curious about a possible correlation
My coolant light comes on when I turn on the car and immediately goes away as soon as I start driving. Thing is, I've noticed that my fuel economy has decreased by about 1 mpg. Now I'm curious if there is a correlation between the two??
I'm going this afternoon to go buy some coolant, probably Prestone because that is what I have found mostly mentioned when I searched on here.
I'm going this afternoon to go buy some coolant, probably Prestone because that is what I have found mostly mentioned when I searched on here.
12-08-2010, 12:37 PM
#3
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has about 96.5 miles, bought in July 05', runs great, never seen the coolant light until this winter. The coolant light has been doing this for about a week. I'm assuming we can get FL-22 at Autozone or Walmart?
12-08-2010, 12:39 PM
#4
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh also, I usually get about 290 to a tank, all hwy driving, 90 miles a day, usually 22-23 mpg. But recently, its at like 20-21. Perhaps the cold weather could be a factor to take into account when calculating MPG.
12-08-2010, 01:22 PM
#5
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
Well at 95,000 I would say it is the coolant level sensor (common issue after many miles). If this is the original engine I would take it to the dealer for a compression test since the warranty on the engine is only until 100k. I got my engine replaced at 96,000. Are you losing coolant? If so, then it coudl be a bigger problem if there are no coolant leaks easily spotted.
12-08-2010, 02:27 PM
#6
Registered
I'm assuming we can get FL-22 at Autozone or Walmart?
When I bought a jug of the stuff the parts guy had a blank look at "FL-22." Then when I said "coolant" he said "Oh - the green stuff." If your coolant is green, make sure you use green. If it's orange, use orange. If you mix the two it still works, but supposedly turns black.
As far as the coolant level light goes... it is my belief that the factory that makes those is built on the site of the Pet Semetary, and there is no rational explanation for what that light does.
Ken
12-08-2010, 08:56 PM
#7
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you both for the info. I will be going to the dealer regardless because I just received my letter from Mazda for the clutch bracket.
But I was curious, is there any possible relation between the coolant light and the slight decrease in mpg? I understand it could be a wide array of factors such as tire pressure, weather, way i drive, etc, but I haven't changed anything in terms of my driving style.
I just filled her up so I will see how this tank turns out..
But I was curious, is there any possible relation between the coolant light and the slight decrease in mpg? I understand it could be a wide array of factors such as tire pressure, weather, way i drive, etc, but I haven't changed anything in terms of my driving style.
I just filled her up so I will see how this tank turns out..
12-08-2010, 09:12 PM
#8
Registered
Thank you both for the info. I will be going to the dealer regardless because I just received my letter from Mazda for the clutch bracket.
But I was curious, is there any possible relation between the coolant light and the slight decrease in mpg? I understand it could be a wide array of factors such as tire pressure, weather, way i drive, etc, but I haven't changed anything in terms of my driving style.
I just filled her up so I will see how this tank turns out..
But I was curious, is there any possible relation between the coolant light and the slight decrease in mpg? I understand it could be a wide array of factors such as tire pressure, weather, way i drive, etc, but I haven't changed anything in terms of my driving style.
I just filled her up so I will see how this tank turns out..
12-08-2010, 09:50 PM
#9
Love it when she whines
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i seem to have misplaced my owners manual, but the collant light is right next to the oil pressure guage right? kinda looks like a little white house lol. anyways mine has been doing the exact same thing your describing, turns on cold starts then turns off when driving, but recently its been staying on all the time now. and i cant believe you can get 290 to a tank, im lucky to get 220, and i mainly drive highways as well, with the occasional city but for the most part just cruising at 75-80
12-08-2010, 10:20 PM
#10
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
Thank you both for the info. I will be going to the dealer regardless because I just received my letter from Mazda for the clutch bracket.
But I was curious, is there any possible relation between the coolant light and the slight decrease in mpg? I understand it could be a wide array of factors such as tire pressure, weather, way i drive, etc, but I haven't changed anything in terms of my driving style.
I just filled her up so I will see how this tank turns out..
But I was curious, is there any possible relation between the coolant light and the slight decrease in mpg? I understand it could be a wide array of factors such as tire pressure, weather, way i drive, etc, but I haven't changed anything in terms of my driving style.
I just filled her up so I will see how this tank turns out..
12-08-2010, 10:44 PM
#11
No. It's Mazda's own brand. Need to go to Mazda. If your radiator cap says FL-22, and you believe the 10 year/100K claimed lifetime, you should use that. It's glycol (like Prestone) but already diluted...I think 55/45.
When I bought a jug of the stuff the parts guy had a blank look at "FL-22." Then when I said "coolant" he said "Oh - the green stuff." If your coolant is green, make sure you use green. If it's orange, use orange. If you mix the two it still works, but supposedly turns black.
As far as the coolant level light goes... it is my belief that the factory that makes those is built on the site of the Pet Semetary, and there is no rational explanation for what that light does.
Ken
When I bought a jug of the stuff the parts guy had a blank look at "FL-22." Then when I said "coolant" he said "Oh - the green stuff." If your coolant is green, make sure you use green. If it's orange, use orange. If you mix the two it still works, but supposedly turns black.
As far as the coolant level light goes... it is my belief that the factory that makes those is built on the site of the Pet Semetary, and there is no rational explanation for what that light does.
Ken
12-08-2010, 11:15 PM
#12
Strength/Confidence
12-09-2010, 08:37 AM
#13
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah I'm very **** about it haha. I usually get 290-300 which I am very happy with for this car. So when I see that it's only getting 280, obviously I would question it. But i filled her up with a new tank, so we shall see how this one turns out.
12-09-2010, 12:35 PM
#14
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So car was parked overnight in garage, turned her on this morning and no coolant light. I haven't done anything to her so I wonder......I'll see tomorrow morning if it turns on.
12-12-2010, 01:17 PM
#16
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So new tank was 282. That divided by 13.3 = about 21.2 mpg. Now that is not a DRASTIC difference from 22, but questionable to me.
The interesting thing was when I went this morning to refill, when the pump clicked to signal that tank was full, it read that it had stopped at 13.055 gallons. I did not dare pump further because I feared overfilling even though it should be 13.3 gallons.
Reasons why pump stopped before 13.3 gallons??
The interesting thing was when I went this morning to refill, when the pump clicked to signal that tank was full, it read that it had stopped at 13.055 gallons. I did not dare pump further because I feared overfilling even though it should be 13.3 gallons.
Reasons why pump stopped before 13.3 gallons??
12-12-2010, 02:38 PM
#17
12-12-2010, 03:17 PM
#18
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I might be incorrect, but as soon as the fuel warning light comes on, and I go to pump gas, it clicks at about 13.3 gallons. I know it can go more, but I assumed overfilling was not smart. So I'm confused....
12-12-2010, 06:00 PM
#22
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recently completely flushed my coolant (let it drain completely and filled it back up) but I only put in a 1 gallon jug of the OEM FL-22 stuff. Same thing as you; my light came on when cold but then went away once the car warmed up (coolant expands). The manual says the car uses about 2 gallons so I just added some more until it reached the "full" mark on the coolant tank.
Don't run low on coolant though, it can create cavitation in the water pump and possibly cause some issues.
As for the mpg's, I think its just due to the low temps,. I went from 200+ miles per tank (mostly city driving) to about 150. And if anything, my driving has been less fuel demanding than before.
Don't run low on coolant though, it can create cavitation in the water pump and possibly cause some issues.
As for the mpg's, I think its just due to the low temps,. I went from 200+ miles per tank (mostly city driving) to about 150. And if anything, my driving has been less fuel demanding than before.
12-12-2010, 06:14 PM
#23
So new tank was 282. That divided by 13.3 = about 21.2 mpg. Now that is not a DRASTIC difference from 22, but questionable to me.
The interesting thing was when I went this morning to refill, when the pump clicked to signal that tank was full, it read that it had stopped at 13.055 gallons. I did not dare pump further because I feared overfilling even though it should be 13.3 gallons.
Reasons why pump stopped before 13.3 gallons??
The interesting thing was when I went this morning to refill, when the pump clicked to signal that tank was full, it read that it had stopped at 13.055 gallons. I did not dare pump further because I feared overfilling even though it should be 13.3 gallons.
Reasons why pump stopped before 13.3 gallons??
12-12-2010, 06:42 PM
#25
THE BITCH IS DEAD
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Texas
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And the reason I fill up to 13.3 gallons is that as soon as the fuel light comes on, I'll go fill her up and it says 13.3 gallons on the receipt. I know it can go more than 13.3, but when it clicks, then I assume that I'm good to go.