Definitely too low. I'm getting 29,25 since November (winterised diesel?) and 31,5 before that. Mix of city and freeway in Phoenix which is even flatter than LA. Also 4spd manual with no ac.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I have a 240D with an automatic, driving in a mountain town with slow traffic and hills I get 26 mpg in town. The best I measured was on a trip to San Francisco from the Sierras @ 34 mpg, traffic was very slow but moving all the time. I think a valve adjustment is in order at the very least if you have not done that yet. Second what tire size are you running? I have 185/70 14 on mine. I've seen some with 195 and 205 70 14 which is too tall of tire and your clearly loosing torque by having too tall of tire. I turn you will be holding the vehicle back and adding more throttle to compensate for the loss of torque. You really notice this in the mountains where I live.

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1984 280SEL, 62,000 miles
Euro model in the USA
1983 300D (Totaled out 10/2004)
New Factory Mint Green paint
Palomino int
1982 240D (Steak dinner for two)

I used an 83 240D auto for a number of years as a service vehicle. It really paid for itself with consistant mid to high 20's driven floored alot.
It wound up saving my life in a head on accident giving up it's own. It also came very close to keeping up with traffic.

Later bought a clean 77 240D stick. Did everything to it. Adjust valves, diesel purge, replaced injectors, little chain stretch. Drove like I stole it.
Poor MPG's and slow even for a 240D. The engine was just worn out.
It sits waiting for me to put a replacement engine in it. Been putting it off.
The replacement engine is a late 240D auto.

Also have owned an still own 300D/123's. There can be a very large difference in power/mpg's between a strong one and weak one.

John Gregg

I have P195/65/R14 on... To what extent can that actually affect mpg? And affect odometer/speedometer outputs?

Thanks for pointing it out, I wasn't considering that at all...

Rino

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1979 240D, W123, 105K miles, stick, white w/ tan interior.