My car gets about 15.5 MPG day in, day out with a good mix of driving conditions. Everybody here with a like auto gets 17-21. So here is the question Is there anything other than driving style and/or running rich that could cause the poor economy?

Had a similar problem with 1986 420 and replaced the oxigen sensor due to a failed emissions inspection. The mileage went up to over 20mpg on mixed driving.
Armind

I too had the same experience when I changed the O2 sensor.

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I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

Thanks guys,

Is it a DIY job to replace to O2 Sensor? If so I would be grateful for a quick run through.

O2 sensor is a piece of cake on the 126.

First run the front end up on a set of ramps, let it cool off.

Start by pulling the passenger side carpet and false floor. At the lower left corner will be two connectors, one round the other rectangular held by a clip. Disconnect the two. Then carefully pull back on the side panel that covers the hump, the wires pass through the tranny tunnel about 6-10 inches back. be sure to push out the grommet as well.

Once that is done the work is under the car.

Remove the crossmember that crosses under the torque converter - 6 17mm bolts. Then just loosen the two front tranny pan bolts on the right side of the pan. There is a heat shield on the right side that the O2 sensor wire goes behind. Don't remove those two, but just loosen enough to remove the wire (13mm).

Now you have clear access to the O2 sensor mounted on the front edge of the cat. It takes a 22mm box wrench to remove/install. You could cut the wires to the old sensor, or feed the wires through the box wrench (what I do just in case???).

To install you HAVE to feed the wires and grommet through the box wrench. Tighten the sensor, route the wires behind the heat shield, tighten (gently) the tranny pan bolts, feed the wires through the tunnel and seat the grommet. Install the cross member and connect the lead at the lower left corner. reinstall the floor and carpet and you're done.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.