What kind of mileage should I be getting with a 1985 300TD with 190,000 miles? I'm getting about 22 mpg with mostly highway. I'm wondering if I have a problem ?

I have an 85 300D that gets about 24-25 mpg driving about 60% highway. You milage sounds a little low. There are several adjustments that will help improve milage and a new air filter and fuel filters won't hurt either.

I also use RED LINE diesel additive most of the time that helps keep your injectors clean,another contributing factor to good milage.

If you have the fuel filters replaced, have them pour RED LINE full strength into the large filter. That really cleans the injectors.

Mr. BILL

85 300D
84 300SD



[This message has been edited by Mr. BILL (edited 09-13-2000).]

I agree with Mr. Bill, your mileage seems a little low. I drive a total of 110 highway miles a day. When I bought my car I drove it at 75mph and got 23mpg. Later, (after a speeding ticket) I slowed down and got 25mpg @ 70mph and 28mpg @ 65mph. Check your tire pressures, waste gate hose, air filter, and look for fuel leaks if you have not already. Good luck.

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'82 300D Turbo 218k miles

This is unusal. I used to get 17-18 mpg under city-highway driving on my 300, but lately I am getting over 20 mpg in the last 4 months, what gives?

Can a car get better gas mileage with age? Also, I need to change my spark plugs because they are older than a year with > 20,000 miles on them, but the car is running better than after last tuneup. What gives?

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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'68 Olds 88 Convertible
'84 300 SD (sold it)

With as much experience over the years doesn't someone have a cheatsheet about mileage that says , for instance -

Highway driving
240D- xx mpg
300D- XX mpg
300D turbo- xx MPG
300TD(wagon)- XX MPG
etc. ?

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David McDonald
1985 300D (wrecked)
1985 300TD

David,
Your mileage does seem a bit low, but not out of the norm. Every car and driver combo will get different mileages per tank. My wife can usually avg 22-25 in her 300D, but I can avg 25-30 MPG when driving the same roads.

Get a tune-up (filters, air cleaner, injectors cleaned and adjusted, etc.) This should help.

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles