Hi. I've had my 97 manual, full-size CTD, with glass canopy for awhile but just tested my mpg for the first time, and was rather surprised.
Here are the specifics:
Filled up (B99) at a station in Portland, Oregon. Drove home to Hood River,
65 miles on Freeway, flat, at 70mph,
5 miles to my house (50-60mph, only a couple stops at the beginning,about 700 ft gain.
30 miles -uphill, winding roads to mountain lake, 4 people and two dogs
30 miles back down
5 miles, with horse trailer and garden ride-on mower back to Hood River, 700 ft drop.
5 miles back home, with empty trailer, about 2,000 - 2,500 lbs
5 miles back to town with empty trailer to pick up mower
5 miles back home with trailer and mower.

Total mileage was 160. Filled up at station, 12.5 gallons = less than 13 mpg.
I was expecting better. Was I too optimistic, or should I investigate to see if something ain't right, and if so, what?

(I've been running bio, in various ratios for awhile, without any noticeable problems, except when it gelled on me once last winter, and had to have it serviced - another story, and it was my fault)

 

Maybe the B99. I have heard anything over b50 drops the mpg. Also those loads and hills may have something to do with it.

Trying to help

Jon

 

IMO It has to do with the speeds at which you were traveling. My 2001 gets the best gas milage at 65 mph but even then i only got about 19 mpg at best. Just my input

 

You need to also remember that the winds in the gorge can be very strong between Portland and Hood River and that alone will cause you to get lower fuel mileage and driving over 65 MPH. Keeping a lite foot on the go pedal along with keeping the RPM's under 1900 will also help you get better mileage.

 

Thanks. That is useful info.