RE:California 4KSQ owners

[MSV96@aol.com]

In a note dated 1/30/97 Jon Blake writes:
>>This may or may not apply to your situation in Calif. But here in
Washington we have oxygenated fuel during the winter months. While I cannot
give firm numbers, I do know that my highway mileage is poorer during the
time this fuel is mandated.<<

We started getting oxygenated fuel during winter several years ago and I was
commuting at the time and noticed a significant drop in mileage. We now have
(year round) RFG II which is oxygenated and then some. Now, you can believe
all you want that was written in EC recently about RFG gas, and the
propaganda that CARB (CA. air resources board) spews...buuut. There has been
quite a furor about this here in CA. Engine fires because of deteriorated
rubber parts, loss of milage (documented by fleet operators and police
departments), and poor performance. My personal experience is just poor gas
milage. Our ovlov mommiewagon used to get 20 around town (not with me driving
it ;-)  ). My q seems to not get the same milage either though to be honest,
I don't pay real close attention. Both of our cars (my 4ksq and the ovlov)
seem to get mid-teens around town now. On my most recent trip (when I do
check milage) in the 4kq I only averaged 20, but that was with a big car top
carrier on Yakima racks (going about 75 most of the time) which is actualy
semi-reasonable. I have owned 3 4kq's over the past 10 years and have never
gotten better than about 28 (compared to 32 in an 88 80q and in the
5kcstqw-both cases cruising at 80-85!!!)...the box body shape and gearing is
not conducive to great milage-but I still love 'em!!! I am paranoid though
after the diesel debacle a few years back...CARB said "it's fine no problem"
and then had to pay out big$$$ in repairs to destroyed fuel pumps and other
components in older diesels. They even set up a toll free claim number!!! We
have had this stuff for a while now and I have noticed no ill effects aside
from poor mileage (and of course YMMV ;-)  ). Any other CA q owners notice
any change? Of course no turbo and a heavy right foot don't help!

Mike Veglia
85 4ksq (running well on RFG II with lousy gas mileage)