Gas Milage and Leaks

[Lightbringer]

I normally get 24-25 mpg on my 2004 N/A Auto, but this past weekend my mpg seems way low. It's been very hot and humid here in NW PA, so I've been running the AC a LOT. On Sunday, I drove for less than 40 miles and went from 3/4 of a tank down to 1/2 a tank of gas left. (I know the guage isn't the most accurate method, I plan on calculating the miles when I fill up the tank tomorrow or Wednesday.) Normally I drop the windows and enjoy the breeze, but on Sun. I was tooling around w/ the family and they hate the wind noise, so I was running the AC on level 2 or 3 the whole time. Does the AC really cause there to be THAT much of a mpg drop?

Also, I hit a couple of deep pot holes on Saturday on the driver's side, and I've now noticed fluid on the parking lot at work. It's right behind the passenger's side, there's no color or smell to the puddle, but now I'm paranoid. I found this link searching the forum:

http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/...archTerms=leak

but between my mpg dropping and hitting some big pot holes (even if they're on the opposite of the PT), I'm starting to freak out a little. I know next to nothing about cars, so any input would be usefull.

Thanks,

lightbringer

[beelsamin]

Hi,
I can say that the A/C being on does use a lot more gas,what your leaks are Is another story. You might want to check your brake lines in the area where you see the liquid residue on the ground. Try and park your car on a piece of paper or cardboard at the end of the day and check for wet areas the next morning.Good luck!!

[DREAM2]

You say the puddle is clear and has no smell (water I'm assuming) and that you had the air conditioning on so it's probably just from that.
You will see a puddle of water under the car after driving with the air on. This is normal.

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by DREAM2

You say the puddle is clear and has no smell (water I'm assuming) and that you had the air conditioning on so it's probably just from that.
You will see a puddle of water under the car after driving with the air on. This is normal.

Agree completely. Most likely condensation from having A/C on. Touch it and confirm it's water - then you're okay.
As to gas mileage - yeah, A/C takes power so you give it more gas to overcome. Don't go by gauge - I've noticed going up a steep hill the gauge will drop, but doesn't seem to rise when going down same hill.