Check the air filter. If you can not see light through the pleats replace. Better yet, since you've gone to all the trouble to remove it purchase a new one for $5-7. Change the oil [and filter] to the factory recommended viscosity Mobil 1 synthetic. Inflate the tires to just a couple of lbs over the sticker by the drivers door. Retain the differential between front and rear pressure. If sticker sayd 33 front and 31 rear try 35 front and 33 rear. Be certain the parking brake is not inadvertently engaged and brakes are not dragging. Stop on a slight incline on a quiet street, turn off engine and see if car rolls. Be very careful as you have no power steering and the wheel will lock. Car should roll on a slight incline. If you feel the need to clean the fuel injectors for some reason use Techron Concerntrate Plusby Chevron, 10 oz. Walmart has the cheapest price.

Learn to use cruise control. Short of ensuring the car is in proper tune (which is pretty easy with OBD2 which will throw a code for just about any problem that will affect mileage significantly) proper driving habits contribute far more to economy than most people think. Any time you are outside of stop and go traffic, use it.

Note that the economy numbers are NOT the best case numbers. They are the WORST case numbers. Most vehicles will EASILY exceed the rated MPG (at least in steady-state driving conditions) IF the driver is using cruise and not speeding. Manufacturers were constantly getting hit for "lying" about MPG because American drivers got worse than the rated (best case) numbers. Instead of the federal government telling people to learn to drive, and the rated MPG is their goal, they changed testing to reflect our horrid driving habits.

Which trim level and transmission do you have on your Chevy? The automatic with the 1.8 liter engine is only rated to get 22 mpg. Check it out.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSear...

Even if you have 1.4L a manual transmission, which I bet you do not, you are not far off from getting exactly what you should be.

Your car still gets better mpgs than mine. How many miles is on your car? I know recomended services like a tune up May be needed and can increase fuel economy, also driving habits, and properly inflated tires. I find that I can get the most Mpgs from shell or Mobil gas.

Also take it on the highway often as you can it will improve mpgs. My mom has a 12 Chevy Malibu that gets a dismal average 16 mpg. She hates the high way so when I drive it I take it on the highway often as possible and I've noticed a significant increase (20 mpg).

None of the fuel additives are going to help you. There are many factors involved when it comes to mpg. Tire pressure, how well the engine runs (tune up), terrain (hills, flat land, etc), type of driving (city, freeway, etc). Given all of this the car may not ever get 26 mpg.

The rating is a guideline only. It is based on optimum performance under optimum conditions.

check the tire pressure,and slow down no fast starts.

make sure your tires are the right pressure will help alot

I try using Lucas fuel cleaner but it not working. Any ppl recommend a different product? My car is a 2011 chevy cruze, I brought it used. I'm only getting 23 mpg

But the car suppose to get 26 and up help please!!!