Poor fuel economy

[Janner]

I drive a 307 1.6 petrol (52 reg) and I am only getting 26 mpg local driving only.
I've recently fitted new plugs, air/oil filter, and changed the oil.
The plugs were quite worn, the spark gap is meant to be 0.9mm, on a couple of them I would say it was nearer 1.5mm or more.
Is this the best mpg I can expect around town ?
I'm not a boy racer, but I don't drive like a granny on sleeping tablets either.
I would have thought at least 30 mpg would have been nearer the mark.
Does anyone have any suggestions for improving fuel economy, and no, leaving the car at home is not an option.

[Gibbo]

Are tyre pressures OK? Any excess weight in the boot? Roof rack?

[Janner]

I checked the tyre pressures a few weeks back, they were a bit low but should be ok now. Not much in the boot, heaviest thing in there is the spare wheel.

[Mellkat86]

I would just do a full out service on it, fuel filter and such. I have a 1.6 petrol and that runs really well. I used to be able to do about 90 mile with a quarter of a tank. Check the air filter as well.

[xdaver]

I have a 52 plate 1.4 rapier and my fuel economy on local driving is poor to, If you can post anything you do on here so I know what to look at. Ive checked the filters tyre pressure aswell ta.

[battlestar]

you could always have the internal compression measured using the leak-down compression measuring. it will give you the somewhat overview of internal state of engine. 20% leakage is acceptable, below that needs looking into.

[Ross_K]

I've got a 307 1.6 as well. Fuelly tells me I (or the wife rather) gets 24mpg around town. The joys of stop/start town driving...