Another question for you guys: I see a lot of people saying they get 28+ MPG, and I barely get 24. How do you do it
Another question for you guys: I see a lot of people saying they get 28+ MPG, and I barely get 24. How do you do it? I do have an oil leak near the valve cover gasket, and I know it leaked into one (at the time) of the spark plugs, so maybe that caused it? I mainly drive highway so I’d assume my mileage should go up since there isn’t as much stop/starts as city driving
Dirty air filter, underinflated tires and driving habits are a few things that can effect your mileage…… not to mention colder temperatures.
I’m actually in the same boat as you trying to figure out fuel economy myself. I have noticed that putting a quality gas brand seems to be helping with mpg. Not a higher octane but a good brand like chevron and stay away from the cheap gasses like sams club and quick stops
Winter gas always gives less MPG.
Driving style/habit along with regular maintenance. Our base 2006 manual has 347k miles and averaged 33.2 mpg last year doing 30k miles. We rarely floor it, almost always shifting before the tach gets to 2500 rpm (many times at 2000 rpm) and driving at most 4 mph over the speed limit. Boring? Maybe to some. But we are getting our money’s worth! Oh, and we dont care what gas station, most of the time Sam’s, Walmart or Kroger.
I usually use feed Meyer gas (Kroger) I guess the better prices don’t equate to good mileage
I always use kroger gas and get 28 city mpg
I get 27-28 mpg, but do a lot of cold-starts and short distances up and down hills. Highway puts my car into the 33-34 mpg range. 2005 Base Manual 1.8L here.
Mine is an automatic, maybe that’s the cause?
I am in the same boat. Mine is an automatic got average 24 MPG in the summer now about 20 with cold and snow. Best I ever got was 28 on an all highway trip. Haven’t done any investigating because it’s too cold and I don’t have a garage I can work in. I know the air filter is fine when I get a warm day I’m going to check the spark plugs.
Keep it under 3,000rpm.
GT’s and Awd units don’t get the good fuel mileage a base 5 speed will, plus altitude and local fuel quality, and road conditions, and other factors play a part.
@Patrick not sure why you say that…consistently get 30 mpg on my GT. Have for 16 years.
You’re exceptional then Al. Like I said, there’s a ton of variables involved, but the -average- GT is not as fuel efficient as the -average- base model.
Add a few pounds to each tire
No idea bro. I average 29. My best tank of gas was 36 mpg.
The biggest factor in fuel economy is the nut behind the wheel. Get an Ultragauge or ScanGauge and improve your driving style.
Get a flat tire. I had to drive 100 miles home on the donut last week, so I kept my Interstate speed down to 60 and stayed in the right lane. Bored out of my skull, but I think that has something to do with getting 28.5 mpg on that tankful.
As much as I love my Vibe, I’m this close to selling it because of this. I damaged the front end the radiator support & I’ve been working on replacing the radiator support, radiator, radiator fans and A/C condensor. While doing so I’ve been driving a 2002 Saturn SL1 and I’ve noticed it seems to last a good deal longer on a tank of gas. I absolutely despise stopping for gas anymore than once a week. Frankly I’d like a car that gets like 40 or even 50 mpg yet STILL has good get up and go. I’m stingy where it regards being bugged by gas every 3 seconds.
Get a 90s Civic stick shift and drive it like grandma, then you’ll get 40mpg
Well I did spot a 2000 Toyota Echo 5 sp that tempts me.
@Larry I’m still clinging to my ‘94 civic hatchback because it’s quick fun at 38mpg… but when I fill it with all my teenager kids, not so much.
With me it’s all about the cruise control