Official: What are your real world MPG Numbers

[GeneralZod]

Just wanted to second this post. Most cars have a sweet spot with regards to fuel efficiency (gearing, ratios, etc). The MPG on the windows sticker are not at 'real' speeds. Most people travel much faster on the highway than that sticker reflects, and I always knock off a few MPG from that number when guestimating what I'll actually see with the vehicle.

The sweet spot from my tests with the Sonic is about 65 MPH. Any slower than 60 and faster than 75 and you're in a fast decline in efficiency. I lose a MPG for every 3 MPH above 70 MPH. It's not as bad below 60 MPH, maybe 1 MPG for every 3 MPH leveling out somewhere in the 45 MPH range at ~25 MPG. Not a scientific study by any means but consistent with what I've seen with other small cars. So I'm unofficially (pre-K&N filter, will redo when it arrives) getting car calculated 28-29 mixed, 31-33 HWY and various ranges in the city (usually around 26 MPG). I don't ever see getting 35 MPG with this car even though it might be possible at 65-70 MPH. But then I'd have to drive in the idiot lane and that's more dangerous than driving 120 MPH in the left lane!

Hills also definitely kill the MPG, I lost 2-3 MPG on a round trip that gained a few thousand feet total heading to (and back on the identical route / same speeds). Every time the vehicle has to downshift to climb I felt my wallet tug.

Much of cars having an effective range deals with engine, gearing, and areodynamic drag. It can vary from car to car in cases. The window sticker is accurate as an average.

Your commute also has an affect on your MPG. Just as much as the driver. With just over 1k miles on the ODO, I am just over 35 MPG with an automatic. I have an 82 mile a day commute. I drive about 70 MPH, and about 20 miles of that commute a day is in town. Around town, I can hit in the 50 MPG.

I think many people do not drive forced induction cars effectively. I do not drive slow either. Much of it is laying off the turbo. If you can, watching the readings on the TPS can be huge for MPG. If you have a scanning device.

There are hypermiling techniques that can be easily done with out all the craziness. Some as easy as going into an off ramp using no brakes. By anticipating what speed it will allow the energy save to no accelerate out of the ramp. Doing little things like that, I enter off ramps faster and leave quicker than people who ride the brakes and mash the pedal. Just that can boost your tank MPG around 1 or 2. Not much, but you can find other areas to use your inertia, which can end up making huge gains.

YouTube has some great videos on this.

 

[GeneralZod]

Like most others have mentioned, the average mileage displayed in the vehicle is a little optimistic. Hand calculating, I typically get between 1.5 and 2.5 mpg lower than it indicates.

That having been said, I am generally getting about 38-40 mpg (hand calculated) on the 1.4t auto. My driving is about 80-90% highway. I am working on getting those numbers up a bit, as I work early mornings, and there's no reason I can't slow down a bit, since there is literally no one else on the road at that time.

For what it's worth, I fill up with exclusively shell v-power 91 ethanol free.

What speeds are you driving? And I think 91 octane is a must. I have been using 87 as a test.

 

[whodoyouthinkyouaretoby]

What speeds are you driving? And I think 91 octane is a must. I have been using 87 as a test.

I try to keep at around 65. If I leave early enough for work, I go 60. On the way home I don't like to do any less than 62 or 63, what with the other drivers.

I think the thing that helps me the most is the early morning drive. I can coast the **** out of it, and the people behind me don't care because there are no people behind me.

 

[stoopid]

I do go 60 on the highway, and occasionally I have to pass someone else.

You would be either rear ended where I live or stuck behind someone going even slower, then dodging accident central as people merge in/out of traffic. Statistically the right lane is the most dangerous lane on the highway since the greatest amount of lane changes occur there. They actually teach this in defensive driving (haven't taken it in years fwiw) as to get people to MOVE OVER (left) when approaching an exit because people are getting off, but they're also about to get on. One less vehicle in the right lane with merging traffic makes a difference.

As for gas mileage, it really doesn't matter what's posted online as we're all going to get what we get based on driving style, terrain/geography, commute roads used, etc. Picking through this thread it seems MOST people with the 1.8L are averaging around 30 MPG mixed, 34-36 MPG highway. It would seem that there's little that can be done to improve efficiency with that vehicle. The Turbo can eek out a bit more. Not rocket science. We can shave our private parts to reduce drag but it only buys us a few percent of a percent gain. Taking the larger average reveals there's little magic in operating this vehicle. Just don't gun it from red light to red light and enjoy the car. :banana:

 

[THKPIC]

Highest I got was 45mpg and thats verified not going just by the dash average. I have averaged 53 according to the dash on half a trip....about 50 miles until I hit the city...thats when I start questioning the cars average. Although my lifetime average is about 37.7. Pulse and glide, neutral coast....maybe hit 50. I think average 35 or more is great. Car has already surpassed my expectations.

 

[mitdr774]

I have a 1.8.


I have some plans for improving the economy, but they will take time to do.

 

[rjsonicLT]

i have a 1.4t manual, i try my best to be conservative on the streets and freeways of la but i cant seem to get to much more than 28-30 which i am not complaining about. but even on the road trips i have been on i stay around 65-70 and i can not ever get 40mpg only time i get 40mpg+ is going 55mph

 

[Eric Smit]

go 60.


-Eric Smit

 

[joe truck driver]

go 60. nuff said

 

[Eric Smit]

People don't seem to understand it, because I've said go 60 many times.

If you're serious about getting good MPG, slow down. That's it.


-Eric Smit

 

[mitdr774]

People still assume that if you go the posted speed limit you will hit the EPA rating. That is not the case. If I am not mistaken the EPA highway test averages 48.5 mph and has a top speed of 60. When I worked in a dealer I used to have to explain to people that the faster you go, the power the economy. APparently the car is supposed to magically get the rated economy at any speed between 50 and 90.

I stick to 60 on the highway. It works for me.

 

[Eric Smit]

60 MPH is the posted speed limit in El Paso, except for a short stint of 65 if you're headed to the north east 375, or heading towards Las Cruces.


-Eric Smit

 

[mitdr774]

Around me its 70, but most people want to go 80.

 

[Bogus]

By my house it's 65 but usually people go 80-90. So if I were to go 60 I would be at risk of getting rear ended. Especially since it's a construction zone right now with no shoulders on either side. So I just mash through it.

 

[rodslinger]

Well I'm hoping the mileage ups a little after a tune and a few hundres more miles on it. After 400 miles we are seeing 24.7mpg (actual gallons into miles) with about 60% city driving. I have to drive to Miami in two weeks so that'll be a good test for it also.

This is a 1.4 LTZ sedan with auto. I've been consciously trying to drive economically also. That's about the same average I get out of my larger and heaver Mazda5 and I drive the piss out of that thing.

 

[Blue Demon]

60 MPH is the posted speed limit in El Paso, except for a short stint of 65 if you're headed to the north east 375, or heading towards Las Cruces. -Eric Smit

We are heading out to El Paso on Wednesday for a high school reunion (Ysleta High) but are driving my 2006 instead of the Sonic. I look forward to the 80 mph limits on I-20 and I-30 east of there!!!

 

[Eric Smit]

My mom almost got a job with Y.I.S.D. Don't forget to stop by and say hello.


-Eric Smit

 

[CoHPhasor]

Well I'm hoping the mileage ups a little after a tune and a few hundres more miles on it. After 400 miles we are seeing 24.7mpg (actual gallons into miles) with about 60% city driving. I have to drive to Miami in two weeks so that'll be a good test for it also.

This is a 1.4 LTZ sedan with auto. I've been consciously trying to drive economically also. That's about the same average I get out of my larger and heaver Mazda5 and I drive the piss out of that thing.

My 1.4 LTZ Sedan is at 666 miles.
I just filled up tonight and here we are so far:
(* ALL gas is 87 until I flatten out then I'll go 91 and I have the full-size spare and a 25lb stroller at all times)

1) @ 289mi, filled 9.77gal EMPG: 29.58

2) @ 627mi, filled 10.40gal EMPG: 32.52 (Gas light)

The first tank had a few tromps on it to help break-in and forced engine decel through downshifting for the valves.
I did alot of around town driving on this one. (65/35)
Short AC use, maybe 30 miles.

The second tank has been almost all work commute. (40mi each way)
I got stuck at the GD bay bridge toll plaza for 45+mins Sunday and it was all idle. I tried to go light on the pedal, though it's still early in break-in for me to not keep RPMs varied. (85/20)
Short AC use, maybe 40 miles.
I ran it til the gas light lit. (came on fast but I filled it right up)

Hope that helps you figure out where you're at/how things are going.

 

[gdideric]

I think many people do not drive forced induction cars effectively. I do not drive slow either. Much of it is laying off the turbo. If you can, watching the readings on the TPS can be huge for MPG. If you have a scanning device.

Could you explain how to drive a turbo effectively and what to watch for in the TPS readings?

 

[Bogus]

My 1.4 LTZ Sedan is at 666 miles.

What! I thought you had your Sonic way longer!

ps. you're evil.