poor mpg?

[ChevySonic]

Why is my avg mpg not living up to everyone elses? I'm only getting around 23-24mpg. That's horrible, compared to some other people who are saying 28+.. Any clues to as why? This is with roughly a 60/40 split with city and highway.

 

[$ub$onic]

Have you gone over the basics like tire pressure, air filter, ect? Also how fast do you drive

 

[GeneralZod]

What type of city driving are you doing? You are also within the city range. The more detail you can give on your commute, and driving style. The better advice you will get.

Most of it is driving behavior.

 

[ahtoxa]

No clue what engine/trans you got but the answer is pretty much the same: we have no clue of your driving habits, conditions, commute routes, speeds, etc. Unless there's an obvious issue where you've for a check engine light on, the most likely reason is not related to the car but to the earlier variables I've mentioned - basically, the driver.

Do you have more details? How many miles on the car?

 

[rondoman]

From checking out your garage area I see you have the 1.8.

You also stated 60% city, so right there I think you are about where you should be with the info we have.

 

[ChevySonic]

I have a manual transmission. I shift at around 3,000 or 3,500. Obviously I open up once in awhile. With about 7,000miles on it.

 

[Eric Smit]

I have a manual transmission. I shift at around 3,000 or 3,500. Obviously I open up once in awhile. With about 7,000miles on it.

SHIFT SOONER. SLOW DOWN.

why do I still need to explain that?

 

[sx sonic]

If you have short commutes or cold ambiemt temperatures will tank your MPG. So will hammering down on the gas and late braking (stopping right before the light/sign).

Also if you want to boost your mpg try shifting earlie like say 2000 RPM and do as much coasting as possible.

 

[Macehammer]

If you want to get the best mpg, shift up to to final gear ASAP, and try to keep your rpms between 1500-2000.

 

[GeneralZod]

I have a manual transmission. I shift at around 3,000 or 3,500. Obviously I open up once in awhile. With about 7,000miles on it.

Like I said, driver behavior modifications. Google ways to save fuel, and even YouTube. You will find something with a commute similar to yours. That will give you a foundation to learn from.

Then you can modify the principles you have learned and make them suit your conditions. If you keep learning and testing, you will see the improvements you are requesting.

Simple really...

 

[ChevySonic]

Yea, I figured aw much. Just wanted to see if anyone else was having low mpg. I try to shift asap. I usually keep my rpms around 2,500 when I drive and know I'm not going to be shifting up. And I always downshift so I use my breaks as least as possible.

 

[GeneralZod]

Yea, I figured aw much. Just wanted to see if anyone else was having low mpg. I try to shift asap. I usually keep my rpms around 2,500 when I drive and know I'm not going to be shifting up. And I always downshift so I use my breaks as least as possible.

Go to the MPG discussion and watch the videos I posted. I drive an auto I am currently getting 12 mpg better than you.

Even with our different commutes the spread could be narrowed.

 

[GeneralZod]

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/mpg-discussion/7069-video-tips-increasing-mpg-%24%24%24%24.html


Here

 

[SUPER SONIC BOOM]

What a crock! Chevy should then advertise "drive like a damn oldie all the time to achieve maximum mpg on window sticker" cuz who goes around driving hella slow every time. I get pretty good gas mileage (between 29-35 city/32-39 hwy) with mixed driving habits. I accelerate hella fast whenever I can, but usually drive pretty normal, so don't know why you're getting such low numbers. I usually use reg 87 fuel too (prem 91 is usually higher for my budget). I've used 91 before a few times, but really haven't noticed a big difference in both mpg or power from 87, so whatever's cheaper I get. That's why I got this car, coming from vehicles that always required prem fuel was way too expensive, plus I just throw in some quality fuel system cleaner to be absolutely sure my engine stays clean alot (I don't trust those gas companies' claims of cleaner in their fuel). That way I know for sure. Oh, I'm on the stock tune btw, so others with a Trifecta tune will obviously be different. Every car seems to be different on here too, that may be one reason, but I love mine!

 

[rondoman]

Yea, I figured aw much. Just wanted to see if anyone else was having low mpg. I try to shift asap. I usually keep my rpms around 2,500 when I drive and know I'm not going to be shifting up. And I always downshift so I use my breaks as least as possible.

Keep your RPMS around 1700-2000 instead.

 

[Stew]

And I always downshift so I use my breaks as least as possible.

The best thing to do when you need to slow down to come to a stop is to be in the injector fuel cutoff range of RPMs. If you don't have an ultragauge or scangauge this will be hard to do so the next best thing is to put it in neutral and coast. I can tell you empirically that you will get better MPG coasting in neutral whenever possible.

Also just when driving around in the city or freeway, coast in neutral when traffic slows, braking and having to speed back up takes many times more fuel then maintaining an even speed. Leave some distance between you and the car in front of you to help even out the speed up/slow down of traffic.

You can do all this without any other cars knowing it, without driving like a grandma or holding up traffic. Only do the coasting thing if you're a good enough clutch driver to do so safely. Great fuel economy usually doesn't just magically happen but you can still floor it here and there, have some fun and still get great fuel economy. I've been averaging 37 mpg (calculated, not from the DIC) and still have a lot of fun with the gas pedal.

 

[ChevySonic]

I can't go that slow. I like speed. Or at least not driving like an old person. And I put 93 octane in my car. It does make the engine work better and it did raise my mpg a bit. But yea, the tune is on my list, but far down. Might have to move it up then I guess.

 

[Stew]

I can't go that slow. I like speed. Or at least not driving like an old person. And I put 93 octane in my car. It does make the engine work better and it did raise my mpg a bit. But yea, the tune is on my list, but far down. Might have to move it up then I guess.

That's just it though, you can still speed, have fun and get great economy. Look at some of my scangauge stats from yesterday and today, top speed in the mid 70's, almost 5500 RPM (at WOT I might add), low average speed around 40 MPH and over 36 MPG. I should teach a class on how to do this.

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[ChevySonic]

true. guess i'll just go into neutral from now on during stops. always did it for down hill anyway. also probably should get a gauge.

 

[ahtoxa]

And I put 93 octane in my car. It does make the engine work better and it did raise my mpg a bit.

Actually, no. As the 1.8 is designed to run on 87, higher octane fuel being the only variable (no mod, etc) will do absolutely nothing but waste your money. In fact, it is entirely possible to get WORSE mpg in a case like this by running higher octane.

Use 87, save money and report your MPG.