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Why are so many people having problems with MPG?

7008 Views 43 Replies 29 Participants Last post by  f5000sl
I've made many trips through December and am still getting great MPG even though the gas in both NC and VA are on winter mixtures. I am stunned to see so many people on here with newer cars than mine getting completely ****ty gas mileage. I was thinking that my recent trip to the mountains of VA (one of those extremely steep hauls) would kill my mileage but I still managed 23MPG all mountain driving and I managed 27MPG all highway mileage. I do have to say though that the 4WD did impress me in the extremely heavy snow storm we had. While the F-150 and Toyota Tacoma both got loose on steep iced inclines the Element seemed to be the safer choice of the three with it never feeling loose and not once "fish tailing" in slick spots.
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I picked up our 2010 EX 4wd 7 days ago and have put 780 miles on it. Over the Christmas weekend we took it on almost a 600 mile road trip. I figured mileage at each refuel and we got mid 21's twice and mid 18's twice. I'm hoping I'm going to get better once the E is broken in and the weather warms up.
I picked up our 2010 EX 4wd 7 days ago and have put 780 miles on it. Over the Christmas weekend we took it on almost a 600 mile road trip. I figured mileage at each refuel and we got mid 21's twice and mid 18's twice. I'm hoping I'm going to get better once the E is broken in and the weather warms up.
It likely will. It takes the Elements a couple thousand miles to break in properly, and the cold weather's killing everybody right now. Heck, my BF's Neon got 23 mpg going from Illinois to Michigan over the Christmas weekend, and that's a car that was seeing 36 last summer.
Switching over to a "Flow Master" Muffler today . . .

I've been getting between 24 - 25.5 on my trips between Death Valley & Las Vegas. This while setting the Cruze @ 75 mph (95% of the trip).

I'm looking to pickup 2-3 mpg (I'm hoping awayways). I did on my 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, along with being able to squeal the rear tires, after the new Muffler was installed.

My dad just had one put on his 1994 Nissan P/U 4-banger Auto and WOW what a HUGE difference it's made!!! :evil: It feels like 25hp has been added, and he's now getting 27 on the highway vs 25 before adding the "Flow Master". Yes, it did add some exhaust noise (I like the New Sound), but the payoff has been well worth it!!! :shock:

I'll report back, after my trip back from AZ to DV, CA.
Glenn in Prescott, AZ visiting family :)
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I've seen several factors here in the plains... 1) Wind... we have lots of it... when driving into it, mileage suffers 2) Ethanol... don't use it, pay extra for lower octane, non-ethanol, you'll see enough improved mileage to pay for the difference... plus, I've noted engine problems from using ethanol in past vehicles 3) winter blends seem to net lower mileage in my experience 4) winter time warming up, cold engine running in itself nets lower mileage
I've seen several factors here in the plains... 1) Wind... we have lots of it... when driving into it, mileage suffers 2) Ethanol... don't use it, pay extra for lower octane, non-ethanol, you'll see enough improved mileage to pay for the difference... plus, I've noted engine problems from using ethanol in past vehicles 3) winter blends seem to net lower mileage in my experience 4) winter time warming up, cold engine running in itself nets lower mileage
We really noticed the effect of a headwind in the E on our trip. With the cruise on the transmission kicked down to 4th much more often on gradual hills than it did with a tail wind. I know the winter blend gas is a factor. There is also increased drag on the engine from the A/C compressor being used when the defrost is on. Heck, the grease in the wheel bearings is thicker when it's colder as well!!

I'm a E10 user and have been for years. I've run it in many different cars (including my 92 Civic Si with 238,000 miles) and have not had any fuel or engine problems with it. The info I've seen on ethanol mileage loses is more like 3% than 10% which makes the lower cost of E10 a better value... at least here in the midwest where there are tax credits. (I would hope that this thread does not go into a big debate about ethanol either pro or con, we can save that for another discussion elsewhere)
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Fuel mileage is mostly affected by driving habits.
BTW, I'd love to see the dyno printouts on that extra 25 hp :). loud cars always seem to have more power; the police think so too.
se
We have never even come close to what Honda advrertises.

I wish I picked up the Pilot. The E burns just as much as a 6 Cylinder.
i feel the same sometimes, especially now. Been averaging 19-20 mpg and i drive slow and i'm very light on the gas pedal.

I use to average 26mpg but it went to **** after i put 20's on it. a year later i put the stock wheels back on and it hasn't changed for the better. I changed the air filter, spark plugs, kept tire pressure at 35psi, and did a valve adjustment. and it still hasn't changed, its getting frustrating. Gas light always comes on at 230 miles, at best it would come on at 280 a couple of years ago.

i dont know what else to do, feel like i should have just got something w/ a v6 in it, its getting about the same mpg as a v6 suv, but the only thing the element doesnt move like it has a v6
Fuel Mileage

You may have a point about winter blends in fuel. The best tank I have had in the month I have owned my SC was from the first fill-up after I bought it in Raleigh, NC. When I filled it again in Savannah, GA, I had gotten 26.6 mpg without trying hard. Each tank since has yielded worse mileage. I cannot attribute that first tank to the downhill run from Raleigh to Savannah. I have run a few tankfuls with Techron and mostly purchase from Chevron or BP. Next time I'm home I'll try a fill-up at Liberty since their fuel does not contain ethanol. I have driven over 3000 miles since my purchase on December 4th. Fuel stats below.
Both your local blends (and those you get while travelling) AND the Ethanol contamination of your GASOLINE will affect your mileage. My E is off six MPG with 10% blend mandated in many areas.

I can tell my daughter when I fill up if the gasoline is contaminated with Ethanol, as I get a small whiff of it usually.
Both your local blends (and those you get while travelling) AND the Ethanol contamination of your GASOLINE will affect your mileage. My E is off six MPG with 10% blend mandated in many areas.

I can tell my daughter when I fill up if the gasoline is contaminated with Ethanol, as I get a small whiff of it usually.
You always post good stuff, and this is no exception.

I'm wondering if they've changed the gas blends this winter. My Element, which has seen 30 during the summer and regularly does over 25, has been getting 20, mileage that is worse than any time I've owned the car, including the first tank from the dealer's lot. My boyfriend's Neon, which was regularly getting 36 mpg on his weekly commute from Detroit to Chicago, has been struggling to get more than 27 mpg this winter, and actually was as low as 22 mpg on the freeway over Christmas. Between the cold and the crap gas, I'm getting murdered this winter as far as my gasoline budget is concerned. Gasoline is 2.65 per gallon here in Dearborn, and given that I'm taking roughly a 20 percent hit on mileage, I'm effectively paying $3.31/gallon instead of the posted $2.65.

Even in previous winters, my E would still do 22 or better, and it usually took brutally cold temps to get it down to 22. Now just driving around is yielding 20.

:x

Edit: You know, I think that the EPA testing should be under WINTER conditions and that companies should have to hit the standards with their WINTER mileage. Instead of using good gas in a nice warm space, force them to use E10 gas in a -15 Celsius space, and let them hit the mileage requirements under those conditions.
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I live by you in Dearborn Heights. I have a 2006 with the AT, 4wd. My last tank (yesterday was filled up again ) was at 22.2 MPG. The tanks before that were 21 - 23 MPG. You have a MT and should be doing better that me....?????

What gas do you use (What brand also) ?

I only use BP...........Mainly because of the rebate I get monthly.........
I live by you in Dearborn Heights. I have a 2006 with the AT, 4wd. My last tank (yesterday was filled up again ) was at 22.2 MPG. The tanks before that were 21 - 23 MPG. You have a MT and should be doing better that me....?????

What gas do you use (What brand also) ?

I only use BP...........Mainly because of the rebate I get monthly.........
I always use 87 octane, and brands are varied, usually a mix of BP, Marathon, and two local chains (Firebird and Future Fuels) from a few specific stations that I pass by on my normal travels (like the Firebird on Telegraph just north of Ford Road) that have a bit better price. They're the same stations I've been using for the six years I've lived here, too, so I know it's not a new station thing.
try some lucas fuel treatment/conditioner. about $9.00 at wally world for a bout a quart & it will do many tanks of fuel.my mpg was about 18 when I got my E in town, now about 21in town, since I started useing it once a month or some times every two months, 1 bottle should last about 8 months depending how much you drive & use. try it it just might help.only $10. and works beter than ant fuell cleaner I have tried, other than yamaha ring free at $20.00 a pint for 1 treatment.
I always use 87 octane, and brands are varied, usually a mix of BP, Marathon, and two local chains (Firebird and Future Fuels) from a few specific stations that I pass by on my normal travels (like the Firebird on Telegraph just north of Ford Road) that have a bit better price. They're the same stations I've been using for the six years I've lived here, too, so I know it's not a new station thing.
I know exactly where that is at!

My .02 - For the 26+ years I have been driving, no matter what car I had, I always got the worst mileage with Marathon and Mobil gas. It did not matter what car I had.

I can't say for Firebird or Future. I question that Firebird Station though just based on the what I have seen there since I moved there 15 years ago. It doesn't seem to be kept very well based on the appearance. I paid $2.59 a gallon yesterday at BP on Telegraph. With the %5 rebate, that comes to $2.46 a gallon. I get a $25.00 check every two months and the mileage is better.......and there is no wait either! Seems worth it to me.......IMO
I've logged every tank of gas since I purchased my 07 a little over a year ago and I average 21-22MPG (about 75% hwy miles, 25% city). Even on long trips involving all highway I get about the same 21-22MPG. I've gotten 25 MPG twice in the past year.

I do have a LoadWarrior up top but comparing MPG before and after it was installed yields almost identical averages, its in the noise.

I have yet to find a gas station in the area that does NOT contain 10% ethanol. How disappointing.
v6 mpg

I'm right there, when we go out of town we take the 2000 Ody that v6 gets better MPG with the same load as the E, and more room, plus better ride and quiet. Just tell me when and who starts the v6 transplant project for the "E"
This one is paid for and needs the v6, like yesterday.
I just bought mine 2 months ago (11/07/09) so I'm on my 3rd tank. I've only seen winter so far which is the worst time for getting good mpgs. 1st tank was 85 octane all city around 16.75 mpg plus a lot of "let's see what kind of power this thing has" throttleplay. Second tank at my usual gas station was 87 octane, 90% city driving and was 19.5 mpg. My most recent tank (same station 87 octane) was about 50/50 hwy and city with a conservative throttle - I got 21.25 mpg. After driving a Chevy Avalanche, I can live with that :)

I'm anxious to see how it goes next spring and summer.
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