MPG... WTF???

[Mizzle]

Originally Posted by breakfstincluded If the engine isn't shuddering / lugging then all is good with shifting so low? I'm guessing it doesn't apply if you're on any sort of incline? I'll notice the mpg computer give me unexpected numbers comparing 5th and 6th as well

Pretty much. I mean, you wanna wind it out now and then to keep everything moving correctly, but otherwise I put around b/c I'm poor.

Downshifting on an incline is actually better because you're not boosting to make power to lug up the hill. Higher RPM without boost is better than lower RPM and full boost.

The nice thing about using the computer is that just because the numbers are off doesn't mean it's not accurate when comparing one gear to another. It's generally reporting higher numbers than what you're really getting, but you can still use it as a base for efficiency.

[deek]

You guys do realize that not only does driving habits go into play when looking at mpg, just Think about the difference in air pressure, barometric pressure and altitude should mind boggle you alone. Sea level air is richer, need more fuel to accommodate, ca should get worse then Colorado. Then if you factor in elevation changes, driving habits, mods and the science of how they work. I just mind fucked myself. Oh and 30 mpg dd

[breakfstincluded]

Originally Posted by Mizzle Pretty much. I mean, you wanna wind it out now and then to keep everything moving correctly, but otherwise I put around b/c I'm poor. Downshifting on an incline is actually better because you're not boosting to make power to lug up the hill. Higher RPM without boost is better than lower RPM and full boost. The nice thing about using the computer is that just because the numbers are off doesn't mean it's not accurate when comparing one gear to another. It's generally reporting higher numbers than what you're really getting, but you can still use it as a base for efficiency.

Right, I'm thinkin of if you're on a slight incline and you're getting on 1st from a stop, if you can afford to up shift at 2.2K, but if it was really that drastic an incline you'd just wait a few more rpm.

But that's good to know... I'll be on a good incline at 3000rpm and always contemplate upshifting and ending up cruising around 2500 or so, or if that's just uneeded strain to be in higher gear.

[Mortose]

the best mileage i have had is long interstate trips. didn't matter about on ramps and my need to get to 70 as soon as i could, i was getting 30-31 mpg (calculated @ pump), even loaded down with a couple hundred pounds of crap when i moved. when i was living in FL, with a 20-25 min commute in the morning at 65-75 mph, with a little bit of "city" driving i was getting and average of 26 or so, sometimes higher, sometimes lower. I have yet to do the math up here in CO, but i'm sure its going to go down due to living close to work driving through residential areas.

[mswierse]

I was really surprised that I was getting 25mpg (calculated) with mised driving since the window sticks only says 25MPG on highway. I've had a lot of cars and none of them have been close to the window stick mpg, except the MS3.

[Mizzle]

Originally Posted by mswierse I was really surprised that I was getting 25mpg (calculated) with mised driving since the window sticks only says 25MPG on highway. I've had a lot of cars and none of them have been close to the window stick mpg, except the MS3.

Must've changed from the Gen1 then since my sticker says 31 iirc

[H3R3TIC]

I don't think the window sticker listed it that high, but I honestly don't remember. Only time I ever get 30 is on long trips with alot of air in the tires. I seem to average 23-24 most days (calculated at pump) and that's mixed cruising and destroying my local on ramps and occasional highway pulls and stop and go.

[breakfstincluded]

Just pulled out my window sticker haha

it says 18 city 26 highway. which matches mpgfacts.com for 2008 at least

I've yet to drive a tank on mostly highway miles.

Mixed driving for me is 26 though, assuming I don't have to defend myself from some jackass on I-5 isn't trying to cut me off.

[Stingray69]

Originally Posted by cesaros But its not. Idk how she did it. Trip was all highway and at 55-60mph tops since I was driving a uhaul...fwiw.

Was the speed in the uhaul? The most I have ever got was 26.4 driving like my 87 YO grandma. Speeds are for fun hybrids are for milege, fill her up and drive her hard.

[abiezerf]

LOL 2008.5 MS3 and I get 16 MPG on a good fillup. City driving only in Miami.

[Mazda Lover]

I once got 33 on my way back from Tahoe, but it was all down hill driving.

Most of the time I get 21-22 with 75% hwy driving...this I attribute to crap California gas as I don't really have my foot into it.

If I drive hard the mileage doesn't seem to change all that much though. My RX-8 was like this as well...baby it and get 20 or beat it down and get 18.

I think gas quality plays a factor as I used to have a PT Cruiser GT that I used for commuting long distance several days a week. Every now and then I'd get what I considered to be a good batch of gas from Chevron. My MPGs would shoot up and I'd get 300+ miles to a tank rather than the usual 240...same trip mind you.

[Mizzle]

[cesaros]

Originally Posted by Stingray69 Was the speed in the uhaul?.

really?....

[breakfstincluded]

Originally Posted by Mizzle

Wow I've never paid attention to those numbers in my life!

we have enough numbers to make a cat and whisker plot now lol

geeze, that makes me feel bad, I want to get a calculated 31mpg tank now haha

time for an impromptu road trip to bonneville

[SWAY]

I get 13mpg believe it or not from the e85, it's absolute shit. I have a 50/50 tune I run most of the time which instantly goes back up to around 18mpg bc im not traveling far, but when I do it goes up to 22.

~Sent from my GNexus running Cm9 ~

[wolly6973]

I get about 14 mpg now that I drive in the city all the time.

e85 mix ftw!

[Capricious]

You guys saying e85 - don't you mean e15? For what its worth, owners manual says never to put in anything past e10.

[wolly6973]

My wife also tells me not to put it in her ass...

[SWAY]

Originally Posted by Capricious You guys saying e85 - don't you mean e15? For what its worth, owners manual says never to put in anything past e10.

Newbs gonna newb, reread my sig homeboi. Owners manual is for big hairy vaginas, Msf is my manual.

~Sent from my GNexus running Cm9 ~

[wolly6973]

Read this whole thread as well.

E85 Discussion - HPFP lubrication and Flow issues

And check out the other threads here...

E85 - Mazdaspeed Forums

[Capricious]

I have been learned.

[H3R3TIC]

Originally Posted by Mizzle

Hah. I stand corrected, never even noticed that range underneath.

[adrager622]

I get around 22/23 for around my area (city and highway, but lots of stop and go in my neighborhood), but closer to 27 when I go on long trips. Then again, if I gave a shit about gas mileage, I wouldn't be sitting in this car.