Gas Mileage?

[Dogbarczar]

I have a 2004 Vibe and am getting lousy gas mileage. Car has 1000 miles on it an I'm getting between 24.5 mpg and 27.8 mpg. Driving mix is about 75% highway and 25% city. EPA rates the car 29 city/34 highway. I live east of Sacramento in the foothills and drive down and up the hill. Why such crappy mileage? I have a 2004 Honda Accord, it weighs more and has a bigger engine and I get between 30-32 mpg. Why is my mileage way less than the EPA estimate. All the cars I've had in the past get somewhere in the middle of the EPA ratings. Any ideas?

[DrIcer69]

My Vibe gets only 22.5mpg (US) 27mpg (Canadian) on A 90% highway basis. I've read lots about people get over 30mpg (US) But my Sure Doesn't I"ve emailed GM but no response yet.

[zimaad]

You get better mileage if you drive downhill with the wind both ways.

[kep427]

Originally Posted by Dogbarczar

I have a 2004 Vibe and am getting lousy gas mileage. Car has 1000 miles on it an I'm getting between 24.5 mpg and 27.8 mpg. Driving mix is about 75% highway and 25% city. EPA rates the car 29 city/34 highway. I live east of Sacramento in the foothills and drive down and up the hill. Why such crappy mileage? I have a 2004 Honda Accord, it weighs more and has a bigger engine and I get between 30-32 mpg. Why is my mileage way less than the EPA estimate. All the cars I've had in the past get somewhere in the middle of the EPA ratings. Any ideas?

I got my Vibe (in Sacramento) last month. 3 Fill-ups so far and I'm only getting about 27-29 mpg. About 90% freeway driving at only about 60-65 mph, and conservative driving on city streets (I wanted to 'break it in nicely'). I'm also dissapointed because I expect the mileage will decrease substantially if I drive normal (like everyone else does). My experience with other cars in the past was the high end of the EPA mileage range.

Just sending this for note comparison.

[Old Lar]

I'd expect to get at the high end of the EPA milage rating too. But with only 1000 miles on the car, maybe the break in period hasn't been reached. If it continues to remain low and you are not "hot dogging" the car, take it back to the dealer for there may be some bad sensor sending erroneous information to the computer giving you poor milage.

Bug the dealer with a new car.

[kep427]

Originally Posted by Old Lar

I'd expect to get at the high end of the EPA milage rating too. But with only 1000 miles on the car, maybe the break in period hasn't been reached. If it continues to remain low and you are not "hot dogging" the car, take it back to the dealer for there may be some bad sensor sending erroneous information to the computer giving you poor milage.

Bug the dealer with a new car.

Appreciate the tips. Interestingly; right after posting my messg; my check engine light went on (at 1600 miles). Dealer is unable to figure out why this happened....

Also; my hatch takes about 2-3 hard slams to fully close. Several (and I mean several) times I've been driving down the street and the interior light and door ajar lights came on. Had to pull over to the side of the road and reslam the hatch. Dealer says the latch may have been set 'too tight'....whatever that means.

[timex129]

The EPA is just an est. of normal driving conditions at sea level. If your below sea a little better, above sea level a little worse. Besides if you go up a hill the engine has to rev more (due to a small engine size) than a larger engine. Samething for going down a hill. Granted your foot is off the gas and probley on the brake (auto.) But still requires horsepower to slow down. If it takes 80hp to accerate it will also take 80hp to stop. The law of physics

[luvcarz]

I have a suzuki grand vutara XL7 i was getting 19 miles a gallon. Untill I started useing this stuff called the MPG-CAP now I am getting 27 miles a gallon. Has anyone else heard of this?

[cmhj2000]

Have an 05 base W/Auto, 14,000 miles. Since about 5K miles mileage has held at 34-38 highway. I'll get 39-40 if I maintain the low 60s for long trips like running I80 from Pa. to Chicago.

I'm a maintance junkie as my background includes nearly 30 years as a mechanic.

Keep my tire pressures on the hi side. 34 front 32 rear.

Did dump the junk contis at 13K for a set of Good Year comfort treds up one size from standard. The tire switch did nothing with the recorded mileage "per the odometer" so a small gain was made there plus a bit better ride. Handling has little change unless I get aggressive, which is of little concern to me.

Oil changes have been every 3-3.5K with dino 5W-30 but at the next change I'm swithing to Amsoil 0W30 & running OCI out to 7.5K.

[highlandlake]

'06 Vibe base with automatic. 700 miles on the odometer.

30.4 mpg at sea level in city/back roads/no highway driving/one occupant.
I think the EPA estimate is accurate so far. That has never happened to me before.

[pcjunkie7]

I've had my 2005 Vibe for a little over a month and I've been getting between 28-30 MPG with about 60/40 city/hwy miles and I do step on it here and there, but not constantly. I live in FL at sea level so no hills except a bridge occasionally. I'm thinking about putting a cold air intake pipe to get better power and mileage. Also some good spark plugs should help.

[paudashlake]

My 2006 has under 20k and gets between 30-35 city and 35-40 highway. No mods or anything. Pretty odd. Are you following all speed limits? They are usually set for a reason---to get maximum gas milage.

[Lubeman]

My 2003 Vibe gets between 30 & 31 mpg city/country & 42 Hwy.