How to get better gas mileage?

[christinagray2003]

Now granted it's summer so I run the air alot, and all of my driving is generally under 40 mph and stop and go just going up to the store and what not, but on last check I only got about 19MPG. Is there anyway or anything I can do to make the gas go a little farther?

[Volkswoman]

Well, I have read on this site folks saying that they over fill their tires to get better mileage. I asked my mechanic about it. He said that yes, you can increase your mileage that way. But you also wear your tires out faster. The car show that I listen to and the info I've read on the Web suggest just using good driving habits and car care tips:

1) Keep engine tuned
2) Clean air filter
3) properly inflate tires ( not too much or too little) and keep tires balanced.
4) Shop for best gas prices (duh)
5) Alter your commute
6) Optimize travel; consolidate your trips
7) Lighten your load
8) Buy gas on Wednesdays, it's cheaper!
9) Buy gas at coolest time of day
10) Use correct octane for your car
11) Don't top off your tank
12) Be sure your gas cap is on tight to stop fuel from vaporizing.
13) Drive at a constant moderate speed.
14) Use cruise control
15) Don't idle
16) Anticipate stop signs and lights

[christinagray2003]

LOL!! I'm sure part of it's me because this thing is so much fun to drive that it's hard not to just punch it, but it seems like it should be getting better MPG than it is. I need to look and see what all they did at the dealer before I brought her home. She only has just over 7000 miles.

[Smileybug]

Automatic right? Your mileage will be lower than an equivalent car with a manual. 19mpg around town does seem a bit low, but I don't know the performance of the 2.5. I haven't gotten lower than 23mpg around town this summer, and that was with a bad catalytic converter too. Lowest I've ever gotten was 21mpg, and that was when I had a bad O2 sensor. But I have a 2 liter with a manual. Running the A/C will bring down the mileage, so will a lot of stop-and-go driving, especially around town. I'd say get her on the highway a bit and see how she does there. Might just need to stretch her legs a bit. My mpgs dropped a bit, then took her on a nice highway drive and it really made her happy

Definitely make sure your tires are inflated properly and take it easy on the pedal.

[japple]

I get more like 24/5 in town and 32/3 hwy with my 08 2.5

I have a scangauge which shows you mpg in real time, but I don't think I really changed my driving habits because of it.

Tires are at the recommended pressure, regular maintenacnce

[peanutsmom]

Smurfette did well on the highway and in town does about 24ish.. But i have a lead foot.. Hint nick name I have of thunder foot.. lol.. But still better then the 17 mpg I was getting with my old 2.0 turbo eclipse I had and it was a five speed too. My smurfette is also a five speed..

[boogety boogety]

this thing is so much fun to drive that it's hard not to just punch it,

Well, there you go. You can have performance, or mileage. You can't have both.

If you're the type that doesn't want any car to pass you; that drives from red light to red light at top speed, only to have to stop and start again; that likes to take off like a jet from an aircraft carrier... you're getting <20 mpg.

If you top your tires pressure to the sidewall max; if you take off from a stop by pretending you have an egg under your accelerator foot that you don't want to break; if you time your lights so you never hit a red; if you keep moving instead of stopping at a light (turn right on red and keep moving instead of sitting at a red for a minute: Moving, you're getting xx mpg; stopped at idle, you're getting... zero); if you drive near the speed limit; if you "pulse and glide" (slowly build up just past your desired speed, lift off the accelerator slightly, barely maintain your speed until it drops by 3-4 mph, repeat); etc. etc. etc... your mileage will improve.

Is that fun? Is that how you want to drive? I don't know. But to get better mileage, that's how you have to drive. If you don't... you won't. Your choice...