[dragonshead]

Hello all I am new here and was hoping to get some answers.
In May I bought a 2010 Malibu LT with the I4 for my wife. The sticker reads the MPG range as 18 to 26, with 22 being the average for the city. The problem I'm having is we have yet to see even 18 MPG from the car. On the best of tanks we can get 17 MPG but are averaging 15 to 16. We have brought it to the dealer twice and they can't find any problems, they have suggested we switch where we purchase gas. We have tried so far to no help. At first we were told to drive it enough miles to break it in but we are over that and still no help. We have also had the car to long to return thanks to the last suggestion.
Getting real frustrated. HELP PLEASE!!!

 

[Starship]

How are you calculating this fuel mileage? And, what does the AV SPEED say in the DIC? Idling a lot (remote start) and stop-and-go traffic will kill the fuel economy.

 

[dragonshead]

How are you calculating this fuel mileage? And, what does the AV SPEED say in the DIC? Idling a lot (remote start) and stop-and-go traffic will kill the fuel economy.

Thanks for answering.
We keep track on the cars display and we write down date/trip/gal/price every time we fuel up, old habits from job.
The av speed is reading 12 but we just filled up, not sure if that makes a difference. We also reset the MPG at every fuel up, was told by dealer to do this.
Last vehicle was a Nissan Murano and was getting expected MPG, haven't changed driving habits or distances.

 

[Starship]

If you've never reset the AV SPEED, that'd be the cumulative figure (it's reset just like MPG AVG). Given 12, I'm not surprised that your gas mileage is so poor. I usually get over 30 between fill-ups but I have seen mid teens in exceptionally heavy traffic (accident, four lanes merging into one) over a two hour trip that should've taken not even quarter that.

 

[dragonshead]

If you've never reset the AV SPEED, that'd be the cumulative figure (it's reset just like MPG AVG). Given 12, I'm not surprised that your gas mileage is so poor. I usually get over 30 between fill-ups but I have seen mid teens in exceptionally heavy traffic (accident, four lanes merging into one) over a two hour trip that should've taken not even quarter that.

I don't understand the computer so well but I'm ok with numbers. we also write info down and it still doesn't add up. If the trip reads 232.2 miles and it takes 13.794 gals to top it off, divide mi/gal= 16.833mpg. and thats one of the better fillups.

 

[Sandhopper]

I get 23 round town in my V6 A6 and 27-28 on the highway... You should be in the low to mid 20's around town unless you are in constant stop and go traffic. My average mph ranges from 45 to 60 depending how much time I spend in town. I also reset all of my DICs with every fill up. I consistantly get 350 miles on a tank.

 

[DrivenDaily]

I traded my '09 V6/A6 2LT for the picture you see below. In the winter, with remote starts included, I got 17-19 mpg city. In the summer I got 18-22 mpg city. In any weather on the freeway I got 27-34, depending more on speed than anything else.

Because I don't know your driving routine I'll offer this and let you answer. What transmission do you have: A6 or A4? Is your engine an Ecotec or Hybrid? How many miles do you drive to work, one way? Is it mostly surface streets with lots of traffic lights, mostly freeway, or combined? (What % street/ % highway?) Do you drive a lot of errands on the weekends? Do you use remote start a little, a lot, or moderately? What octane? What brand? Is your brand "Top Tier", meaning name brand with additives to help keep your engine and injectors clean? Do you accelerate lightly, moderately, or aggressively? Do you use the brakes a lot when in traffic, or do you leave more following distance and just lift your foot off the gas to slow? Do you use the cruise control on trips? Do you use cruise while commuting? (I do! )

You might also consider resetting your DIC Avg MPH just after you reset your Avg MPG. Like Starship and others indicate, a higher Avg MPH shows your moving more when the engine's on, which helps make better mileage (to a point, of course).

The answers to these will help us help you. Sorry if it's a lot, but it should help.

 

[dragonshead]

I traded my '09 V6/A6 2LT for the picture you see below. In the winter, with remote starts included, I got 17-19 mpg city. In the summer I got 18-22 mpg city. In any weather on the freeway I got 27-34, depending more on speed than anything else.

Because I don't know your driving routine I'll offer this and let you answer. What transmission do you have: A6 or A4? Is your engine an Ecotec or Hybrid? How many miles do you drive to work, one way? Is it mostly surface streets with lots of traffic lights, mostly freeway, or combined? (What % street/ % highway?) Do you drive a lot of errands on the weekends? Do you use remote start a little, a lot, or moderately? What octane? What brand? Is your brand "Top Tier", meaning name brand with additives to help keep your engine and injectors clean? Do you accelerate lightly, moderately, or aggressively? Do you use the brakes a lot when in traffic, or do you leave more following distance and just lift your foot off the gas to slow? Do you use the cruise control on trips? Do you use cruise while commuting? (I do! )

You might also consider resetting your DIC Avg MPH just after you reset your Avg MPG. Like Starship and others indicate, a higher Avg MPH shows your moving more when the engine's on, which helps make better mileage (to a point, of course).

The answers to these will help us help you. Sorry if it's a lot, but it should help.

I have a 6-speed automatic transmission with a 2.4L Ecotec DOHC VVT 4cyl engine. I drive between 3-4 miles one way to work or to drop off daughter at school on surface streets. There's one light on the way to school and about 4 on the way to work. Depending on traffic sometimes I have to aggressively accelerate as I start trip because first main street is a hwy with speed limit of 55. Usually ease off gas in traffic but again depends on traffic. Use remote start moderately. Use either Texaco or Raceway gas since that's what's closest to home and use mid-range gas not cheapest. I have only had vehicle 5 months and have not gone on a trip yet so have not used cruise control yet. Also, usually don't run a lot of errands on the weekend. Total mileage so far is 3200.

After speaking with dealership service dept. I always reset all settings after fuel-up. They told me that's the best way to get an accurate reading. Though after this last time vehicles was serviced I was told not to trust vehicle computer and to manually figure it out. Needless to say vehicle computer is pretty accurate and they just don't know what to say anymore. In the same conversation I was told that I must be driving the vehicle too aggressively then when explained I don't then told that I need to in order to break in vehicle...LOL. I explained to them that I had a 2004 Nissan Murano that I traded in on this car that got better gas mileage. No different driving conditions and technically Murano should have gotten worse mileage than this new car. Sticker for Malibu shows fuel economy to be between 18-26 with avg at 22. I'm getting anywhere from 15-17.

Thank you for your time and your help is greatly appreciated

 

[Starship]

It's not how far you drive but how long it takes you to get there. That's why the AV SPEED is relevant. With the your driving conditions, I'm not surprised that you're getting less than the Nissan Murano (about the same weight but without the remote start?). In short, I don't think there's anything wrong with your vehicle.

 

[DrivenDaily]

When you drop your daughter off, do you idle for a few minutes as she exits, or shut it off and restart? If it's more than about half a minute you'll save a little there.

The rest of your driving sounds very severe as defined in most owner's manuals. A cold start, short trip (while still not fully warmed up), short but brisk commute, cold soak. The engine will return the best mileage if it's fully warmed up out of the cold-start cycle. 3-4 miles is at the lower limit of what can be considered warmed up. I'd like to say you should be getting better mileage but your commute doesn't lend itself well to doing that.

If you can manage to plan it, try this. (Worked on my sister's '97 Caddy Seville STS V8) Make sure you use Top Tier gas (name brands with excellent additives), 89 octane, and some Techron fuel system or injector cleaner. Then take a trip on the freeway of at least an hour each way. The sustained speed and Techron will work on getting any cancer (deposits) blown out and your engine will run more smoothly the next time you do your commute. My sis did all of that and it changed her performance dramatically! Once you've run a couple tanks through with Techron in each one, switch out to every other or third or fourth. Those short commutes will kill your engine, trans, and exhaust over time. Take a trip every month or two. You'll get out and your car will do better!

 

[tygriff]

I have a 2010 2LT with currently 10000km (6000 miles).

I am consistently getting 23-26 MPG average fuel economy. I drive the car to work each day which is about 18 miles (36 miles round trip). My average speed for the week shows up as around 35MPH (due to stop and start at the lights to get to the highway and some errands on the weekend.

HOWEVER, the one week I was off work and just did short trips to finish the 'honey-do' list, my mileage dropped down to 17 MPG.

As Starship noted, I think your mileage is typical considering your driving distance and likely average speed.

If you have the time, take the car out for a nice long drive. Before you go, reset the mileage on the DIC. See what you get when you finish the drive. I think you will find it is in the mid 20's or more!

 

[dragonshead]

I have a 2010 2LT with currently 10000km (6000 miles).

I am consistently getting 23-26 MPG average fuel economy. I drive the car to work each day which is about 18 miles (36 miles round trip). My average speed for the week shows up as around 35MPH (due to stop and start at the lights to get to the highway and some errands on the weekend.

HOWEVER, the one week I was off work and just did short trips to finish the 'honey-do' list, my mileage dropped down to 17 MPG.

As Starship noted, I think your mileage is typical considering your driving distance and likely average speed.

If you have the time, take the car out for a nice long drive. Before you go, reset the mileage on the DIC. See what you get when you finish the drive. I think you will find it is in the mid 20's or more!

I'm hoping your not right, because the whole reason we traded the Nissan Murano was because we were making the average or above MPG in it and the Chevy promised better MPGs. The Nissan was driven under the same circumstances as the Chevy. If you are right I would have rather opted for the Camaro lol

 

[Starship]

That's a curious statement. I rather think most people do not go from a Nissan anything to a Chevy unless they are extremely dissatisfied with something. Was it the CVT perhaps?

 

[HoosierRon]

That's a curious statement. I rather think most people do not go from a Nissan anything to a Chevy unless they are extremely dissatisfied with something. Was it the CVT perhaps?

I went form owning nothing but Honda Accords since 1988 to my 2010 Malibu. My wife has owned three Hondas since 1995. Generally speaking, they used to be good, and now suck. There is nothing any more special about Nissans, and they are just as ugly as Hondas and Acuras.

 

[HoosierRon]

Hello all I am new here and was hoping to get some answers.
In May I bought a 2010 Malibu LT with the I4 for my wife. The sticker reads the MPG range as 18 to 26, with 22 being the average for the city. The problem I'm having is we have yet to see even 18 MPG from the car. On the best of tanks we can get 17 MPG but are averaging 15 to 16. We have brought it to the dealer twice and they can't find any problems, they have suggested we switch where we purchase gas. We have tried so far to no help. At first we were told to drive it enough miles to break it in but we are over that and still no help. We have also had the car to long to return thanks to the last suggestion.
Getting real frustrated. HELP PLEASE!!!

1. Reset AVG MPG
2. Reset AVG SPEED
3. Open the storage compartment on the top of the dash.
4. Place a full glass of water in the compartment.
5. Drive for one day (a) without spilling the water and (b) keeping average speed above 20 mpg.

Follow these steps and your average mpg will be over 22 mpg. Disregard, and you will short out your radio.

 

[DrivenDaily]

1. Reset AVG MPG
2. Reset AVG SPEED
3. Open the storage compartment on the top of the dash.
4. Place a full glass of water in the compartment
5. Drive for one day (a) without spilling the water and (b) keeping average speed above 20 mpg..

Follow these steps and your average mpg will be over 22 mpg. Disregard, and you will short out your radio.

Love it!

 

[323malibu]

i also have the 4 cyl and i am getting 17 miles to the gallon on average

 

[JasonZ34]

i also have the 4 cyl and i am getting 17 miles to the gallon on average

I don't know how to say this but you must be driving in horrible city streets, or just absolutely suck at driving.

Slow down during acceleration. Let off the pedal long before you start braking.

Seriously... in reference to no one in particular but in GA people suck at driving. they accelerate fast then don't build momentum for hills. End result = crappy mileage.

 

[323malibu]

its not that i suck at driving its just that i drive all day in stop and go traffic i use it for work so i start it up and go about 25 times a day im sure i could get better mileage if i didnt use it for work

 

[dragonshead]

I don't know how to say this but you must be driving in horrible city streets, or just absolutely suck at driving.

Slow down during acceleration. Let off the pedal long before you start braking.

Seriously... in reference to no one in particular but in GA people suck at driving. they accelerate fast then don't build momentum for hills. End result = crappy mileage.

I would agree with you except that before the Malibu we owned a Explorer, a Highlander, 2 Accords and a Murano and with all we were averaging at or above the manufacture avg mpg.
Love the car HATE the mpg.
If that isn't enough we tried to trade it on a Camaro and for the Malibu, we paid $24,000 not 6 months ago, they will give us $15,000 and not budge on the price for the Camaro