What is your average MPG off a full tank..?
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Well, I've had my car since the last week of December. I keep track of my mileage with an app on my phone. I have filled up five times since I drove off the dealer lot. So far, I have gotten as low as 21.9 MPG (according to the app), and a high of 30.1. My average is 24.9.
The low was during a week when I believe I did almost nothing but city driving. My commute is about eighteen miles round-trip, mostly on one four-lane road with a speed limit of 40. However, I think including traffic lights and stop signs there is something like a potential for twenty-two stops on my commute (horrible, yes). My high of 30+ came on a trip to visit my parents, about 180 miles away, with a mix of four-lane 65 MPH speed limit (where I usually set the cruise on 70), and some small stretches of interstate where I average about 80 MPH.
I am reasonably happy so far, but am still trying to squeeze out a few more MPGs. I am learning the six-speed transmission, coming from the old GM four-speed. For comparison's sake, my previous car was a Saturn Ion with the 2.2 I4. I had started tracking my mileage in August with this same app, and over a period of four+ months in the Saturn I had averaged 27.6. A difference of roughly two and a half MPGs is a small price to pay considering the Malibu is such a better car than the Ion (not the Saturn's fault, it was a good little car for the purpose it served).
Finally, I will say that I'm a somewhat aggressive driver that likes to "get on it" at times, mostly just for the heck of it. While I wanted a mature car, I'm 28 and still like to have some fun at times. I'm sure I could do better with a more relaxed driving style, but, it is what it is. I'm interested in hearing what some other people have to say.
The low was during a week when I believe I did almost nothing but city driving. My commute is about eighteen miles round-trip, mostly on one four-lane road with a speed limit of 40. However, I think including traffic lights and stop signs there is something like a potential for twenty-two stops on my commute (horrible, yes). My high of 30+ came on a trip to visit my parents, about 180 miles away, with a mix of four-lane 65 MPH speed limit (where I usually set the cruise on 70), and some small stretches of interstate where I average about 80 MPH.
I am reasonably happy so far, but am still trying to squeeze out a few more MPGs. I am learning the six-speed transmission, coming from the old GM four-speed. For comparison's sake, my previous car was a Saturn Ion with the 2.2 I4. I had started tracking my mileage in August with this same app, and over a period of four+ months in the Saturn I had averaged 27.6. A difference of roughly two and a half MPGs is a small price to pay considering the Malibu is such a better car than the Ion (not the Saturn's fault, it was a good little car for the purpose it served).
Finally, I will say that I'm a somewhat aggressive driver that likes to "get on it" at times, mostly just for the heck of it. While I wanted a mature car, I'm 28 and still like to have some fun at times. I'm sure I could do better with a more relaxed driving style, but, it is what it is. I'm interested in hearing what some other people have to say.
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Right now my DIC is showing 26.6mpg average and my odometer is slightly above 12,500 miles over ~6 months. For reference, my commute each day is no less than 50 miles round trip (and usually with other driving I can easily go near 70 miles each day) and I do this six days out of the week, which means I average ~400-500 miles each week. I only fill up my gas tank 1 time each week and that is when I get to the 1/8th tank mark. I also do have a tendency to "get on it" as well every now and then. That's an average of somewhere near 28mpg (or the 26.6 the DIC shows).
So, I'm averaging essentially 27mpg combined
So, I'm averaging essentially 27mpg combined
I'm right there with you. I drive around 550 miles a week for work. I'm right around 27mpg and thats all highway driving. It's no better than my 2000 Impala I had with a 3400 V6.
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I average between 22-24 city and 30+ on the highway on summer blend gas. During the winter it drops some, but not much.
I have a 100 mile trip to school on which it is 95% highway. I have put the cruise on 65 mph exactly and I can never seem to get above 29 mpg.
I'd say my average of city/hwy mix is probably around 23mpg
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It is pretty much flat around here, so there isn't much shifting once the cruise is set. I generally set cruise at 70mph, if I go to michigan I cruise at 80mph and loose gas mileage. Is your car a 4 or 6 speed?
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Mine is pretty pathetifc but I do have a bit of a lead foot and in my line of work I cruise from shopping center to shopping center. I have an 09 LTZ with the 3.6 VVT and a K&N. I get about 19.2......... ; (
I have a 4cyl. The trip is mostly on the mass pike which is mainly flat also. It's confusing, I thought I'd be getting better gas mileage. But I can't really complain, the bu is way better on gas than my old Mustang.
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Sorry, I meant 4 or 6 speed transmission. It is going to vary by driving habits and even which gas brand is used. I run shell ,which is one GM's top tier gas list, all the time. I also run injector cleaner every so often, but I also have high mileage. I know what you mean, the best I ever got out of my old truck was 15 mpg, during the winter it was around 10 mpg.
I will break the 12,000 mile mark this week, had the car since late July 2010. I drive 94 miles each day round trip, mostly two lane roads, with several sections having a lot of traffic lights. I try and cruise around 65 to 70. I average 30.5 mpg, but I will say I work at it. I accelerate easy, cruise control as much as possible, off the accelerator or cruise when I see red lights coming, etc...
I have had as low as 28 mpg but usually each tank nets me 30.5 mpg.
I have had as low as 28 mpg but usually each tank nets me 30.5 mpg.
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You can expect to get 5-6 less than the car is rated on any vehicle! When they give these MPG ratings, they are tested on the most perfect flat stretches of road conditions that does not include stop and go, hills, remote starts, ect. My V6 is showing 18.9 on the DIC for AVG. MPG right now! It was 19 on the DIC recently until a couple more remote starts to warm up the car!
PS. My DIC readings have been mostly highway recently!
PS. My DIC readings have been mostly highway recently!
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That isn't correct anymore. They changed the rating a year or so ago to make them much more accurate. I actually am getting better then rated in my Speed3.
I agree, my last two cars have done at least 10% or more than on the sticker.
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Does 18.9 avg MPG on the DIC sound above avg on the V6? I know this may vary from person to person considering driving habits, road conditions and Winter blend fuel, ect. but I don’t think 18.9 or even 19.2 on the DIC is above Average! I get on it once in a while to justify and enjoy the V6 but I have to say 98-99% of the time NO I don‘t do that and baby the Malibu! Most say the K&N Air Filter has not made any change in MPG but I really wonder if this has made a slight change for some?
Do you reset your DIC after fillups, or keep a running average?
I have the V6 / A6. I reset mine each fillup and I'm getting about 18 around town, like my '09 did. On the freeway I'm struggling to get 28 and my '09 got 32 or more. I think it's likely the muffler. I tossed it on the '09 and put a Y-pipe and twin resonators. I'm sure it flowed much more freely!
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Yes I have reset the DIC, highest I ever got on the DIC was 22 with straight out highway. Has been this way since day one. When I combine some in town driving it seems to drop drastically. All in all, my biggest complaint/concern is I wish GM had put a bigger Gas Tank on the Malibu for the V6 model. Gas gauge moves too quick and find myself driving to the Gas Station more than I like! I have a Ford F150 and admit it may not be the best on fuel but at least the size of the tank fits/goes with the truck, the gauge does not move as fast as the gas gauge in the Malibu! Bigger tank would be nice!
If the best you get is 22 then there's a problem. The source needs to be figured out, though.
When you got 22 that time and it was all highway, did you fill up immediately before (then reset the DIC) and jump on the highway and then fillup when you got off it (then reset the DIC)? Did you also check your mileage manually? I get the receipt each time and write down the mileage, trip A, and DIC Avg MPG, then when I get home and have time I enter it into a spreadsheet. I can see what my DIC says versus what I'm pumping. If your DIC says 22 and the manual method says 26, then go with the manual because it's an actual measurement of what was pumped, not what the PCM calculates was used. The DIC is good, but there's an issue with yours somewhere.
When you got 22 that time, what speed were you driving? Speeds above 60 start to show drastic reductions in mileage. In my '09 I was able to get about 6 mpg better at 60 than 70! And it was the same setup as my '11 and your '08. Now I confess that the muffler was replaced with a Y-pipe and twin resonators for freer flowing exhaust, so I believe I was getting better in the '09 than in the '11, but that's gonna change this Spring, too! My '11 was on a trip that takes 5 hours each way and I averaged about 26 cruising at 70-75.
How many miles on your '08? If it's above 100K then maybe you need spark plugs. When did you last change your filter? I know these are inane questions, but sometimes we overlook the obvious or the petty.
When you got 22 that time and it was all highway, did you fill up immediately before (then reset the DIC) and jump on the highway and then fillup when you got off it (then reset the DIC)? Did you also check your mileage manually? I get the receipt each time and write down the mileage, trip A, and DIC Avg MPG, then when I get home and have time I enter it into a spreadsheet. I can see what my DIC says versus what I'm pumping. If your DIC says 22 and the manual method says 26, then go with the manual because it's an actual measurement of what was pumped, not what the PCM calculates was used. The DIC is good, but there's an issue with yours somewhere.
When you got 22 that time, what speed were you driving? Speeds above 60 start to show drastic reductions in mileage. In my '09 I was able to get about 6 mpg better at 60 than 70! And it was the same setup as my '11 and your '08. Now I confess that the muffler was replaced with a Y-pipe and twin resonators for freer flowing exhaust, so I believe I was getting better in the '09 than in the '11, but that's gonna change this Spring, too! My '11 was on a trip that takes 5 hours each way and I averaged about 26 cruising at 70-75.
How many miles on your '08? If it's above 100K then maybe you need spark plugs. When did you last change your filter? I know these are inane questions, but sometimes we overlook the obvious or the petty.
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