Horrible Gas Mileage??

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Jan 14, 2010 | 09:30 AM
  #1  
I just purchased a 2008 G35xS with 17k on it. I noticed that the first tank of gas went very quickly, but I thought that was due to the fact that I was probably driving a little harder since I was enjoying the car so much. But then the next couple went the same way.

I just filled up again and the trip counter said 226 miles and when I filled up it took 17 gallons, so that means I'm getting 13 mpg correct? I live in MD and its been pretty cold, but seriously, 13 mpg?

I don't really do much highway driving, its more city style so I wasn't expecting 20-20 mpg, but 13 just seems very low. Is anyone else experiencing this, should i be concerned ort is this normal?

Thanks,
Matt
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Jan 14, 2010 | 09:53 AM
  #2  
If you drive mainly in the city w/ stop lights or stop signs every block 13MPG is about right.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 10:17 AM
  #3  
Well it's not true city driving. My normal commute to work is about 5 miles and invovles maybe a light or two, but definitely not ever block. And I make this commute 4 times a day.

Thanks
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Jan 14, 2010 | 10:28 AM
  #4  
5 miles each way? If you only need to stop twice and your average speed is about 40-50 MPH, your MPG should be a little higher.

I live outside of Philly and go to work in south NJ, I get around 18 MPG even when I take the back road, speed around 50 MPH.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 10:28 AM
  #5  
Short commuting is the one kills the MPG and of course your foot. If you warm up your car for 2-3 minutes and drive for 10 your mpg will indicate that. You also have to keep it under 2k rpm to be able to get good mg. Winter gas may drop your mpg also. How is the tire pressure?
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Jan 14, 2010 | 10:42 AM
  #6  
+1 on the above comments. Also, keep in mind that along with more ethanol added to gas in the winter, the car will run rich until it has reached normal operating temps. Unfortunately, by the time you are reaching normal temps you aren't staying at normal temps long because you've arrived at work. It's the short trips in the cold weather that are killing your fuel economy.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 10:55 AM
  #7  
My tires are on their last leg, and I've noticed my mpg has decreased. But I do warm up my car 5 - 10 minutes before I take off, and that has helped a bit also.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 10:55 AM
  #8  
Yep, Ethanol really kills the mpg on these (and almost every other) cars
I get at least 10 and sometimes up to 20% worse mpg when Ethanol is in the gas
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Jan 14, 2010 | 11:09 AM
  #9  
I'm in MD, up near Baltimore. I'm averaging about 17-18, stop and go on 695 and random spirited driving.

If you go into the Information > Fuel Economy you can clear our your current MPG and start from scratch. You should also be able to see the cars history if the previous owner reset it now and then. May shed some light.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 11:15 AM
  #10  
FWIW - I always notice a drop in fuel economy during the winter months. It does improve once the weather warms up.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 11:15 AM
  #11  
I'm in northern VA, drive quite a bit through DC i get about 17. i see 18 once since i've got the car.



Quote: I'm in MD, up near Baltimore. I'm averaging about 17-18, stop and go on 695 and random spirited driving.

If you go into the Information > Fuel Economy you can clear our your current MPG and start from scratch. You should also be able to see the cars history if the previous owner reset it now and then. May shed some light.
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Jan 14, 2010 | 12:18 PM
  #12  
I've been trying to see how much MPG I can get.. SO i've been driving like a turtle.. going only up to 70 MPH on the freeway. I do about 90% freeway and 10% local.. And right now my MPG shows 23.5.. It went as high as 24.8 but this was right after I filled up with gas and hopped on the freeway. It's weird. I drive a lil bit in the city and Bam my mpg goes down drastically.

I'm not sure what my MPG will be when my tank is empty but I'm starting to wonder if this is worth it cuz I'm really really driving like a turtle and it's a bit annoying....
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Jan 14, 2010 | 12:22 PM
  #13  
Thanks everyone for the comments. I'll try reseting the MPG tracker and see what happens...
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Jan 14, 2010 | 12:38 PM
  #14  
Best way to track MPG is to reset your trip odo when you fill and divide the number of miles driven by the number of gallons put in the tank. Can't go wrong with that
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Jan 14, 2010 | 01:11 PM
  #15  
Just did a freeway drive on cruise at 80 for most of the drive which was about 200 miles round trip. No wind and pretty flat at 23.9 mpg.
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