So I just completed my second xB milage / driving style test.


Test 1:
--- The first tank of gas I drove conservatively. Never over 70 on the freeway, didn't accelerate hard, kept the RPMS's at or below 3k unless passing or on a hill, kept the AC use down to need times only, and kept the windows rolled up when driving over 30mph. With these efforts I pulled 30.01 mpg off that tank of gas.

I am very happy with those results. I commute to work everyday in sometimes heavy traffic, and 30mpg is a nice boost over my 01 Volvo S-40 which was getting around 22mpg on average with premium fuel.

Test 2:
--- With my second tank of gas I drove 85 on the freeway, accelerated as I have in the past (not hard, but not waiting for everyone either), did not worry about the RPM in any situation, turned off my overdrive more often, I commuted with the AC all the time and opened the windows whenever I felt like it. This tank of gas gave me 26mpg. Not so good.


Summary of Results:
---The bottom line results of my test: I have a nice cruising, spacious car with tons of personality... that I will not be driving in the fast lane very often.

 

I used to get 34mpg with my 04 Corolla driving conservatively and get around 28mpg with the a/c on and a lead foot.

That's with a bigger motor too.

I guess aerodynamics is what screws it up for the xB.

 

i'll 2nd that, lol, but it's so damn cool!!

 

I bought the xB knowing it was a bit on the gutless side, and I'm willing to avoid the left lane for mpg. I'll miss it though. (of course I will not miss the $45 dollar fill ups!)

 

^^^How big is the xB's gas tank? My tC only cost me $42 at MOST to fill up even during the $3.25/gallon gas prices.

Damn, mid 20's mpg for a 1.5L econobox? Dat sux.

 

xB/xA tank is 11.9 gallons.

What hurts the xB/xA is the gearing in the tranny. It needs a 6th gear/true OD gear. At 70 MPH, you're winding it into the upper end of the RPM spectrum.

 

Actually, at 70 I run a steady 3k RPM. I'm pretty happy with that. Its when Im at 85 the tach hits 4k + and the milage hits the basement.

 

FWIW - I get a pretty consistent 30-32 MPG running at 75-80 MPH on the freeway with a little bit of running around town included too. I am spirited driver, it's on the floor most of time around time or if I need to pass on the freeway.

My best tank was 44 MPG - on a flat two lane highway running about 60 MPH.

 

i just finished off a tank and got 32 mpg
1/2 freeway driving goin 80-85 through hills (down and up)
1/2 city driving pretty much shifting at around 3.5k and not very conservatively

its hot out so i drive with the ac on most of the time except for at night

 

WTF!! How the hell am I getting that much lower gas milage!

 

did you release the parking brake? :D

 

Faw Q!

j/k, yes I did, but still, that was the best I got. I'll have to take a look at my driving style over all. But I'm serious, on my first test tank... I drove very well (or so I thought).

 

06 Manual xB, I commute 65 highway miles each way to work, cruising between 70 and 80mpg. RPMs hover around 3500 at 70. I normally fill up with about 8 - 9 gallons and have been getting just shy of 34mpg


My wife has an 06 Auto xB, and we use her car for the same commute, she hovers around 3000 rpm at 70 and gets a little over 34mpg for the same trips / tank refills.


I promise I'm not a slouch on the gas either .. with very short on / off ramps here in MA (Route 2 / 495 / 3 / 95 if anyone knows it), I have to get my foot down frequently.

 

I have a 270 mile commute<one way> all of it on I-5.. by setting the cruise at 63 mph. I get a consistant 34/35 mpg with a stick shift. <note!..with stock wheels/tires>

no cruise?
just drive as if your left nut was under the gas pedal..

 

That's GOT to hurt..............

 

My box likes to cruise at 4k and 80 mph. no matter what I do and how I slow down its always at 4k and 80!

 

Hmmm, what other variables could cause the huge gap in MPG? I'm getting only 25-26ish mostly highway w/ ac on during crusing and off when passing/accel.

I usually drive +2-3 people, so perhaps that may be a difference. Plus SoCal traffic is a #$%^&, but I thought I always drove conservatively, keeping braking to a minimum.

Stock tires/wheels, Unleaded Shell/76 gas, recently switched to Chevron. Heard better MPG with that.

 

Pat's conversation with the CHP:

"Yes Officer, I know--my car was doing 80 MPH in a 65 zone. Yes, MY CAR was going 80--but I was only going 64MPH. The car has a mind of its own."

Officer: "Please get out and step AWAY from the car..........."

 

Do you have any junk in your trunk? I had a bunch of tools in the trunk of my Corolla. I removed it and got an extra 2.5mpg

 

has anybody else noticed that the top half of yer tank is bigger than your bottom half... i will be getting close to 200 on the top half and only 100 on bottom... and like if i fill up all the way it is almost 30 bucks, but if i just fill up from half a tank i spend 20... it really ____es me off for some reason