Fuel Economy

[x_o_k_x]

well almost 10k on my car and didnt notice any improvements with fuel economy, so I would say its a myth. But I can easily get 800km out of my tank, which is still good.

[Go_Habs_Go]

well almost 10k on my car and didnt notice any improvements with fuel economy, so I would say its a myth. But I can easily get 800km out of my tank, which is still good.

800km? with a GT? is it Manual?

That's pretty good, most I've gotten out of mine is 650km/tank. Do you do a lot of highway?

[prospectjtaz]

Wish my fuel economy would see past 400 a tank.

[Flagrum_3]

well almost 10k on my car and didnt notice any improvements with fuel economy, so I would say its a myth. But I can easily get 800km out of my tank, which is still good.

It's not a myth, its fact that most people who observe their fuel consumption find it gets better after a certain point....mine as well by 2L/100km!!
I gotta tell you I question you getting 800km easily on a tank unless of course its 100% hwy doing 80 km/hr with the wind at your back and coasting down hills, otherwise you are the holder of the most fuel efficient Mazda3 in Ontario.


_3

[cream.soda]

i love my music loud, does anyone know if like A/C, a loud stereo have any difference on fuel economy?

[06Touring3]

A/C does for sure....i don't think listening to music loud does anything other than put wear/tear on your ear drums lol

[Iceman_F1]

A/C does for sure....i don't think listening to music loud does anything other than put wear/tear on your ear drums lol

Maybe by listening to loud music, you want to drive faster to a good song and thus use ore gas?

[cream.soda]

haha, perhaps, i always try to watch the tach every once in a while though!

so how does a/c put so much strain on the engine that would produce a noticeable difference in performance?

[06Touring3]

Maybe by listening to loud music, you want to drive faster to a good song and thus use ore gas?

you've got me there.....

[Go_Habs_Go]

so how does a/c put so much strain on the engine that would produce a noticeable difference in performance?

I'm no engineer but I think that when the A/C is on, it puts a considerable strain on the engine to power the compressor that creates the cool air that is circulated in your car.

Think of an A/C in your house that you've installed in a window in one of your rooms. That thing works pretty hard just to get some cool air circulating to cool down a 10 X 10 room...now think of an A/C that is cooling down the interior of a car that often hits 40 degrees Celsius in the summer...and that same engine still has to power your 1,200 Kilogram vehicle...that puts a lot of strain on your engine!

Any time you are running a lot of your vehicle's electrical devices it puts extra strain on your engine (i.e. A/C in the summer or the rear defroster, heater, seat warmers and wipers all at the same time in the winter - that can put a strain on the engine too!!)

Always limit the electrical stuff you got running on your car to only what is necessary and you'll have a happy engine.

[bluemazda3]

I get an average of 7.9L/100km and I drive a 07 mazda 3 2.0L Manual

[Flagrum_3]

I'm no engineer but I think that when the A/C is on, it puts a considerable strain on the engine to power the compressor that creates the cool air that is circulated in your car.

Hit it right on the head! When the compressor is activated it probably robs the engine of about 10-15hp if not more! It also robs a slight amount of HP even if its not on, just turning the extra pully, even though the pulley is free turning as the compressor uses a clutch mechanism.


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[Tweedo]

Man, I've been getting crazy fuel economy compared to some of you guys...

I have an 08.5 Manual GS, and I've been getting approximately 6.4 l/100km (about 90% highway).

Needless to say, I've been pretty happy with the mileage out of my car.

[Go_Habs_Go]

I have an 08.5 Manual GS, and I've been getting approximately 6.4 l/100km (about 90% highway).

90% highway...I think that's the key

otherwise it would definitely be higher...

[Trinidad]

I've got an 08.5 GS auto with 9000 km and I get 600km with 60% highway and 40% city and it it were pure highway I get about 670km with an average speed of 110km/h for highway and 70 km/h for city. Not sure if that is good for the auto or not?

[zoom08]

follow link to calculate the cost of your trip:

http://www.ontariogasprices.com/tripcalculator.aspx

[kevcol74]

Hit it right on the head! When the compressor is activated it probably robs the engine of about 10-15hp if not more! It also robs a slight amount of HP even if its not on, just turning the extra pully, even though the pulley is free turning as the compressor uses a clutch mechanism.


_3

The key word here is "drag" on the engine. The extra effort the compressor requires puts more "drag" on the engine, like Flagrum says, can rob HP from you. But, with changes now adays, I'd be surprised to see more than 5hp robbed, they've come a long way in the compressor's efficiency. Same with the major electricals, like rear defroster, makes the alternator work harder, causing more drag.
I'm not sure if they are available (haven't looked into it, not top of my list), but an "underdrive pulley" can alleviate the drag, increase fuel economy and hp. I put one on my 86 5.0 Stang, and man did I feel it! Quick throttle response, more intense acceleration. Didn't pay attention to fuel economy though, that mustang didn't have any!

[jsbola]

I thought I was the only one getting bad mileage but theres a few people here getting the same as me. Ive got an 08.5 GS manual with about 1500km on it and im getting about 405-415km on a tank which isnt very good. Im also new to driving manual though so maybe thats got something to do with it. Im trying to change the way I drive to see if it has any impact but does anyone have any pointers, just common mistakes that new drivers make which might improve mileage?

[KenYork]

I drive a 04 GS. When my car was stock I was getting numbers like Trinidad(700+ pure highway). Now I get about 550, If I'm heavy footed 400-410.

[Cardinal Fang]

Im trying to change the way I drive to see if it has any impact but does anyone have any pointers, just common mistakes that new drivers make which might improve mileage?

Here are some tips:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml

Then there are the "HYPER MILERS." These are people dedicated to extracting the most mileage out of any vehicle. They do some by driving in the most conservative manner possible. This is a religion to some people and they compete to see how well they can do. Warning however, this type of driving is boring!

http://www.hypermiling.com/

[Iceman_F1]

Here are some tips:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml

Then there are the "HYPER MILERS." These are people dedicated to extracting the most mileage out of any vehicle. They do some by driving in the most conservative manner possible. This is a religion to some people and they compete to see how well they can do. Warning however, this type of driving is boring!

http://www.hypermiling.com/

It's also annoying the the average driver to be behind these people XD

[Go_Habs_Go]

Then there are the "HYPER MILERS." These are people dedicated to extracting the most mileage out of any vehicle. They do some by driving in the most conservative manner possible. This is a religion to some people and they compete to see how well they can do. Warning however, this type of driving is boring!

http://www.hypermiling.com/

great site!! I loved the link from hypermiling to this site:

http://trafficwaves.org/trafexp.html

Really interesting stuff!

[whiteomega]

It's also annoying the the average driver to be behind these people XD

that's their problem, not mine

My last fill up averaged about 9.9 L/100 km. 336 km out of 33.4 litres, with 95% city driving.

[Flagrum_3]

that's their problem, not mine

My last fill up averaged about 9.9 L/100 km. 336 km out of 33.4 litres, with 95% city driving.

That's not very good!!, I recently filled up in the same situation; approx 90% city and I got 8.87l/100 km (400km/35.5l).


_3

[silvermist99]

Took the car around for roadtrip this week and new record:

7.1L/100km (calculated by me not trip comp)

185lb me + 1 105lb passenger, A/C on 80% of the time / 70% Highway / 10% light traffic / 15% moderate traffic / 5% drag racing. Hwy cruise speed is under 125km/h

car setup: 08 MS3, MS intake, air straightner, 17" goodyear eagle RSA at 32psi

I wasn't trying, the car is just too damn unrefined to be driven fast for extended period on the highway.. I can hit 6's/100km in this car on long drives if I truely did all highway and tried to keep my foot up.

I did close to 700km on this tank!

All that being said, I don't think I'll take it for another trip again unless I have no choice.. it is too rough & loud