poor gas mileage?
07-26-2005 | 11:39 AM
#101
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30
From: Knox, PA
We have ultralight 15' alloy wheels and an Injen SR, AND I drive the ____ out the our Box (I can't keep my foot out of it). We still get 260 miles when the needle hits 3/4 tank when we fill up. I can usually cram about 8 gallons in there. 32-33 mpg always. Lowest I had was two fill-ups ago with 30.5
07-26-2005 | 02:47 PM
#102
Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80
currently in city driving is getting me 30 mpg.
The only mod I've done to impact that was the grounding kit which gave me something like 2 mpg better.
I do recall speaking with someone at a car show who was displaying his Xb. he said his gas was bad, but then again he had put in a 2nd alternator he claimed to provide additional power for his components. Sounded silly to me, but people can do many things.
Have you done any mods to your vehicle?
The only mod I've done to impact that was the grounding kit which gave me something like 2 mpg better.
I do recall speaking with someone at a car show who was displaying his Xb. he said his gas was bad, but then again he had put in a 2nd alternator he claimed to provide additional power for his components. Sounded silly to me, but people can do many things.
Have you done any mods to your vehicle?
07-27-2005 | 03:03 AM
#103
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 121
i get a maximum of 260 out of a tank and thats almost bone dry with maybe .6 gal left in the tank and thats highway driving. this really did upset me because i own a computer service company and drive all over. this was the MAIN reason i bought the xb and its completely midleading. people can say what they want about the fine print, but most americans have trusted those numbers in the past. now, i am forced to wonder from this point on because of some bull____ testing method.
07-27-2005 | 10:08 PM
#104
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 147
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
So many mileage threads on the SL forums and still people refuse to compile information about their xBs.
First we have those who have modded their vehicles, oversized rims, etc. then we have those who "eyeball" the gas gauge and "figger out" the mileage.
So... I'll suggest again, that those of you who are complaining about the gas mileage you're getting to start a thread whose sole purpose is to gather information (no discussion).
Information you might want to consider collecting:
YEAR:
RIMS: (stock factory steel, optional factory alloy, custom: size)
TIRES:
TRANSMISSON: MAN/AUTO
SUSPENSION: (stock/dropped/lifted)
ENGINE: (stock/CAI/ other)
GENERAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: (city/hway/mixed)
GENERAL DRIVING STYLE: (leisurely/spirited/mixed)
MPG:
(require that any MPG figures stated be calculated using fill-up to fill-up figures and reset Trip ODO.)
First we have those who have modded their vehicles, oversized rims, etc. then we have those who "eyeball" the gas gauge and "figger out" the mileage.
So... I'll suggest again, that those of you who are complaining about the gas mileage you're getting to start a thread whose sole purpose is to gather information (no discussion).
Information you might want to consider collecting:
YEAR:
RIMS: (stock factory steel, optional factory alloy, custom: size)
TIRES:
TRANSMISSON: MAN/AUTO
SUSPENSION: (stock/dropped/lifted)
ENGINE: (stock/CAI/ other)
GENERAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: (city/hway/mixed)
GENERAL DRIVING STYLE: (leisurely/spirited/mixed)
MPG:
(require that any MPG figures stated be calculated using fill-up to fill-up figures and reset Trip ODO.)
07-28-2005 | 12:53 AM
#105
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 506
From: McDonald, PA
^^^^^^^ Good post.^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Iput on the TRD muffler and my mileage went upabout 1.5 to 2 MPG. And now I just put on the AEM CAI and can't wait to see if that ups the mileage again!! I'm up to about 32 to 33 all the time, in mixed driving. I do drive kinda easy though.
Iput on the TRD muffler and my mileage went upabout 1.5 to 2 MPG. And now I just put on the AEM CAI and can't wait to see if that ups the mileage again!! I'm up to about 32 to 33 all the time, in mixed driving. I do drive kinda easy though.
07-28-2005 | 01:03 AM
#106
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 506
From: McDonald, PA
Originally Posted by Tomas
Yes, the MPG ratings are US Government figures, the testing is required to be done in a specific way by US Government regs, and those same figures are required to be on the vhicle sticker by the US Government.
The testing does not take into consideration aerodynamics 'cause it is done on a dyno, and the programed test is set to determine the BEST mileage the vehicle CAN get if driven cautiously by someone's grandmother on level ground to church on Sunday...in a computer.
If one drives ANY differently than that, all bets are off.
Toyota (and other manufacturers) have nothing to do with the numbers or the tests - other than having their engineers tweek many of their designs to get good numbers on the government test, of course.
Also a good post.
If you want real "real world" numbers, look no further than the Consumer Report auto issue. Or try their 2005 annual report book. They test "real world" by driving half city and half highway and then issue a "overall" mileage. Its usually right on. This is the way "most" people drive. They leave their house, drive to the highway to go to work. This give you a good mix of driving and a overall number.
(That's what happened with the Prius - its programming is tweeked to exactly complement the government tests, and to give incredible figures in that one artificial environment. The cars really do perform well in real life, but not as well as they do on a dyno with KNOWN program requirements...)
There is currently action afoot (partly lead by one of my senators) to revamp the government test to more reflect the Real World[tm] and to offer up different ratings for 'conservative' and 'spirited' driving styles - these tests would also have to consider aerodynamics and other effects.
So, don't blame the manufacturers, blame the US Government for the rigged testing with all the variables known. OF COURSE the cars are going to lean a bit toward scoring well in the tests...
The testing does not take into consideration aerodynamics 'cause it is done on a dyno, and the programed test is set to determine the BEST mileage the vehicle CAN get if driven cautiously by someone's grandmother on level ground to church on Sunday...in a computer.
If one drives ANY differently than that, all bets are off.
Toyota (and other manufacturers) have nothing to do with the numbers or the tests - other than having their engineers tweek many of their designs to get good numbers on the government test, of course.
Also a good post.
If you want real "real world" numbers, look no further than the Consumer Report auto issue. Or try their 2005 annual report book. They test "real world" by driving half city and half highway and then issue a "overall" mileage. Its usually right on. This is the way "most" people drive. They leave their house, drive to the highway to go to work. This give you a good mix of driving and a overall number.
(That's what happened with the Prius - its programming is tweeked to exactly complement the government tests, and to give incredible figures in that one artificial environment. The cars really do perform well in real life, but not as well as they do on a dyno with KNOWN program requirements...)
There is currently action afoot (partly lead by one of my senators) to revamp the government test to more reflect the Real World[tm] and to offer up different ratings for 'conservative' and 'spirited' driving styles - these tests would also have to consider aerodynamics and other effects.
So, don't blame the manufacturers, blame the US Government for the rigged testing with all the variables known. OF COURSE the cars are going to lean a bit toward scoring well in the tests...
07-28-2005 | 01:32 AM
#107
Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 68
Gesssh my 85 325e 5sp was way ahead of its time
It had a computer that would figure how much further you could go and worked sweet. Did get 34mpg with that dang beemer 5sp, low gears like 3.05s, low rpm even at 80mph. Maybe we could put 355 gears in XBs transaxle and bump the mpg alot. Ive been getting good mileage in the Scion but i drive it slow cause its slow? 60-65 Im used to pwr.
07-28-2005 | 02:27 AM
#108
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,971
From: Atlanta, GA
I'll start
YEAR: 2005
RIMS: Custom, 15" wheels are lighter than Scion alloys by 1.5 #/wheel
TIRES: Stock Goodyears
TRANSMISSON: AUTO
SUSPENSION: Dropped on Hotchkis
ENGINE: CAI, TRD exhaust
GENERAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: 80% city
GENERAL DRIVING STYLE: mixed, leaning towards spirited.
MPG: Average 29, has dipped to about 28 with the A/C on most of the time. Best was 36 on highway with A/C on, averaging 70 MPH. Worst ever was 26.5, running hard, hot days.
YEAR: 2005
RIMS: Custom, 15" wheels are lighter than Scion alloys by 1.5 #/wheel
TIRES: Stock Goodyears
TRANSMISSON: AUTO
SUSPENSION: Dropped on Hotchkis
ENGINE: CAI, TRD exhaust
GENERAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: 80% city
GENERAL DRIVING STYLE: mixed, leaning towards spirited.
MPG: Average 29, has dipped to about 28 with the A/C on most of the time. Best was 36 on highway with A/C on, averaging 70 MPH. Worst ever was 26.5, running hard, hot days.
07-28-2005 | 03:08 AM
#109
Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 89
From: St. Louis, MO
Originally Posted by tcperconti
MPG:
(require that any MPG figures stated be calculated using fill-up to fill-up figures and reset Trip ODO.)
(require that any MPG figures stated be calculated using fill-up to fill-up figures and reset Trip ODO.)
1) Fill up your tank in the morning and before you have your car on longer than 5 minutes.
2) Try to use the exact same gas pump for testing. Not all pumps are created equal.
3) Try to fill up in similar weather conditions/temperatures.
4) Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Now getting to the actual process, here is step by step of how it should be done.
1) Fill up your tank and reset your trip odometer.
2) When you need to fill up, write down the miles on the trip odometer and how much gas you put in the tank.
3) Use the following formula: a= miles on trip odometer; b = gallons of gas used to fill up tank; c=mpg
a/b=c
ex: a=287.9 miles/b=10.7 gallons=c=26mpg
07-28-2005 | 04:17 PM
#111
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
From: Upper Michigan
2005 XB Standard, no mods (except cruise)
Gas mileage for the first 3-5,000 was mediocre 28- 32 mpg. After that it started to climb and I am now getting a consistent 35mpg in mixed driving and 36 -38mpg highway driving. Yesterday I put 380 miles on it with speeds between 60 and 70 mph and got a gratifying 38.6mpg. I always fill with the same pattern, and calculate mileage with a calcualtor using 100th of a gallon.
Gas mileage for the first 3-5,000 was mediocre 28- 32 mpg. After that it started to climb and I am now getting a consistent 35mpg in mixed driving and 36 -38mpg highway driving. Yesterday I put 380 miles on it with speeds between 60 and 70 mph and got a gratifying 38.6mpg. I always fill with the same pattern, and calculate mileage with a calcualtor using 100th of a gallon.
07-28-2005 | 10:32 PM
#113
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,971
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by Rebus
Does the engine/muffler make more noise if you install the TRD muffler and the AEM CAI? If this helps mileage, what are the side-effects?
Thanks...
Thanks...
A possible negative side effect of the CAI is that if submerged in water, it could suck water into your engine, and thats real bad news. The AEM does have a bypass valve which should prevent that. With the filter of the CAI being much lower to the ground (in front of the left front wheel) it would be possible to completely submerge it if you were to drive through more than 10" of water. Hopefully that bypass valve works. I don't mean to scare you, the AEM should be completely safe, but it's a concern some (not myself) have.
The TRD exhaust is louder, and does emit a drone at highway speeds. It's fairly loud. A little sound deadening under the rear seat and behind killed it, I still need to do the hatch.
I didn't really get much better mileage after the two because with the added power, I used my right foot a lot more. The mileage did not get worse.
07-28-2005 | 11:50 PM
#114
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 416
From: Dallas Tx.
I didn't read every freakin post on this thread but I thought you would like my input.....not a book.
My light comes on at about 190miles not because of everything I put in it.
When the light comes on you can still get a good amount of mileage out of it. Like 30miles in my opinion.
So 220miles per tank.
Sucks but I have an extra 500lbs of rims, stereo equipment, and dynamat not including my 185lb body.
My light comes on at about 190miles not because of everything I put in it.
When the light comes on you can still get a good amount of mileage out of it. Like 30miles in my opinion.
So 220miles per tank.
Sucks but I have an extra 500lbs of rims, stereo equipment, and dynamat not including my 185lb body.
07-29-2005 | 12:35 AM
#115
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 506
From: McDonald, PA
Originally Posted by Max
Originally Posted by Rebus
Does the engine/muffler make more noise if you install the TRD muffler and the AEM CAI? If this helps mileage, what are the side-effects?
Thanks...
Thanks...
A possible negative side effect of the CAI is that if submerged in water, it could suck water into your engine, and thats real bad news. The AEM does have a bypass valve which should prevent that. With the filter of the CAI being much lower to the ground (in front of the left front wheel) it would be possible to completely submerge it if you were to drive through more than 10" of water. Hopefully that bypass valve works. I don't mean to scare you, the AEM should be completely safe, but it's a concern some (not myself) have.
The TRD exhaust is louder, and does emit a drone at highway speeds. It's fairly loud. A little sound deadening under the rear seat and behind killed it, I still need to do the hatch.
I didn't really get much better mileage after the two because with the added power, I used my right foot a lot more. The mileage did not get worse.
The Pittsburgh area is very hilly like San Fran. Without the TRD, on my drive, I would start to drop in speed going up a hill on the highway. I always held the gas pedal steady.
With the TRD, the speed did not drop as much or at a much later time. With the increase in gas mileage I noticed over 3 tanks of gas, I equate the increase to an increase in engine efficiency or an increase in power, however slight.
With a CAI that has a noticable increase in power, I'm guessing that it should increase gas mileage also.
One thing these gas mileage thread tell me is, the box is very easy to get some great mileage out of (note the 38mpg of the post above), but the second you start to put your foot into it, the mileage really drops.
Bottom line.......you want great mileage?? Drive like a grandma. It take some practice, but you can do it.
07-29-2005 | 04:48 PM
#119
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 156
From: Ann Arbor, MI
here's a question; how accurate is the ECU in reporting the mileage/gas consumed? Obviously gas pumps aren't accurate (hell, nothing regarding the volume of gas is accurate.. that's why the EPA measures mileage based on carbon emissions, not actually how much gas the car uses. even though that's stupid.)
I have a ScanGauge, and it happily tells me what mileage I'm getting about once a second.
I have a ScanGauge, and it happily tells me what mileage I'm getting about once a second.
08-02-2005 | 03:03 PM
#120
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 208
From: Long Beach, CA
I bought a brand new 2006 xB with an auto tranny and stock wheels
There are no mods to the car at all
When I got it from the dealer yesterday, it had 1 mile on the odometer and a full tank of gas
I'll let you guys know in a couple of days how far my first tank of gas takes me
There are no mods to the car at all
When I got it from the dealer yesterday, it had 1 mile on the odometer and a full tank of gas
I'll let you guys know in a couple of days how far my first tank of gas takes me