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Chevrolet Malibu MPG-Real World Numbers

470 messages,  Last post on Mar 26, 2013 at 8:58 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 48

#16 of 470 Great mileage so far by willscary

Jul 14, 2005 (5:48 pm)

I bought a certified 2004 Malibu LS a few weeks ago. I drive to work 65 miles each way, about 90% highway. My average speed (which I reset every time I fill the tank) has been either 50, 51, or 52 mph. I do not use the computer fuel economy reading. I have always kept track of fuel economy in a book for each car since I started driving 22 years ago. My wife is also trained to write it down. The Malibu is strictly my work car, replacing a 1998 Chevy Prizm 5 speed that averaged just over 40 mpg over its 170,000 mile lifetime. So far, with 6 full tanks of gas through this beast, I am averaging 37.2 mpg. I generally drive very easily, setting the cruise at 60 mph for the majority of the commute. There are only 2 stops and 3 other slow spots each way. All tanks have gone between 550 and 562 miles, and each fill has been between 14.8 and 15.1 gallons. It is summer here in Wisconsin, but I have only needed the air conditioning for about half of the homeward trips, and have not used it at all in the morning (between 5 and 6 AM).

#17 of 470 Re: Great mileage so far [willscary] by southcarolina

Jul 14, 2005 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: willscary (Jul 14, 2005 5:48 pm)
So is a Maxx a good Wisconsin car? My daughter will probably move to Milwaukee in September. She was driving a 97 camaro but I wanted a front wheel drive for her so I bought the Maxx.

#18 of 470 Great mileage so far by willscary

Jul 14, 2005 (7:04 pm)

I own the sedan. So far I love it, other than the original tires. I won't know how it is in snow for another 4 or 5 months. by the way...Milwaukee is not exactly like the winters we have herein north central Wisconsin. Temps here can be 20 degrees colder in the winter, and because Milwaukee is on Lake Michigan, it is generally a bit cooler than it is here in summer.

#19 of 470 Re: Great mileage so far [willscary] by southcarolina

Jul 15, 2005 (6:17 am)

Replying to: willscary (Jul 14, 2005 7:04 pm)
should I plan on getting another set of wheels and snow tires for her? Being from the south, I know nothing about snow tires. What would be a good brand to buy?
Thanks!

#20 of 470 Re: Great mileage so far [southcarolina] by willscary

Jul 15, 2005 (3:07 pm)

Replying to: southcarolina (Jul 15, 2005 6:17 am)
I am going to replace the factory tires with Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds. The factory tires are so-so in the summer, and they may be OK in the winter, but they are the only thing I hear in the car. I do not hear wind noise or the motor.
 
Snow tires would be nice, and they work very well. Nobody I know personally has ever used them though. If you slow down during bad weather and shovel your driveway you shouldn't have any problems. What shuts down everything from the middle of Indiana and southward is an every day snow for us. Your daughter will need to learn to drive in slippery conditions. Generally, if we get 4-12 inches of snow, the plows make a pass or two, but the roads are still snow covered and slippery until mid to late morning, when the salt starts to clear it away. By the next day, the roads are clear. When the roads are slippery, she will need to take extra time getting to where she is going, but she will learn. Heck, every driver in the state has to relearn how to drive on snow and ice every fall.

#21 of 470 Not bad so far by beedublu

Jul 17, 2005 (1:16 pm)

I've had my 04 Maxx LS V-6 for just over 10 months, and my average MPG works out to about 26. Most of that is in suburban traffic at maximum speeds of 50 mph, on a 10 mile one-way commute with about a dozen stop lights.
 
On long trips, my best mileage was 31 MPG. That was going about 65-70 mph with AC on most of the time.
 
Regarding those snow questions, this car rocks! Winter driving here in upstate NY couldn't be much easier.

#22 of 470 Not Happy by maxxoliver

Jul 21, 2005 (9:18 am)

I am at this point not to happy with the mileage on my 05 Maxx LT and I am hoping this will change as it breaks in. The first Maxx we had was a and GM bought it back the mileage on it was good. So far I have 1800 miles on this one and I am getting 17 around town and 21 or so on the highway. I really hope this will change soon. Anyone have any ideas why this is so bad or what I can do to make it better? Thanks

#23 of 470 Re: Not Happy [maxxoliver] by maxx4me

Jul 21, 2005 (1:08 pm)

Replying to: maxxoliver (Jul 21, 2005 9:18 am)
the first number does not bother me as long as you are driving in a city with a lot of lights and stop and go. In such conditions, you should see mileage between 17-20. I drive in "urban" conditions, not city conditions and get 22 mpg. It is the second number which is bothering me. If you actually do nothing but straight highway for 2+ hours, you should expect 28-33.

#24 of 470 Re: Not Happy [maxx4me] by maxxoliver

Jul 21, 2005 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: maxx4me (Jul 21, 2005 1:08 pm)
My husband drove the car for over 4 hours and approx. 275 miles I added another 50 around town and the mpg was 21. I would have expected better also. I know there is a break in period and hope that this will improve. We are planning another long drive so I will see what happens then. The first Maxx did much better than this can there really be this big a difference just between tow similar cars?

#25 of 470 Re: Not Happy [maxxoliver] by e2helper

Jul 21, 2005 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: maxxoliver (Jul 21, 2005 1:21 pm)
I am sure this is too obvious but you drive with the gear shifter in "D" position right?

Messages Page 3 of 48

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