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

#337 of 470 Re: Chevrolet Malibu Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [KarenS] by greg_ny

Sep 05, 2010 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (May 31, 2005 9:46 am)
2010 Malibu LS 4 cyl. with 2300 miles
I live in Brooklyn NY and I use 87 and 89 octane gasoline.
With A/C on Hwy average is 32-35 mpg but city is very bad, between 12.7-14 mpg
I have this car since April 28, 2010 and truly regret buying it for few reasons.
I was going to buy Camry but Malibu had a factory rebate at the time that is why I went for Malibu. BIG MISTAKE.
I've had 2006 Chevy Equinox before and city milage was about 17 mpg.

#338 of 470 My October MPG average by greg_ny

Oct 31, 2010 (5:23 pm)

I have about 2600 miles on my 2010 Malibu.
My October MPG average was very bad 10.9
No A/C, no sitting in traffic, just normal city driving
 

#339 of 470 Re: My October MPG average [greg_ny] by malexbu

Nov 01, 2010 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: greg_ny (Oct 31, 2010 5:23 pm)
Comparing your two posts: 09/05 -- 2300 miles, 10/31 -- 2600 miles on the odometer.
300 miles in two months? 150 in one month? I find it hard to call in a "normal city driving". How many gallons on gas have you purchased to drive those 300 miles? You do one fillup a month? Sorry, your numbers look suspicious to me.

#340 of 470 07 Malibu Maxx mileage by marsj

Jan 29, 2011 (6:20 pm)

2007 Malibu Maxx LTS, 6-cyl with only 35,000 miles on it
I am getting only about 20 mpg according to the display, but my avg speed is only 29-30, with 50/50 highway & stop-&-go local driving. MPG is much better on long, hwy trips of course (25+), but I was hoping it would be better overall.

#341 of 470 Re: 08 4-cyl, 6A, LTZ [yesamalibu] by djm2

Jan 29, 2011 (6:44 pm)

Replying to: yesamalibu (Apr 07, 2010 9:10 am)
QUESTION: ---- What brand of tires are on your Malibu? ---- What pressure are you running to get those MPG figures? ----- Dwayne (Owner of a 2010 four cylinder LTZ with a 6 speed auto trans that only gets 27 MPG on the highway.)

#342 of 470 Poor fuel mileage on a 2010 four cylinder Malibu by djm2

Feb 01, 2011 (9:04 am)

Hi all: ------------ Chevrolet and General Motors owes the owners of the "four cylinder Malibu" reasons why we are not getting the posted highway mileage of 30 to 33 mpg! ---- (They advertise these figures, ----- but many of us have not seen these figures in the real world! ----- WHY?) ----- Many of us have purchased these vehicles because of this posted mileage! ---------- Best regards! ------ Dwayne

#343 of 470 cold weather by gonogo

Feb 01, 2011 (11:24 am)

You are not going to get the same mileage in cold weather as in warm, known fact.

#344 of 470 cold weather is not the issue... by phil53

Feb 01, 2011 (11:52 am)

I agree with Dwayne - to an extent.
And I would tell 'gonogo' that cold weather appears to have little to do with it. I've owned my 09 LTZ 4cyl 6A since they came out and I have never seen 30 mpg - not once, in any weather. Actually, my wife saw right at 30 mpg once - on a trip from KC to DM doing all interstate driving. The best mileage I have ever seen (same route) was about 28 mpg. Normally, in combined driving, I get around 22 mpg. For that kind of mileage, I coulda had a V6! I will also note that this is the first GM product where I haven't gotten the advertised mileage or even close to it.
As to Dwayne's observation, the reason we don't see those kinds of mileage figures is that we don't drive like the EPA loop nor are we hyper-milers. We are just ordinary drivers who get in our cars and drive them. And, since these are little 4 bangers whose transmissions are tuned for mileage instead of performance, it actually back-fires and we see worse than we should. I'm guessing if I had a 6M, I would see better mileage - but still not what is advertised on the sticker.

#345 of 470 Re: cold weather is not the issue... [phil53] by djm2

Feb 01, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: phil53 (Feb 01, 2011 11:52 am)
phil53:
 
      You comments are right on the money! ----- The four cylinder in this car IS NOT sufficient to power this vehicle. ---- (It is working too hard to move the vehicle!) This is where the mileage is going!!!! ---- It does not come close to a four cylinder Honda Accord engine. (What was GM thinking putting this "toy of an engine" in this vehicle?) ------ Maybe if this engine had a Turbo something might happen! ---- In addition, the "original equipment tires" ARE NOT "mileage friendly tires." ---- They are at the low end of the tire spectrum! ----- I am seriously considering putting on four Michelin tires at a cost of $888.00. --- I will
bet this will improve the mileage. ---------- Best regards. ----- Dwayne.

#346 of 470 Re: cold weather is not the issue... [djm2] by phil53

Feb 01, 2011 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Feb 01, 2011 12:28 pm)
Keep in mind that high mpg (i.e., low rolling resistance) tires sacrifice performance to achieve their goal. And sometimes comfort. So you have to be aware of the trade-offs going in.
Personally, I prefer performance over mpg. But that's just me.
As an interesting side-note, I recently found myself in a Dodge Avenger rental car. Now, this car was nowhere near as polished or comfortable as my Malibu. But the thing I noticed is that I had better response, smoother shifts and seemed to get similar mileage. The engine was the same size, although not quite as powerful and I'd bet that the transmission was a 5 speed at best - maybe a 4 speed. So this is an area where the Malibu really disappoints.
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