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Mazda3 Real World MPG

961 messages,  Last post on Jul 27, 2012 at 1:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 24 of 97

#226 of 961 The efficiency is there. by waygrabow

May 13, 2006 (6:18 pm)

When I read about the Mazda3 S not being fuel efficient, I am left wondering what is going on. With over 30,000 miles on my 2004 MT, it is averaging about 35 mpg. The lowest mpg it has recorded in the past year was about 34 mpg. The first tank full of gas gave 30 mpg and efficiency quickly improved from that point. On 100% highway it has achieved 39 mpg. I routinely drive 400+ miles between fillups and, on the highway, think I could go over 500 miles. Before you start thinking I drive like grandma, explain my two speeding tickets last year (that has slowed me down). Yes, I avoid stop and go; I have a commute route on county roads that has few stops and averages 45-60 mph, but my wife also takes the Mazda to the mall. People may not achieve the same results that I do, but the car does not inherently have poor fuel efficiency. By the way, I have a neighbor who has a 2005 Mazda3S MT and averages 34 mpg. He drives alot on the interstate and maintains higher average speeds than I do.

#227 of 961 Re: The efficiency is there. [waygrabow] by heel2toe

May 13, 2006 (9:37 pm)

Replying to: waygrabow (May 13, 2006 6:18 pm)
The 3s AT only had a 4 speed transmission through MY 2005. I don't own one of these, but forum postings seem to validate that it was reving a lot on the highway, and that probably contributed to uninspiring MPG numbers.
 
The 2006 3s AT comes with a 5 speed, which seem to make the situation better.

#228 of 961 2004 2.3L auto by z71bill

May 14, 2006 (6:22 pm)

My last tank -12.6 gallons 235 miles = 18.65 MPG -
 
Mostly city - 90% of the time AC was on -
 
just to compare -
 
Filled up my Tahoe (5.3L V8) today - 23.9 gallons 429 miles = 17.95 MPG mix of city & highway - AC on most of the time.
 
So my 4 banger Mazda3 is getting almost 3/4 of a mile per gallon more then my full size SUV!

#229 of 961 - by dudleyr

May 18, 2006 (7:04 am)

"Really? What are the fuel efficiency numbers for the Accord? According to Consumer Reports the 2.0L Mazda3 has respectable overall fuel economy; unfortunately CR does not provide statistics for the 2.3L Mazda3. "
 
Reading my full post would have made it clear that I was referring the the 2.3 vs the Accord.
 
Yes the 2.0 is more efficient (that is why I would like to see it in the hatch). While the 2.3 does OK getting mid 30's on the highway, CR got the auotmatic Accord at 38 mpg on the highway (manual should do better still) and the manual 3i at 42 mpg on the highway.

#230 of 961 Re: - [dudleyr] by autonomous

May 19, 2006 (11:05 am)

Replying to: dudleyr (May 18, 2006 7:04 am)
Yes the 2.0 is more efficient (that is why I would like to see it in the hatch). While the 2.3 does OK getting mid 30's on the highway, CR got the auotmatic Accord at 38 mpg on the highway (manual should do better still) and the manual 3i at 42 mpg on the highway.
 
Interesting. Is there a particular reason why you post the highway numbers and not the overall MPG? Consumer Reports shows only the overall MPG on its website; that's where we find the Accord 4 cyl. EX gets 24 mpg compared to the Mazda3i 2.0L at 27 mpg.
 
There are two reasons I can think of that the Mazda3 2.3 litre is used in the hatch: a) the hatch is a heavier vehicle (between 150# and 200# I recollect) and b) the hatch is considered a step up from the sedan. This may be a carryover from the previous generation Protege sedan and hatch; the hatch, i.e. the Protege5, was the most expensive of the bunch.
 
I agree with you that Mazda should reconsider its offerings in light of the escalating fuel costs. A lighter vehicle with a more fuel efficient engine sounds like a winning formula to me.

#231 of 961 Re: - [autonomous] by waygrabow

May 19, 2006 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (May 19, 2006 11:05 am)
"I agree with you that Mazda should reconsider its offerings in light of the escalating fuel costs. A lighter vehicle with a more fuel efficient engine sounds like a winning formula to me."
I just refueled my Mazda3s yesterday, 434.1 miles and 12.0 gallons, for 36+ mpg. Seems like a fuel efficient engine to me. With 160 HP I do wonder if this car couldn't use a 6-speed transmission and slightly lower (numerically) gearing to reduce rpms and further improve gas mileage. But that would probably increase the price. It has great handling for an economy car. Now that my car's A/C is finally functioning, it has everything I wanted. Although I have been thinking about AWD.....

#232 of 961 Re: - [waygrabow] by nifty56

May 20, 2006 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: waygrabow (May 19, 2006 7:54 pm)
autonomous, what was the problem with your A/C? what was done to it to now finally function. was it weak?
thanks

#233 of 961 A/C by sandman46

May 21, 2006 (6:22 am)

The wife says hers is weak also. What was your fix?
 
The Sandman

#234 of 961 2006 2.0 AT by papito289

May 21, 2006 (5:02 pm)

I am consistently getting about 18-20 mpg with my 2006 2.0AT in 50-50 city/highway (230-270 miles per tank). I am quite disappointed with these numbers, although once I got almost 32 mpg on a long highway trip averaging 75mph. I always make sure that my tires are at 32 psi. Any ideas on how to improve gas milage? Is it worth contacting Mazda about this?
 
Thanks

#235 of 961 2006 3i touring 5-speed manual by duff333

May 23, 2006 (4:57 am)

Filled up for the second time and got 429/11.5 = 37.3 MPG. Probably 75/25 highway/city. I drove a little more spirited this time as the odometer hit 619 miles (1000 k)about 2/3 into this tankful. My "highway" is interspersed with some stop and go on Baltimore's beltway but overall I have spent more time cruising at 60-65 than normal.

Messages Page 24 of 97

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