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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 31 of 97

#293 of 961 Re: MPG - drop [z71bill] by smallcar1 & autonomous [z71bill] by waygrabow

Aug 25, 2006 (8:14 pm)

Replying to: z71bill (Aug 24, 2006 10:36 am)
Don't quite know what to say, z71bill. I have been reading about your bad experience with the Mazda3 for a long time now. If I had your experience, I'd probably have sold the Mazda by now. I wonder how much having an automatic may have to do with it? And stop-and-go doesn't help either. But you are living in another world than I am. For my Mazda3S MT, 2004 with 33K miles, the most recent fillup was 438.4 miles and 12.0 gallons. And, as I think you are aware, that wasn't much different than the typical mileage I enjoy. Your gas tank doesn't have a leak? Clutch fully engaged? Brakes not dragging?

#294 of 961 waygrabow by z71bill

Aug 26, 2006 (8:20 am)

Actually things are not that bad - most of the problems have been fixed - I lost track of how many trips to the dealer it took - maybe 16 or 17 (over 2 years) I was at 12 dealer visits in the first 12 months. The weak AC is still an issue - but even that has improved some.
 
Looked at new cars this summer - considered trading the Mazda3 in on a Civic coupe - could not find one in the color we wanted - plus the EX with nav was rare in any color - and we thought that our daughter should get a year of driving in before we get her a new car.
 
She is only driving about 100 miles a week - so the MPG is really not a big issue. By the time she graduates the Mazda3 should have a little over 30K miles - and still have 6 months of warranty left - will be a good time to trade it off.
 
Maybe a 2008 Mazda3! I wonder if they will have all the bugs worked out by then?

#295 of 961 Mazda 3i MT recent fillups by bradford1

Aug 26, 2006 (9:34 am)

Some summer tank fills with Mazda 3 2.0 manual to 6,000 miles. Lower figures reflect local driving with air conditioner on. 35.21, 34.5, 32.76, 34.5, 35.9, 33.71, 32.8, 31.59, 27.83, 31.87, 31.62.

#296 of 961 Re: waygrabow [z71bill] by waygrabow

Aug 26, 2006 (6:12 pm)

Replying to: z71bill (Aug 26, 2006 8:20 am)
We do share the weak A/C issue. Mine has also improved some.... from non-existent to adequate at max. settings in moderate conditions. But living at 7500' elevation in Colo., A/C is not important. We had the heat on in our house today (which does not have A/C).
 
Glad to know you have found some "peace". The next car we will be shopping for is a new SUV.

#297 of 961 Re: mpg [modock] by jaesee75edmund

Aug 26, 2006 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: modock (Jul 27, 2006 3:08 pm)
yes, it was all city driving, only a few miles each way, with the ac blasting. temps were really high for those few weeks. i have had better mileage lately commuting further with a mix of 50-/50 city/ hw. about 24 mpg. and,i do have a moderately heavy foot. read: moderately heavy foot. which means i use at most 3/4 throttle, occasionally, when the traffic clears. but, that's not very often in nyc. i'd feel like a yoyo if i were to floor it and then slam on the brakes every block.

#298 of 961 MPG by dc_driver

Aug 29, 2006 (8:38 am)

I now have 1200+ miles on my 3i Touring (manual, purchased in late June), and I just got 28.5mpg in mostly (90-95%) city driving. This is with running the AC on all the time, and taking many short trips in stop and go traffic. I was previously averaging about 16mpg-18mpg in a 05 Mazda Tribute (V6+AWD), and 19-21mpg in an 02 Nissan Altima SE (V6).
 
Very happy. Pretty sure I can achieve 30mpg once it is broken-in..

#299 of 961 Mileage improvement by eoghan1

Sep 01, 2006 (5:49 pm)

Mine is 5 speed hatch, with only 17200 miles. I run Mobil 1 changing it every 4K or so. I was getting 27-28 mpg until recently. With the increase in gas prices we decided to drive more conservatively and have gotten 31-32 mpg in mixed driving over the last 6 fill ups. The car is still fun to drive with a little less zoom zoom and now the game is to try and drive as smoothly as practicable. I also believe the engine may have only recently become fully broken in. I am generally pleased with the balance of fun and economy.

#300 of 961 recent mpg by jaesee75edmund

Sep 11, 2006 (8:52 am)

that's it, i can't get any better mileage than this. just drove a week, first half was all hw-70 mph. second half was to the city with moderate traffic-not the usual stop and go. no ac usage either. i didn't even rev the engine past 3000 rpms while accelerating. got nearly 25 mpg over the 250 miles. i guess i can go back to my old habits if all i'm gonna save is 3 mpg trying to drive like a grandpa.

#301 of 961 Re: 2005 GT Manual: City 26 [blizzard2] by nofeer

Sep 16, 2006 (7:10 am)

Replying to: blizzard2 (Aug 11, 2006 5:14 pm)
since you have the trip computer could you do me a favor? would you do a 5-10 mile stint at 65 with ac. i have a new job that is 62miles one way(yipes) but it's only 5 days out of a 20 day work month.
i'm going to lease, the gas is my reponsiblity, so i want the best hwy mileage i can get and try try to get something that is a hoot to drive getting to that speed (you are not a cop are you??)
 
thanks for any help you can give me. but for others that have the trip computer maybe we can post our own test for 45, 55, 65, 70 and 75 mph and associated mileage.
and a city run, stop and go.
 
i also find consumer reports to be the most accurate of any site, since they also give, city, hwy, 150mile trip and overall to address most situations EPA is a 30 year old joke. but i can't seem to find CR eval for a 2.3 manual which i will buy (seems to have a slick shifter, unlike the mustang--cramp city.)

#302 of 961 5.51% worse than epa-not bad by everfeb

Sep 18, 2006 (4:49 pm)

'04 hatch 4spd ATX bot Dec 11 '03. Only around 13,000 miles on her now.
Last 3 tanks average is 24.86mpg on 51%H/49%City. EPA #'s for 51H/49C would equate to 26.31 mpg based on 29H/24C. So I'm only 5.51% lower than EPA suggests. Very nice weather. A/C not on for more than 10 min over the 3 tanks. Not bad considering my city driving is very stop go with signs or lights my first 10 blocks. The bulk of my highway driving is single lane at 50-60mph (deer and wildlife) for frequently only 5 mi one way...on occasion 18mi one way. By the time I hit the highway going out engine is warm from putting through town.
Return highway trip engine is stone cold after sitting 4-5 hours so not particularly fuel efficient the first few miles of return trip I would think.
The nice number above will be drastically lower though when cold weather sets in.
My last all highway trip (200mi) was 29.4mpg at 60-65 mph.
Anyway...haven't posted here for a long time...used to be chronic mpg complainer but mpg is slowly getting better.
Maybe because I drive so little it's taking even longer than normal to break in.
everfeb

Messages Page 31 of 97

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