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Mazda Protege Real World MPG

60 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:48 AM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Mazda Protege5, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 4 of 6

#31 of 60 MPG by ardaproes

Nov 02, 2007 (3:28 am)

Mine is a 2000 ES with 5 spd if i drive gently i am sure i can pull it up to -30+ mpg

#32 of 60 poor mpgs by jjbroc

Nov 18, 2007 (8:51 am)

Hi,
 
How is everyone? I have been enjoying my 2003 Protege5 since I bought it Sept '07. It only has about 18000 original miles on it. Automatic. My question is gas mileage. I thought I would be getting over 30 mpgs with this. Not the case, I am averaging about 25 mpgs.
I drive 90% highway and drive a consistent 75-80mph. 27 miles to work then 27back. Just wondering what you guys are getting for mpgs.
Also wondering about my rpm ranges. Car seems to really rev from sixty up. My rpms are just over 3000 for 70 mph and about 3400-3500 for 80 mph. I use cruise control and was on flat highway when I documented this.
Just a touch of the peddle or a slight incline automatically adds 2-300 more rpms.
I really am not use to an automatic tranny, this is my first one in years. Last being a '69 Camaro, my first foreign. So I have no experience with their performance.
Is this consistent with the other automatics out there????
 
Thanks for any input,
JJBroc

#33 of 60 Re: poor mpgs [jjbroc] by iamz

Nov 19, 2007 (8:12 am)

Replying to: jjbroc (Nov 18, 2007 8:51 am)
Everything you're experiencing is normal. When the EPA lists higway mileage, that is at 60 mph. Anything faster than that and your mpg will drop. Optimum fuel mileage will occur around 50 to 55 mph.

#34 of 60 Re: poor mpgs [iamz] by autonomous

Nov 19, 2007 (10:51 am)

Replying to: iamz (Nov 19, 2007 8:12 am)
Everything you're experiencing is normal.
 
Agreed. In Consumer Reports testing they found the overall mileage to be 25 mpg; exactly what you are receiving.

#35 of 60 Peak mileage is around 50mph. by mazdafun

Dec 21, 2007 (1:36 pm)

With the 1.6L engine and an AT, I am able to consistently hit mid to high 40 mpg (personal record is 48mpg) when traveling between 45-50mph consistently.
 
Mostly local driving with some stop-and-go and idling, and a light foot, I average 27mpg. If I let my lead foot get the better of me, this will drop to 24mpg.
 
On the highway, traveling mostly 65mph (on long trips), I get around 34mpg. Upping the average speed to 70mph, I get only 32mpg. At an average speed of around 75mph, my fuel efficiency drops to 29mpg. I avoid going faster than that to avoid 1) getting busted for speeding and 2) I can't tolerate worse fuel economy.

#36 of 60 Re: poor mpgs [jjbroc] by blackadder5639

Apr 30, 2008 (9:49 pm)

Replying to: jjbroc (Nov 18, 2007 8:51 am)
Yeah, your experience is normal.
 
I own a 2002 Protege5; 5-speed manual. When I bought it almost 2 years ago, I was getting about 27-28 mpg hwy and 23 mpg city. On the highway I drive 75-80mph just like you. I had a normal paper air filter....it was new.
 
I have since replaced the air filter with a K&N drop-in air filter. No difference in performance, but I now get between 25 and 27 mpg city and about 32 mpg hwy! Huge difference! Get a K&N filter immediately.
 
As for the rpm, the automatic is geared taller than the manual. With the manual, in 5th gear, 60 mph is just under 3000 rpm, 70 mph about 3400 rpm and 80 mph at about 3800 rpm. Fortunately, the engine is not loud so it's okay on smooth roads....on rougher roads the wand/road noise is quite loud.

#37 of 60 Re: poor mpgs [jjbroc] by mazdanut

May 24, 2008 (2:33 am)

Replying to: jjbroc (Nov 18, 2007 8:51 am)
I'd be glad to get that kind of mileage. I have a 2002 5 auto and I got 21 mpg on my last tank with a 50/50 mix. My mechanic is scratching his head. I'm about to giv it up and trade it in on a newer Mazda 3.

#38 of 60 Re: Mazda Protege Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [KarenS] by zoom_oh_2002p5

May 25, 2008 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (Jun 02, 2005 11:26 am)
P5 2002 with 60,000 miles.
Last gas was Sunoco 86 and I got 23 mpg. Worst yet.
On highway 1200 mile trip to Vermont from Ohio, I've gotten 35 mpg. I consistently get 32 mpg highway and 25-26 mpg city. The latest is something new. I'm changing the plugs, but it may be the Sunoco 86. Most times I use 87 octane (always whatever is the lower rated fuel available at the station).
I think it is well worth experimenting with fuel brands.
I've experimented with other vehicles and never could make the dollars and cents work out running high test and getting 1 to 3 mpg improvement on a trip.
When I had a Honda 50 mini motorcycle in college, I tested Shell, Amoco (white hightest), Mobil, and could get 2 miles per hour top end improvement with the good fuels (top end speed was 45-50 mph).
I think the same opportunity lies with brand research if you commute.
Gas up Monday with Brand A. Fill up on Monday with Brand B. Keep a book for 6 gas brands for six weeks, and then be loyal.
Calculate your cost, dollars per mile if your gas prices vary, and you get a real measure of which gas gives you the most miles for a buck.
 
ZoomOH

#39 of 60 Re: Mazda Protege Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [zoom_oh_2002p5] by autonomous

May 27, 2008 (11:54 am)

Replying to: zoom_oh_2002p5 (May 25, 2008 7:22 pm)
Gas up Monday with Brand A. Fill up on Monday with Brand B. Keep a book for 6 gas brands for six weeks, and then be loyal. Calculate your cost, dollars per mile if your gas prices vary, and you get a real measure of which gas gives you the most miles for a buck.
 
Hmmm, this seems like an elaborate test that may or may not prove much. I would expect that most national brands do not vary much in price or quality.

#40 of 60 Re: poor mpgs [iamz] by bocaratp5

Aug 21, 2008 (5:45 am)

Replying to: iamz (Nov 19, 2007 8:12 am)
I have a 2002 P5 auto-tranny W/82000mi , I drive 42.7 mi each way to work , here in So. Fl. If you aren't driving minimum 70mph you get run-over.(these are the most aggressive drivers in the US.) I run my car 3100 RPM (I don't look at the speedo unless there is a cop around) and am getting 28 to 31 depending on the temperature and traffic conditions,and , run my A/C when the sun is up.Tires have a lot to do with your mileage too(195x50-16 Federal 545's came on mine) The oil is changed every 3 to 5K with straight 40w and I upped my mileage from 25mpg avg by adding a K&N drop in .
  You may consider buying a K&N ...*30 bucks......U notice immediately better performance and fuel consumption.

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