Infiniti G35 Real World MPG

Replying to: paulo6 (Nov 21, 2008 6:53 pm)

First. New car tolerances are tight, very tight. You won't see your car's best mileage until after it's broken in and it has a substantial number of miles on it. I spoke to a retired mechanic yesterday, and he observed that some may not see a car's true "top" mpg until 10,000-15,000 miles, perhaps more. I routinely get over the EPA 26 mpg highway on my 04 Coupe's (30,000 miles on the odometer).
 
Second. I've read in Edmunds and other places that the best fuel economy for cars lies within the 45-55 mph range. All things being equal, that's primarily due to wind resistance. Above 55 mph, wind resistance takes more than a simple straight line, algebraic toll on fuel economy.....at some point, for example, an increase in cruising speed of 10% will take more than a 10% toll on fuel economy.
 
That is why a G35 will hit 155 mph (electronically limited) with 280-330 hp. But take off the electronic speed limiter to achieve 200 mph? The G and other cars would need to double the horsepower to gain that last 45 mph! Read Car mags' annual 200 mph shoot-outs. 500 horsepower isn't enough! You can translate that increase in required power and fuel consumption for small incremental top speed drops all the way back to 55 mph.
 
Third. You are driving an awd vehicle. I would assume that with the extra weight and more moving parts (versus my rwd Coupe), your mileage will always be 5%-10% less than a lighter car rwd G with less moving parts.
 
Now would be a great time to get a basis point for your car's (highway) mileage. I would suggest you take a 100 mile uninterupted joy ride on cruise at 60-65 mph once the car is warmed up, light or no traffic that would disturb your test. Set the cruise and reset your mpg once at cruising speed and that's it. Leave the accelerator alone! If it becomes necessary to disengage the cruise and then re-engage, stay EASY on the accelerator to get back to speed. I'll bet with your new car that isn't broken in that you'll still see 24mpg or more. Once broken in, the car is very capable of meeting or exceeding the EPA highway number.
 
In the city, pure city driving, another story. I have to baby my car to get 18-19 mpg. One blast from a stop light and the mileage begins it's plummet. Simple aggressive driving (not all out), and the mileage plummets. I get 15-16 mpg with MY normal city driving style.
 
The accelerator and your right foot hold the key to higher fuel mileage. I've written in other threads here that fuel octane (91-93 versus 89) has had no discernable effect on my fuel mileage. As for developed horsepower from an engine when changing octanes/fuel grades......Check out the Hundai web site. They provide horsepower and torque differentials for the new Genesis at varied octanes. The difference is surprisingly quite small. Off the top of my head, 1.5-2%!
 
So if you want to see higher fuel economy figures, the answer is in the break in, speed, vehicle weight, and your driving style.
 
There is no shame in resisting that accelerator. So few of us, however, drive the G for fuel economy. But it is nice knowing the car CAN achieve the city and highway fuel mileage the manufacturer claims.
 
On a vacation this past August I got around 27 mpg to get to my destination, and somewhere around 13-14 mph tooling around. My son in law was stunned at the difference and asked what happened. "My right foot, that's what happened."

Replies to this message:
• paulo6 (Nov 22, 2008 6:25 am)
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