- #271 of 377
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Re: Help! My MPG isn't measuring up! [gschulz]
by bobw3
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Jun 18, 2008 (10:50 am)
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Replying to: gschulz (Jun 17, 2008 6:23 pm)
I agree...go to the dealer. If you have a combination of poor MPG and the Check Engine Light, it's probably a problem beside the gas cap.
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- #272 of 377
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Re: Help! My MPG isn't measuring up! [mohaha]
by nissmazlover
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Jun 18, 2008 (12:57 pm)
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Replying to: mohaha (Jun 17, 2008 4:14 pm)
Well, I really don't know about the whole check engine light thing. Knowing me, I'd totally take it to the dealer as soon as it came on and didn't come off after adjusting the gas cap.
As far as gas mileage goes, I don't think your experience is that radical. I live in NYC, and I know that I normally average about 20 to 21mpg in mostly city driving, even up to half city and half highway, and it can easily drop even lower if a lot of idling or lots of stops and starts has/have occured. It really depends in the area you live. I assume that most people here reporting on their regularly fantastic mileage live in more spaced out places - like country side, suburbs, etc. - where a lot of highway driving is necessary, and where they would consider having two or three stops signs as "city driving".
Now, on the highway on road trips and such, I have achieved really good mileage in my 5. But, again, that's only on pure highway trips, not regularly at home using it day to day.
So, my opinion, check the car in the dealer because of the Check Englne light, but not because of the mileage. In any case, I hope it goes well for you and your 5.
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- #273 of 377
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Re: Help! My MPG isn't measuring up! [mohaha]
by coolmazda5
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Jun 19, 2008 (10:34 am)
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Replying to: mohaha (Jun 17, 2008 4:14 pm)
Dealer trip is in order, that car is new so shouldn't give you any strange behavior. Good luck!
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- #274 of 377
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I'm having poor MPG, too!
by jky
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Jun 19, 2008 (3:54 pm)
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My MPG isn't measuring up to the sticker either. We live in NYC, and got a 2008 Mazda 5 Touring in April. We are consistently getting about 14-17 MPG in the city. I believe the sticker is 21 MPG for the city, so this mileage seems awfully low. We took a road trip to Phily with clear traffic all the way, and we got 21 MPG--all highway driving. We haven't had any problems otherwise, but does this warrant a visit to the dealer? Is there anything I should check on my own before contacting the dealer? Any input is appreciated.
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- #275 of 377
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Re: I'm having poor MPG, too! [jky]
by riproy
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Jun 20, 2008 (12:56 pm)
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Replying to: jky (Jun 19, 2008 3:54 pm)
I would say yes. Your numbers are substantially lower than others in real world use. Assuming you had any air pressure in your tires at all, were not pulling a 20 ft camper, or driving with the car in second gear all the time, i'd say there is a problem.
Good luck.
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- #276 of 377
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Re: I'm having poor MPG, too! [riproy]
by coolmazda5
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Jun 21, 2008 (5:56 pm)
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Replying to: riproy (Jun 20, 2008 12:56 pm)
yes, that is low but I remembered somebody in NYC posted here low MPG in NYC with an 07 Mazda5 as well. I don't remember the numbers but one of the things that were considered are the fact that the NYC traffic was really bad, much more stop than go. How is the commute traffic jky?
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- #277 of 377
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Re: I'm having poor MPG, too! [coolmazda5]
by jky
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Jun 21, 2008 (10:38 pm)
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 21, 2008 5:56 pm)
We use it mostly for running errands (commute by subway). I'd say the traffic is generally comprable to any city. Lots of traffic lights, bumpy roads, etc. It's not like we're always in a traffic jam, though.
Sounds like it's worth bringing up with the dealer, though.
Thanks for the input, folks.
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- #278 of 377
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Re: I'm having poor MPG, too! [jky]
by nissmazlover
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Jun 23, 2008 (8:01 am)
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Replying to: jky (Jun 19, 2008 3:54 pm)
Yeah, those numbers are REALLY low, so that would warrant a visit to the dealer for me. Though, like I said, I, normally, average about 19 to 21 city in NYC, at least those numbers aren't too far away from the 21mpg EPA figure. However, on highway trips, I routinely get higher than the EPA figure. My best highway fuel economy was about 34mpg, which is a lot higher than the 28 EPA figure. Your numbers are a lot lower than those, so yeah, take it to the dealer. I hope it goes well for you!
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- #279 of 377
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Re: I'm having poor MPG, too! [jky]
by mohaha
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Jun 23, 2008 (2:17 pm)
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Replying to: jky (Jun 21, 2008 10:38 pm)
I took mine to the dealer today. I'm still averaging 16-18 mpg intown. After about an hour, the upshot was "Since you're not showing any warning lights, and the computer doesn't show anything wrong, we have no idea." Seemed like a classic example of the modern overdependence on computers -- no professional curiosity at all. They told me that when the Autozone guy turned off the "check engine" light, it also wiped out any history of whatever caused it to illuminate. (It was almost certainly caused by a loose gas cap). They also tried (as I and some here anticipated) the old "Well, you don't have that many miles on it yet." I then asked how many miles I would need to drive it before I should expect to start getting the same MPG as everyone else, and exactly what change(s) would be taking place during that interval that would result in that MPG improvement. All I got was s blank look and "I dunno." The ever-so-nice lady at Mazda didn't really have a lot more to offer, other than buying gas at a different station, and the usual gas-pedal suggestions. Opened a file for me, too.
I guess I'll run another tank or two through it, so I can truthfully say I complied with their suggestions, and then take it back in if the MPG doesn't improve. All suggestions are still welcome!
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- #280 of 377
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Re: I'm having poor MPG, too! [mohaha]
by coolmazda5
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Jun 23, 2008 (6:38 pm)
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Replying to: mohaha (Jun 23, 2008 2:17 pm)
My MPG started getting stable after 2-3K miles
My only non-expert suggestion is to ask them to update the ECU with the latest code they have, other than that I would try a different gas station just to make sure the gas is not the issue
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