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Dodge Caliber MPG-Real World Numbers

221 messages,  Last post on Jun 09, 2009 at 5:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Caliber, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Wagon

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#206 of 221 Re: more numbers [airnos] by pmkon7 Nov 23, 2007 (4:52 pm)
Replying to: airnos (Nov 21, 2007 6:08 pm) Hello everyone,   Thanks everyone for your input. As of today, I have a new 2008 Caliber SXT with 2.0L and CVT on order. I will post updates after the car arrives. Doubtful I will get it before Christmas.
#207 of 221 How to Determine your True Miles Per Gallon by wheelman Nov 27, 2007 (6:29 am)
The following may upset some of you but the Truth is seldom pleasant.   Other than pushing a button on a computer (which could make the car manufacturer look good ) most drivers have no clue on how to derive their true MPG.. Step #1 Go to a gasoline station, park the Caliber on the most level area of the pavement. #2 Turn off engine. (Leaving the engine run while re-fueling can screw up the on-board computers; it is against the Law; and most importantly can cause an explosion which can kill you, your passengers and other re-fuelers.) #3. Fill your gas tank until the nozzle's automatic shutoff stops the flow of fuel. (DO NOT squeeze a few more ounces or even drops into your tank. It's truth time, remember. ) #4. Assuming your Caliber has an accurate trip odometer, reset the trip odometer to 0000 and resume your normal driving routine. Drive the Caliber for several days or until the gas gauge reads half full. #5. If possible, go back to the same gas station and same fuel pump and repeat step #3. When the nozzle's automatic shutoff stops the fuel flow...immediately write down the Gallons Purchased number on a piece of paper. #6 Divide the trip odometer number by Gallons Purchased...that number is your Caliber's true MPG.   The WheelMan Replies to this message: lexan1965 (Dec 05, 2007 9:12 am)
#208 of 221 Re: I want mpg [xkmail] by wheelman Nov 27, 2007 (6:42 am)
Replying to: xkmail (Jun 26, 2006 10:14 am) Traditionally, manual transmissions deliver better MPG for non-stop highway driving Automatics have improved substantially and are a close second. Automatics, of course, are favored for stop and go city driving.   The WheelMan
#209 of 221 YMMV by micweb Nov 27, 2007 (4:46 pm)
You said, in part:   "One thing I've noticed is that it's not very forgiving about weight in the back end. The one and only time I went below 30 on the highway involved me taking a bookcase between Atlanta and Raleigh. I ran about 27 the whole way up, but the first tank after the bookcase came out was the highest I've ever gotten - 33.9 mpg. "   It's more likely a fill variation between your two tanks of gas, than the book case (unless your hatch was open and it affected the aerodynamics).   I usually have pretty consistent mileage based on my commute, but if I use a different pump, or go to another gas station, or especially if I fill up on a slight angle, it can throw the mileage calculation off.   Over 18,000 miles of driving, I have averaged approximately 32 mpg on my stick shift Caliber. Pretty good, but I drive very smoothly and have a largely free-flowing freeway commute in a mild climate that seldom requires aircon and is never below freezing, a couple of common mileage killers.
#210 of 221 Re: 22K miles on car now [lexan1965] by wheelman Dec 03, 2007 (4:26 am)
Replying to: lexan1965 (Nov 08, 2006 11:08 pm) K&N has an air filter and more for your Caliber. Check out> knfilter.com   The WheelMan
#211 of 221 Significant MPG Improvement by wheelman Dec 03, 2007 (5:34 am)
To significantly increase the MPG of your Caliber you are going to have to do some things that Dodge did not. #1 Use Synthetic oil #2 Change to a Cold air intake #3 Change to a performance exhaust manifold #4 Change to a Cat-back (catalytic converter to the tail pipe) exhaust system. #5 Inflate tires to "firmer" pressures. #6 Drive close to the speed limit.   Expanded: #1 Full Synthetic oils signicantly reduce friction. Less friction means your engine strains less to do the same work. #2 to #4 Each of these assemblies adds approximately 8-10 hp by allowing your engine to 'breathe" and "exhale" easier without adding any load to your engine. More horses to move the same weight (Caliber and passengers) easier #5. Inflate the tires to what the tire manufacturer recommends...not to what Dodge recommends. Most car manufacturers want you to travel in smooth comfort, so they recommend a 'softer' tire pressure. "Firmer" tire pressures deliver better MPG by providing less rolling resistance. IMPORTANT:DO NOT OVER INFLATE YOUR TIRES. HIGHLY OVER INFLATED TIRES REDUCE TREAD LIFE AND CAN LEAD TO DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.   #6 Speeds above 65 mph wastes fuel. Period.   Your Dodge dealer's Parts Department can get you prices for items 2,3,4 and their Service people can install these parts. These assemblies are genuine Mopar and are specifically engineered for your Caliber. NOTE:Performance parts/assemblies may affect your warranty so get all the info before you open your wallet.   If you plan to keep the Caliber until the wheels fall off the performance modifications might be a way to go.   Much of 2,3,4 is a digest from Pat Goss of Goss's Garage, MotorWeek on PBS   "Drive like your life depends on it."   The WheelMan Replies to this message: plymouth_guy (Apr 21, 2009 6:32 pm)
#212 of 221 Re: How to Determine your True Miles Per Gallon [wheelman] by lexan1965 Dec 05, 2007 (9:12 am)
Replying to: wheelman (Nov 27, 2007 6:29 am) Yeah, I calculate my mpg this way all the time. Even if I had a mpg estimator on my car, which I don't, I would not trust it. Checking mpg is most acurrate doing it manually. Still getting very close to 30 mpg average.
#213 of 221 One year overall average MPG by litesong1 Jan 14, 2008 (2:48 pm)
Haven't posted here in many months & need to follow up. At the end of my first year ownership (October 1, 2007) with the CVT 2 liter SE Caliber here is my MPG compilation.   The first month of ownership(Oct. 2006) I averaged 31+MPG. As the weather got colder & lower energy winter mix gas was used, individual tanks dropped to 25 MPG, dragging overall average down to 28.4 MPG. During February & March, 2007, weather warmed & higher energy summer mix gas returned, & individual tanks averaged 33+MPG with highway highs of 35.6MPG. Slowly overall average rose till October 2007 when my YEARLY overall average topped out at 31.4 MPG for 50+ tanks of gas. My average going over 4000 foot mountain passes was 32.7+MPG.   My 2 previous cars were very reliable & averaged 42 & 45MPG. I bought the Caliber because I'd been waiting for a cheap reliable CVT for 16 years. Tho I got less MPG than my previous cars, I have feather footed the Caliber & the CVT returned as good MPG as I could have hoped for. Many people have had bad Caliber MPG. But my SE Caliber & feather footing have done a pretty good job.   Furthermore, my SE Caliber has been 100% mechanically reliable & NOT ONE creak, squeak or rattle has developed anywhere in the car. I'm happy! Replies to this message: caliberchic (Jan 15, 2008 2:52 pm)
#214 of 221 Re: One year overall average MPG [litesong1] by caliberchic Jan 15, 2008 (2:52 pm)
Replying to: litesong1 (Jan 14, 2008 2:48 pm) Glad you haven't had any mechanical issues!
#215 of 221 Re: Dodge Caliber: MPG-Real World Numbers [flyusmc] by jmech Sep 06, 2008 (8:46 am)
Replying to: flyusmc (Jun 14, 2006 7:05 am) I have a SXT w/2.0 engine and CVT. if I cruise at 65mph on the highway, I have gotten 33-34-5 mpg with a/c on. I get around 22-25 mpg around town depending if the a/c is on or not. The car has 36,500 miles on it. No big problems. Minor stuff like water leak around 3rd tail light, squeaking bushings in rear and door alignment(just after delivery). No complaints. Car rides nice, handles well. Love it!

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