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Dodge Caliber MPG-Real World Numbers

227 messages,  Last post on Oct 14, 2012 at 7:42 PM

You are in the Dodge Caliber Forum.

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

Messages Page 22 of 23

#208 of 227 Re: I want mpg [xkmail] by wheelman

Nov 27, 2007 (7:42 am)

Replying to: xkmail (Jun 26, 2006 11:14 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 227 YMMV by micweb

Nov 27, 2007 (5:46 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 227 Re: 22K miles on car now [lexan1965] by wheelman

Dec 03, 2007 (5:26 am)

Replying to: lexan1965 (Nov 09, 2006 12:08 am)
K&N has an air filter and more for your Caliber. Check out> knfilter.com
 
The WheelMan

#211 of 227 Significant MPG Improvement by wheelman

Dec 03, 2007 (6:34 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

#212 of 227 Re: How to Determine your True Miles Per Gallon [wheelman] by lexan1965

Dec 05, 2007 (10:12 am)

Replying to: wheelman (Nov 27, 2007 7:29 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 227 One year overall average MPG by litesong1

Jan 14, 2008 (3:48 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!

#214 of 227 Re: One year overall average MPG [litesong1] by caliberchic

Jan 15, 2008 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: litesong1 (Jan 14, 2008 3:48 pm)
Glad you haven't had any mechanical issues!

#215 of 227 Re: Dodge Caliber: MPG-Real World Numbers [flyusmc] by jmech

Sep 06, 2008 (9:46 am)

Replying to: flyusmc (Jun 14, 2006 8:05 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!

#216 of 227 2008 Dodge Caliber 2.0 CVT by lacny

Nov 05, 2008 (11:21 am)

Using fuel pump calculations & Miles driven. I always get more mpg than the numbers on the sticker in the window. Round trip to Doore county from Rockford, IL. including driving through small towns, 32 mpg. Commonly get 30+ highway driving. 25+ around town. Using Synthetic 5w-20 Oil, K&N air filter, Mobil 1 oil filter (Made by K&N), Nitrogen in tires, and a light foot, staying close to the speed limit. A heavy foot will bring you close to the window sticker number of 23 for city driving but usually closer to 24. I love cutting my fuel bill 35-45%. Also love the fact that I don't have to sit 4 inches off the ground and have to repel, every time I get in the car. I tell people its my old Pacifica, it just shrunk in the wash.

#217 of 227 Re: YEAH, MY FIRST LONG TRIP IN MY CALIBER [kato1] by wiseguy_srt4

Mar 22, 2009 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: kato1 (Apr 25, 2006 12:00 pm)
NO A JOKE IS - A TOYOTA DRIVING SNOB WHO IS POSTOING ON A CALIBER FORUM. GO BACK TO TOYOTA WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THEM AS WE OWN A DOGDE.

Messages Page 22 of 23

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