Ask the Car People.SM


Saab 9-3 Real World MPG

48 messages,  Last post on May 19, 2013 at 7:53 PM

You are in the Saab 9-3 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saab 9-3, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Coupe, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 5

#8 of 48 Regular vs Premium gasoline? by paa

Sep 17, 2007 (7:03 pm)

We are looking at purchasing a 2005 Saab 9.3. Everything I read says it requires Premium gasoline but the dealer says it can use regular unleaded. What do you use?

#9 of 48 Re: Regular vs Premium gasoline? [paa] by dbodek

Sep 22, 2007 (4:53 am)

Replying to: paa (Sep 17, 2007 7:03 pm)
My 2003 9-3 owner's manual states 90 octane so my car runs fine on mid-grade 89 octane. And I always try to buy Shell gasoline too.

#10 of 48 Re: Regular vs Premium gasoline? [paa] by baldnj

Oct 22, 2007 (11:36 am)

Replying to: paa (Sep 17, 2007 7:03 pm)
Read the owners manual. I have a 2006 9-3 2.0T and it says it can handle down to 87 octane, but you will lose horsepower at that octane. I still have a ton of acceleration on regular and I am getting about 31 mpg on the highway, 24 in the city. So depending on the model year, you can use lower octane.

#11 of 48 MILEAGE by davem5

Oct 29, 2007 (8:55 pm)

I average 24 mpg with my '04 Aero 6-speed (using premium), but on a recent trip at a steady 75 mph I averaged 33 mpg over 330 miles.

#12 of 48 Re: Saab 9-3: MPG Real World Numbers [1viking] by charden1

Nov 21, 2007 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: 1viking (Jul 15, 2006 11:16 am)
Ive been using regular and mid grade gasoline on my 2007 9-3 SS and I recently had to have it towed to the dealer because my spark plugs were so dirty that my engine wouldn't start.
 
The Saab servicer explained that it was due to poor fuel quality and they recommended using only premium fuel from Chevron or 76 (I was going to the cheapest gas station in town).
 
My vote is to use the best gasoline around.

#13 of 48 MPG by waterdr

Dec 21, 2007 (9:30 pm)

I run 87 Octane only in my 9-3 and average about 26 - 27 mpg. I have gotten as high as 35 mpg on a highway trip, but typically get more like 32.
 
I wish the world would wake-up and start making more 4 cyl turbos. They really make sense.

#14 of 48 Re: MPG [waterdr] by charden1

Dec 23, 2007 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: waterdr (Dec 21, 2007 9:30 pm)
How did you get to 35 mpg's highway? How fast (or slow) were you going?
 
I go about 65-70 mph each day for my commute and only average around 25 mpg. Which is still pretty good, I guess.

#15 of 48 MPG by waterdr

Dec 23, 2007 (2:07 pm)

We just set the cruise and go....usually around 70 mph. Been a while since I took a long trip, but I know we have gotten over 500 miles between fill ups.
 
You have to keep the foot off the pedal. Passing a lot etc... will cause the mpg to suffer.
 
I get about 30 - 32 going to work and back as traffic slows in a few spots. I also only run 87 octane, but have run 89 and even 91/92 on rare ocassions.

#16 of 48 Re: MPG [charden1] by waterdr

Dec 23, 2007 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: charden1 (Dec 23, 2007 1:55 pm)
Are you going by the trip computer, or verifying with actual usage? I wonder if your trip computer is reading a little low. Also, do you live in a hilly area?

#17 of 48 MPG by waterdr

Dec 23, 2007 (4:59 pm)

Both actually. Sure, most times I go by the trip computer because It is just too time comsuming to verify all the time and my wife now drives the car and she does not keep track of anything. But, I have compared the trip to real world. The trip seems to read about 5% high...or about 1 - 2 mpg high.
 
We live in a mostly flat area now.....Twin Cities. Hills kill fuel economy.
 
It is going to the shop right after Christmas. I have a door that won't open from the outside and rge sunroof quit too. Wife said the check engine light came on too. It does it from time to time but ends up being nothing. As long as it is not flashing, I don't worry.
 
My biggest gripe is the dam OnStar which is not deactivated due to the fact that it is analog and they won't upgrade. This will be a fun game to play, but the car is 100% under warranty. I am going to demand financial resitution from GM on this...I am soo ticked about it actually that I have written unanswered letters to GM.
 
In fact, we just bought a new car and I refused to buy a GM product because of the OnStar fiasco. The salesmen even told me about a new on on the lot "hey, this car has OnStar" and I told him "you have no idea the can of worms you just opened". - lol

Messages Page 2 of 5

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement