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Subaru Forester MPG-Real World Numbers

216 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2012 at 9:58 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Wagon

Messages Page 22 of 22

#208 of 216 Re: mpg 11 forester [xwesx] by rustythepuppy

Jan 28, 2011 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 25, 2011 10:06 am)
i paid 740 for blizzaks at sears. so far, so good. there's not a lot of snow here, but ice is the name of the game. not much improvement on mileage -- last reading was 16.5 mpg based on 210 miles on 12.9 gals.

#209 of 216 Re: mpg 11 forester [rustythepuppy] by xwesx

Jan 28, 2011 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: rustythepuppy (Jan 28, 2011 2:02 pm)
What is the length of your commute? If you have a short one, it will murder your mileage (especially in the winter). I haven't driven ours recently, but the last tank I recorded was about 21 (just before the cold snap this last week).

#210 of 216 2011 Forester mileage report by maybesubie1

Feb 04, 2012 (5:00 pm)

I have had my 2011 Forester just over 14 months and so far I'm really liking it. About the only disappointment has been mileage. I'm at an average of right around 21.5 mpg. With my driving habits, I really thought it would be quite a bit better than that. I am very gentle on the gas pedal and ease up even more when it looks like traffic is going to be slowing up ahead. A lot of the miles I put on are suburban freeway, usually speeds of 45-60 mph but there certainly can be rolling slowdowns and once in a while actual stop and go stuff. On the other hand, if I jump on a fairly flat stretch of interstate with little traffic and few slowdowns, I'm really happy with the mileage. I haven't checked lately, but I think it's pretty easy to get 27 mpg or better.
My regular commute is just over 8 miles, one-way, so maybe that explains the mileage? Not getting up to optimal engine temp for most of the trip? If anyone has thoughts on that, let me know. Otherwise, I'm really happy with the Forester!

#211 of 216 Re: 2011 Forester mileage report [maybesubie1] by ateixeira

Feb 06, 2012 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: maybesubie1 (Feb 04, 2012 5:00 pm)
We can break 30 on the highway once it's warmed up.
 
Short trips kill mileage - before it's warm especially.

#212 of 216 Re: 2011 Forester mileage report [ateixeira] by maybesubie1

Feb 07, 2012 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 06, 2012 12:38 pm)
Thanks. I thought that might have something to do with it.

#213 of 216 Re: Mileage gauge not working? [sylviecat] by jhawk2tall

Apr 07, 2012 (9:48 pm)

Replying to: sylviecat (May 11, 2009 11:39 am)
turn the ignition to the first click and hold either the - or the + on the clock for 5 seconds.

#214 of 216 Mine is 33 by hiohsilver1

Aug 25, 2012 (6:56 pm)

I get 32-33 hand calculated highway with my 2004 xs 5 sp manual. I keep it 70 or under. It's great- I went from a 98 corolla and didn't give up much- cant imagine getting less than 30 on the highway...

#215 of 216 Re: MPG on '09 Forester--I'm fit to be tied [xwesx] by rustythepuppy

Nov 26, 2012 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 25, 2010 11:07 am)
i kept a written record of my gas logs re mileage the first year but it hasnt changed - in the winter i average 200 miles on 14.5 gallons (the point at which my light comes on and i pull over and fill up at freddies).
 
summer is not much better - 300 miles on 14.5. after my memorial day speeding ticket - who pulls over a subaru forester?? i have kept my speed about 60 mph. no change in fuel economy. the only thing i can attribute to my terrible mileage is that i have a bike and ski rack on top. but still.
 
my commute is 26 miles to and from work. no luck there either.

#216 of 216 Re: MPG on '09 Forester--I'm fit to be tied [rustythepuppy] by xwesx

Nov 26, 2012 (9:58 pm)

Replying to: rustythepuppy (Nov 26, 2012 9:31 pm)
Both of those are still very low, for sure. My '10 is now at about 47.5K miles, and it's running average is still about 23.5 overall. Unfortunately, I lost about 1 mpg during the summer months this year when I replaced the stock tires with a set of Goodyear Assurance TripleTred tires. I had a set of those on my '96 Outback and used them year-round. They were the best all-season I've ever used during winter (really quite decent, though not as good as dedicated winters), plus they have astounding treadwear. But, I also lost some fuel economy on that car (or so I felt I did).
 
These new ones are re-designed, and Goodyear noted that they specifically improved the FE characteristics of the tire. But, apparently not that well, given that they still cause a substantial FE drop (which I know for sure this time because I now keep logs on all my cars). I was bummed, but at the same time that was not my primary requirement when I bought them. During winter, I'm still using the original UGI's, which are now on their fourth winter at 8/32" tread depth.
 
Winter FE is running 20-22 depending on the temps.
 
Your commute isn't the problem. Idling might be somewhat of an issue during winter, especially if you're at ~14 mpg in the winter.... really?! Did you buy at Kendall? I ask because I'm wondering if it is fully winterized with good low-flow lubricants. Drivetrain resistance can cause a substantial drop, but then that still doesn't explain summer. Your rack will definitely cause a drop.
 
Cross bars, all by themselves, will knock off a solid mile-per-gallon. Round cross bars, if you have those, will possibly take more. An odd shaped accessory up there like some bike or ski racks could likely hit you for a couple more. Unless you're using them all the time, I'd try some time without those up there to see what it does. Also, if you actually carry a bike or skis up there, that will hit you more... esp. the bike!
 
When I carry stuff in my cargo basket on top, or even just the basket alone, I only get probably 22-23 mpg during the summer, vs. 26-27 without that up there. It's really a huge hit.

Messages Page 22 of 22

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