Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Saturn Aura Saturn Aura Real World MPG
65 messages, Last post on Jun 10, 2009 at 9:27 AM
You are in the Saturn Aura Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
|
|---|---|
|
Replying to: godeacs (Sep 26, 2007 7:14 pm) Also, I am guessing you aren't old enough to remember when we had to drive a car and various speeds and not to fast for the first few thousand miles then drive them on the highway and go fast for a few minutes. This was (one type) of recommended break-in procedure. If you just drove normally your engine would either never see it's potential or it would burn oil forever. Todays engines/materials don't require the same techniques, but if you follow the old ways the power train will work better and last longer. I am old school when it comes to break-in and may have something to do with my XR getting better than average MPG's and better than average acceleration (0-60 in 6.0 and 60-100 in 7.6). One trip I got 26.8 MPG for 2300 miles and another gave over 30 MPG for 350 miles. I have over 13000 miles now and the XR is better than ever. Phaeton Driver |
|
|
Replying to: phaetondriver (May 21, 2007 12:42 pm) Hey friend...I have a 2007 KIA Optima, and get at least 33MPG Hwy.(A high of 40.7)Hardly an econobox.Loaded with ALL available options and of course...a 4 cyl engine.It's plenty strong enough to suit me.I believe it's rated at 165 HP which is more than my 1952 Lincoln V8 was. BTW we went to a dealer yesterday to look for an Aura Hybrid...of course they didnt have one,but I did look at a top of the line Aura and the leather seats and the dash were all very nice.Unfortunately it only comes with a V6 and with the $92 per barrel oil...very impractical. 
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: mickeyrom (Oct 28, 2007 7:51 am) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: phaetondriver (Aug 15, 2007 4:19 pm)  My 2007 Aura XR 3.6 is doing just what I thought (and hoped) it would. A couple of months ago I changed the oil and added a quart of Dura Lub. I have done this in several other cars and it always improved my MPG and made the engine run very smooth. Well the 3.6 now idles and revs silky smooth. Idle is now about 800 RPM. I guess the computer only gives the engine enough gas to keep it running, and that is less now so lower RPM is the result. I just took a trip to Northern California. Total miles 910. 870 of it on I-5and I-10. I cruised at or close to 80 MPH whenever possible. The trip computer said I averaged 68 MPH for the 910 miles. It used 30.08 gal of 87 octane for the 910 miles. I think this equate to 30.25 MPG. The formula is keep tire pressure close to 40 PSI, the tires are rated MAX  44 PSI so this is quite safe. Add an engine oil additive like Dura Lub, Slik 50, or any other additive with PTFE. Now I don't have any ties to any company that produces this stuff, I just have had a lot of success using it. An alternative with similar results would be a synthetic oil like Mobile 1. Difference is you buy the additive ones every 50K miles, the oil every 3000 miles. Now my XR is every thing I wanted and I can no longer whine about the MPG. Take that you Accord lovers 
|
|
|
Replying to: phaetondriver (Nov 13, 2007 9:21 am) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: phaetondriver (Nov 13, 2007 9:21 am) The formula is keep tire pressure close to 40 PSI, the tires are rated MAX 44 PSI so this is quite safe. Add an engine oil additive like Dura Lub, Slik 50, or any other additive with PTFE. Wow, 30 MPG! I am getting 27 mpg in my XR going 25 miles one way to work and back. Do you really think that the additives are making the difference or the tire pressure? Also, why do you suppose the manufacturer recommends 30 psi and no additives? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: steelerman (Nov 13, 2007 12:27 pm) Wow, 30 MPG! I am getting 27 mpg in my XR going 25 miles one way to work and back. Do you really think that the additives are making the difference or the tire pressure? Also, why do you suppose the manufacturer recommends 30 psi and no additives? My on-board computer said I got 27.8MPG for the trip, so you can't believe it, monitor the gas and miles and do the math for accurate MPG. I drove for MPG so I was easy on the go peddle, resisted the urges to pass everyone, and used the cruise control as mush as possible. When going uphill I used the manual mode and dropped to 5th and slowed my speed to mid to low 70's. I have used these PTFE additives for a long long time (about 1980) and every time it has proven to me to give more H-P, better MPG and longer engine life. The only car I ran Mobile 1 in was a turbocharged sport coupe and that was because of the hi-temp oil cokeing problems turbo's have. The Tires say max PSI is 44 so for best traction and mileage/wear you want to run them at about 85-90% cold of that Maximum. Several things happen when you do this. 1. The tires run cooler so tire pressure stays closer to the cold setting. Blowouts occurs most often to under inflated tires because the hi temp form scrubbing more tread on the pavement causes the air inside to expand much more. 2. The tires stay flatter on the ground when cornering and provide a more secure ride on those fast mountain roads. I used to race auto-cross and I found that running 50 PSI gave me the best traction in the corners. The runs were too short to cause tire failures at these hi pressures, but a long trip could cause tire failure. 3. The ride gets hard, not as comfortable, when pressures are higher than the car manufacturer recommends. In the case of the Aura, I think one of two reasons for the 30 PSI recommendation is a nice soft ride and the second is the pressure is actually the recommendation for the 16 inch 65 series tires. When you go to a lower profile you need to increase the pressure or risk damaging the rims and tires when you hit those nasty bumps and cracks on the interstate. I am extremely happy with the ride and handling I get with my tires at 38-40 PSI. And there doesn't seem to be any wear on them at all with over 14000 miles. Hope this helps
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: phaetondriver (Nov 13, 2007 1:58 pm) One more question: Do you get a Tire Pressure Monitor warning when your tire pressure is that high?
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: steelerman (Nov 14, 2007 7:03 am) Do you get a Tire Pressure Monitor warning when your tire pressure is that high? No. The tire monitor doesn't warn of high pressure, just low, Mine has done this twice, both time the tire was about 25 psi due to a nail. I do get a report email telling me my tires are not inflated to the recommended 30 psi. I am not concerned about any excessive tire wear or unusual handling because of tires being inflated to 38-40 psi, especially for freeway driving. Just the opposite is true. Check it out for one tank of gas on your daily commute. Can't hurt to verify what I am saying. |
|
|
|
|
Over the last 3 weeks I have driven 1150 miles. Last three tank fulls came to 40.2 gal. My trip computer said I got 26.7 MPG My calculations show it was more like 28.6MPG There was about 850 miles of freeway driving (50 - 80 MPH), the rest was city driving, short trips of 2-5 miles at 0- 40 MPH. I am totally stoked at this mileage in a 250 HP sedan. If one of those 4 bangers that gets 34 highway MPG could get 30 MPG combined would have saved about 2.5 gallons on the same 1150 miles, or $8. The savings of $7 per 1000 miles? That's $350 for 50K miles saved by the 4 bangers. Big deal 
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Saturn Aura Saturn Aura Real World MPG
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Saturn Aura
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
