You are here: Forums Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Legacy & Outback Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ??

Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ??

5 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2009 at 10:47 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 1 All Messages Displayed

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1 of 5 Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ?? by gregnw44 Apr 27, 2009 (10:41 pm)
Hi,   And thanks for any ideas and help   I'm buying a '95 Legacy "L" wagon with the 2.2. It has 160K on it, and is all stock. It has had average, to below average, care and upkeep. Mechanically, it has been kept up ok (I think I've been shopping this model for a while, and one of the things I've heard from several owners regarding gas mileage, is that they get 22-25 mpg around town and 26-30 mpg on the freeway. And these are similar aged cars, with the same or more miles on the odometer.   Question - The guy I'm buying my car from, seems to have his act together... yet he tells me that his mileage is 20 mpg, combined city/Hwy. He says that he checks it quite a bit, and that he's gotten this mileage for many years.   This car has stock sized tires, and I imagine that the odometer is right... and that he has good math skills.   So - How can this be?   I want better mileage than this. What can I do? I'm taking it to a Subaru mechanic, to check some other things out. What else can he check, to see what's wrong with this engine, that it would get such poor mileage??   Thanks a ton, Greg Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 28, 2009 6:54 am) gregnw44 (Apr 28, 2009 1:42 pm) ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:47 am) morin2 (Apr 28, 2009 3:25 pm)
#2 of 5 Re: Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ?? [gregnw44] by ateixeira Apr 28, 2009 (6:54 am)
Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 27, 2009 10:41 pm) That engine is generally well regarded, especially for durability, but it's not very powerful and the previous owner probably works it hard to keep up with faster traffic.   His average does sound low, though.   Have the mechanic to a compressoin test to see if the piston rings and heads are sealing well. Replies to this message: gregnw44 (Apr 28, 2009 1:42 pm) ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:47 am)
#3 of 5 Re: Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ?? [ateixeira] by gregnw44 Apr 28, 2009 (1:42 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 28, 2009 6:54 am) Thanks.... and I'll have that done. What should the compression #'s be for that car, with those miles?   And is that the main thing to check for low fuel mileage?   Any other things to check? fuel injection air intake exhaust timing   I'm not a mechanic... just tossing out words here.   Any tips or advice would be great before I get the car in.   Thanks, Greg Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:47 am)
#4 of 5 Re: Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ?? [gregnw44] by morin2 Apr 28, 2009 (3:25 pm)
Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 27, 2009 10:41 pm) I had a 94 Legacy sedan with the 2.2 auto and got around 30. I sold it to my son when he got his license and I suspect he must get closer to the 20. There is a huge difference in our driving styles. I was taught to drive like there were eggs under the gas and brake pedals and was rewarded with great fuel economy. My son, unfortunately, is always in a hurry and accelerates and brakes hard. I coast. I have always recorded every fill-up in a small notebook and so, have a running tally of fuel economy - as well as a convenient place to record all maintenance. The columns in my record book are: date, odom, miles since last fill (delta odom), gals, $, mpg. I have recorded every fill-up since 1972 in this way.
#5 of 5 Re: Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ?? [gregnw44] by ateixeira Apr 29, 2009 (10:47 am)
Replying to: gregnw44 (Apr 28, 2009 1:42 pm) My guess is tire pressure and condition, plus alignment, are even bigger factors.   Not to mention driving style, and the previous post mentions.   My minivan has a trip computer and I can break 30mpg on highway trips if I drive smoothly and keep speeds down. We were driving to Florida and my brother got a turn behind the wheel while I slept, I think he was doing 90, and he got 25.somethign mpg.   Speeds make a big difference, also. Wind resistance increases with the square of speed, while rolling resistance only decreases linearly.

Messages Page 1 of 1 All Messages Displayed

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Legacy & Outback Legacy Wagon 2.2 mpg problems ??