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Kia Forte Real World MPG

62 messages,  Last post on Apr 24, 2013 at 1:10 AM

You are in the Kia Forte / Forte Koup Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Forte, Kia Forte Koup, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 7

#53 of 62 Follow-up by bluepig

Feb 24, 2013 (6:03 pm)

The suggestion to reset my mileage would have been a good one, if in fact that digital indicator reflected anything close to actual. The only way to determine actual is to fill you tank at the same station, using the same pump (if possible), and lock the fill handle so that it auto shuts off when full: Don't add more fuel, because that will distort your actual mileage. When your car is full reset your trip indicator (I always do both, time traveled, and average mpg). Drive until near full, note the miles, and fill up again. When you have the total gallons, divide that into your miles traveled, and then you will have the actual. If I relied on my trip indicator, I would drive this piece of crap off a cliff, as the trip says I'm getting between 22 and 24.8 on any given tank.
 
In Utah another serious consideration is tire inflation. Any location where temperatures vary wildly, your tire pressure can vary as much as 8-10 psi.
 
Since my last post my averages are between 25.8 and 26.7, no better, no worse, and it does not matter if I'm on the highway all the time, or mixed driving.
 
I am now at 13k miles and am starting to notice other potential problems. Both of my headlights are collecting moisture internal to the sealed housing. There is a weep tube at the bottom of the headlamp enclosure, but it is not supposed to allow moisture in, rather it's a one way leak tube for condensation. The engine is now starting to make valve noise, as in it either needs the valves adjusted, or its wearing poorly. My first two oil services were at the dealer at recommended intervals (3 & 6k miles), my last two were me doing the oil with a full synthetic per the manual, and Bosch filters. I do not read anything anywhere on the KIA site that suggests anything other than synthetic, aside from the break-in oil.
 
I have two friends that are attorneys, both of which were willing to take this on as a class action filling and on contingency. If we are able to get a filling I will post that disposition on this site.
 
Unfortunately I have decided to look into selling my KIA Forte 5 and getting a Honda or Toyota where the actual mileages posted are closer to real world, as per both users groups. The new Dodge Dart also looks like it might be a candidate, but I want to hear actual mileage results prior to moving that direction.
 
If I were a leftist socialist democrat, I would sit out in front of the dealer with a sign indicating actual mileage as compared to advertised. Fortunately I have a brain and a full time job, so doing so would be nearly impossible. Someone has to pay the tab for the worthless illegals that are infecting this nation.

#54 of 62 Kia Forte Mileage by blacktiger

Mar 24, 2013 (4:12 pm)

Mileage ratings attract customers, bottom line. For EPA ratings cars are tested at optimal settings including, but not limited to, over-inflated tires and software adjustments then driven very conservatively. They can do these things because power, handling and durability are not factors in these tests. They give two numbers on the sticker, the higher attracts business, the lower covers their "liabilities."
 
That being said, my 2013 FORTE came with 26/36 on the sticker. I drive about 90% on interstate highways. At first it was getting mileage in the mid-30s, but the handling was a bit squirrely. The tires were inflated to 40psi though the door sticker specifies 32psi. I reduced pressure to 32. The car now handles like it's on rails but, the mileage now averages 32MPG with me usually running about 80 MPH. Routinely driven at 65-70 it averaged as high as 39.
 
So, this car is doing exactly what I expect it to do, and more. The 6-speed automatic requires no attention, manual mode is fun while protecting the engine from overreving. Cruise Control maintains EXACT speed set. This FORTE reasonably quick, steady, stable and predictable at all speeds yet goes over washboard clay roads with little notice.
 
Fit and finish, not to mention styling, are impeccable. I may have the best one they've ever built.

#55 of 62 INCREDIBLE MILEAGE IS POSSIBLE by blacktiger

Mar 28, 2013 (11:05 pm)

The key to high fuel mileage is limiting speed. My car is a 2013 Kia Forte EX 2.0, 6-speed auto. Took delivery 12/14/12 and already driven 8400 miles. My commute to work is a 70 mile loop, 99% Interstate and I've been using that to experiment with this car, resetting the MPG computer and using this wonderfully accurate cruise control. Running 80 MPH the car averaged 27-28 MPG, I wasn't any happier than some others who have posted here. Dropped down to 75-70 for an entire week and averages and MPG went up to 32. This week I dropped the maximum to 65 MPH and achieved between 35 and 36 MPG. Then, tonight I made the entire 35 mile trip at 55 and reached 44 MPG!

#56 of 62 Re: INCREDIBLE MILEAGE IS POSSIBLE [blacktiger] by blacktiger

Mar 29, 2013 (11:31 pm)

Replying to: blacktiger (Mar 28, 2013 11:05 pm)
UPDATE:
 
Today I filled up, reset and drove the commute to work at the posted limits of 70MPH for 20 miles and 65MPH for 15 miles. Resulted in an average of 37MPG. Returned home at 55MPH and average remains 37MPG.
 
Am not resetting until the next fill-up and at that time will do the math and compare the computer's average with the math, miles divided by gallons purchased. Appears that driving some distance at a low speed may re-calibrate the fuel delivery ratios. Will keep you posted.

#57 of 62 Re: INCREDIBLE MILEAGE IS POSSIBLE [blacktiger] by blacktiger

Apr 02, 2013 (11:12 pm)

Replying to: blacktiger (Mar 28, 2013 11:05 pm)
Follow-up II:
 
Filled up tonight. No top-off. Tank capacity 13.7 gallons.
 
Computer readings:
Miles driven 419
MPG 35.7
Range 67
Avg MPH 45
 
Receipt:
Gallons 11.257
 
The math:
419/11.257=37.22MPG!
 
Actual range. Remaining fuel in the tank 2.443 gallons X 37.22MPG=90 miles. This makes total range 509 miles!

#58 of 62 Re: INCREDIBLE MILEAGE IS POSSIBLE [blacktiger] by blacktiger

Apr 02, 2013 (11:21 pm)

Replying to: blacktiger (Apr 02, 2013 11:12 pm)
How did I do this?
 
On Friday, filled up and drove to work the 35 miles at 65-75 MPH, as posted. Work 2nd shift so, when I get off at midnight there is little traffic. Drove home at 55 MPH. Just before I made my off-ramp, though, a VOLVO semi truck nearly ran over me. Since then, Monday and Tues, I have drove home at 65. Also, on Saturday I drove to a carwash in Florence, round trip 40 miles then, Lexington and back, mostly 70 MPH on Interstate but some stop and go in town as well. Round trip 100 miles. On Sunday, went to see my sister, 60 miles over a curvy two-lane at 45 MPH or less.
 
So, unlock the high mileage your FORTE is capable of.
1. Drive it at least 20 miles at 55 MPH.
2. Drive no faster than 70 MPH.
3. USE THE CRUISE!
 
Let us know if this works for you.

#59 of 62 Re: Kia Forte 5 door - poor mileage [juicely47] by blacktiger

Apr 02, 2013 (11:33 pm)

Replying to: juicely47 (Dec 28, 2011 4:28 pm)
FYI, using the heat puts no extra load on the engine so does not affect fuel mileage. My heater, by the way, will roast a pig! I found the secret to unlocking high mileage.
 
1. Drive the car at 55mph for 20 miles. This recalibrates the fuel delivery software.
2. Drive no faster than 70. Go beyond 70 and you will see your MPG average will begin to drop.
3. Use cruise as much as possible. It will set as low as 25.
 
Let me know if this works for you.

#60 of 62 Strange MPG by vip00

Apr 22, 2013 (1:41 pm)

I've been looking around for ideas on what to do with my '11 EX 5dr 6AT... When we first bought it, we got great gas mileage, getting close to 40 MPG for the summer months and around 34-35 in the winter on the highway (commute is a 40 mile loop, 35 miles on the highway). I stopped paying attention to the mpg for a while and then this winter I noticed that I was filling up a lot more often than I used to, so I started paying attention again. I'm now getting 26 MPG average... and here's the interesting part. Whether we run mostly errands and drive around town for most of a tank or it's 100% highway driving back and forth from my parents 3 hours away, I'm consistently getting about 26 MPG. How can highway mileage not be better than city mileage? I drive a relatively reasonable 66-68mph, so I'm not sure what is going on.
 
Any ideas? There's a lot of wisdom in this thread and I'm desperate for advice!

#61 of 62 Re: Strange MPG [vip00] by blacktiger

Apr 24, 2013 (12:46 am)

Replying to: vip00 (Apr 22, 2013 1:41 pm)
Hello,
 
You should be getting much better mileage than 26. My commute is much the same except for a 70 mile loop but, even wandering around in stop and go traffic, I range 32-34.
 
Driving at 55 I can get as high as 44 MPG! Found this to be dangerous on the Interstate as I almost got run over by a semi- TWICE! Be careful where and when you do it. But, after I did that to recalibrate, MPG started climbing. Now, I am running 70-75 with the A/C on and getting 36-39 MPG. Warmer weather seems to increase efficiency. This is probably due to warmer air being less dense, therefore, containing less oxygen. Apparently, these genius engineers calculated this and programmed the system to deliver less fuel to match.
 
Bought my little Aurora black sedan in mid-December. At first, I was a bit discouraged as my MPG meter wandered between 25 and 30. Then, realized I was having a ball driving the heck out of it! Began experimenting with amazing results. See my earlier posts "Incredible Mileage is Possible" for details.
 
Try this:
 
1. Drive the car at 55mph for 20 miles. This recalibrates the fuel delivery software.
2. Drive no faster than 70. Go beyond 70 and you will see your MPG average will begin to drop.
3. Use cruise as much as possible. It will set as low as 25.
 
Note: Make sure you have ECO system ON, a clean air filter and use the recommended 5W-20 oil, not 5W-30.
 
Let us know if this helps.

#62 of 62 Re: INCREDIBLE MILEAGE IS POSSIBLE [blacktiger] by blacktiger

Apr 24, 2013 (1:10 am)

Replying to: blacktiger (Apr 02, 2013 11:21 pm)
Okay, now, I'm driving 70-75, even 80 some, with the A/C on, and averaging 34 MPG on my last tank. First tank I ever put in the car gave me a range of 359 miles. Filled up Sunday and the range showed 411. Monday, I drove to and from work at the posted limits, 65-70 and averaged 37 MPG. Today, I drove to work at 65 MPH all the way and got 38 MPG, on average for the first quarter of this tank-full. Going to stick to the 65 and see what happens. Warmer weather seems to increase efficiency.

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