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2012+ Subaru Impreza Real World Fuel Economy

139 messages,  Last post on Apr 26, 2013 at 10:05 AM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Gasoline, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 9 of 14

#80 of 139 Re: 2012+ Subaru Impreza Real World Fuel Economy [fredjohnson] by xwesx

Dec 13, 2012 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: fredjohnson (Dec 12, 2012 7:11 pm)
How long have you had the car now, Fred?
 
Both cold (anything below about 20F, and it gets really bad at -20F and lower) and snow brutalize fuel economy. So, if your mileage results are primarily winter-based, you have something to which you can look forward come summer!
 
As an example, last week it was -30F here (Fairbanks, AK) for a week+. Our car's FE was 20 (vs. 26-27 during summer in same driving). This week, it is a balmy 25F (we're loving the warm temps, mind you!), but we are having heavy snowfalls. With the 12+" of new snow on the ground, our FE is still 20. Without the snow but with the warm temps, we'd likely be at 24 MPG.
 
Looking at that from a percentage standpoint, that's a 15-25% drop from summer fuel economy numbers. So, that would put your average of 24 closer to an average of 30.

#81 of 139 Re: 2012+ Subaru Impreza Real World Fuel Economy [fredjohnson] by jd_24

Dec 14, 2012 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: fredjohnson (Dec 12, 2012 7:11 pm)
xwesx is right on the colder temps. I'd guess that a subaru needs at least 6 miles to get fully warmed up and running efficently. Maybe more if the temps become below zero.
 
I have a long commute in Mpls/St.Paul of about 35 miles one way. I'm still managing to stay over 30mpg, but just by a thread. I'm well short of the 36ish I was getting in August.
 
Both my old 2001 Outback and now the 2012 Impreza have behaved this way.
 
However last weekend's 12" of snow was fun. Maybe that is also why the mpg dropped a bit more for the last tank of gas.

#82 of 139 Re: 2012 Disappointment [dfrau] by fredjohnson

Dec 21, 2012 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: dfrau (Oct 16, 2012 5:59 pm)
For me with a hatch Sport Premium: 44 mpg highway summer under 60mph. 31 mpg city summer. 27 mpg combined winter, Mpls, cold, lots of idling, cold engine driving, slipping and sliding on snow/ice, winter gas formula also lowers mpg.

#83 of 139 Re: Poor mpg and dealer or corporate does nothing [imprezasport] by fredjohnson

Dec 21, 2012 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: imprezasport (Aug 26, 2012 10:25 pm)
the Avalon is not "twice the car". It's 2wd.

#84 of 139 Re: 2012 Disappointment [imprezasport] by fredjohnson

Dec 21, 2012 (9:10 pm)

Replying to: imprezasport (Oct 03, 2012 11:14 am)
Did you have the firmware updated to eliminate engine braking? I've had that done on my car and it makes a difference. Much smoother starts and downhills now.

#85 of 139 Re: 2012 Disappointment [mbluto] by fredjohnson

Dec 21, 2012 (9:12 pm)

Replying to: mbluto (Oct 03, 2012 3:11 pm)
I had my 2012 firmware updated to stop excessive engine braking. Made a difference. Smoother starts and much less engine braking downhills.

#86 of 139 Re: Very Disappointed Mileage [tjs928] by fredjohnson

Dec 21, 2012 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: tjs928 (Oct 15, 2012 3:38 pm)
So, you bot the Outback. Why are you posting on the Impreza forumn?

#87 of 139 Re: Poor mpg and dealer or corporate does nothing [fredjohnson] by ateixeira

Dec 26, 2012 (9:27 am)

Replying to: fredjohnson (Dec 21, 2012 9:07 pm)
We own a Forester and a Sienna (shares a platform with the Avalon).
 
In the snow, the Toyota blows chunks. It struggles to make it up our driveway in conditions the Subaru simply laughs off.
 
There's no comparison if you're in foul weather.
 
The Sienna is a competent all around vehicle, but it totally falls flat in the slippery stuff, hyper-active VSA only getting in the way (thankfully an Off switch helps), so I borrow my wife's Forester.
 
In fact I drove her Forester today (sleet + snow mix here in DC).

#88 of 139 Re: 2012 Disappointment [fredjohnson] by tpyne377

Jan 01, 2013 (8:34 am)

Replying to: fredjohnson (Dec 21, 2012 9:12 pm)
We have owned 6 previous Subarus before our 2012 Impreza Hatchback Base 2.0i model. We pre-ordered ours because we had been so satisfied with our Subaru products to date. (Big mistake!)
 
This model was rushed to market. A number of things have become evident in the year that we have owned this car. Don't get me wrong. This can be a great car but Subaru simply did not take enough time to find its early shortcomings and fix them. (Very unlike Subaru. What were they thinking?)
 
1) We can only get close to the promised 36mpg under very specific circumstances. Not too hot; not too cold; dry pavement; no wind and no hills. (Does this really sound like Maine?) 30mpg is more realistic with the base model version of the CVT. Other models should be able to squeak out a bit more.
2) The shift logic used by the Base 2.0i CVT transmission is less than optimal. This REALLY needs to get this updated. It hurts MPG and the driving experience substantially. Those who have shifting paddles found in the more expensive models can take control of shifting and do much better than the "computer brain" controlling the CVT in the Base 2.0i. A few have mentioned getting logic updates, I think it should be a required service recall.
3) The computed average MPG on the dash is always overstated by about 7 to 10%. It kind of makes you wonder about the math skills of their engineers.
4) The standard tires (Yokohama Avids) are NOT suited for snow & ice in the northern tier states. They are quite good for typical wet/dry conditions. Subaru should have used another tire model for vehicles delivered to the the snow belt. I get the sense that this decision was made by an accountant and not an engineer.
5) Subaru of America does not appear to want to help its customers out. They cannot admit they made a few mistakes and then propose how to fix them. They seem to be in denial about this model's issues. (This does not make a good customer experience!) So, my advice ... get your facts; have them on paper; know what solutions are acceptable to you and then just keep pushing. Subaru will make it right eventually.

#89 of 139 Re: 2012 Disappointment [tpyne377] by ateixeira

Jan 01, 2013 (8:59 am)

Replying to: tpyne377 (Jan 01, 2013 8:34 am)
Send them feedback. The new Outback had no folding mirrors but they fixed that in one year. The roof racks were too close and they fixed that too.
 
They can and do listen.

Messages Page 9 of 14

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