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- RDX Aspec Adv.
After about 9 months of intensive driving and specifically checking MPG I have come to the following conclusion. I averaged 30.5 when doing full highway with maybe 3% city between NJ to VA. My avg highway speed was 70 mph and used radar cruise control. When returning, I avg 31.5 mpg again same highway/city %, but dropped speed to 60 mph but continued using radar cruise control. Today, had to go to PA and averaged 55 mph without radar cruise control, 99% highway and averaged 32 mpg.
Observation #1: This car is very, very sensitive to speed. I noticed when going above 70 mph, say 75 mph, the mileage drops quite a bit. This is a bit different than other cars. Not that they also don't suffer from high speed but this car is a bit overtly reactive to speed. My best bet is: due to its advanced AWD system.
Observation #2: Tail winds, head winds do play a part. Significant part. It's with ANY car. So when Mr. A says got X mpg and Mr. Y says for the same route but on a different date got worse, check winds.
Observation #3: If doing city at around +40%, the mileage in my case REALLY drops to 24 mpg avg! This again I find a bit different from other cars. The difference between exclusive highway and heavy mix of city/highway is rather steep.
Observation #4: MPG really does improve after about 1500 miles and then again after 1st. oil change. I am yet to do 2nd., but was told there will be some improvement. However, its critical to use Mazda's 0W-20 Moly as part of 1st. oil change to observe this difference
I've used Mazda oil, and other oil, and there is ZERO difference in fuel economy.