Improved gas mileage...

[grishulia]

I am amazed... my mileage went from 28MPG to 31MPG just from switching to synthetic oil!

I did an oil change, Castrol Syntec, on monday and filled up a tank of gas... today, after 250 miles, I went to the gas station again, before the long weekend, and after filling up I've calculated the MPG's... and instead of my usual 28MPG I got an amazing 31MPG!

 

[cbcbd]

Wow, you usually get 28mpg? You're lucky. I get 27mpg if I drive like gramma, if I drive like I want to I'll get 25mpg.

31? Man,that's good.

Anything can happen

 

[grishulia]

28mpg in 50 city/50 hwy before, 31mpg now
26mpg city
?? hwy, never gotten to pure hwy yet...

 

[dragonbabe79]

Um...you just now figured out the benifit of sythetic oil?
another on it that it doesnt get as dirty as regular as fast.

However since it is thinner there have been cases where it has leaked from the car.

ive always been a snthetic buyer. Mobil 1 baby!

 

[grishulia]

...However since it is thinner there have been cases where it has leaked from the car...

As soon as it leaks I'll stop using it... although I don't see how that's possible...

 

[dragonbabe79]

neither do I but that is what I was told.

 

[matallama]

Wow, you usually get 28mpg? You're lucky. I get 27mpg if I drive like gramma, if I drive like I want to I'll get 25mpg.

That pretty much sums up my experience too. I'd love to get 31 mpg. We'll be taking the car on it's first long-distance all-highway trip later in Sept, so we'll see how that goes. Still got a little ways to go before the first oil change, so I've still got time to decide on what type of oil to use.

 

[Protege52003]

I changed to mobile one in july and am very pleased with the results. My milage has gone up between 10 and 15%.

Probably will change the oil at avery 10k instead of 5.

-R

 

[slenser]

Um...you just now figured out the benifit of sythetic oil?
another on it that it doesnt get as dirty as regular as fast.

However since it is thinner there have been cases where it has leaked from the car.

ive always been a snthetic buyer. Mobil 1 baby!

HUH?????

I have been a synthetic user for many years and have been on performance message boards almost as long. This is the FIRST time I have heard either one of those.

1. You want cleaner oil, get a better filter. The oil diesn't matter. This is especially important for those of you who decide to extend the oil change schedule.
2. Any leaking that may occur are not going to be from going to synthetic. Now, I have heard of people using engine cleaners. This is where you pour something into the motor and run it for a minute or two to clean out any sludge. Some people do this before switching to synthetic. This stuff can cause leaking from different gaskets and seals. For those of you looking into doing this, please don't do it. It will only cost you more money.

Now, I love synthetics. As I said, I use it myself and have been for years. Just don't always listen to what you hear from everyone. Me included! Folks, just follow a reasonable oil change schedule and use as good a filter as you do oil. It's a shame to see people putting Mobile1 or better into a car with a Fram filter. We all have been told that you get what you pay for and this is no different.

This is not intended as a flame towards you dragonflame, I just want to clear some things up.

I can't say I gained the same mileage as others did. I even have Redline MTL in mine. I only get 32-33 highway if I am not running the a/c and I have a 5 speed. Perhaps I should consider only going 55-60. Maybe that would improve things!

 

[PeaB0dy]

So which oil Filter would you use?

 

[slenser]

PureOne from Puroil
Mobil1
Motorcraft from Ford
Napa Gold made by Wix or Wik

Each of these are pretty similar in quality. I don't have the link any longer, but there was a very extensive research done on pretty much all of them out there. These were the top ones I remember. I use the PureOne, myself.

 

[Matthew]

must be nice i get like 20mpg city, no matter whether or not i drive like crazy or baby the car...:wtf:

 

[CanMP5]

I use K&N's oil filter for our cars....

I like the fact I can use a 1" wrench to get it off. A lot easier for me to reach.

They've got a couple of other features but I don't know if they're relevant.

 

[privateer]

does anyone know who manufactures the filters for mazda?just curious why they were not recommended? factory are my first choice than napas wix and your other choices.also agree with your oil advice ,best advice regular oil changes quality filters and good quality oil regular or syn. recently went from castrol gtx to castrol syn, blend using 10/30 both times engine has a smoother feel to it found that interesting.so i have decided the next oil change to go to mobil one as a test of curiosity have used it before in other cars no matter what oil i use 5000 miles is about the limit between changes.i have stated in other post that in my honda which had over 230,000 miles on it i use to mix oils and weights syn and regular[5/30, 10/30,10/40] with no ill effects no leaks was going to drive it into the ground for my own curiousity but was starting to have other mechanical repares brakes ect.. that i did not want to put any more money into it.

 

[ottawaP5]

I prefer to use regular oil and change it more often. Synthetic costs an arm and a leg! But it makes sense it would improve gas milage. Maybe it would pay for itself in fuel savings.

Regarding gas milage...what counts is if you have fun driving the car! Its true we only get 25-30 mpg wheras corollas and civics get more but they are only half as fun to drive.

 

[Red Baron]

Fuel economy

I baby the P5 a lot, and the best mileage I've achieved is 32.1mpg US (that is 7.33l/100km or 38.6mpg Imp.) in very HOT weather. Temps are cooling down now and mpg's are too.

I use Mobil 5W30. (oops! not 15 W30)

 

[slenser]

15W30? Ouch, I would seriously concider putting a lighter weight in your car. You actually could be voiding your warranty, running that heavy weight oil. Stick to the 5W30 and you may see even better mileage.

 

[brucelee]

i guess this touches on a diff subject, but is there a "correct" way to drive the car to improve mileage? aside from the obvious, i.e., not redlining or going over 4000rpm and the like. for example if you're driving at 35mph, then is it actually better to have it in 4th gear than 5th or something like that? does higher gear not always equal best gas mileage because it keeps the rpms lower?

 

[erockp5]

The key to driving for good mileage is driving smoothly.

The other key point is to think about the next 100yards or 1/4mile(freeway).

Don't accelerate if your going to stop at the next intersection or exit, back off the throttle and coast to the desired speed. Downshift to slow, it may not save gas but you don't wear the brakes as much and it won't hurt to be in the right gear if the light changes before you get to the intersection. Stopping and starting eats more gas.

Don't mash it to the floor since someone previously noted our ECUs flood the cylinder(too rich) when flooring it.

Unless you are accelerating don't drive above 3krpm. Upshift to the next gear just keep it over 2krpm.

When accelerating shift at 3500rpm. The torque curve flattens as you get to max at 4k. Unless that big 4x4 is going to cream you of course.

Remember when you are driving for fun and driving to get somewhere. Spinkle some fun driving in because that's half the reason we all bought this car. The rest of the time you can pamper it a little and still enjoy it.

My average for the entire 6k miles so far is 29.5mpg. Best 38.5mpg, highway construction zones 55-65mph. Worst 26mpg, MTBike on roof rack, A/C, stop and go traffic, 7200 verticle ft climb up the Sierras, and 70-80mph.

 

[slenser]

One thing I have to disagree with.

Don't slowdown with the motor. This will cause the engine to rev, burn more gas and wear out your clutch. Now which would you rather have to do on the weekend, a set of brakes or a new clutch?