Mazda5 real-world Mileage numbers

My wife thinks you 30 plus mpg folks must have mathematical issues. She just drove from Raleigh NC to Warrenton VA and back and averaged 26. It was windy, but we never accelerate hard or anything that detracts from the mileage significantly. Do the 5 speed manuals get that much worse MPG?
 
What was her speed? Did she use cruise? What about AC? (auto setting runs AC all the time) The wind can kill the mileage too.

I got back from my 400 mile one way trip. On the way I drove locked at TPS=21 and had over 30 MPG (I think close to 32-33). The car usually hung in the 60-65 MPH area. Had to stop 6 times for potty breaks and supper.

On the way back I had the cruise set at 75 MPH and drove into a 20 MPH wind that was either head on or sideways. I stopped once. The Scanguage showed about 25 MPG.

Going with the flow speed wise over 60 MPH can kill the mileage if you are shooting for 30 + tanks. I think this car loves about 50 MPH. I think the 08's are better geared for the US market.
 
Every tank that I've stayed around 60-65 has been at 30 mpg or above. The last tank I had I drove like a madman (many 80+ mph sprints with hard acceleration) and I still turned in 26.5 mpg. I doubt there are mathematical issues, as that is my daytime job (high school math teacher...lol). I have a lifetime of 29mpg, with the hopes of getting it over 30 mpg before too long. I'm at 7K miles...averaging about 2200 miles per month. I was at 29.3, before I went nuts for the last 700 miles...
 
I still can't get over the gas mileage you people get. I have never gotten over 26.sumthing, and usually get 23 combined. I don't drive fast.
 
High MPG on the Highway=Low RPM's

I think the reason automatics are getting better MPG(regardless of whether its a 4 or 5 speed) is the RPM. The manual cars simply turn more RPM at highway speed and thus burn more gas. The faster you go, the more RPM, the less MPG. At 70 - 72 mph, my 08 auto is turning about 2500 to 2600 RPM. A 5 speed manual is well over 3000 at the same speed. I actually did this test before buying an auto.

However, do think the manual versions do better in the city, driven properly with a scangauge. The manual allows more control over how the speed is attained/held on to than an auto. The lower gearing in the manual also allows for highway passing without downshifting.

My best MPG is 33 MPG with no passengers and no AC. I typically get between 26 and 31, depending on how much highway travel. The worst tank I've ever gotten was 22 mpg and it involved AC, lots of city driving and a car load of people.
 
No ac on or defrost. You must be right about the gearing. I'm sure she was doing 70-73mph. It averages 23.5 city stop and go driving.
 
My 5-speed MT

I'm getting 24.98 MPG (Lifetime)

My mileage typically dips in winter due to several factors like cold, snow, tires and idling. I usually start the engine before clearing off the snow. My typical drive is 2.3 miles to the office on ice and snow in the winter.

I have had over 30 MPG on several occasions without doing all highway mileage. My drive to Boulder (on occasion) takes me through a lot of stop and go amid some good highway stretches. My few trips to Colorado Springs net very good gas mileage despite my 80-85 MPH speeds.
 

Attachments

  • gaschart.webp
    gaschart.webp
    11.7 KB · Views: 207
  • gas log.webp
    gas log.webp
    100.2 KB · Views: 216
Last edited:
Just dipped under 29 for the first time after 2 crazy tanks in the 26-27 range. Maybe the winter weather will get me to slow down a bit and get it back close to 30.
 
2008

My 2008 mileage:
 

Attachments

  • 2008 Mileage.webp
    2008 Mileage.webp
    8 KB · Views: 246
Last edited:
Add
Tanks

Edit or Delete
Vehicle
straw10 straw10's Vehicle 2008 MAZDA MAZDA 5 Auto(S5) 120.1 256.703 0Wh 7399.5 28.825

256 gallons 7399.5 miles so far...
 
For the 2007 or 2008 what kind of mpg are folks getting?

Just curious...

Thanks.

Merged thread. Please check the other Mazda5 forum areas for these common questions, I'm sure there are already posts around :D

Thx!
 
Filled up in Va Beach this morning and drove 173.7 miles just before Quantico, Va....... stopped and filled the tank 5.2 gallons prior to driving the remainder of my Monday morning commute....... it seems as though my mpg are getting better, this is the second tank over 30 mpg........ 33.4 for this trip. All highway miles, traveling at about 75 mph.....

Last week it was 32.3 mpg........ I'm going to check it again next week.....
 
08, auto, with 14,000 km, a bit shy of 20mpg in Canadian winter. When average temperature is at freezing point it does get a bit better (around 22mpg). In the summer, I get around 24 mpg.

About less than 10% highway, 80% rural traffic, 10% stop-and-go.

I did get something like 30mpg in a few tanks last summer when I did like 80%-90% highway (average 70mph/115kmh).

Not as good as some of you, but I think it's still acceptable. We love this car.
 
30mpg with AC

Just got back from trip that involved a car load of stuff plus the three of us and I still got 30mpg with the AC on the entire time.
 
Got over 30 MPG from the last ski trip. Many extended idles to melt ice/frost "inside" of windows.
 

Similar Threads and Articles

New Threads and Articles

Back