Mile Per Gallon!!!!

[l-miwa]

I've logged every tank of gas that I've put into our 2007 CX-9 GT AWD since it was new with www.truedelta.com.

Over 25,000 miles, I've averaged 18.2mpg for 15% stop and go, 20% city, 10% suburbs, 55% highway at 70mph. The worst I've gotten for a tank is 16.0mph with 20% stop and go and 60% city. The best I've gotten is 21.0mph at a steady 70mph.

With the rise in gas prices, I've dropped my interstate speed to 65mph and my current tank is over 20mpg for mixed driving (30% city / 70% highway).

 

[fraochdha]

mileage

08 GT AWD option here and I fluxuate between 19-21mpg on a regular basis. And I often drive fast and accelerate hard- I've only ever used regular fuel, not SuperUnleaded.... though when I first got the CX-9 the mileage was about 14-15 until I broke it in.

just my $.02

 

[live2ski]

Just returned from driving my 08 Touring AWD from Denver to Aspen and back. It's was a bit over 450 miles with lots of elevation changes ranging from 5000' to 11000'. I got 21 mpg each way (90% highway) which seems in-line with other AWD models and EPA estimates.

PS - The CX-9 held it's own in Aspen among the sea of Q7s, Range Rovers, and MB GLs

 

[29134]

I got 17.5 MPG on my 2nd tank of gas in my '08 AWD GT. The miles consisted of a mixture of highway and country road driving. I hope that the MPG will only improve. I just passed 1000 miles.

 

[bill42]

UPDATE:

ok, I was one of the earlier ones posting in this thread.... I still get terrible city mileage because I drive in a crowded suburb... but I have some good news. I just got back from a trip from NYC to Ottawa Canada. I was driving from 75 to 80 most of the trip, and I averaged 20.4 mpg. (AWD) That is close enough to EPA highway for me. I am once again a satisfied customer. So it IS possible to get 20 or more on the highway with a 4600 pound vehicle. (I was prob at around 5000 pounds with family and gear) I even hit 100 for a second on a long strait-away just to feel what this heavy car feels like at jail-sentencing speeds. The CX-9 was plenty stable at that speed, although I was prob sucking up a gallon a minute.
I am sure I would have been above 21 if I kept closer to the 65mph speed limit.

 

[ceric]

CX-9 has tall 6th gear and low drag coefficient (0.36), it does well in highway driving.
For local driving, however, the MPG is not impressive compared with competitors.

 

[hss_Rao]

Update: Now reaching 4000 mile mark in 3 months, my CX9 is averaging around 18.5 mpg with 95% city driving and I took her on a 300 miles trip to Connecticut where I go 22.4 MPG with 70mph. Next week I will be taking it for the first service. Any tips for first service?

 

[clarko]

CX-9 has tall 6th gear and low drag coefficient (0.36), it does well in highway driving.
For local driving, however, the MPG is not impressive compared with competitors.

I agree 100%, in fact I'm amazed at how tall 6th gear is for such a heavy vehicle, it does well to pull like it does, and although thirsty around town it does always put a smile on my face when I accelerate from the traffic lights.

These engines are going into our Ford Falcons in 2010, and considering they only weigh about 1650kg (compared to CX9 2100kg), they should perform quite well.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

what service?

 

[stl_ls1gto]

I don't think that's unusual. My 400HP C6 Corvette gets about 21MPG city, 28MPG highway. That's better than my CX-9 or Cadillac STS.

well yeah, when at 80mph and the double overdrive you are only turning 2000rpms with the Vette (M6 trans). My cammed/stalled Ls1 Gto gets 24mph highway still and i have the A4 trans. The long tubes and full exhaust with the custom dyno tune really help the mpg figures though.


Also, my wifes vehicle is a 2007 Audi Q7 suv. Very similar in size to the CX-9 - if not a little larger/heavier. It gets 22mpg highway easy at 80mph cruise on trips - we have the 3.6L V6 with 280hp. I am amazed at the mileage that this vehicle gets for as large as it is. Around town, we get 19-20mpg. It does require premium gas though. The CX-9 was the only other vehicle we considered when shopping for her car.

My daily driver is a 2008 G35X, and I struggle to get 22mpg with this car on the highway. I have a 28mile commute each way to work, and probably 25 miles is interstate. I set the cruise at 75 usually, and with the 5 speed auto - I am turning 3100 rpms - really drives the gas mileage down. I cant wait for the 7 speed that is in the new FX50/FX35 to migrate down to all the Infiniti's - a taller OD will really help highway fuel economy. Otherwise, this car is a blast - it is what replaced my Mazdaspeed 6 that I had for 2 years. It is just as fast as the MS6 stock, with none of the problems or quirks that the MS6 had. I do miss the MS6 though - it was a little more tossible as it was lighter than the G35x.

 

[wannabe]

http://hypermiling.com/

just for the sake of argument, i drive an 06 ms6. before i went to that site the best i ever got was 26mpg on all highway(told by scangauge). on friday i looked at that site at work, on the way home i pulled into the garage at 29.9 mpg on a 18 mile 70/30 highway/city drive home.

its got some good tips on there.

 

[camrycev6]

I saw the same thing. That guy is nuts. He starts the car and immediately slams in into drive... He doesn't use the brakes when he makes crazy turns. He tailgates... Sorry, it just isn't worth it.

 

[larryc]

Filled up my 2nd tank today. Got 13.4 mpg; also 100% suburb driving. Love the car otherwise, but not very happy with the mpg. For comparison, the 2002 MDX that this CX9 replaced got 17mpg when new and about 15mpg at the time I traded it in.

Well, here's my report two months later:
I am consistently getting around 13 mpg or less, 100% suburb driving. Not so happy about this; wondering if I should take it to the dealer to see if anything can be done.

Not optimistic anything can be done as I took a road trip last week NY to Boston and got 22 mpg going there, 19 mpg back (but coming back had a little local driving mixed in + a/c going)

 

[bill42]

Sounds normal. Others are getting higher city mileage but they likely live in more rural suburbs. NY Suburbs are very different than your average suburb.
I get 13 too around Long Island. I just filled my tank today and it cost $81. Not fun. What are our options? Get a raise I guess! I think you'll be seeing a lot less large SUVs on the roads soon. I still love the CX-9, but my next car will prob be an A4 wagon. The new one looks like it may get 31 mpg on the highway.

 

[fraochdha]

dealing with LA traffic

I purchased my 08 GT AWD cx9 in Nov and love it, with the exception of the gas mileage. I've learned to watch my lead foot though. Keeping my shift points at or below 2K on Tach has really made a difference around town.

 

[not_too_shabby]

Has anybody downgraded from 20" to 18" wheels on their Cx-9 and seen a noticeable mileage difference? Between the price of replacing 20" tires and the higher rotating mass of the 20" wheels it may be a big money saver to downgrade the wheels.

 

[bill42]

I just got my new 18 inch wheels in the mail a few days ago, with performance winter tires on them. (Pirelli Scorpion Ice&Snows) The tread may alter mileage slightly as well as the possibly lighter wheels.
I will let you know if my mileage changes, but I seriously doubt the small difference in rotating mass is going to effect mileage. Driving style for example is way more of a factor than a few pounds of rotating mass or unsprung weight.

 

[not_too_shabby]

I have those snow tires on my MB R350. They are great. How much did the winter setup cost you? Did you buy TPMS?

 

[trthom]

Miles per Gallon

Run in manual mode on long trips. I did this and got 24-26 on my AWD CX9

 

[bill42]

I have those snow tires on my MB R350. They are great. How much did the winter setup cost you? Did you buy TPMS?

Yes I got the TPMS which are pretty pricey for our cars. The total with shipping came to 1487. The wheels were one of the cheapest ones but they still look pretty cool. The car lost all of its tight steering due too the tall mushy tread, but the ride is nice and even smoother over large bumps. It still corners fine but I automatically adjusted my driving due to the decrease in road feel. I am very glad I didn't get the Blizzacks now as they are rated far worse on dry pavement. (And since it is 50 degrees out today it looks like I have a lot of dry pavement ahead of me)

I can post pictures of the wheels and tires if anyone is interested...