Ms3 Mpg

[Kain]

it's still dissapointing to me. There are plenty of other small 4 cyl. turbos that get close to 30 mpg on the highway. Even huge 5-6 L V8's get 25 mpg (like the pontiac G8) on the highway! It's not like your turbo is spoolin away much when you're driving @ 2800 on the highway. just doesn't make sense to me. This has always been a sour spot for me with Mazda's- my 2.0 L Protege5 never even got 30 mpg on the highway.

The answer is gear ratios. Had this problem with my old '03 Protege, when it sat close to 4,000 RPM on the highway. I would prefer 6th in the MS3 to be taller since all it is to me is a cruising gear.

The reason 6th in a Corvette or G8 yields great gas mileage on the highway is tall gearing and an abundance of low-end torque. They can putz around below 2,000 RPM and not break a sweat.

 

[shaftwagon]

I wish Mazda would address this issue more aggressively. The other small 4 cyl turbos out there (VW, Volvo, Audi) get much better MPG.

Will a CAI intake noticeably improve it at least?

 

[oaklandopen]

mazda has never historically been known for gas mileage. they've mainly been known for cheap thrills. come on, they adopted the wankel for a number of years, and still have a rotary today in the rx8 that is the crappiest gas mileage per displacement of any engine

 

[Russm]

During spring, summer, fall I have gotten 27-31 MPG commuting at 70-75 mph on a 110 mile commute with 30miles of a of stop and go on the freeway.
MSCAI & MSCBE.

 

[Jimmy Mac!]

Me gets 32 mpg. 99% highway. But of course, the 1% of the time, Im smokin someone! (silly)

 

[Tooch]

im getting 25 mpg with like 50/50 town highway driving. idk why i think the switch to winter gas and an oil change popped me up from 22mpg (dunno)

 

[AMP678]

honestly.

unless they are very conservative with the gas pedal, i cant see averaging more than 20-21mpg with this car. i accel fairly hard a few times while im out drive each time im out to hear my turbo and bov but im never pounding the car regularly nor launching

as said, i average between 115-130 per half a tank. which is a correction from what i originally stated. i said between 120-130 before

i took my car in to the dealer for this exact reason b/c i felt my MPG was low. but this car just doesnt get good gas mileage since its a turbo and you want to play with it

mpg isnt bad but its not good

I get the same thing but i have a MZ3 2.3L no turbo.

 

[MaikuMS3]

im driving mostly highway and i get about 30 miles mpg

 

[AMP678]

What mods can get me better gas mileage? i have a ms3 2.3 sedan

 

[HOBDisease]

They made a MS3 sedan???

 

[AMP678]

sorry MZ3

 

[HOBDisease]

Correct tire pressure
Less weight

Those two are all that are off the top of my head that can make a noticeable difference.

 

[AMP678]

less weight how?

 

[robin2660]

less weight how?

Lighter wheels, carbon fiber hood ... throw out the back seats, etc.

Not practical or cheap. It's cheaper to get poorer gas mileage.

Best thing is driver mod. I.e., learn to drive more conservatively. Maybe get some hints from hyper-milers. For example, I use my brakes as little as possible. If I have to brake for the next stop light I've used the gas too much. This annoys the living s*** out of many drivers.

 

[fastdreams]

What mods can get me better gas mileage? i have a mz3 2.3 sedan

Not only tire pressure, you can also switch to skinnier, harder tires designed for mpg's.

Hypermiling techniques are effective if you want to be a dangerous asshat on the road. google it.

You can also go extreme and aero mod the heck out of your car. It looks terrible but can give great mpg results. google aero modding for mpg's. Lots of people do it. i think they should just ride a bike if they are that obsessed.(laugh)

 

[Blue_MS3]

I have the AP Stage 1 93 octane map and a downpipe and I average about 31 MPG with 0% highway driving and I usually end up getting into the throttle quite frequently.

 

[oaklandopen]

Less weight is free...take unneccesary s*** out of you car. And other free ways to increase mileage is proper tire inflation and better drving habits

 

[HOBDisease]

If you're that worried about gas mileage then get a bike or something. IMO, the MS3 gets damn good gas mileage for what it is...compared to 4cyl N/A cars with around 100 less horsepower that only manage to get high 20s...

 

[02stang951]

lets remember the sticker only says 18 in the city so anything above that should be considered good i get about 22 average mostly stop and go driving and am happy with that you dont get speed and good gas mileage

 

[HOBDisease]

I'm sorry I was talking mainly highway gas mileage.