New Guy

[Mazda5peed]

I just wanted to say Hello and introduce myself. My name is Dave I used to own an MX-3 several years ago. Now, I'm hopefully a soon to be owner of a new 2008 Mazda5 GT. I'm going up to the dealer this Saturday to check them out. Wish me luck.

 

[randyl]

Welcome... I'm new here too ;-)

You'll like the 5, I know I sure do. Just into the third week or ownership, other than the somewhat disappointing mpg (mine is about 20, hopefully will improve), we're really enjoying every minute with the car (or van? lol)

 

[rweatherford]

Welcome... I'm new here too ;-)

You'll like the 5, I know I sure do. Just into the third week or ownership, other than the somewhat disappointing mpg (mine is about 20, hopefully will improve), we're really enjoying every minute with the car (or van? lol)

What are you doing to only get 20 MPG??

 

[Zenderfall]

What are you doing to only get 20 MPG??

only 20? Hard driving for me with AC gets me 25.

 

[randyl]

Well, the 20mpg might not be entirely accurate since that was from the first tank. The second tank is about to be gone and I think I'll get about about 22 mpg.

Now, I drive pretty much like my grandma since the car is still new. Have only gone over 3000rpm once or twice, AC is on probably only 5% of the time (I'm in Canada, it's not that hot yet) so far. The only thing I can blame on is 0% highway, but 0% bumper-to-bumper either. And my daily commute is 5 mile each way.

I'm sure it will improve, I'll be happy with 24 mpg for my driving condition. (my previous car was about 40 - 45 mpg, and it was a two seater convertible, guess what that was? ;-)

 

[rweatherford]

Accelerate moderately and try to keep your speed above 40 MPH if possible. This should force the car into lockup mode on the converter and improve mileage. Try to time stoplights and avoid using your brakes.

 

[Mazda5peed]

Well I'm still waiting to pick up the car. I was hoping the dealer would receive it on the truck this weekend but no dice. Hopefully I'll get a call soon to come pick it up.

Sorry to hear about the 20mpg. Im really looking forward to getting near 30mpg at least I sure hope so coming from an Explorer I am looking to save on gas.

 

[randyl]

Okay, the number from the 2nd tank just came in.... I got a bit over 23mpg (US) or 10.5L/100KM. It did improve or the dealer didn't fill it up 100% for the first tank.

Again, this is for 0% highway, average 5 miles per trip, and very gentle driving. Now the car is over 1000 km, I'll take it on the highway to see if I get better numbers.

Don't take me wrong, we LOVE the car even if we don't get 30mpg. Anything over 24 will make us happier and I think that will happen.

 

[mrbwa1]

Okay, the number from the 2nd tank just came in.... I got a bit over 23mpg (US) or 10.5L/100KM. It did improve or the dealer didn't fill it up 100% for the first tank.

Again, this is for 0% highway, average 5 miles per trip, and very gentle driving. Now the car is over 1000 km, I'll take it on the highway to see if I get better numbers.

Don't take me wrong, we LOVE the car even if we don't get 30mpg. Anything over 24 will make us happier and I think that will happen.

All city driving can be a real gas killer. My work commute is about 4 miles and my '01 Toyota echo was getting 25-27MPG. Not good for a tinylike 1.5L engine. I modified my route to minimize stops and now drive about 6 miles, but that extra time gets the car fully warmed up and the gas mileage has risen to 30-34 MPG which is about right.

Try varying your route a bit and checking the mileage. Also, I am not convinced that slow and steady is the best route. An engines peak efficiency is usually at around 70% of max RPMs. In fact higher RPMs in a lower gear should do better the lugging in a higher gear. That said, the technique that is working well for me to to accelerate moderately (no a drag race, but not the old egg under the foot.) The goal for me is to keep firm pressure and maximize time in lower gears (I have a automatic), then back off once at speed. I get batter gas mileage accelerating this way and then being light on the throttle than if I accelerate slowly.

btw, my wife drives the 5 and tends to be heavy (not quite lead) footed. IT averages 25-27 in mixed driving, but usually can get 24 even around town (until the A/C gets going a lot)

 

[maple_leaf]

(drive2) Welcome to the family Dave! (drive2)

 

[mrbwa1]

Hey Dave, did you have the 1.8L V6 in the MX3? I always wanted to drive one of those as it seems like that tiny V6 would have had a really nice power band and probably a unique exhaust note!

 

[mazdadude]

Hey Dave, did you have the 1.8L V6 in the MX3? I always wanted to drive one of those as it seems like that tiny V6 would have had a really nice power band and probably a unique exhaust note!

I had one also, the 1.8 v6 is a sweet motor, extremely smooth, almost rotary engine smooth but not much on torque and hp. Would have been better applied to a RWD layout such as Miata.

Oh, and by the way, welcome to the forum Mazda5speed!

The 5 is a great car, and after owning mine for almost 3 yrs now, I still have not found anything that I could replace it with.

 

[AIMWO4]

Welcome... I'm new here too ;-)

You'll like the 5, I know I sure do. Just into the third week or ownership, other than the somewhat disappointing mpg (mine is about 20, hopefully will improve), we're really enjoying every minute with the car (or van? lol)

Any time I get low MPG, my tank lasts me 2 - 3 weeks. A good trade-off for my 2.3 mile commute.