Not Very Happy, 2002 Protege Poor gas mileage

[TheSwapnessMonster]

i get 30 avg on highway between 65 and 70. My max is 32. I started hitting 30's after taking off the roof rack, but I can't say that's what did it. There are also brake and tire problems. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

 

[hygieene35]

it was late I was tired. I was not paying attention and could not remember the zeros. Anyway I got rid of the Mazda in Dec of 2010. I found this web site kind of late.

 

[Maroon]

22 is low. Every time I've had mileage that low, the brakes were at fault. The calipers are poorly designed and prone to sticking guide pins even if the boots are still good. Or the pistons could be sticking.

Do you have any exhaust leaks?

 

[LostinCanada]

I get about 25 mpg in the city, permanently sporting Yakima Whispbar racks, Yakima cargo basket and Rockymount euro fork-mount bike rack, plus, I often drive with the windows open and in the summer I've been known to drive with windows open and A/C on... LOL. No Grandma here - Mazda commercials say Zoom Zoom for a reason - I drive Zoom Zoom with a smile on my face. If I wanted boring I'd get a Dodge.

 

[LostinCanada]

I get about 25 mpg in the city, permanently sporting Yakima Whispbar racks, Yakima cargo basket and Rockymount euro fork-mount bike rack, plus, I often drive with the windows open and in the summer I've been known to drive with windows open and A/C on... LOL. No Grandma here - Mazda commercials say Zoom Zoom for a reason - I drive Zoom Zoom with a smile on my face. If I wanted boring I'd get a Dodge.

Oh, and that's a manual - what's an automatic?

 

[Exocet]

I pulled 34.6 MPG on an all highway trip this past weekend cruising along at about 72 MPH. 140K miles and tuned up about 4K miles ago. Automatic tranny, too.

 

[ChaoSki]

22 is low. Every time I've had mileage that low, the brakes were at fault. The calipers are poorly designed and prone to sticking guide pins even if the boots are still good. Or the pistons could be sticking.

Do you have any exhaust leaks?

This is true. And DO NOT try to even rebuild them, popping that caliper piston = danger. Mine were stuck. I would NOT recommend braking at high speeds too much or overheating them. For normal commute they are ok.

But even after I changed the calipers, gas mileage remains poor. I would be lucky to get 20mpg......

My V6 MPV has better milage with more weight and people in it hehe