question about fuel mileage in the 2.3L engine

[kms1990]

the mazda 3 5 speed i just bought seems to not be returning me the mpg its rated at. i am getting about 20-23 average (granted i drive short city trips a decent amount, but hop on freeway about 7-12 times a week for about 7 miles 1 way or more) i understand that it has more power and a bigger motor than my old 03 protege 5 5 speed however they are rated at similar mpg i could get about 27mpg average with the protege 5 same driving type. i try to shift around 2000 rpm and get to 5th as soon as i can to keep rpm around that. does this car/engine need to get to higher rpm? the protege seemed to be most effcient if i kept it in the 2000-2500rpm range around town, does the 2.3L need to stretch the rpm more? or do i need to keep them lower?

 

[concept]

The best mileage is typically obtained at the lowest speed in top gear. I'm averaging about 28 but only because somebody always wants to race me just after I pass him or her. This morning it was someone in a PRHT Lexus.

 

[kms1990]

yeah, i do that alot i get to fifth around 32 mph and stay there, however i was wondering if that maybe lugging it a little even though i cant feel it. plus i am in the city alot but use any chance i can to drive freeway and up the mileage. im now on 1/2 tank in my 2nd full tank with this car and its at 176 miles on the trip od so its doing a little better than my old protege 5 did with same size tank so it may have just been me getting used to this cars shift points. its not loud or rough like the p5 was so its hard to shift by engine sound like the p5 i have to watch the rpms and i am learning how to feel out this car for shift points and i seem to be getting it down, i guess i will see on this tank. i actually take the loop (freeway)around to work instead of driving straight city 1. because the gas station by there is right off the freeway and getting to it is easier on the freeway and 2 so it can stretch and get freeway time.

 

[2.0_Mazda]

My best tank is result of touching the gas as little as possible. I think its not so much being at low rpm, but understanding what type of load you're putting. Make your engine force as little as possible. When you can, upshift. Never brake, until you really need to. Take corners fast to keep speed.

I forced myself for a few tanks when I was doing a lot of highway last year to follow that to the teeth. I annoyed others, drove slow but managed an average of 6.73 l/100km over a full tank of gas (34.95 us mpg). Squeezed out 700.90 km which I won't do again.

I'm quite satisfied as I thought my 2.3l 5-speed would be much worse; and it is when I drive like a normal human being. I attempted the same 700 km gas tank with my old Protege (2.0l) but never even made it close.

If you really want, your combined can beat the claimed highway.

 

[goldwing2000]

I try to keep my RPMs between 2500 and 3000. Less than that causes excessive lugging of the engine, which is bad for economy and bad for the car. In normal everyday driving, I stay in 3rd gear until after 40mph. (i.e. if I'm driving around at 35, I stay in 3rd gear). I stay in 4th gear until after 55mph. When I'm downshifting, if I'm between 30-40, it's 3rd gear. 20-30 is 2nd gear and under 20 is 1st gear.

I have 268,000+ miles on the car ('04 Hatch) and average combined mpg is around 29. Max is 36mpg, min is around 24mpg. I kept a spreadsheet but have let it lapse the past couple years. Have been using Mobil1 since 10,000 miles.