Wtf mpg!

[shane02pro5]

Yes low compression has me cruising with around 90whp until I mash the gas with 25psi which is at least 100hp over that silly ass v8

 

[SurreyBlueMP5]

I also recently bought an MP5 (03) and am getting only 23 mpg!
I must say I'm terribly disappointed in the poor fuel economy.
After driving a 02 Celica for the past year and a half and getting 33mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway to get only 23 in the city sucks!
I was going to post this same question....wtf?
Other than that, I really like this car.

 

[tweety2300]

Yes low compression pistons has me cruising with around 90whp until I mash the gas with 25psi which is at least 100hp over that silly ass v8

It might have had like 220 hp to the wheel it didn't do bad for a 3800 lb turd. Id rather have a v8 especially the new mustangs that are gettin better mileage than me and with 400 hp its just not fair.

 

[Flash5]

i get anywhere from 22-40 all depending but the low mpg is due to winter gas here combined with city driving. i also basically have every bolt-on which explains why i can get close to 40 in the summer. these are all under normal driving conditions as in I don't romp on it but i definitely don't granny it either.

 

[Tzar177]

Check your spark plugs. They might need replaced or regapped. Also, check your gas tank for a hole lol. Dirty air filter? Bad maf? Have you tried using seafoam?

 

[u812many73]

I have 197,000 and never get below 28, thats with shifting at 3,500 rpm, and 50/50 mixed driving, highway cruise control set at 78-80. I was getting 25 when I was turbod and thats the worst I've gotten. Best is 33 but that was shifting below 2500 and I found it unbearably slow!

 

[Flash5]

I have 197,000 and never get below 28, thats with shifting at 3,500 rpm, and 50/50 mixed driving, highway cruise control set at 78-80. I was getting 25 when I was turbod and thats the worst I've gotten. Best is 33 but that was shifting below 2500 and I found it unbearably slow!

warm weather is definitely a huge factor for you, in the summer here i dont get below 27 unless i get stuck in a traffic jam

 

[fathergene]

Ok, for valve adjustment I actually meant checking to see if they are within limit and if they are not re-shimming them. Right now I am about 1/2 tank and about 180 miles. What do you guys get per tank? @pasadena_commut I commute between Temecula (Inland Empire) and San Diego every day about 135 round trip.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

wow i got a 5spd and drive like an old woman and still manage to only get 24-26mpg city. no mods and nothing wrong with motor or tranny. i call BS on 30+ mpgs

 

[Guest20182]

Check fuel filter/replace, check gap/condition of spark plugs, clean intake filter, clean MAF, maybe some seafoam, etc.

23 is what I'm averaging in my V6 Mazda6 in a 50/50 scenario, shifting at 3k RPM's.

 

[Lboogs]

wow i got a 5spd and drive like an old woman and still manage to only get 24-26mpg city. no mods and nothing wrong with motor or tranny. i call BS on 30+ mpgs

I feel the same way, I just did a thread about my gas mileage in '02 protege LX. I can't understand how these guys are getting 28 and up doing city, and mixed driving. I'm averaging between 21-23 since Oct '10. Highest I ever got was 26mpg and that was within the first two months I bought it back in April '10. Even after changing spark plugs, and switching from 10w30 to 5w30. I haven't seen any improvement.

 

[tweety2300]

I was getting 24-27 over the summer with a bad o2 sensor. I'm getting 23-26 now during winter with a bad precat but I did the nonfouler thing so it won't run as rich but still hurting it. Everybody that's getting the 30-40mpg do you guys have the mp3 ecu?? I doubt if its helping that much but it is possible. If that's the case then 30+ isn't impossible

 

[thecrash91]

nonfouler doesn't have anything to do with running rich or lean, the second o2 just monitors the second catalytic converter.
i think the ones who are getting 30+mpg like myself are the mazdaspeed guys, the turbo helps helluva lot when not boosting

 

[Hank3]

I was getting 24-27 over the summer with a bad o2 sensor. I'm getting 23-26 now during winter with a bad precat but I did the nonfouler thing so it won't run as rich but still hurting it. Everybody that's getting the 30-40mpg do you guys have the mp3 ecu?? I doubt if its helping that much but it is possible. If that's the case then 30+ isn't impossible

I'm on the stock ECU as far as I know of. The person I purchased the P5 from did not seem like he was a tuner type. Although I miss the performance and sportiness from my '02 WRX and '08 MS3, I don't regret selling those and purchasing the P5. I really do only drive to work and back and around town on the weekends very leisurely...almost grandma-ish. With gas prices going up again, I'm glad to be paying for regular gas and getting the MPGs that I'm getting.

 

[tweety2300]

Ya but usually when it throws a code it runs a little richer. Or atleast it did when the o2 sensor was bad either way its better than seeing the yellow ce light. I'm hoping for 30 mpg this summer

 

[pasadena_commut]

I commute between Temecula (Inland Empire) and San Diego every day about 135 round trip.

Lots of hills on that trip, not sure what that would do to your MPG, but suspect a slight negative effect. It probably costs you 1/4 gallon or so every time you have to crawl uphill to the border patrol inspection site on Northbound 15 near Temecula. Worst possible scenario, ultra low speed stop and go on an ascending grade.

As far as I can tell, if everything is working properly on a P5 the MPG one should be getting on flat ground is roughly:

MPG = [HMPG * (highway miles) + SMPG * (suburban miles) +CMPG *(city miles)]/
[total miles]

Where

HMPG is around 30 (manual or auto, sustained freeways speeds 55-70mph, rarely touching the brake)
SMPG is around 25 for a manual, 22 for an auto (1/4 mile between stops with peak speeds around 35 or 40)
CMPG is ? for a manual, about 18 for an auto (<25 mph stop and go, as in driving around downtown in any large city).

The estimate only holds if the trip is significantly longer than 5 miles each way, but it is in your case. Subtract 2 mpg for (California) winter gas and temperatures.

The auto takes a big hit at lower speeds because the torque converter doesn't lock up until the car is at around 35 mph. In the city it never locks up, in the suburbs it does, but wastes a lot of fuel when accelerating unlocked.

 

[Kooldino]

I've been at 23/24 for 3 years! No mods!

Yeah, but you've got a turbo.

 

[Pmpkinhead]

Yeah, but you've got a turbo.

Yes, I have a stock MSP. Somebody posted that turbos get better mileage!?

Kooldino, do you ever bring that beast to Ohio, I have to see that car! Do you ever check your milage, just curious what a motor like that would do.

 

[Stickman]

Stock P5 5-speed 180K. Just FYI

So many variables to consider, but..

Best ever.
Summer Best, 93 Octane, 40lbs in new Dunlops, new plugs & filter, new 5W30 Valvoline, fill to top of fuel tube, highway cruise 3 hrs, stop & fill to top of tube again; 39 mpg.

Normal summer almost all highway; 33-35 mpg.

WI winter, this week, 93 octane, highway only; 29 mpg.

Normal winter, 26 mpg.


All above is w/ non-reformulated non-ethanol "real" gas.
Whenever I use ethanol, I get approx 15% less mpg.

 

[Pmpkinhead]

I always use the bad BJ's Premium gas. Costs less but I'm prolly getting less MPG due to their concoction!

Is any gas that costs more worth the extra $$? KIM I MUST use premium!