Fuel Efficiency

[JerseyCurmudgeon]

My 1999 Legacy Outback gets about 26MPG City, a little more highway. For a car not made for fuel efficiency this isn't bad, but I would obviously like to increase it.

Has anybody noticed improved fuel efficiency with specific brands of gasoline over others? My wife's Hyundai Sonata seems to perform better on BP than on the CITGO gas I use. Any other experiences, excluding the "miracle mileage boosters" I see popping up like weeds?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

[MCarp22]

Has anybody noticed improved fuel efficiency with specific brands of gasoline over others?

I haven't really noticed anything like that. I can fill up at a "premium" station like Shell or Chevron and get the same 20mpg as I do filling up at the local Kangaroo.

[)2edline]

It may also just depend on where you go, at a local "premium" gas station near me, the prices are the cheapest in Boston, but they are rumored to water down/dilute all their octanes. I can fill up there for cheap, even using their premium, but i attain the worst mileage when i go to them. I don't think it matters what Name station it is, just about if its local and you notice a trend.

[pheonix991]

Don't fill up with higher octane, it won't give better mileage. Also I've found that if it is a 4eat, drive in 3 in the city, then once your rpm's hit 3k(around 45mph), shift into 4, then repeat at next light. The efficiency seems to be right around 3k rpm where you get the best mileage.

[JerseyCurmudgeon]

I always use 87 octane, but hadn't thought about driving in a lower gear. I do most of my driving in 45MPH speed limit areas, so this makes sense. Thanks. :lol:

[pheonix991]

I've increased my mpg on my 2.5L about 2+mpg driving on the highway at 68ish. That is about 3000rpm. I read somewhere subaru did this because 110kph is the japanese highway speed limit, so, might as well make that the most efficient speed.

[SilentRacer]

Don't fill up with higher octane, it won't give better mileage. Also I've found that if it is a 4eat, drive in 3 in the city, then once your rpm's hit 3k(around 45mph), shift into 4, then repeat at next light. The efficiency seems to be right around 3k rpm where you get the best mileage.

yes it will give you better mileage. Manual shifting an auto...another thing you shouldn't do.

[pheonix991]

Don't fill up with higher octane, it won't give better mileage. Also I've found that if it is a 4eat, drive in 3 in the city, then once your rpm's hit 3k(around 45mph), shift into 4, then repeat at next light. The efficiency seems to be right around 3k rpm where you get the best mileage.

yes it will give you better mileage. Manual shifting an auto...another thing you shouldn't do.

... You drive in 3(it is gears 1-3 no overdrive) in town. You drive in D on the highway(it is gears 1-4+Over Drive). Overdrive will kill your mpg if you are doing stop and go driving. I've done tests with both this summer. Trust me, it will give you better mpg.

Btw, I'm pretty sure it talks about this in the manual.

[JerseyCurmudgeon]

I appreciate all the great answers I have gotten. I have started to drive in 3rd gear rather than D for in-town travel. I never go over 45mph in town, so I don't notice any change in the drive itself. I will monitor mileage as I go along. :lol:

[Reuben]

Getting a manual transmission will improve your economy heaps :lol:

And yes, higher octane will also increase your milage.

[Airgne]

I've increased my mpg on my 2.5L about 2+mpg driving on the highway at 68ish. That is about 3000rpm. I read somewhere subaru did this because 110kph is the japanese highway speed limit, so, might as well make that the most efficient speed.

incorrect about the speed limits. it 60kph in the cities, 80kph when its not city, and 100kph on the open road.

most boxer motors like 3k dont know why they just do.

[Sarra]

Isn't that close to the torque peak?

[Huffer]

And yes, higher octane will also increase your milage.

Only if the car is tuned for it.