General Impression - Gas Mileage Woes

Hello all, new owner and poster.  We bought a 2006 Outlander in about September 06.  We commute 55 miles each way and average between 65 go 75 miles an hour driving in the Anchorage, Alaska bowl.  When we bought it, the car had 10K miles on it, so breakin period was complete.  With stock tires, even with AWD, the car drove somewhat eratic unless you were in a straight line.  We put studded tires on and it now corners like it is on rails...really hugs the road.  Gas mileage has been averaging from 20 to 23 miles per gallon, usually about 275 on the tripmeter when I gas up.  Other than not being overly happy with gas mileage, the car has done well.  Not to loud at highway speeds, even with studs, and pulls strong (auto tranny) and seems to have the power to stay out of trouble if the need arises.
 
Other than tires, my only intended modification will be to put a K&N filter in it, it will pay for itself with filter changes within about a year anyway, so why not buy it.  I'll post again after driving with it a few months to inform if the mileage changes.

Cheers,
Hubba

Hands down...the first Gen Outlander sucks on gas!

Hi Hubba, nice to see an Outlander owner from Alaska. You sure have the ideal climate to put this ride to the test! how much snow can it take?
good that you changed tires because these stock Yokohama's don't get any grip in snow... I've tested them for the first time on the only day we had snow in the whole winter!
But I'll stick with the Yokohama's until they've worn enough to be changed...

I suppose you fellows use low-viscosity motor oils for the extremely low temps? I guess a 0w30 would be perfect for the Outti in arctic conditions? Also, this should have an impact on fuel economy when the engine is cold.
I'm averaging 10.5l / 100km aka 22.5 MPG, which is quite good if you take into account much urban driving and my drivestyle.. but it's a manual transmission, that might make a difference.

I want to put in a K&N airfilter too, but I first need to ask if it would void my warranty... chances are my dealer won't like it either, since it's not good for their business.

Some pics would be nice!

Yeah the 4g69 is a gas chugger, the advertised mpg's are bs, I know from experience with my ralliart, that thing probably averaged at 20mpg, my new awd ls beats that by a couple of miles with lots more power.

The new Outlander is so much better...41 the other day on the highway

huh, the best i've seen on mine was 29 on the highway

I had it in the low 40s as well acording to the navigation screen. When I fill back up ( 3 times so far ) I calculate my MPG. So far all 3 times it has been 18.812391209. I only have 700 miles on mine and I drive only in the suburbs, all back roads and a few highways never do I go to the city.

ya know, as anyone noticed that the fuel milage average is based soley on throttle, and not engine load, or RPMs, Heres something to try, put it in sporttronic mode, and get to about 50mph, in 6th gear. Now, holding your foot at the exact same position, and not lifting or moving the throttle, click it down a gear, or two, or three. The "average mpg" gauge never moves. LOL, how funny.

Your saying take it up to 50, and drop it down to 3rd with out moving the throttle and the mile per gallon won't change?

I get about 39 to 43 on the average highway drive. I check the MPG on the cluster not the Navi....

thats exactly what im saying. you can do it at any speed. its hillarious

quote:

ORIGINAL: JMC

I get about 39 to 43 on the average highway drive. I check the MPG on the cluster not the Navi....

Dude something's gota be way off on your's, have you calculated how many gallons you put in and the amount of miles you travel before the next fill? if you did and your still getting the 40's, then you got some kinda experimental outi there and I would be one happy owner.lol, there are hybrids out there that dont even make it to 35.

I know. thats what i was thinking, but hey, I have seen some really high numbers at times, if I am using very little throttle pressure, and going mostly down-hill or flat.

Im going to have to try out the downshifting thing. If my RPMs jump up and my MPG stay the same then I know their calculations are bogus.

quote:

ORIGINAL: OTO27

quote:

ORIGINAL: JMC

I get about 39 to 43 on the average highway drive. I check the MPG on the cluster not the Navi....

Dude something's gota be way off on your's, have you calculated how many gallons you put in and the amount of miles you travel before the next fill? if you did and your still getting the 40's, then you got some kinda experimental outi there and I would be one happy owner.lol, there are hybrids out there that dont even make it to 35.

Wrd....Straight Tom Cruise Control the whole way.

yeah, I've been thinking it was bogus anyway. but try it yourself. Its really hilarious.
That reading is soley based on throttle pedal position

Just like when you read the MPG from the specs, it's not a reliable source to go by, can't understand why so many people even look at the screen read outs. Just do fuel tank brim test, fill up tank to brim and see how many miles you physicaly get from it and measure the amount of fuel you put back in, bit of simple maths and there you have it the TRUE MPG for your vehicle and the way you drive.

Wrong or not...this is what the MPG says.

Well I did it today and doing 35MPH and going from 6th gear to 4th gear there was no difference in the MPG read out. My RPM's only went from like 1200 to 1500 though not a real load increase and I wasnt pushing the outlander any harder. Your probly right though that it reads out by gas pedal position.

ya know, I talked to my old man today, and he said something interesting about it. Once you downshift, it creates more load on the motor, and if you dont change your foot position, the car will slow down. Maybe since the car is slowing down, and you arent using that power from the higher revs to keep your speed up, then you are using the same amount of fuel, then again, I highly doubt this. I did it today, dropping from 6th at 60 to 3rd at 60, and my RPMs moved up like 3 grand. thats alot. and I really didnt slow down much, from say 60, to 57, or so. who knows...

40 mpg= 600 miles on a 15 gallon tank!! Our outlander gets about 320 per tank, let me know your secret.

math rules!!!!!!

math is a lie. dont be confused by the man... DAMN THE MAN