Fuel milage a report

[Mickey]

From time to time I see questions about mileage one should expect
from their Subie. I've just returned from a 5700 mile trip that took
me from the Pacific NW down to Austin Tx via So. Cal. and returned via
Las Vegas and Reno.

Here is my experience:
(2000 OBW AT)
Car was loaded for this long trip. Drove 65-70 mph on outbound trip
and 70-75 mph coming back when conditions permitted.

Overall avg a little over 27 mpg.

Heading down to L.A. basin averaged 26+ mpg with a low of 25 mpg that
included a lot of so called city driving in L.A. Had some cooling
system problems that were addressed while there.

Leaving L.A. area and heading over to Az. mileage went up to 28 mpg.
Mileage continued to improve across to Austin Tx. Avg 29+ mpg between
Blythe Ca. and El Paso Tx.

Mileage dropped back closer to 25 mpg in Tx. and Ok. Don't know
reason except lots of rolling terrain. Had a low of 23.3 while in Austin.

Heading back mileage improved the further West I went. Not a lot of
rolling terrain but it was a stead climb. 1700' at OKC. and over
7300' in Flagstaff Az. Not much truely flat land coming home. Avg
better than 27 mpg over to Kingsman Az. and that includes 28 + mpg
over the Mt. at Flagstaff.

Got the best mileage from Reno Az. over to Medford Or. 29.75 and
there is NO flat land in the 320 mile drive. Went up to Susanville
then over to Mt Shasta and I5 then North.

This is my first long trip in the car and after taking care of the
cooling problem was very pleased with the 27-29 mpg except for Tx. and Ok.

Hope some will find this info useful.

Mickey

 

[frank]

my 98 forester avgs 28mpg at 70 to 75 mph.

 

[Nige]

From time to time I see questions about mileage one should expect
from their Subie. I've just returned from a 5700 mile trip that took
me from the Pacific NW down to Austin Tx via So. Cal. and returned via
Las Vegas and Reno.

Here is my experience:
(2000 OBW AT)
Car was loaded for this long trip. Drove 65-70 mph on outbound trip
and 70-75 mph coming back when conditions permitted.

Overall avg a little over 27 mpg.

Heading down to L.A. basin averaged 26+ mpg with a low of 25 mpg that
included a lot of so called city driving in L.A. Had some cooling
system problems that were addressed while there.

Leaving L.A. area and heading over to Az. mileage went up to 28 mpg.
Mileage continued to improve across to Austin Tx. Avg 29+ mpg between
Blythe Ca. and El Paso Tx.

Mileage dropped back closer to 25 mpg in Tx. and Ok. Don't know
reason except lots of rolling terrain. Had a low of 23.3 while in
Austin.
Heading back mileage improved the further West I went. Not a lot of
rolling terrain but it was a stead climb. 1700' at OKC. and over
7300' in Flagstaff Az. Not much truely flat land coming home. Avg
better than 27 mpg over to Kingsman Az. and that includes 28 + mpg
over the Mt. at Flagstaff.

Got the best mileage from Reno Az. over to Medford Or. 29.75 and
there is NO flat land in the 320 mile drive. Went up to Susanville
then over to Mt Shasta and I5 then North.

This is my first long trip in the car and after taking care of the
cooling problem was very pleased with the 27-29 mpg except for Tx.
and Ok.
Hope some will find this info useful.

Mickey

US gallons?

--
Subaru WRX (The Bitch)

Series 3 Landrover 88" (Albert)

"If you tolerate this then your children will be next"

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester S returns 27-28 mpg on level expressway at 70-74 mph.
Ed

 

[Mickey]

My 2000 Forester S returns 27-28 mpg on level expressway at 70-74 mph.
Ed

What I tried to do is relate my mileage over a broad geographical area
with varying terrain. What is hard to understand is why the range in
mileage as it doesn't seem to relate to the terrain I was traveling.
As I reported the best mileage was between Reno and Medford,
mountinous, and on the next and last tank terrain was flat and level
for most of the distance yet milage dropped 2 mpg. All I can think of
is differences in fuel formulation. Fill up in one place and drive
hundreds of miles away in different terrain.

Mickey

 

[Mike]

I just drove 1600 miles from South Texas to the Florida pan-handle over the
weekend (and back).

I can say that my city mileage is usually made up of short (5 to 10 mile)
jaunts to and from work with usually cold-ish mornings, with the A/C on
(damn this humidity!) and I lead-foot. I get about 19.5 mpg on my WRX in
these settings.

On the hiway I was blown away to find that I got a whole extra 100 miles out
of a full tank of gas. At first I thought I forgot to reset to odometer.
Then I realized at 80 mph with cruise control, mostly with the A/C off, I
got much better mileage -- about 25 mpg.

 

[Cam]

I just drove 1600 miles from South Texas to the Florida pan-handle over the
weekend (and back).

I can say that my city mileage is usually made up of short (5 to 10 mile)
jaunts to and from work with usually cold-ish mornings, with the A/C on
(damn this humidity!) and I lead-foot. I get about 19.5 mpg on my WRX in
these settings.

On the hiway I was blown away to find that I got a whole extra 100 miles out
of a full tank of gas. At first I thought I forgot to reset to odometer.
Then I realized at 80 mph with cruise control, mostly with the A/C off, I
got much better mileage -- about 25 mpg.

Many years ago I was involved in fuel company sponsored 'economy runs'.
5 days driving 'round the country, set route, measured milage,
very accurate refuelling and a passengeer/observer to ensure compliance
with ALL road rules. On some cars the highest point on the fuel tank
was higher than the filler which resulted in a bubble of air being
trapped in the top of the tank and less fuel taken on. Over 5 days it
usually evened itself out and could be corrected by rocking/shaking the
vehicle sideways before topping off.

I have always been suspicious of milage claims on a one off tank of gas.

Milage results were always controlled by adjustments made by/to the nut
on the upper end of the steering column.

 

[-rick-]

I reported the best mileage was between Reno and Medford, mountinous,
and on the next and last tank terrain was flat and level for most of the
distance yet milage dropped 2 mpg. All I can think of is differences in
fuel formulation. Fill up in one place and drive hundreds of miles away
in different terrain.

You likely got a tank of that wonderful low energy content winter blend
oxygenated 10% ethanol stuff we get in Oregon from Oct-April or so. I
know my mileage goes down when we get it.

-rick-