I just went on a trip from Seattle to Oregon. Before I left I changed my oil, fuel filter and I put in a fuel cleaner. I ended up getting 24 mpg...is that normal? If not what is considered averagne and what should I do to get better gas milege. I have a 96 5 speed gxe.

 

The EPA fuel consumption figures are not advertising puffery, they are realistic and achievable figures. The EPA highway number for my '99 5-speed is 27mpg and I routinely get 29-30mpg on a trip.

 

24 mpg is not bad at all. I usually get 22-23 mpg on hiway driving, but then I do cruise at airplane like speeds

Once, on a leisurely trip thru upstate NY, taking in the scene for a long time with my girlfriend, I got 30 mpg. That had alot of 40-50 mph crusing and I let the car lul along in 5th all the time.

You'll find that the closer you cruise to 40-50 mph in 5th gear, the better your mileage will be. at 80 mph, expect mileage to suffer a bit because your car is working harder to overcome drag and the engine is revving at a higher rpm.

Aim for 2000-2500 rpm in 5th. It may be a bit slo, but the mileage will be awesome!


Enjoy the ride!

DW

 

Keep in mind that you were probably driving mountainous roads. I drove from MA to OK and I averaged 25.5 mpg running 80mph with the AC on most of the way and 3 other adults with luggage.

 

Im soon to find out what my milage is on the highway but it will be good...last tank i took the car up to NY after there was 100 miles on the tank i went up and back and filled up with 10.6 gallons of gas i had 290 miles on that tank..so 27 not bad considering the trip was about 130 round trip and the other milage was city