fuel economy should increase with mileage on the car, right? Because I just filled up, after a 80% highway, and the city was driving with a light a foot as I could, keeping the TCC locked up as much as I could. And I still only managed 29mpg. That seems low. I wonder if it's because there is still so few miles on it. Thoughts?
Break in mileage increase?
- Thread starter Nick R
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It sould get better with mileage, yes.
What PSI are you running in your tires? My buddy bumped his up 5 PSI each and is getting 33 on his focus, but was getting 30 combined as it was from factory.
What PSI are you running in your tires? My buddy bumped his up 5 PSI each and is getting 33 on his focus, but was getting 30 combined as it was from factory.
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I've not experienced dramatic gains in MPG as my cars have broken-in. It may come up some, but I wouldn't expect a HUGE increase.
Mileage typically suffers with cooler weather.
Some may disagree with this but I have always found that after the initial "break-in" (for me, about 1200 miles), I change out the fluids in my trucks to Mobil 1 oil (5w30) and Mobil 1 75W-90 in the diffs and Mobil 1 ATF in the transfer case. I also put a tad more air (2-3 psi) in my tires. After about 5-6000 miles, I am getting at the top end of what the vehicle calls for on highway mileage.
But I also break in a new vehicle buy staying at lower speeds and varying the speed. I don't break in a vehicle by driving it like I stole it. And I never have had a vehicle that I bought new burn oil over a 6000 mile or more oil change interval. I keep an ew vehicle at least ten years on the average.
But I also break in a new vehicle buy staying at lower speeds and varying the speed. I don't break in a vehicle by driving it like I stole it. And I never have had a vehicle that I bought new burn oil over a 6000 mile or more oil change interval. I keep an ew vehicle at least ten years on the average.
The mileage might increase, but don't expect too much.
Mileage usually goes up over the lifetime of an engine. It seems like you should be getting better than 29mpg if you are driving very lightly.
JHZR2
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Ive never noticed significant gains over breakin. In my 135i, my best tank was my first one! FYI, it was far higher than your 29 MPG and in a heavier, far more powerful vehicle. Check your driving style, there are gains to be made I think from something...
We noticed a small increase in the Fit after driving it for 6 months. And a large increase in the Buick after reviving it after sitting for 2 years.
The Fit is averaging ~34 mpg driving very quickly on the interstate, and the Buick is averaging ~27-28 mpg driving quickly on hilly country roads.
Your Focus should be around where the Fit is, not where the Buick is. If you can spare the money, an Ultra-Gauge or ScanGauge will give you feedback on your driving style.
Have you checked for dragging brakes, low ATF, or under-inflated tires? In a new car they shouldn't be deviant, but you never know.
The Fit is averaging ~34 mpg driving very quickly on the interstate, and the Buick is averaging ~27-28 mpg driving quickly on hilly country roads.
Your Focus should be around where the Fit is, not where the Buick is. If you can spare the money, an Ultra-Gauge or ScanGauge will give you feedback on your driving style.
Have you checked for dragging brakes, low ATF, or under-inflated tires? In a new car they shouldn't be deviant, but you never know.
Two things:
1. Winter gas will cause your mileage to go down. It has less energy per gallon.
2. Colder mornings will cause a longer warm up periods.
Keep doing what you are doing. It may just be the weather and the "winterized" gas.
As for myself I have always bought used cars so I wouldn't know.
1. Winter gas will cause your mileage to go down. It has less energy per gallon.
2. Colder mornings will cause a longer warm up periods.
Keep doing what you are doing. It may just be the weather and the "winterized" gas.
As for myself I have always bought used cars so I wouldn't know.
x2 on the winter fuel. It can make a huge difference, especially on smaller engines.
In my experience, the mileage may increase with some more miles, but as said by earlier posters, don't expect a lot.
In my experience, the mileage may increase with some more miles, but as said by earlier posters, don't expect a lot.
Another vote from me for cold weather fuel.
I hate losing MPG in the fall!
I hate losing MPG in the fall!
If you are anything like I was at that age, your mileage could be dependent on your driving habits, namely the weight of your right foot when driving, which weight gets lighter as you get older in most cases.
But as others have pointed out contributing factors also include:
1. winter gas
2. tire pressure
3. idle times
4. some say and on some cars, break-in can be a factor
But as others have pointed out contributing factors also include:
1. winter gas
2. tire pressure
3. idle times
4. some say and on some cars, break-in can be a factor
Another factor is tires.
New tires have more rolling resistance than "old baldies".
I track my cars carefully and always see a 10% difference (2 MPG on a mid-20s car)between new and old tires.
Have not tried Low Rolling Resistance tires yet...
New tires have more rolling resistance than "old baldies".
I track my cars carefully and always see a 10% difference (2 MPG on a mid-20s car)between new and old tires.
Have not tried Low Rolling Resistance tires yet...
the worst tank i've seen was like 18mpg on my acura motor and that was during break in with < 1000 miles. The best i've seen to date is about 35mpg. has 40,000 on it now.
If i remember correctly, mpg stopped increasing around 7-8k.
If i remember correctly, mpg stopped increasing around 7-8k.
You're going to ust about break-even on this one:
- 'winter gas' and cooler weather will reduce fuel mileage,
while
- residual break-in will slightly increase your mileage.
On a brand-new car, about the only thing you can do is pump your tires up just a bit above spec - I put mine at about 36psi - and make sure they don't go low on you.
- 'winter gas' and cooler weather will reduce fuel mileage,
while
- residual break-in will slightly increase your mileage.
On a brand-new car, about the only thing you can do is pump your tires up just a bit above spec - I put mine at about 36psi - and make sure they don't go low on you.
It's not just the engine that has to break in, but ALL the parts.
And there are a lot of them ! Brakes can have more low speed friction/drag while cruising, for instance. Gears and bearings have to mate, as well. As tires wear, you they don't wiggle and scrub as much as new ones.
Mileage can increase from 0 to 2-3 from a car just driven off the lot to one with 5,000 miles or more.
And there are a lot of them ! Brakes can have more low speed friction/drag while cruising, for instance. Gears and bearings have to mate, as well. As tires wear, you they don't wiggle and scrub as much as new ones.
Mileage can increase from 0 to 2-3 from a car just driven off the lot to one with 5,000 miles or more.
Any increase you get is going to be due to the tires wearing down. If fuel economy is low, then it is probably due to your driving habits.
This past tank I didn't idle at all except for stop lights. I accelerated slowly, the tach very rarely went over 2500 on acceleration. Just strange. They must have just switched over to winter gas or something.
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