Engine break in MPG

[vpr5703]

I've been tracking the MPG on my CX-50 since I bought it w/ 5 miles on the odometer, and the MPG hasn't shifted much at all. It's maintained roughly 28MPG average since I bought it and it currently has ~11000 miles.

https://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/cx-50/2024/vpr5703/1267980/fuelchart

 

[someonesomewhere]

Mine is still improving as well. Hoping to see upwards of 28mpg average overall, though I have gotten as much as 31mpg (displayed) on recent roadtrips.

The onboard computer-generated mileage is near useless, other than for what it is, an estimate. To know what mileage you're actually getting, bust out the calculator on your phone and divide actual miles driven by actual fuel consumed. The computer generated mileage in my car is usually 3-4 (or more) mpg under the figure that doing the math returns. I'll trust a computation performed with actual real-world numbers over an estimate provided by an algorithm any day of the week. Just my opinion.

 

[Cujet]

That’s a good point but I believe the issue was taken care of on 2020.

Re: Proposed rule

To the best of my knowledge, the EPA MPG tests are still tests in a lab, at 80MPH, with E0, fuel that is non oxygenated. Then revised downward to more accurately reflect driving conditions.

I have been wrong before, and could be wrong now. However, I'm fairly sure that testing reflects MPG on fuel that may contain as much as 125,000 BTU per gal.

Of note, Avgas is about 112,500 to as much as 120,000 BTU per gal, and E10 can be between 111,000 and maybe with some spectacular blends be as high as 116,000 BTU per gal. Depending on blends.

Wrong or right, my point stands, a quality E0 fuel can contain far more than the 3.3% calculated difference in energy content. We could compare a 111K BTU fuel against a 125K BTU fuel in real world testing.

 

[nicholas]

Tomorrow it’s getting its 3rd oil change and 2100 miles. QS 5/40

Excellent

 

[JTK]

Ram still wants you to run 0w20 in the pentastar powered 1500s correct? You are running 5w40 if I read the above correctly.

I ran 5w30 in mine and could achieve 23mpg average tank to tank in the warmer months, but mine was a 2017 quad cab 4x4 with 3.21. winter time was more like 20-21mpg average.

Gear ratio and tires make a big difference on these Rams.

Best case scenario, I would not expect 24mpg average tank after tank. Everyone is going to get high mpg trip here and there, but what you get out of a whole tank of fuel is the only thing that ever mattered to me.

 

[fdcg27]

I've always observed continued improvement in fuel economy over the life of an engine.
I'm seeing this now with the HAH. Fuel economy is better now than it was at half of its current 105K under similar driving conditions.
A pickup will never be a fuel economy champ, but every little improvement makes it easier on the wallet.

 

[Bullwinkle007]

Why?
Better get closer to spec viscosity with VVT and cooling jets. Try Premium Fuel till you hit 5K then wean it off. Is this engine still 11:1 compression in a truck application?

No VVT. Mopar has always had issues with the top end. I’ll stick with Euro oils and ACEA A3/B4 oils for the higher levels of ZDDP

 

[Bullwinkle007]

Ram still wants you to run 0w20 in the pentastar powered 1500s correct? You are running 5w40 if I read the above correctly.

I ran 5w30 in mine and could achieve 23mpg average tank to tank in the warmer months, but mine was a 2017 quad cab 4x4 with 3.21. winter time was more like 20-21mpg average.

Gear ratio and tires make a big difference on these Rams.

Best case scenario, I would not expect 24mpg average tank after tank. Everyone is going to get high mpg trip here and there, but what you get out of a whole tank of fuel is the only thing that ever mattered to me.

Ram wants 0/20 for CAFE and same they get credits as all mfg do telling you not to change oil for 10k miles. Selling you the BS of lifetime fluids. Bc of the lifter issues in the HEMI the new recommended viscosity is 0/40. I guess they’ll loose credits on that one.

 

[Bullwinkle007]

To the best of my knowledge, the EPA MPG tests are still tests in a lab, at 80MPH, with E0, fuel that is non oxygenated. Then revised downward to more accurately reflect driving conditions.

I have been wrong before, and could be wrong now. However, I'm fairly sure that testing reflects MPG on fuel that may contain as much as 125,000 BTU per gal.

Of note, Avgas is about 112,500 to as much as 120,000 BTU per gal, and E10 can be between 111,000 and maybe with some spectacular blends be as high as 116,000 BTU per gal. Depending on blends.

Wrong or right, my point stands, a quality E0 fuel can contain far more than the 3.3% calculated difference in energy content. We could compare a 111K BTU fuel against a 125K BTU fuel in real world testing.

I think California has the worst gas out of the entire 50 states

 

[Hermann]

I have found about 5,000 miles or so. Most on Here don't buy new vehicles but will have comments...You are not under the best of circumstances get more than 24 . You are moving something shipped like a refrigerator going down the road.

It probably came with the "Barndoor Aero Package" My V-6 N/A 2018 F-150 averaged 21.7 in 3 years of driving.

 

[Dave9]

Slow down, and if you really care about fuel economy, don't drive a truck. I'm not anti-truck by any stretch, rather it's just the reality of the situation.

 

[Skippy722]

No VVT. Mopar has always had issues with the top end. I’ll stick with Euro oils and ACEA A3/B4 oils for the higher levels of ZDDP

The Pentastar has VVT on all 4 cams, but it’s not highly sensitive to oil viscosity.

Ram wants 0/20 for CAFE and same they get credits as all mfg do telling you not to change oil for 10k miles. Selling you the BS of lifetime fluids. Bc of the lifter issues in the HEMI the new recommended viscosity is 0/40. I guess they’ll loose credits on that one.

They’re still recommending 0w20 for the 5.7. I run 0w30 myself.

 

[Bullwinkle007]

The Pentastar has VVT on all 4 cams, but it’s not highly sensitive to oil viscosity.

They’re still recommending 0w20 for the 5.7. I run 0w30 myself.

We have 2 new 2024 ram 3500 at work with the 5.7. Says on the oil fill cap 0/40. Honestly run whatever you want, what the mfg says is only a recommendation for best mpg. Only thing the mfg cares about is making past the warranty

 

[Nuclear_42]

I have a new GMC Sierra 1500 5.3. Around 2-3k plus miles I noticed MPG improve consistently 2-3 mpg over several fuel tanks.

 

[Skippy722]

We have 2 new 2024 ram 3500 at work with the 5.7. Says on the oil fill cap 0/40. Honestly run whatever you want, what the mfg says is only a recommendation for best mpg. Only thing the mfg cares about is making past the warranty

Oh, yeah the 3500’s are different but those should have the 6.4’s which always called for 0w40. 1500’s still call for 0w20

 

[TomYoung]

Tomorrow it’s getting its 3rd oil change and 2100 miles. QS 5/40

That’s uncalled for.

 

[Bullwinkle007]

Oh, yeah the 3500’s are different but those should have the 6.4’s which always called for 0w40. 1500’s still call for 0w20

Oh. IDK. They’re owned by a state agency. They’re a crew cab, with a long bed. Obviously ordered that way.

 

[Bullwinkle007]

That’s uncalled for.

Why? Engine is still breaking in. Filter had small pieces of metal, grabbed a sample on draining. Ran a magnet through it. Metal. If you’re going to keep it , which I will until it’s dead, I don’t want it floating around. Cost $40 bucks 5qts and a filter.

 

[Cujet]

That’s uncalled for.

This is BITOG... Perfectly reasonable here.

I'm searching for an identical replacement to my F150 that the wife just totaled. It is stunningly clear 100% of my options are poorly maintained. Although, in the end, all my careful attention to keeping my favorite truck perfect was just flushed down the toilet.

 

[Ride_Red]

With a brand new engine, how many miles does it take before the MPG, start to improve? Currently my truck is not getting close to what the window sticker says. As far as hwy mileage flat land cruise at 65, no better than 21. Sticker says should achieve 24. The truck is a Ram 1500 V6.

It takes a few thousand miles to break in. Also, you need to learn how to drive the new vehicle efficiently.

While driving my new Rav4, I look at the MPG indicator. Sometimes if I drive a tad faster, the transmission will shift into the next higher gear and MPG goes way up. For example, if I accelerate and drive at 45MPH, I get worse gas mileage than if I accelerate to 47 and then coast back to 45. The trans shifts and holds the next higher gear. The car drives great and I get the better MPG.