mileage question
 

I apologize if this looks like a duplicate post, but my first post didn't seem to show up. My wife and I are considering the purchase of a '05 2.3L hatchback with an automatic transmission, and I was wondering what kind of mileage you folks are getting?

Do you folks think this car can get 34mpg on the highway if I keep it under 70?

thanks in advance

Any comments on this? What kind of mileage are you folks getting with your 3 series?

yea you could achieve that...buy it put a k&n filter and drive modest..

thanks jzoomer, do others agree with that?

The car we're replacing is a Saturn that got like 35 on the highway, and I'm really hoping we can at least get 32 on the road.

thoughts all?

I think it is possible. Driving highway only with speed under 70 with no uphill - yeah

yupp, quite do-able.
ive had times where i was on the highway where my display said i was getting 5.1L/100kms... which is equal to about 45 mpg.
i seem to usually be around 7.1L/100kms, so 34mpg.
but i also have an intake and exhaust. (btw, these two mods greatly increase fuel economy)

Driving around Seattle I have been getting 30.5 mpg over the last 1500 miles. The car can go about 400 miles on a tank. When the low fuel light comes on I refuel the car. The tank at that point takes in about 12.5 gal. and the trip shows around 380 miles.

Well folks, it looks like we're the proud parents of a '05 2.3L hatch. I already have the K&N on order.

thanks again for all the help

congratulations....and dont become a sranger

Well, we put our first tank of gas in the mazda and ended up getting 29mpg. Pretty frustrating to say the least, hopefully the K&N and possible a throttle body cleaning can get it up to 32. What this auto really needs is another gear.

Say it with me:

Break in period.

j-Protege,

This is an '05 with 32k on it. I would assume that this is well past the break-in period for the 2.3L.

Haha, I see. Sounded like you were buying new at first... but nevermind, I guess you did say it was an 05.

If it is used, at 30000kms, couldn't hurt to do some simple mileage helpers.
Replace the plugs and oil change. Get a high flow air filter (K&N should do it.) And of course, use cruise when you can, AC off if at all possible.

I've heard some people claim to get better mileage with an intake/exhaust combo, but that'll run you a bit more cash.

man you like money huh...lol i would start off with some injector cleaner with your next tank of gas the injectors could be gunked up...then what ^^he said lol

My mileage varies a lot. Living in the NYC Area will have a lot of impact on your gas mileage.

If you're travelling 40/60, 50/50, 60/40 (city/highway) combinations, I average around 24 to 31. If mostly on highways, you'll definitely hit at least 33. NYC traffic most of the time, will be in the low 20's.

I drove from Montreal to NYC through the hills and mountains at an average of 75-85mph. And when I reached NYC, my trip computer said 33.6mpg. Used cruise control a lot though.

So 34 is possible specially if under 70 and using the cruise control. The 2007 EPA estimates on the 2.3L 3 is 26/33 (city/highway) on the manual tranny. I've definitely hit that, even beat that sometimes.