View Full Version : gas mileage incorect


colt 22
07-03-2005, 03:15 AM
i have a base auto cobalt and live in phoenix. I went flagstaff and back within a seven hour period and traveled exactly353 miles to and from with 79 miles left on my tank. when i got back and filled my tank up i calculated my average mpg. It came to 39mpg. I know calculators don't lie but the sticker on the window when i bought the car lies. the car is only supposed to get 24mpg city and 32mpg hwy.

just though i'd let you guys know that our cars get better gas mileage than posted!!

wikkymaster
07-03-2005, 12:23 PM
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/wikkymaster/6-30-05011.jpg

theres what i was getting the other day :)

Tedro
07-03-2005, 01:48 PM
damn, I still cant break over 24.9mpg... :(

CobaltSS132
07-03-2005, 02:02 PM
Im usualy getting 25-33 on my SS

tiny
07-03-2005, 03:06 PM
i usually get 32 mpg consistantly

but with the DIC, you have to reset it as soon as you start going
if you start it when you are stopped or crusing, it throws it off because it obviously gets weighted

BJC
07-03-2005, 11:50 PM
theres what i was getting the other day :)

Downhill?
I try to see how hi I can get it downhill after I reset it.

detrini
07-04-2005, 12:13 AM
its stops at 99mpg.......... I've had that fun already

silverSS
07-04-2005, 12:30 AM
It saysim always getting between 22.3-22.7 on my ss, when should i reset it? i dont drive it hard, i should be getting more right?

Vendian
07-04-2005, 12:55 AM
Damn...how do you get that much on the SS? I must be a little peppy in my driving, or maybe I don't know how to use my DIC (Let's hope not), but I'm only getting about 19-20 MPG, all city driving.

Maven
07-04-2005, 12:16 PM
First the mileage on the window sticker is just what the car was rated in the EPA mandated and strictly run test loop, if your driving habits differ significantly from the test loop, you will have correspondingly significantly higher or lower fuel mileage.

Second the DIC is just an estimated calculation of fuel use based on current operating conditions, and not an actual fuel use meter. It is important to reset the DIC if you want an accurate readout but also note that even short periods of idling drastically lower the displayed fuel economy. Try it out, you'll see what I mean , obviously we all know that idling the car for a minute or two wont lower your fuel economy by several mpg, but since the DIC thanks that idling is now how the car is being operated it reflects the change.

wikkymaster
07-04-2005, 03:03 PM
no it wasnt downhill, i reset it on the way home from a cavalier meet i cruised around with, thats with stoplights and everything, but i was trying to drive good

Cirrus
07-04-2005, 04:00 PM
I've seen mine hit 99.9...while foot is off the accelerator and going downhill =)

Arwes
07-04-2005, 05:02 PM
Yeah mine hovers between 29-30MPG. Which is fine by me! My old Ranger was a gas hog.

cobalt7801
07-05-2005, 12:56 AM
My average is around 23.7 city and 34.7 highway. When going down hill it will keep climbing and I think I 've had something like 42 when this happens. :cool:

brianfcp
07-05-2005, 06:21 AM
if i floor it all day, i get around 25mpg, if I shift early and keep a constant rpm, im around 30mpg.
its cool to reset it, cause the numbers look so high at first.

wbrault
07-05-2005, 10:54 AM
Something with the gas had me puzzled this morning....

I drive 42.3(exact!) miles to work one way. I had the DIC on fuel range.. and it said I had 74 miles left in the tank when I started my journey... It eventually got up to about 85 miles left in the tank.

When I got to work.... it said 75 miles left in the tank.

Wolfman
07-05-2005, 11:09 AM
THAT IS SICK i love this car compared to my durango, think of a 10 city and 14 highway= my old durango. lol 44 is insane.

alleycat58
07-05-2005, 11:17 AM
It saysim always getting between 22.3-22.7 on my ss, when should i reset it? i dont drive it hard, i should be getting more right?


That's about what I'm getting too. I'd normally reset it is when I fill up with a new tank of gas. I honestly didn't know you could reset your fuel economy though...I'll have to do that next time I fill up.

tiny
07-05-2005, 01:09 PM
Something with the gas had me puzzled this morning....

I drive 42.3(exact!) miles to work one way. I had the DIC on fuel range.. and it said I had 74 miles left in the tank when I started my journey... It eventually got up to about 85 miles left in the tank.

When I got to work.... it said 75 miles left in the tank.

its because the MPG changed during the trip

wesmanw02
07-05-2005, 01:21 PM
its because the MPG changed during the trip

Exactly. It was figuring that estimate based on what MPG you were getting at that particular time, not what you would be getting on your trip to work ;)

I suppose its better to underestimate "miles left" than to overestimate and run out of fuel :D

wbrault
07-05-2005, 01:42 PM
Makes sense

Then when I started my car up to go for lunch, it started out at 53 miles left in the tank, when i shut it off it was at 74

I got gas when I went for lunch, on the way back to work it said 425 miles left in the tank lol

Funky Cricket
07-06-2005, 04:52 PM
i find the DIC to be wholey inaccurate when it comes to most things. I am not even sure if I should trust the miles it shows. then again I am still having random electrical problems, even with all of the "repairs" and "recalls". but..
according to the tripometer and the gas pump gallons, I get between 30 and 33 mpg on a tank of gas, mostly highway