Gas mileage isn't good....

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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FLABSLAB
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Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:27 pm

Gas mileage isn't good....

Post by FLABSLAB »

OK, I've owned my vibe (base) for a few months now, and I've kept good records of my gas mileage. Folks, I'm lucky if I can get 300 miles per tank. I'm not lead footing, I try to keep it under 3,000 rpms, and I've tried with air and without. It doesn't seem like it matters. I've seen some posts in here where Vibe owners are getting 30 mpg. Any suggestions?
drunkenmaxx
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by drunkenmaxx »

which model vibe do you have?
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ToolGuy
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by ToolGuy »

Is your air filter new?When is the last time you had your oil changed?Are your tires properly inflated?All of the above contribute too or decrease your mileage...
scherry2
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by scherry2 »

return to the dealer.
JustinVGT
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by JustinVGT »

Yeah, what model do you have and what is the actual gas mileage? I rarely get 300 miles to my tank, but that's also because I have a GT and fill up right around the 1/4 tank mark. I average 27-28mpg in my normal commuting, but usually get 32-33 mpg on roadtrips.
Justin 2003 Vibe GT - Mille Miglia Evo5 18x8 Wheels (now stock)- Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust (now stock)- Tein S-Tech Springs (now stock)- Injen CAI - Red Painted Calipers - Hella Supertone Horns - Polk Speakers - Bazooka RS8A-HP Sub - Kenwood Headunit - Still love my Vibe, but I've just turned it back into a basic daily driver.
zionzr2
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Post by zionzr2 »

What kind and weight oil are you using?0w30 , 5w30 , 10w30 ???Convential, Blend, or full synthetic ???loosing extra weight could helpyou know lead weights, dead bodies, spare-tires, passengers, etc.
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ZubenElGenubi
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (MiVibe-ToolGuy)

Post by ZubenElGenubi »

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Are your tires properly inflated?This is a huge factor in reducing gas mileage. Make sure they're 32 PSI all around. Even one tire below 20 psi can reduce overall mileage by 5-8%

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BOZACK
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (ZubenElGenubi)

Post by BOZACK »

You said you only had it for a few months. How many miles do you have on it? I was getting only 26-27 mpg until the car broke in at around 5000 miles. Now I get 29-32 mpg.
Monotone Neptune, pow pac, 17" stock rims, K&N air filter, bumper guard, custom pedels, brake light cover, billet oil cap
21Rouge
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by 21Rouge »

Quote, originally posted by FLABSLAB »OK, I've owned my vibe (base) for a few months now, and I've kept good records of my gas mileage. Folks, I'm lucky if I can get 300 miles per tank. Any suggestions?To really determine your fuel economy do a calculation based on an extended period of hwy driving. There are too many variables associated with city driving. But on the hwy we are more likely to drive similarly ie speed between 60 and 70 mph with no stop and start.
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joatmon
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (drunkenvibe)

Post by joatmon »

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »which model vibe do you have?according to http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...24684, he has a base/automatic, and it is the coolest color too.
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joholste
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Post by joholste »

wow my tires are at 44 psi 32 is low for my tires
2003 Chevy Silverado Ext. Cab, Z71Formerly2003 Base Vibe (Frosty)
ramenboy...
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by ramenboy... »

hey briandefinitely check your tire pressure. it does work wonders. and from posts i've seen here, some dealers aren't good about delivering cars with correct tire pressure.and listen to zion...dead bodies can get heavy...at least that's what i hear
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ColonelPanic
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (FLABSLAB)

Post by ColonelPanic »

How much fuel do you have to put in it once you get to 300 miles? I can't "comfortably" get above that mileage out of a tank on my '03 base/auto either. The low fuel light will come on between 275 and 300 miles depending (usually closer to 300,) and I only have ~2 gallons or less left, so I don't want to push it past the 300 mark - it gets filled up then and there... Been that way since the beginning. 35 psi in the tires, 5W30 in the engine changed every 3K, clean air filter, etc.
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

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redlava
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Re: Gas mileage isn't good.... (ColonelPanic)

Post by redlava »

I rarely get more than 280 or 290 miles out of a tank of gas, but that is because I drive about 80% in town. Give it a little while longer for the engine to break in and you should see some better results. The first roadtrip I took with the Vibe I think I got about 26 mpg, now on roadtrips I get around 32-34.
Jaycie685
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Re: (joholste)

Post by Jaycie685 »

What kind of tires do you have?
Jen's Vibe:: 2004 two-tone base in Frosty :: Automatic :: Exhaust Tip :: Rear Bumper Protector :: Cargo Nets :: Rear Cargo Mat :: Rear Cargo Cover :: "You just got passed by a wagon " decal :: Red glowing "No Smoking" plug in cigarette lighter ::
northvibe
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Post by northvibe »

i got 320-330 on my last tank, i ran it till 30 miles or 40 on the low fuel light. it was all city miles. i filled up only because gas was 2.49..cheap compared to what it has been.
kostby
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Post by kostby »

All the suggestions about tire pressure, air filter, oil changes, and driving style are valid. If you're racing the cars away from every stoplight, you're probably getting gas mileage in the high teens.Actually, I don't think you're getting the awful gas mileage you think you're getting.If you have a Vibe base automatic, you have a ~13 gallon gas tank. (~12 for AWD) If you're filling up with 12 gallons at ~300 miles, you're averaging ~25 miles per gallon, just about EXACTLY the Vibe city EPA rating. Your friends with the big Silverados, Suburbans, & especially Dodge Rams would give ANYTHING to get HIGHWAY mileage that good!In 20,000 miles (I purchased my base Vibe automatic used with 21,xxx on the odo) of primarily small-town driving (much like Martinsville), I've averaged about 22-23 mpg in town in the winter (lots of 0 mpg warming the car), 24-25 mpg in town in the summer. All-highway driving (on summer vacations, AC on) has yielded a one-time high of 42.3 mpg, but an average of around 33-35 mpg, again, very close to the EPA highway rating.I can email you a detailed spreadsheet, if you're interested...
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My 2003 Vibe Base Auto 2-tone Salsa "SalsaWagon" was built in May 2002. I acquired it in Feb 2004/Traded it in on a 2016 Honda HR-V in Feb 2018.
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