Mileage Stats on my New 2009 Vibe

[bh1973]

I picked up a new Vibe (1.8 auto) a few weeks ago. I drove the first tank largely in 3rd (doh!), and averaged 25.5 mpg.Tank 2: 28.5 mpg (half highway/half city)Tank 3: 30.5 mpg (half highway/half city)Tank 4: 34.2 mpg (mostly highway, 70 mph)I'm very pleased with these numbers and think I'll be averaging around 32 mpg once it's fully broken in and I've figured it out.

[star_deceiver]

With nothing but city driving for the past 2 weeks, I'm getting 7.3 L/100km (32mpg). The best I've had so far is 6.2 L/100km (38mpg). I usually average about 6.8 L/100km (34mpg). It's been said that your mileage goes up once the engine is broken in but I don't think the dealers top off the tanks when they fill them up for you when you buy them. Just my $0.02!!

[Old Tele man]

...sounds just about same as our '09 Vibe 1.8L with auto, at 34.1 mpg now (6.2K miles: 90% at 60 mph, 10% in city), but started out lower (bought new in April '09)....do you use the A/C a lot?

[star_deceiver]

A/C??? I didn't feel like spending the extra $3100 for that package, so all the mileage was with at least 2 windows open!No vehicle I've ever owned has had A/C, power windows, ect... I'm quite capable of sticking the key in the door to unlock it. Power steering is luxury enough (and if it was an option, it wouldn't be in the car either).

[Old Tele man]

...quoting Rudyard Kipling: "...you're a better man than I, Gunga Din."...of course, you don't reside in 110-115 Arizona summers either...although I will definitely concede the HUMIDITY title to you!...good old '4-40' airconditioning (four windows down at 40 mph) was good enuf in my youth days, but now that I'm (MUCH) older I prefer having it COLDER...just wanna get myself acclimatized to coffin-like temperatures of the future (wink,wink)....just backwards from the Mexican weather report: CHILLY today, HOT tamale.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by Old Tele man »...of course, you don't reside in 110-115 Arizona summers either...although I will definitely concede the HUMIDITY title to you!Summers here are usually in the 90-105 range and the only time humidity gets over 40% is when it's raining (which has happend once this summer).+ It's harder for the wife to nag at you when you're doing 70mph with 4 windows open!!! Gee honey, sorry I missed the mall exit....

[smash]

Happy to see you are enjoying your Vibe, bh.It looks like I'm pacing right along with you, and have similar #s:#1: 33.9 50% city#2: 35.1 50% city#3: 38.9 95% hwy, 1/2 at 55, 1/2 at 65 little a/c (cool summer!)#4: 34.1 50% city, including 1.5 hrs stuck in traffic jams (grr) w/ACjust boosted the tire pressure from the std 32 up to 40 to see what impact that has on both mileage & handling.

[fartlekman]

Those are some awesome mileage numbers. I purchased a 1.8 with manual a week ago and can't match those numbers other than one 95 mile highway run at sixty mph after which I filled the tank back up and it took...only two gallons...too good to be true.

[jlq3d3]

The average summer (Jun-Aug) high in Vernon is actually 79. The record high for august is 98.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »A/C??? I didn't feel like spending the extra $3100 for that package, so all the mileage was with at least 2 windows open!No vehicle I've ever owned has had A/C, power windows, ect... I'm quite capable of sticking the key in the door to unlock it. Power steering is luxury enough (and if it was an option, it wouldn't be in the car either).No power windows?!?! WITHOUT Air that is an option you really should have sprung for. To cool off you have to stop, get out, go around, open the back door and roll down the glass.I too once proclaimed "who needs A/C?!?!" as I rolled along the Southwestern highways shoving ice cubes into the fresh air louvers of my Datsun. Today, gimme the Air! I have come to love my options. When I want option free, I've got a 1957 VW Bug to play with.It will be a tough sell when the time comes for you to upgrade. Air and power options have pretty much become a must have in a car.How about TV? Cable or off air? Dial up internet or are you at the library? Probably running an Apple IIe ?Enjoy your car, being frugal isn't bad, I just cut it elsewhere. Personally I could live without a lot of modern life's frills but my wife makes as much $$ as I do and she wants the options, I enjoy them to make her happy. How can you say no to her spending her money?Dave

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev » To cool off you have to stop, get out, go around, open the back door and roll down the glass.I'm 6'4, it's not that far of a reach!!!Quote, originally posted by djkeev »How about TV? Cable or off air? Dial up internet or are you at the library? Probably running an Apple IIe ?TV?? Never watch it! Dsl high speed, comps an Aspire M5620. Everything that the Wife and I need to watch is on the internet!This car's gonna have about 200000 km's or more by the time I decide to buy something else. If I wanted to upgrade every year or so, I'd have leased.jlq3d3: When all the thermometers at work, the ones around town, the one in the Vibe, the one on the computer, and the one on the balcony on the northside in the shade all say 39 degreed Celcius, then that;s the temperature it is!!! Average about 27C, well yeah as an average it's about right. It's cloudy out today and is 26C right now.But back to the topic at hand.... Filled up the Vibe last night and for a tank of 95% city mileage I got 7.4 L/100kms!

[VibeBuyer]

Hey There,I'm considering buying a 09 or 10 1.8L with Manual.How do you like yours?I'm trying to get the best gas mileage possible. I've been told that the 1.8L will work 'too hard' with a load (2+ people and some extra stuff) and that the 2.4L would be better.But I'm in the car by myself most of the time with about another 100lbs (max) worth of stuff).What do you think? Manual vs Auto Also, 1.8 vs 2.4L?Thanks!

[Kincaid]

I don't think the 1.8L works too hard - as evidenced by those great numbers. I drive the 2.4L in a mostly city but some hwy mix and get about 25mpg avg. I drive a bit harder than some but not that bad.I would have gone for the 1.8L (seemed snappy enough to me off the line) but I really enjoy all the stuff you can't easily get in a 1.8L - power windows and locks, sunroof, the stereo upgrade.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »A/C??? I didn't feel like spending the extra $3100 for that package, so all the mileage was with at least 2 windows open!No vehicle I've ever owned has had A/C, power windows, ect... I'm quite capable of sticking the key in the door to unlock it. Power steering is luxury enough (and if it was an option, it wouldn't be in the car either).Do you also wear a hair shirt?

[ponta2147]

Well, without all the power options or A/C, I wonder how much lighter your car is? I wonder if that helps contribute to your higher mpgs.

[star_deceiver]

With me and a full tank of gas I believe it weighs somewhere around 3050lbs.Quote, originally posted by VibeBuyer » I've been told that the 1.8L will work 'too hard' with a load (2+ people and some extra stuff) and that the 2.4L would be better.I've had no problems hauling heavy loads, extended high speed driving, towing, ect. There has been many a time where the engine has been at a constant 4000+ rpm for hours at a time on the freeway. I don't baby the car, it sees redline at least once a week. It has done everything I've ever asked of it. The 1.8 will give you better mileage but if you feel the need for bigger, it's available! What do you think? Manual vs Auto Manual!!! (but that's my personal biased opinion as I would never purchace or own anything with a slushbox!) And the stick is waaaaay more fun to drive!!! Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Do you also wear a hair shirt? No... I'm no gorilla man... besides, having a seatbelt tan line (sun burn) just sucks!!

[jake75]

1.8L AT: For the year 2010 I got 28.24 mpg - 5,899 miles on 208.859 gal. Overall (considering two 1,200 mile round trips to NC) my guess is that 2010 was probably 60% highway, 40% city.

[BLargal]

Pish Star how little you know, I forced my dealership to top off my tank before buying it . I'm not quite sure what my mileage on my 09 GT is i'm sure its less then the reg Vibe since its a 2.4 under the hood but its better then my old car so i'm not complaining!

[j42.snyder]

My "regular" Vibe with 2.4 and automatic has only been averaging about 28.7 MPG (U.S.) so far this year - but it's been a bit colder than average too, and I don't have a block heater to help it out. Here in Canada, that's 8.2L/100km. I'm not terribly impressed by it with our gas prices here. Cost me $51 to fill it yesterday! My previous Sunfire did better - but it was equipped exactly as star_deceiver's Vibe is - plus a block heater - so I guess that's not entirely a fair comparison. I miss the manual sometimes - but I had to change for health related reasons.During the summer I can typically keep it better than 7L/100km with minimal A/C usage (33.6 MPG). Windows have little impact when open I find, but A/C adds about 0.5L/100km to the consumption on average.Most of my driving is around 70% highway (which is sometimes slower than city).I had considered getting a base car like S/D's, but with 2.4 and auto. The problem was that when I was buying, there was over $2500 off on the '09's, and pricing wasn't even released yet on the '10's - nor did they know when they would be available. (This was just before GM declared bankruptcy.) No '09's existed in stock as I was looking for, and there was no way I was going to order a car without even knowing the price! Most '09's had also been on the lots for several months, and were already showing signs of corrosion on suspension parts and under the hood (very humid around here - and a wet winter). I then went wandering through the lot and found mine - just rolled off the truck that day - not even received into inventory yet. I got the key to check it out - only 2km on the odometer! With the discounts offered, I bought it on the spot. It only cost me a few hundred more than what it would have been to order a real "base" car - and my wife and kids appreciate the A/C. Power locks are handy with kids also I find, although I've lived without them for years previously.I still wonder how much difference it would have really made though if I stuck with the non-A/C car for gas mileage. I'm sure it would have been a bit lighter - but how much, I don't know. Probably only a 1-2% improvement in mileage would be my guess.John

[VibeBuyer]

Great Advice from ALL!Here is what I have: I bought a 2009, 1.8L, Manual Trans!41000miles.It is EVERYTHING that you all say that it is! This is a fantastic car! Very fun to drive, smooth, comfortable, peppy! How do they do it with such a small engine? Great Job GM/Toyota. Why would GM NOT have considered a Chevy Version? Maybe they are going to do something with that new Cruze (a 1.4L Turbo Hatchback ECO at 42mpg might be a good idea..... Let's wait and see how those cars work in the marketplace.....)I wish I had bought a Vibe sooner!It was a bummer that I had to buy one in Michigan because there were two others that were much lower miles, for the same price. Yet, I think that I did great because I paid a little less and had it delivered to my home for just a few bucks.My first tank at mostly highway miles (80/20%) was 31 mpg average. I need to be a bit more scientific in going to the same gas station, and the same pump, in order to make it statistically more significant, but it I was pretty happy with it. I will continue to monitor it. Also, I need to get better at driving a manual trans (IS THERE ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO TRULY DRIVE A MANUAL SO THAT I CONSERVE THE CLUTCH, GAS, AND STILL PROVIDE A NICE SMOOTH RIDE FOR PASSENGERS? PLEASE ADVISE!)By the way: My wife loves the car, too!Thanks to all for your help.Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »With me and a full tank of gas I believe it weighs somewhere around 3050lbs.No... I'm no gorilla man... besides, having a seatbelt tan line (sun burn) just sucks!!

[vibolista]

You get the mileage you're patient enough for. If you're lucky to live in a place where traffic is not an issue and can drive off peak rush times, you can take it easier and improve you MPG numbers. My work commute is fairly short, 12 to 14 miles, depending on route. I have a manual '08 (lucky for me you could get all the options on these), but I do try to keep only what I actually need to take with me for the day in the car... in other words, travel as light as possible. Depending on my schedule, trips other than commutes, weather conditions and temperatures, my fuel mileage has ranged quite a bit. The Vibe has averaged around 36-38 MPG. Best MPG was 40.2 in Summer... worst 33.7 in deep winter with plenty of snow. The part of Maine I drive is hilly and has curvy roads that are not in the best shape. Some of the "tricks" I use to get the best mileage possible includes really paying attention to the driving part. No cell phone use, no distractions other than music. When I drive, I drive.Terrain... I let the car build a little speed (within limits and traffic conditions) going down hill and then let the car lose some speed going up the next hill. I see a lot of people braking going down a slight hill and then accelerating going up the next hill. That technique will use up more gas than you have to. Look ahead and try to decelerate by lifting off the gas pedal, instead of braking to a stop quickly right at the last moment. This allows the engine to provide some of the braking and slowing. If I'm in traffic I try to keep track of what's happening to the flow as far ahead as I can. Of course, don't lose track of what's happening close up either. Anticipate as much as possible.Taking off from a stop... easy does it. Go through the gears as gently and smoothly as possible when you can. I short shift most of the time. Generally 3rd to 5th on flat or downhill sections of road. That gets the engine RPMs down as soon as possible. But don't lug the engine RPMs too low for conditions. Once you're on the way, try to maintain the steadiest speed you can. Moving the accelerator a lot will lower your gas mileage. Back roads that I commute have speed limits in the 35 to 50 mph range. I stick to limits as much as possible. As soon as you pass 50 mph or so, wind resistance starts to become a significant force that will cause MPG to go down. At 75 mph, most of your power (generated by burning gasoline) is used to displace air you are moving through.If you have to drive Interstates, keep your windows closed as much as possible when weather permits. Aerodynamic drag is much higher with windows open at high speed and will lower your MPGs.Keep your tires inflated properly and check them regularly. I keep mine a couple of PSI higher than recommended. Never overinflate tires!!! On the other side of the air gauge, underinflated tires are dangerous, especially at speed and they suck gas, too. Maintain your engine. Check to see that your air filter is clean. I use Mobil 1 oil. I've experimented with other oils and for some reason I've consistently gotten better mileage with Mobil 1. It's rediculously expensive, so it may increase my operating costs a bit. I do my own oil changes (that saves a bit of cash) and stick right to the Vibe's manual maintenance schedules. Make sure your spark plugs are in good shape and gapped correctly. At $3.50 plus a gallon, I do my best to squeeze every mile I can from each gallon. I've done this for years and helps keep money in the bank! Make sure you don't ever impede traffic. If you get someone that is running late and must get by, let them go. Pull to the right as much as it is safe to do and let them by. Try to leave a few minutes early so you don't have to rush to get where you're going. Leaving a few minutes early will also allow you to think about all the above suggestions and save some money at the same time. I'm sure I don't have all the gas saving techniques that are possible, but these are the ones that come to mind at this moment. The post turned out way too long anyway, so sorry about that. Good luck! And let us know if your Vibe's efficiency changes.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by VibeBuyer » Also, I need to get better at driving a manual trans (IS THERE ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO TRULY DRIVE A MANUAL SO THAT I CONSERVE THE CLUTCH, GAS, AND STILL PROVIDE A NICE SMOOTH RIDE FOR PASSENGERS? PLEASE ADVISE!)Rev match by pulsing the gas pedal on down shifting and wait for the revs to come down while upshifting. When up shifting, release the gas pedal slightly before you press the clutch, that will eliminate most of the revhang.Smooth ride for passengers??? Buckle up and hold on because I'm the driver and I make the rules!!!