GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Ok here is my question, I have a Vibe AWD. I have been tracking my MPG and it seems low. I am averaging under 23 MPG, city driving. I know the question will be asked if I am driving aggressively, and I will say that I have actually been trying to drive to get best MPG. What I have noticed is that when I am driving, sometimes my transmission will downshift to a lower RPM (below 2000) and sometimes it will not downshift for a long time (stay above 3000). Is anyone having this trouble and could this be affecting my MPG? Even when half my time is highway driving I am rarely getting above 24 MPG, please help me....

The AWD Vibe is less fuel efficient due to it's heavier weight and are greater parasitic loss through the AWD system. Also, city driving doesn't help. GM's idea if city driving isn't Philadelphia. I have a base 2WD Vibe and average 19-22 MPG in city driving. However, I am heavy on the go pedal. Add some highway miles and I'll get as high as 28 but no higher.

I understand where you are coming from. The AWD system though does not engage untill it detects slipage. The estimated MPG is 26 city 31 highway, I wish I could reach that. I hear aot of people talk about how good there is then on some sites I hear people talk about cars that are way below average which made me think that there was something wrong and was possibly due to the transmission shifting to late.

quote:The AWD system though does not engage untill it detects slipage.Yes, but the gears in the transfer case are still being powered. Plus, the rear wheels are turning the rear axle gears. That all equal power loss to friction and lower fuel economy.

I am willing to bet your trouble has a lot to do with your particular city cycle and your driving patterns as opposed to the city cycle that is used to do the mileage runs when GM, the EPA or Transport Canada does their testing. Here is the description of the testing that Transport Canada does. About the testing After being "run in" for about 6000 km, new vehicles are mounted on a laboratory chassis dynamometer and run through simulated city and highway courses. This method of testing is used instead of on-the-road testing because all test conditions can be carefully controlled, ensuring that all vehicles are tested under identical conditions. The laboratory test results are adjusted to account for the difference between controlled test conditions and real-world driving conditions. The city ratings are based on a 12-km drive of 22 minutes with 16 complete stops. The average speed of the test is 32 km/h, which includes time spent stopping. Winter fuel consumption, especially for city driving, will be greater than the ratings shown. The highway fuel consumption ratings on the EnerGuide label and in this Guide are based on a simulated highway course of a 16-km trip of 12 minutes with no stops. The test consists of accelerating from a complete stop to highway speeds, with slowdowns and reaccelerations, and finally bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The top speed reached during the test is 96.5 km/h, and the average speed for the duration of the test is 77 km/h. The test also takes into consideration that not all highways are four-lane roads with speed limits of 100 km/h. Many provincial highways are two-lane roads with speed limits varying from 80 to 90 km/h. When I drive home in the city I normally travel through 8 sets of lights. If I have to stop 4 times, and sit through 1 red light each time that is a bad day. Lately however, there has been construction near my workplace that makes me sit through 2 or three red lights at the same intersection. This is extremely abnormal for my city, but very normal in cities like Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver etc. to have to sit in traffic for 15 minutes out of an hour. When you are stopped it is easy to figure out your mileage, it is zero mpg. If your city cycle has you sitting around, your mileage will suffer. Unless you can adapt a Toyota Prius engine shut off when you are stopped you are burning gas to keep your cabin comfortable and that is it.Mechanical drag aside, If the your AWD is engaged and you can launch yourself on ice, you are moving, if I spin out I am getting 0 MPG.I think the AWD mileage issue mostly about weight. The AWD is 198 lbs heavier than the auto base Vibe. That is like driving around with an extra guy, contributing to your inertia, sitting in the back who won't buy gas but expects you to take him everywhere. Curb Weight Base, manual : 1225 kg. (2701 lb.) Base, auto : 1260 kg. (2778 lb.) Base, AWD : 1350 kg. (2976 lb.) GT, manual : 1270 kg. (2800 lb.) Hope this helps.

I have a base vibe, and believe it or not, I got about 32 MPG highway...but get this...my higher MPG ratings are when I travel at higher speeds...I did an 80 mile trip averaging between 75-85 MPH and got high 20 low 30 MPG ratings...when I go about 55-60 MPG...I tend to get mid 20s...screwy, eh?