GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I drove from Grand Rapids, Mi to Cambridge, Ohio on Sunday. Parts of the trip was made during a snow storm , other parts in sleet and/or rain. My AWD Vibe was extremely sheer footed. The AWD and the new BFG Traction T/A tires helped me travel fast, yet safe. On average, I saw a vehicle in the ditch every 10 minutes. I never went sideways. I was disappointed in my mileage . I got 27.49 MPG on the first tankful and 29.02 on the second. The EPA sticker for my car lists highway mpg as 31. For a minute lets assume the engine and computer settings are where they should be. Would driving in slush lower the mileage? Does the AWD feature use more energy when power is being transmitted to different wheels due to slippery conditions? There was only one cold start and that was on the first tankful.

AWD does use more energy when it is on. I am guessing that the slush would affect the mileage also because you are again using more energy to get through it.

Hmmm... counting your blessings for a long, safe trip in horrible driving conditions, and then complaining about gas mileage??? I don't mean to offend you, but THAT makes me laugh!A 10% difference from EPA ratings (in this case plus or minus 3.1 miles per gallon) isn't all that unusual. I'd say you're doing VERY well.You can BET that the EPA didn't test gas mileage on an icy open road in wintry slush. Of course it's all done in a lab under carefully controlled conditions at steady temperatures and atmospheric conditions so the results are comparable from car to car.Factors you may not have considered that can affect MPG: 1) Did you have the climate control on either of the defrost settings most of the time? That runs the A/C compressor which also lowers gas mileage. The 3 'vent' settings (left hand side of the climate control dial, basically) don't run the compressor unless the A/C button is pushed in.2) I'm guessing (hoping!) you didn't use the cruise control when it was icy. Every time you're out-of- and back-into-the-throttle, that's another squirt of fuel. Try to conceptualize driving barefoot with a raw egg between your foot and the throttle!3) Air pressure in the tires is also something to check, because it fluctuates up to 1 lb for every 10 degrees (F) change in air temperature. 35psi at 70 degrees F can be 31 psi at 30 degrees, or 28psi at 0 degrees.

Kostby, so what if I had a safe trip and the Vibe handled great. I want everything! OK, I'll stop complaining. The tire pressure was set per the sticker in the glove compartment. I'll bet it was a combination of slush, snow, and constant transfer of power from one wheel to the other. Now that I think of it, hitting slush or deep snow was like hitting the brakes-the vehicle slowed down. Curise contro wa a no-no for most of the trip. I avoided use of defrost as I didn't want to turn on the AC compressor.

i find i get lower milage in my base vibe when it's snowy/slushy too...i've never really pinpointed what would cause it, i can't imagine wheel spin would have that much of an effect.

Quote, originally posted by Atomb »i find i get lower milage in my base vibe when it's snowy/slushy too...i've never really pinpointed what would cause it, i can't imagine wheel spin would have that much of an effect. Try riding a bicycle in the snow or soft sand...I think you get the idea.

Quote, originally posted by Sunny » Try riding a bicycle in the snow or soft sand...I think you get the idea.That right there is an awesome analogy

I took a Medium Duty truck sales course (instruction for salesmen) many years ago. There was a lengthy section on how to spec. out a truck for the application, including charts on how the rolling resistance and thus the required power varied on dirt, sand, gravel and even between (summer) asphalt and concrete...

rock on!>bet you didnt stop any faster!i enjoy the snow in my awd, even though i dont get much around here. your mileage seems pretty good, imo.

You have me beat for the longest trip in one day. My longest was 770 Miles from Pittsburgh to Macon, GA. But, I did have 1540 miles in 3 days. Went down on Thursday, interviewed for a job on Friday, went home Saturday. It was HELL 13.5 hours one way.

That is great mileage for in the snow

Sounds like you had one hell of an adventure. That is a alot of miles in crappy conditions but at least you had someting to keep you company(the snow).

I have found that speed has an impact on mpg, as well as brand of gas. I am sure the snow and rain also had an impact. My Vibe gets the best gas mileage with gas from Sam's Club, and tied for second is Mobil and BP. I have consistently compared, and used Marathon, Speedway, Shell and others for consecutive fill-ups to see if there is a difference. I put over 500 miles per week, with pretty much the same driving conditions.

Quote, originally posted by Sunny » Try riding a bicycle in the snow or soft sand...I think you get the idea.well said!