I own a 2003 forester XS for almost 2 yrs and have noticed very poor gas mileage around town. I'm getting about 16 to 18 mpg around town. On the highway, the mileage is much better, around 27 to 29 mpg. Why such a huge diffrence between the two? Is there something not adjusted correctly with my car's computer? Should I complain to the dealer and have them check this out. Has anyone else noticed such lousy mileage around town like this?
Are the around-town trips very short? When the engine is cold, the mileage will be much worse than for a longer drive.
Larry Van Wormer
My 2000 Forester S yields about 22 mpg around town. I have an AT and usually shift at ~22-2500 rpm. If I push it to where it shifts at 3000-3,500 rpm the mileage drops to ~18 mpg. I also do a fair amount of gauging the stop/go lights by not keeping power on while driving toward red lights. My freeway driving at 68-72 mph yields about 27.5 mpg. ed
I picked up my '03 Forester with 8400 miles on it Aug 3rd, 2004. I drive 22 miles each way to the office and back five days a week. 12 miles or so of that is highway driving (>55mph), 10 miles or so is city streets. I've put 6K miles on the vehicle since Aug 3rd. The average is 25.5mpg (denver, colorado area). Lately my mpg has dropped to 22mpg, I expect due to my driving closer to 4000rpm than 2000rpm. I use mid-grade (87 octane) fuel.
mikey.
But aren't you supposed to accelerate to red lights and then slam on the brakes? That's how I've always seen it done! :)
Matt
22/27.5 is also about what I get (and always have) with my 97 Legacy although I don't have a tach and I don't manually shift my AT. I do exactly the same thing with red lights (making it pretty amusing to creep to a stop behind someone who just whipped around me). I don't think Subarus are known for their great gas mileage.
Nope Subaru's are not known for their great gas mileage. Still, with my STi I don't consider 24 mpg to be too bad for a car that has 300 HP. I have seen it dip down to 20 mpg when I play around a little.
BlueSTi "Scary-Fast"
My '04 Forester base model, AT, five months old gets 23 +/- in mixed urban driving. Light footed driver.
So are you saying *infidelity* causes poor fuel figures?
jbparks (romy) offered
It is better to look marvelous than to feel marvelous
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.