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L200 Highway Mileage

We just returned from a 2200 mile round trip tour from Denver to Indianapolis in our 2003 L200. I was really looking forward to seeing how the mpg would be on the interstate in comparison to my daily driving of 26 to 27 mpg.

I was greatly disappointed to see my mileage increase to 28 to 29. :(

Does anyone know what the speeds are when the sticker mileage is posted? We averaged 70 - 75 across Kansas and 65 - 70 across Illinois and Indiana.

We also discovered some unfavorable tendencies by our car, so I will probably have to face another horror trip to Saturn of Boulder only to be told that "there are no problems" or "if you want us to check things out and there isn't a problem there will be a $75 diagnosis fee even though it is under warranty."

Reply to
Dan
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I believe they are supposed to measure HWY mileage on a mixed circuit of hills, level & varying speeds. Although I suspect Saturn is guilty of a 55 mph, level course with a 30 mph tailwind. Was the car loaded down? Was it windy? Maybe it prefers higher altitude? A/C on or off? The A/C on my LW300 shaves off about 2 mpg. I rarely get better than 25 hwy with the six.

Dana

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it." - G.W. Bush

SNIP

SNIP

Reply to
Dana Rohleder

The EPA fuel economy figures are measured based on very specific driving cycles. In the case of the highway figures, it's based on a trip with an average speed of 48 mph and maximum speed under 60 mph. You can see a speed graph here:

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I believe they then correct the resulting fuel economy figure down 10% to try to match up better with real-world conditions..

Reply to
Robert Hancock

I drive 31 miles to work everyday. The first 3 miles is stop and go. The next 5 miles is 50 mph and the remaining 24 miles is 65 MPH mostly on cruise control. I do this 10 times in a week so that's 310 miles plus other short trips.

I get about 29 to 31 miles per gallon. Sometimes less depending on AC, temperature and traffic. I don't carry much in my trunk.

I don't know what tendencies your are writing about. What are they?

Reply to
New & Improved - N/F John

I have a 2001 L300. I drive about 10 miles back roads and 10 miles highway everyday. I have rarely reached stated MPG. I get about 19 - 20 weekly, and maybe 25 on long highway trips.

I also have had a few irritating quirks in the last 2 years. Right now, I am not happy with Saturns.

Reply to
Vito Cavallo

Our 2001 LW300 is similar. It seems to only get 19-21 MPG in mixed city/hwy driving and on all hwy it was getting about 25 (sticker said 20/26). But I have started using the Shell gas that is supposed to give you better mileage and it really does. We just put 1000 miles on the car on a long trip. We actually got 26 to 27 mpg with A/C on and a big luggage carrier on the top. My SC2 has also gotten a small increase in mileage. Anyone else have the same experience? Jon

Reply to
Jon Smith

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