MPG

[WESHOOT2]

I fill up until the gas spills.

[ipaqxman]

For ppl with high mpg. What psi r ppl filling the stock tires at? And ehat is normal mixed driving? What proportion is highway? And highway at what cruisevspeed?

In certain situations it might not do well but for every person who's getting poor milage there are multiple others who are getting at or above the EPA listings. like I said before..,..28-30 with normal mixed driving. On the highway it gets well above 30 and that isn't using the milage calculator on the dash. I figure every tank by hand.

[jimmerz]

For ppl with high mpg. What psi r ppl filling the stock tires at? And ehat is normal mixed driving? What proportion is highway? And highway at what cruisevspeed?

In certain situations it might not do well but for every person who's getting poor milage there are multiple others who are getting at or above the EPA listings. like I said before..,..28-30 with normal mixed driving. On the highway it gets well above 30 and that isn't using the milage calculator on the dash. I figure every tank by hand.

Just give up! I think we got lemons, lol...(as far as the mpg goes anyway).

@ WESHOOT2 - sorry that my comment offended you, I was thinking that about everyone in this thread that is getting such good mpg. My car has SUCKED from day one! I love the car, but I can not wait to get rid of it in 9 months. I am frustrated that I am getting the same mpg in this little 4 cyl that i got in my Ford 500 6 cyl. I think I might go Prius next.

[jute2003]

For ppl with high mpg. What psi r ppl filling the stock tires at? And ehat is normal mixed driving? What proportion is highway? And highway at what cruisevspeed?

In certain situations it might not do well but for every person who's getting poor milage there are multiple others who are getting at or above the EPA listings. like I said before..,..28-30 with normal mixed driving. On the highway it gets well above 30 and that isn't using the milage calculator on the dash. I figure every tank by hand.

I try to keep the psi around 38. As far as normal mixed driving......my girlfriend drives it to work everyday. She works in downtown Madison. We live in a small town about 15 miles outside of madison. 25 miles each way. 15 miles 55mph highway, 10 miles city. She has a bit of a lead foot when it comes to taking off from a stop.

To be clear, I wasn't trying to discredit any of the claims people are making about poor fuel milage. I'm sure they're all honest accounts. My point is that a blanket statement shouldn't be made about kizashis getting awful fuel milage. Plenty of people do just fine with theirs.

[Blackbelt]

For ppl with high mpg. What psi r ppl filling the stock tires at? And ehat is normal mixed driving? What proportion is highway? And highway at what cruisevspeed?

In certain situations it might not do well but for every person who's getting poor mileage there are multiple others who are getting at or above the EPA listings. like I said before..,..28-30 with normal mixed driving. On the highway it gets well above 30 and that isn't using the mileage calculator on the dash. I figure every tank by hand.

You can inflate your tires to the maximum pressure that is listed on the sidewall of your tire. 44PSI is a pretty common number, i cannot remember off the top of my head what the Kizzy is.
The manufacturers recommendation for tire inflation is generally for the best compromise(in their minds) between ride, handling, longevity, and safety. Sometimes they recommend certain inflation pressures to achieve a certain handling characteristic. For example, the manufacturers recommendation for my wifes smart is 36 rear and 29 front. Being a rear engine car, they want the rear to stick better than the front, to induce understeer at the limit, rather than oversteer. Manufacturers dial in understeer because that is much easier for inexperienced drivers to bring an understeering car back into control(along with it being easier with the stability program).
Pumping your tires up to max sidewall pressure will result in a harsher ride. Depending on the wheels, it could also result in uneven wear, although this is not as common as some may believe it to be.

[WESHOOT2]

I understand your frustration, and thank you.

My 2011 AWD S wears 215/60 R16V General Altimax HPs. Checked this very morning: 35PSI.

I believe my car's specific performance, both actual performance and fuel economy, is due at least in part to a subtle practiced break-in.

Skinny tires aid MPG......

[Ehibb034]

So after trolling the forums here and elsewhere, I would like to see if anyone agrees with my conclusion here.

Taking hypermilling out of the equation, I think you can see 3-4 MPG better by using these tips. If you add just basic fuel conservation techniques you can conceivably do better.
These tips are taken from our forum members as well as other sites.

1: Inflate your tires more. Just going up five PSI can return around 3% better economy.

2: Many members concluded that certain gas is giving them better mileage. Be it higher grade gasoline or just another brands gas, it seems that by choosing the right gas you can get around 2 MPG better in this car.

3: Shed some pounds. My kizashi has a spare tire and all the components necessary for changing said spare in the trunk. I am ditching these when I get home. I think this along with some other cargo can get me down about 100 lbs. Also, dont buy the AWD if you don't need it. It adds around 300 pounds.

4: This is my own oberservation and I welcome rebuttals or corraborations. Use the cruise control more. It is a general rule of thumb that c.c. kills mileage. I have found that this car with cruise on is far better than my throttle foot for MPG. It is so hard to keep this car above 25 MPG when your foot is on the gas except when you are on the highway. The only time I get better than 25MPGish under 40 MPh is on a dead flat road, or if I use cruise. When in cruise it seems as though the car does 5-7 MPG better at least at lower speeds.


I think if you use these four guidelines, everyone regardless of how fast they accelerate or how fast they drive, will see better fuel returns. For those who are already trying to conserve, these four tips may push your car into the 28-30 MPG range.

[Ehibb034]

I know some people will say, "how could you possibly drive around without a spare tire?"

I've been doing it for five years already and I have not had a flat once. I have never owned a car with a spare for the six years that I have been driving. I think by simply driving safely and focused, you can eliminate most of the scenarios in which you would get a flat. Aslo, yes, I have and do know how to change a flat. So you can leave the "kids don't know how to do anything these days" comments out of it as well.

[NiteRider]

You better knock on wood. Always be prepared I do.

[jute2003]

I think by keeping tires with good tread on your car alot of the potential for flat tires is diminished. I have gotten a flat after pulling over to the side of the road for a cop to pass before though. This was 3 days after I had gotten new tires mounted. If you don't travel a long ways from home often I can see where not having the spare would be ok though. I've heard of other people who just keep the spare at home and get one of those cans of spray goo.