Poor Fuel Millage?

[bepop&rocksteady]

Does anyone know how to get better fuel millage?

I drive a 2009 AWD and I have been getting 14.9L/100km in the city and 9.4L/100 km on the highway. I looked at one website that says the '09 AWD model should get about 10.3L/100 km city and 7.7L/100km highway.

Any input is much appreciated

[arabianobsession]

There are a lot of factors that affect gas mileage
1) Winter/Summer. You will always get better mileage in the summer than in winter (by about 7-10%)

2) Driving habits. Are you driving more aggressive than before? Excessive city driving? Short trips?

3) Tire pressure. Is it accurate? Under inflated?

4) Other factors. Do you have a dirty air filter? Since your Matrix is so new I won't ask about spark plugs, etc. Also, are you carrying a lot more load than before? Have luggage on top? A ton of stuff in the back? Eliminating weight will help with gas mileage.

[Sundance_XR]

Wow...I am getting about 11.5L/100kms mixed and I am angry. I am just FWD and standard though. The 2AZ isn't known to be a fuel sipper, but 14 is out of the question, even for AWD. I would bring it back to the dealership. My 13 year old Accord V6 gets an average of 12...no reason a Matrix should be that bad. Is this an average? or is it just a one time thing? I did get 14l/100km's once in the Matrix, but I am assuming the pump just clicked off too soon.

Take into consideration what arabianobsession said, it can be a combination of a lot of thing. Weight is a huge factor in gas mileage, and also if you are a two footed drive, that can do it as well. If you are still stumped, definitely bring it back to the dealership.

[arabianobsession]

If it makes any of you feel better, my husband's 2000 Maxima V6 is getting better mileage than my 2011 Camry I4 right now, lol. He's averaging 23 in winter, and I'm averaging 21.

Come summer, he'll get 27-28, and I'll be seeing low 30's. Unfortunately, when the temp goes from 75 in the summer to -15 to 25 in the winter, cars aren't exactly the happiest.

Another note....Gas companies use a different blend of gas in the winter that aids in cold starts, but it has less energy, so your mileage will decrease.

[bepop&rocksteady]

The winter could be a factor for sure (it is -25C where I am now).
The tires are properly inflated (I do check them often), no extra weight, and I do not accelerate quickly on green lights, or suddenly stop, the oil was changed recently, and so was the air filter.

The car is almost reaching 80,000 kms. It has been suggested that maybe I do need to replace my spark plugs.. any insight on why spark plugs would need to be changed and how often? As well as I know I have to change my transmission fluid because that has not been done as far as I am aware.

Thanks everyone for your replies

[arabianobsession]

Spark plugs only last so long because over time the electrode wears down to the point where the spark isn't sufficient enough to keep the engine running/starting efficiently, and even misfire.

Copper<Platinum<Double Platinum<Iridium. Go for the Iridium, I believe those are OEM anyway. If you replace them yourself, make sure the engine is fully cold before removing the plugs.

You don't have to change your plugs now. You have plenty of time. With the OEM iridium plugs, the interval is 120k miles (or 193k km). However, you can change them earlier if you want, it won't hurt

[bepop&rocksteady]

Thank you,
I will look into the cost to replacing those in the near future