what's up with my mpg? '05 xA

[synthbent715]

Lhey everyone I'm new here. I'm matt from atlanta. Last friday I bought a used '05 Black Cherry Pearl Scion xA from my local Toyota dealer. I'm totally loving the car and I'm driving it everywhere.

That first weekend I drove me and my wife around all over the place...resturaunts, friends houses, church, stores, etc. never really using the highway until monday came and it was time to go to work. I had been keeping a close eye on the gas gauge and tripometer to make sure I was getting good mileage. I make about a 50 mile round trip for work so mpg is very important to me.

I noticed I hit about 150 miles at the half-way mark on the gas gauge...which had me kind of worried about only getting 25mpg, and, well...I'm still worried. I'm at the 215 mile mar now and my gas gauge only has 2 more notches before it hits E. The car only had 17k miles when I bought it and I'm just a bit worried now. Do yall have any suggestions / tips / ideas? Thanks everyone

[Driver]

I don't know about the xA, but my tC gets the same or better milage then what is advertised. However i have noticed that when i get my gas from Baltimore City, it tends to sip more gas, but when i get my gas from Southern MD or let's say Virginia i get significantly better milage. Weird huh?

[bB626]

how fast do you drive? do you have heavy foot?

remember, winter blend fuel is worst than summer blend fuel.

[synthbent715]

I drive a normal pace, about 65 on the freeway, 55 on the roads.

Edit: I keep my cruise control set on 65 mph and usually stick around 2400rpm. I've been spoiled with cruise control (last car didn't have it) so I always use it when I can, would that contribute to the bad mileage??

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by synthbent715

I drive a normal pace, about 65 on the freeway, 55 on the roads.

Edit: I keep my cruise control set on 65 mph and usually stick around 2400rpm. I've been spoiled with cruise control (last car didn't have it) so I always use it when I can, would that contribute to the bad mileage??

Cruise control is supposed to save you gas and from being tired of having your leg in one spot for a long time as well as being a "luxury" feature, which I wish I had, someday. Because when the engine stays constant as far as speed and you don't have stop and go it will save you gas hence why highway mileage is higher. There are other factors as well. How is your tire preasure? Do you accelerate hard or gradually (sometimes for safety reasons you're going to have to gun it but generally take it easy if possible.). If you break often that hurts mileage, especially if your going fast then break even if you don't come to a complete stop. I'm not saying don't use your breaks, just saying that can contribute to it. Also if you have your windows open or a roof rack even if there is nothing on it, it will cause drag and decrease mileage. Weather also plays into this, colder temps denser air less mileage, also if its windy and the car has to fight against it, there goes your mileage, keep in mind its not always dramatic it can be gradual shift. Hope that helps!

[synthbent715]

Thanks for the help yall. Yesterday I hit 303 miles on my trip and my tank was at E, but to my surprise it only took 9.5 gallons to refill it...which means I still had about 2 gallons to go right? By the math it looks like that first tank gave me almost 32mpg, which is really good considering all the city driving I've done and the fact its very hilly around here and its been really windy lately. I'm pretty happy about this, can't wait to see what this next tank does, being that its gonna be almost all hwy driving.

Thanks again!

[bB626]

Congrats!

the fuel tank holds 11.9 gallon.

[Dixie]

I'm getting 27 per fill up with mine. I drive mostly on the freeway at about 70 MPH. I would love to find a solution to this poor gas mileage problem.