The computer on my MID is telling me my average mileage is 14.2. Something sounds wrong - either the computer if off, I don't know how to work it or there is a problem with the car. I should be getting better then 14.7, right?? I don't run it that hard. My Audi 2.7T got close to 20 on average.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Not to be master of the obvious on you but your best bet is to do your own calibration the old fashioned way. At your next fill-up reset one of the mileage counters (or just note the odometer reading) and then at the subsequent fill-up note how many gallons it required. Take the new odometer reading minus the old and then divide by gallons pumped.

As to whether 14.x is right - honestly depends on your driving conditions/habits, overall mileage of the car, how many sumo wrestlers in the trunk, etc.

I've been a little surprised at the relatively low mpg I've been experiencing with my RL but mine is almost all city driving, the car's still breaking in, and I'm an impatient guy - and I'm comparing it against the 5-cyl 200 hp Volvo I was driving. My best mileage car is still my 'vette - 31 mpg round trip from Chicago to Atlanta at avg 85 mph. I'm guessing my mpg on the RL will improve once it's broken in more but even so I think the gas tank is on the small side; I'd really like to see them find a way to add another couple gallons of capacity.

 

Gator5000e,

What was the average speed? You can see this by cycling through the MID.

The reason why I ask is that just after you have filled up, it is possible the the computer shows a very low MPG number since you will not have driven the car very far. If you have selected that the trip is reset automatically when you fill up, this could be the case.

I suggest you always look at the MID average MPG as you drive for a while. After you have reset the trip, you will see quite significant variations until the distance driven builds up. Once you have driven on the tank for a while, you should see the MPG start to become pretty stable, with movement within about 0.5 of a gallon (assuming your driving pattern is always similar).

Having said al of this, 14.2 sounds like it's on the low side. I get about 17 around town, driving about 8 miles to and from work most days with short trips to the shops.

Pete

 

If you believe your MPG should be higher than that, usually "reset" could be the key...

 

I average 14.x mpg with all city driving, probably 75% of which is in rush hour. That's with about 2500 miles on the car.