I am only getting around 13mpg and this is based on 100% local conservative driving mostly on stand still traffic. Does this seem right?? I have the 2010 fwd model with 63k miles on it and I am not sure its because it's due for a tune up or a sign the previous owner did not do regular maintenance ?

 

Think about it, even a Civic or a Corolla will get 13 mpg if the traffic is bad enough. Do you ever take road trips? If so, what kind of mileage does your car get out on the highway?

 

Seems a bit low unless you are doing a lot of stop-n-go driving and relatively low speeds most of the time.

 

yes 80% of the time with stop and go for 30-40 minutes commune to work.

 

Think about it, you're sitting still in traffic wasting fuel....

 

Get a tune up. You know, plugs, air filter, fluids and such, even though you may not be due yet, it will help some.

Also, driving too conservatively will also hurt your mpg. It's a balance.

 

meh, a "tune up" wont increase fuel mileage...

 

Sounds like you have your answer. While I am not a fan of hybrid cars, your daily commute sounds like one which would easily justify buying a hybrid.

 

I have never heard or seen this in 20 years of driving and browsing car forums. What?

 

Pay no mind to that

 

I guess you don't spend much time here, the cast of Usual Suspects around here long ago learned to disregard many of MM's comments.

 

This is similar to what I experience in my Optima.

https://www.quora.com/What-burns-mor...e-g-30-seconds

A lot of things go into it, but driving habits are as important as other things like weight and efficiency or atleast in my experience.