Protege Gas Mileage Thread
- Thread starter mung35
- Start date
somedude1234
Member
Crazy increase in MPG, no explanation
2000 ES 1.8L automatic, ~96,000 miles, completely stock.
Chicago suburbs, mixed city/highway (90% suburban roads, 45~50 mph tops with plenty of stoplights and rush hour traffic). I don't drive to maximize my fuel economy, hard acceleration after nearly every light, always passing if I can.
Bought it brand new, I check the mileage at every fill up. Since I bought the car the low was about 22 or 23 MPG. On a road trip (fill it up and drive it empty, ~65 MPH) I would get about 27 MPG, absolute max. On average, about 25 MPG with just shy of 300 miles to a tank.
The last 3 tanks have been 27, 28.9, and just this morning 32.1 MPG (301 miles on the OD and I put in 9.376 gallons). This is with the same mix of driving described above.
I have nearly 5000 miles on this oil, the tires need to be replaced, I still haven't done the timing belt (I know this is bad). I'll check the tire pressure after work, but I know I haven't added air for a long long time.
Does anyone have an explanation? At first I though the OD was counting fast, but my commute this morning was 14.8 miles on the trip computer, which matches google maps exactly.
I'm afraid to change anything and risk going back to my old numbers!
2000 ES 1.8L automatic, ~96,000 miles, completely stock.
Chicago suburbs, mixed city/highway (90% suburban roads, 45~50 mph tops with plenty of stoplights and rush hour traffic). I don't drive to maximize my fuel economy, hard acceleration after nearly every light, always passing if I can.
Bought it brand new, I check the mileage at every fill up. Since I bought the car the low was about 22 or 23 MPG. On a road trip (fill it up and drive it empty, ~65 MPH) I would get about 27 MPG, absolute max. On average, about 25 MPG with just shy of 300 miles to a tank.
The last 3 tanks have been 27, 28.9, and just this morning 32.1 MPG (301 miles on the OD and I put in 9.376 gallons). This is with the same mix of driving described above.
I have nearly 5000 miles on this oil, the tires need to be replaced, I still haven't done the timing belt (I know this is bad). I'll check the tire pressure after work, but I know I haven't added air for a long long time.
Does anyone have an explanation? At first I though the OD was counting fast, but my commute this morning was 14.8 miles on the trip computer, which matches google maps exactly.
I'm afraid to change anything and risk going back to my old numbers!
sometimes it depends on the gasstation you get the gasoline from. plus in the summer (so i have been told) the gasoline mixture comming from the oil companies is better for the fuel economy in the summer than it is compared to the winter mix. don't quote me on this, but it could explain a couple things.
Wow. I just took possession of my wife's 2000 LX 1.6 auto, and I thought she was doing something wrong getting 24-26 mpg city driving. She drive 4 miles to and 4 back from work everyday. She also drives like a grandma. I may keep my 1.6L Sentra for work, (30-36 mpg w/auto), and use the Protege for running the kids around. The 1.6 Prtege I think was rated at 105hp vs. the 115 of the Sentra. I was hoping the Protege would get better mpgs. I am using the Sentra as a test mule for certain mpg tests, like acetone in the gas, K&N vs. paper airfilter, sensor tricks, wheel size tests, psi tire tests, maybe a hydrogen generator if I can build one cheap enough. The Sentra is expendable so if i kill it, I won't be too sad. But so far it's been unkillable.
You may want to think about running a lighter weight oil than the recomended 5w-30 oil. Maybe something like a 5w-20 or something. Nik is right, the engine won't be getting up to temp and the oil won't be getting up to temp and will always be too thick. You'll see an improvement in mileage by doing so as well.
Check this out:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=haas_articles
It explains oil viscosities and temps. Very good read. Long read, but good.
I risk getting banned for posting a link to another forum, but not all information is contained within the servers of 24/7.
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Since we got the minivan, the protege has served as her work or my back up vehicle, with the van for ferrying the kids. However in late April into early May, I was in training for 2 weeks, driving 32 miles to and back each day for 14 total days. Still only got like 25 mpg from Westminster to Cockeysville, Maryland. I am looking into a mpg meter I have seen. I love the Protege, as I was the one who helped her pick it when bought new in 2000, but the mpg thing along with the threads regarding the transmissions going bad makes me think it'll be a back up vehicle. My 94 Escort GT w/ 1.8 Protege transmission along wih my brothers 626 could both never get fixed. I have heard bad things about Mazda automatics, but our dealer told us the newer oneswere fine, but the transmission threads seem to dispute that. Our trans started getting twitchy 2-3 years ago. I flush it regularly and had our trusted mechanic do a service once also. I have been using the specified Amsoil synthetic ATF fluid, along with a bit of Lucas Synthetic trans treatment. The car runs 5W-30 Mobil1 usually. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mazda, just worried abou the mileage and transmission issues. I'm still gonna keep it and trick it out a bit.
Simply driving on the highway doesn't ensure good mpgs. I've drained several tanks of gas with the cruise set north of 80 mph with my sport auto and got 22-24 mpgs. And I've also had a best of 32.3 mpgs with the same car driving slower on the highway. Lately I'm been getting 28-29 mpgs.
ghettoracingkid
Ask me about my Ipod
- :
- 2002 Miata LS
2002 2.0L Protege LX Auto
No major mods, just the basic bolt-ons, intake, header, etc.
48,800-ish
I drive city, and all short distances, tons of stop and go, plus one very heavy lead foot = 17-19mpg. Not enough freeway to get an actual number. On one trip however, from San Jose, CA, to Fresno, I got 27mpg, and that was doing 80+, with lots of hard uphill acceleration, and a friend in the car, who at the time weighed 300lbs, so not to bad I think! Part of my horrible mileage is due to crappy CA gas, and my foolishly running 10W oil for all these years, instead of the reccommended 5W. I should pick up another 2+ mpg with the correct weight oil in the car. But with my lead foot, we'll see.
Edit : My mileage problem(other than me) has been found! My Wagner header finally broke. So, I've got exhaust leaking before it even gets to the o2 sensor and cats. Hooray! lol
No major mods, just the basic bolt-ons, intake, header, etc.
48,800-ish
I drive city, and all short distances, tons of stop and go, plus one very heavy lead foot = 17-19mpg. Not enough freeway to get an actual number. On one trip however, from San Jose, CA, to Fresno, I got 27mpg, and that was doing 80+, with lots of hard uphill acceleration, and a friend in the car, who at the time weighed 300lbs, so not to bad I think! Part of my horrible mileage is due to crappy CA gas, and my foolishly running 10W oil for all these years, instead of the reccommended 5W. I should pick up another 2+ mpg with the correct weight oil in the car. But with my lead foot, we'll see.
Edit : My mileage problem(other than me) has been found! My Wagner header finally broke. So, I've got exhaust leaking before it even gets to the o2 sensor and cats. Hooray! lol
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thats effin impressive
2001 protege mp3 2.0L
mods - h&r springs in front, clunk fix
miles - 56k
mileage highway or no i always seem to get 26mpg, but i do mostly city driving
1999 ES 1.8 Manual
SRI, header, no-cat full exhaust, UDP, 17" wheels
99,450
36-40(all hwy driving is at 55-60mph) / 24-28 city (I only use premium 93 100% gasoline)
La Crosse, Wisconsin
...want to boost your gas milage?... drive slow like I do!
I'll have to post again when I get my turbo in...I'm guessing worse milage...
SRI, header, no-cat full exhaust, UDP, 17" wheels
99,450
36-40(all hwy driving is at 55-60mph) / 24-28 city (I only use premium 93 100% gasoline)
La Crosse, Wisconsin
...want to boost your gas milage?... drive slow like I do!
I'll have to post again when I get my turbo in...I'm guessing worse milage...
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LowriderS10
Member
my g/f just got 35mpg with the A/C on and about 85% hwy driving, 15% very stop and go / start and stop city driving...I'm pretty freaking happy about it ('03 Pro LX 2.0 auto).
I average about 32 MPG (I would say that's 40% highway usually), but my last tank was 34.92 MPG on 60% highway.
'02 Protege ES
Edit: its a stick btw. This is a result of shifting at low RPM's and driving 5-10 MPH under speed limit on parkway/turnpike haha. are there any mods you can do to increase mileage?
'02 Protege ES
Edit: its a stick btw. This is a result of shifting at low RPM's and driving 5-10 MPH under speed limit on parkway/turnpike haha. are there any mods you can do to increase mileage?
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- Hemi Ram, 71 Plymth Scamp, 71 Plymth Duster 340, 69 Dart 340/4sp
03' Protege Base Model.
fs/de 5spd manual
39mpg avg. @ 66-67mph
goal- 47-50mpg
fs/de 5spd manual
39mpg avg. @ 66-67mph
goal- 47-50mpg
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- Hemi Ram, 71 Plymth Scamp, 71 Plymth Duster 340, 69 Dart 340/4sp
A couple of engine tricks, knife edged crank, lightened pistons, oiling mods. Basically real basic engine building stuff.
-I just ordered a set of 195/65/15 tires for the front of it.
-Looking for a manual steering rack if they even make one.
-Any aero tricks possible.
-Possible 1.6l swap?
-I just ordered a set of 195/65/15 tires for the front of it.
-Looking for a manual steering rack if they even make one.
-Any aero tricks possible.
-Possible 1.6l swap?
