I expected better MPG's w/this baby. I have yet to do a long fwy only test. Probably 60% street driving. It is an 08 w/a lil' over 5000 miles on it. I don't drive like a pissed off teenager, and hardly ever floor it. I do drive up a 1 mile steep hill at least once a day. What the crap? I love driving this car. Any tips? Cheap mods?

 

Is it stick? Do you accelerate gingerly and shift when it tells you to, and use your best judgment when lofting a gear produces more mpg than shifting to the next? I regularly cruise about town in mine at 40+mpg.

5000 miles is still break-in territory. Be patient.

 

I agree, 5k is not enough to get a "real" read. Still, if your driving this "normal", not doing things to annoy other drivers (like excessively slow take offs), accelerating at a pace that keeps up with others, etc, 25 in the city isn't too bad. The 40+ Nacademus is citing is by using hypermilling techniques which may or may not be something you want to do. One of the things that does hurt the HHR is the high roof. Wind resistance is a big factor in mileage.

I average 27 with mixed freeway/city driving, probably 70% city driving, using premium with a 2.4. I don't floor it from a stop, but I don't dog it either. Straight freeway I get 31-32. Of course if I reset the DIC in mid-stream, I can get it to tell me I'm getting 42 until I slow down and have to accelerate again. My point is to ignore the DIC except as a guide. To get your real world mileage, fill the tank, run it. On the next fill, do the math. Keep a log and average it over time. The other benefit to keeping a log is if you see a sudden drop in mileage, its usually a sign something is wrong and needs attention.

 

I have an 08 panel 2.4 auto.The best Iv'e gotten so for was 28.8 on the hiway and 27 on mixed driving. I was hopeing for better and found out mine has a 3.91 gear which hurts the hiway but helps the in town milage. My 2 cents...John

 

I just got 31.8 out of my 2.4L 5spd...skip shifting, coasting, @ or below 70mph on premium fuel. 60/40 highway/city. Was trying to see how good I could get. Usually get around 28-29 with normal driving. Mine has 113k.

 

Ditto with Doc brown.

But I would ask why you, "expect better with this baby", under the circumstances you are driving. I believe the vehicle is listed at about 22/23 MPG for city.....you are exceeding that.

Anyway if it helps, my diving is almost like yours (I have a 2.4 auto, mid grade fuel) and I experience the same mileage as you. With about 30-35 MPG (speed dependent)completely on the road.

 

Here I found this to help you. Click the link, and scroll to the description of your car. It will give the EPA mileage reading. It should make you happy. You appear to be getting exactly what they state.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymak...olet2008.shtml

Also notice those listings that contain the ratings for unleaded gas AND E85. Appears in this instance, the Federal Government is telling the truth. About 25% less with E85. Kind of different than GM's, "....experience slightly less...."