22 mpg on '97 Outback I just got. Sound right?

[Sheldon]

I finally did a mileage check on my new/used Outback. I got around 22 mpg
with an automatic tranny and mixed city and highway driving. Does this
sound about right?

tia

Sheldon

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes. My Forester AT get ~22 in suburban driving and 27.5 @70 mph on
cruise.

 

[BobN]

Compared to my 98, that's on the low side of the normal range, mot bad. Are
you keeping the tires full?

 

[Sheldon]

Yes. My Forester AT get ~22 in suburban driving and 27.5 @70 mph on
cruise.

My mechanic says I should get around 25 on the highway. I think I'm
carrying a bit more weight than you, not only as a car, but all my work
stuff is in the back, too.

Thanks for the response.

Sheldon

 

[lkreh]

That's about right. I get about 20 city, 28/29 hwy on my 99 OBW. FYI,
I just bought the new Consumer Reports magazine on SUVs. It has real
life fuel economy averages and the new OBW gets 21 or 22 mpg average,
if memory serves. The EPA fuel economy estimates are generous compared
to actual.

 

[bigjim]

22-23 is normal in city driving. Expect 27-29 on highway. Use
synthetic oil and keep tires inflated

 

[thomashanno]

My 97 Legacy Outback Wagon gets about 17 mpg over 2 week periods when
I'm driving the three miles to work, the YMCA, and back. When I drive
to and from school, a 2 hour drive, I get about 25 mpg.

If I recally correctly the manual says 32 psi for the front tires and
35 psi for the back. How often should I fill my tires? Should I only
fill them to these specs?

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[Sheldon]

That's about right. I get about 20 city, 28/29 hwy on my 99 OBW. FYI,
I just bought the new Consumer Reports magazine on SUVs. It has real
life fuel economy averages and the new OBW gets 21 or 22 mpg average,
if memory serves. The EPA fuel economy estimates are generous compared
to actual.

That I know. I think the figures come from the manufacturers, not from the
EPA -- probably off a dyno

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My 97 Legacy Outback Wagon gets about 17 mpg over 2 week periods when
I'm driving the three miles to work, the YMCA, and back. When I drive
to and from school, a 2 hour drive, I get about 25 mpg.

If I recally correctly the manual says 32 psi for the front tires and
35 psi for the back. How often should I fill my tires? Should I only
fill them to these specs?

Thanks,
Thomas

I'd expect those numbers, BUT the higher pressure would be in the front.
(though equal all around might be good if you were heavily loaded with
cargo)

Carl

 

[Jim]

Well mine with the 2.2l engine is closer to 20 in the winter, 22 in
the summer. 27-30 on straight highway drivingh around 70 mph.

 

[Rick Courtright]

If I recally correctly the manual says 32 psi for the front tires and
35 psi for the back. How often should I fill my tires? Should I only
fill them to these specs?

Hi,

There are LOTS of ideas on tire pressures...

Personally, I start with the book pressures as the minimum, then add a
pound or two until I find the point where the car "feels" best. Most of
my cars do well at 2-3 psi over the sticker figure. As previously
posted, you're very likely going to be happier with more air in the
fronts (unless heavily loaded.) Just don't exceed the "cold" pressure
listed on the sidewall.

Most printed recommendations I've seen suggest checking the pressure
weekly (though in reality I've read most people don't check more than
about once a month--not often enough, IME.)

Rick

 

[Edward Hayes]

I ended up setting my Forester tires over by +2.0 psig (door sticker
+2). I check them once a month and before any expressway driving. JMW