Fuel economy

[JAS75]

I just purchased a forester XT. it seems to be getting under 20 miles to the gallon. i have to wait for my next fillup to calculate the actual. is this common for the first miles. also is there any upgrades or mods to save on fule. please dont tell me accelorate slowly and at an even pace. Thanks JAS75

 

[T]

That's about right. Subaru website says 18/23 for manual and 19/23 for
automatic.

Run through a couple tanks to get a good average, then switch to synthetic
oils in the engine & gearboxes. The three ways I can think of to increase
gas mileage is to

#1 increase engine efficiency (not easy to do)
synthetic lubes may help, you could experiment with fancy spark plugs or an
MSD (or other aftermaket ignition box) ignition system. You could also
consider a high flow intake system or freer flowing exhaust system. Throw
away that paper subaru air filter and put a K&N filter in it's place.

#2 decrease weight and or wind resistance
remove any roof racks or crossbars when not using them, drive with the
windows closed, put a donut spare in your car instead of a full size spare,
find out how much your rims/tires weigh, get a lighter rim/tire package.

#3 decrease friction with the road (rolling resistance) or in the geartrain
make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure (check them at
least once a month, more if possible), if you only drive on road consider
getting a set of tires made specifically for highway / on-road use. use
synthetic lubes in the gearboxes

Of course you could always accelerate slowly and drive at an even pace using
cruise control when you're on flat ground.

-T

I just purchased a forester XT. it seems to be getting under 20 miles to

the gallon. i have to wait for my next fillup to calculate the actual. is
this common for the first miles. also is there any upgrades or mods to save
on fule. please dont tell me accelorate slowly and at an even pace. Thanks
JAS75

 

[John Opezdol]

That's about right. Subaru website says 18/23 for manual and 19/23 for
automatic.

Run through a couple tanks to get a good average, then switch to synthetic
oils in the engine & gearboxes. The three ways I can think of to increase
gas mileage is to

#1 increase engine efficiency (not easy to do)

Easy enough. Use lightweight oil 5W30 Mobil1 would work just fine after the
breakin.

away that paper subaru air filter and put a K&N filter in it's place.

....thus decreasing the engine life expectance. Then just let turbo do the
rest.

#2 decrease weight and or wind resistance
remove any roof racks or crossbars when not using them, drive with the
windows closed, put a donut spare in your car instead of a full size spare,
find out how much your rims/tires weigh, get a lighter rim/tire package.

go to gym... with the wife... (and a paramour). Bring the dog and cat along.
I've heard a decrease in 50 lbs in the gross vehicle weight results in a 1
mpg increase.
Workout, save the environment from the fat people who need a turbine to get
their car going.

#3 decrease friction with the road (rolling resistance) or in the geartrain
make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure (check them at
least once a month, more if possible), if you only drive on road consider
getting a set of tires made specifically for highway / on-road use. use

Use cheap Joe Doe touring tires with low rolling resistance, get the car
into a ditch and blame Subaru for high gas consumption that resulted in a
premature trip to the pearly gates.
Talk Sain Peter out of buying a jet (argue that it has that turbo thingy and
therefore is unsafe. The good ole pair of wings will do just fine).

Sorry, the temptation was too strong :^)