Milage of 1997 Legacy Outback (Wagon)

[jthan]

Hi All,

I have a 1997 Legacy Outback (Wagon)
2.5 liter 4 cylinder
Automatic Transmission
~40Km

For several years I drove my Outback in a city setting about 7 miles
to work and back. I got only 13-17MPG on regular gas. Milage was worse
in the winter. I always thought I was driving the car in the "worst
case scenerio" of a short commute with lots of stops.

Now I am commuting 18 miles in mixed city/highway traffic usually
moving at good speed. I was hoping my milage would increase to over
20MPG but so far I am only seeing ~19MPG.

The car has been serviced by several different shops each saying that
it was running fine. It has passed it's smog test each time. The only
strange thing I notice is a distinct smell of gas when it starts. This
seems to go away quickly.

Any comments? Is this reasonable milage for this car?

 

[Paul Pluzhnikov]

Now I am commuting 18 miles in mixed city/highway traffic usually
moving at good speed. I was hoping my milage would increase to over
20MPG but so far I am only seeing ~19MPG.

This has been discussed many times before in this very newsgroup.

In CA you'll get noticeably worse milage than in e.g. Arizona,
due to alcohol additives.

FWIW, I get 20 MPG in a 97 OBW with A/T and 93K miles in mixed
city/highway driving (10 mile commute) in Los Angeles, about 22MPG
@78mph (speed limit is 70) going from LA to San Francisco on I-5
(mostly flat central valley).

Happy holidays,