Your MPG and Radio Question

[rick3000]

Hi,
I was just wonder what you guys do to deal with increasing gas prices. I have been averaging around 19mpg on premium around town with very little highway driving.

What is your average mileage (city/highway)?
Is there anyway to your boost mileage? (performance chip?)

Also, my radio is peeling, has anyone else has this problem?
Any tips on fixing peeling becker radio on/off buttons? (Besides replacing the entire radio?
Is there anyway to add steering wheel radio controls?

Thanks!

[RandallNeighbour]

I'm keeping my foot off the accellerator pedal for one thing. Smooth shifts, no redlining, and I think about where I have to go and what other errands I can get done while I'm out so I don't make multiple trips.

I get 22 in town and 26.5 on the highway in my 2.5 box.

Someone else will have to address your peeling radio button issues. I trashed that POS becker unit a long time ago for a much cleaner sounding Alpine. While it doesn't look factory, it sure sounds a LOT better.

BTW, if the becker head unit does not have remote control capability on it, you can't retrofit it for steering wheel controls.

[FrayAdjacent]

I average about 22mpg mostly city, and can get up to 31mpg on highway.

Here's my tips on attaining higher fuel economy. I learned a lot of this when I owned a Honda Insight. That car will tell you what works and what doesn't as far as getting better gas mileage, and it all translates to other cars.

• Use the correct grade gasoline. Your engine will run best on what the manufacturer recommends. Do not use higher or lower grade gasoline.
  
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated. You can usually safely run them at a slightly higher pressure, which will reduce 'rolling resistance'. I would not recommend more than a couple PSI over the vehicle's suggested pressure
  
• Have your alignment checked and adjusted. If you do not track your car, you could have the camber and toe adjusted to be more neutral.
  
• Replace your air filter and change your oil at regular intervals
  
• Avoid jackrabbit starts, and use the highest gear you can to cruise in. Avoid changing speed a lot on highways and freeways. Use your cruise control if you can.

[rick3000]

Avoid jackrabbit starts, and use the highest gear you can to cruise in. Avoid changing speed a lot on highways and freeways. Use your cruise control if you can.


So are you saying to cruise at around 3000rpm, and not smoke everyone on a green light.

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by rick3000

So are you saying to cruise at around 3000rpm, and not smoke very one on a green light.

Yep... something like that...

[r9i8c7k]

I average 19 MPG. I have not taken any long highway trips yet.

[KevinH1990]

The peeling buttons on the radio can be fixed by Becker. I don't know the web site off hand, but you can just search for Becker USA and you should find it. You need to mail the radio to their facility in New Jersey. I checked into it, and it will be around $55 not including shipping costs. I may have mine done this summer while I'm on vacation. I just haven't decided if it annoys me enough to spend the money.

I find my Boxster (2000 2.7L) does very well on the highway - between 28 and 30 mpg. Howver, if I drive it hard or experince a lot of stop and go traffic the mileage is in the low 20's.

[rick3000]

Thanks, I will give becker a call. I was just wondering if there is a cheap DIY fix, for peeling radio buttons, $55 + shiping for that is a bit pricey.

[denverpete]

Around 19-20 for pure in-town driving and about 26-28 for highway. Keep in mind that I'm in Colorado and mileage suffers at altitude...

+1 on the starts. You can get pretty good in-town mileage if you're willing to give up the 4000 RPM sound.

[kelly1005]

I get 18-ish in town, and got 28 on my last road trip in my 2.5.

In town I'm always getting on the gas and enjoying the sound. On the road I'm doing 75-80 with the cruise control on as much as I can. I imagine slowing down a bit would push it up to 30 easily.

I don't mind the low in-town mileage because I don't use the p-car as a commuter, only for fun and then I want that high RPM music. I've got a motorcycle (50mpg) and a crappy old Sentra (28mpg) for daily use.

[rick3000]

Well, it is good the know it will get better than 19 on the highway. It is just a bit expensive as my daily driver, for mostly around town. But I'll deal with it.

So, no one has a DIY solution for peeling radio buttons?

Thanks!

[Jeph]

I don't do much highway driving...
I've never dropped below 20mpg. Even with AutoX events on a tank.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by rick3000

Thanks, I will give becker a call. I was just wondering if there is a cheap DIY fix, for peeling radio buttons, $55 + shiping for that is a bit pricey.

My memory is failing. Here's a post from someone who had the job done. The cost is closer to $90!

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9603

I knew there was a reason I was thinking of living with the problem. A DIY solution would be welcome.

I get about 24 mpg, highway, spirited driving, with top down.

[myeboxsters]

Since I bought my car a year ago (01 S, 6spd, 46k miles), the "average mileage" reading has gone from 18.something to 20.1 and seems to have leveld off there. (13k miles in last year -- 3/4 city/PCH/freeway gridlock and 1/4 highway cruising)

[FrayAdjacent]

My gas mileage PWNZ!!!!


ME FTW!!!

[conradtan]

One time I used a whole tank on my 2.7L never going over 3K RPM combined city and highway and averaged 30MPG! But since then I've been driving "normally" and I get 24 city and 29 highway.

[AUDIOGUY]

Well, gas is $3.29 for premium in my neighborhood. I am sure it is more and less some other places. I have been getting around 225 miles to the tank... which is how I measure it. I did a bit of highway driving on Memorial Day weekend and got 270 miles to the tank.. NICE.

Radio... no idea.

[Cloudsurfer]

Between city, highway, and "spirited driving" I average right around 20MPG in my 3.2.

Becker should take care of your radio.

Patrick

[Stunin_Stud]

I do alot of city driving so I get 14 mpg. when combined with highway its about 18mpg. I reset my odometer after each fill up to see what range I get and its usualy 195-215 miles. I have a 3.2 S and new air filter too. very dissapointed in the mpg.