[jacksaturn]

We purchased our outlook Aug 09 and have been getting poor gas mileage ever since. I have the XE AWD, and drive mostly highway everyday. I get about 15 mpg. From the beginning, I was told by the dealer I need more miles, now I am at 11k and still same poor mileage, even long trips that are 100% highway, 65 mgh, I get about 19 - 21, but not often. I think we got it twice. I do not have a DIC, I calcuate it every time I fill up. I had it at 2 different dealers for testing to see if they can find anything wrong with it and they can't and do not have any suggestions.

Can anyone let me know where I should go next? I think there is something wrong with the car, even though the "computer" says different.

 

[rbarrios]

try 55-60 mph if possible. try getting behind a semi that does 55-60.
You should see mileage increase a little... the faster you go- mileage goes right down.

 

[jacksaturn]

Thanks, but what about the very day travel. My average speed is about 45 mph and I am only gettting 15 mpg.

 

[khansen30]

More info on your driving habits is needed to even start to help;

1)Where do you live? Lots of stop and go? Heavy traffic?

2)Do you accelerate quickly? Gun it a alot?

This topic has been discussed at length on all the forums. I get 12 to 14 in town. Lots of stop and go. I get 19 to 23 on the highway depending on wind direction. The best speed for optimal MPG is 60 to 65, hit 70 and it will drop.

When you fill up are you filling up to the same point each time. 1st click or do you keep topping off. I don't know of anyone that has found a mechanical reason for low MPG. I got the same mileage on my 07 Outlook that didn't have the DI engine that I get now on my 09 Acadia that has a DI.

 

[Tim]

Thanks, but what about the very day travel. My average speed is about 45 mph and I am only gettting 15 mpg.

Attached is a table of my gas purchases and DIC info since day 1. I see two entries where the DIC MPH was 45.

Date Odometer Miles Pump Gallons MPG DIC Miles DIC MPG DIC Gal. DIC MPH
09/14/2008 6,953 330 15.519 21.3 330.0 21.4 15.4 45.0
09/06/2009 17,118 435 17.290 25.2 435.7 24.1 18.1 45.0

Must of had a headwind on 9/14/2008.

I accelerate slow - RPM max is usually ~2200 or below before it shifts. I also try to drive close to the shift points for lowest RPM.

Shift Points MPH
1-2 8
2-3 18
3-4 24
4-5 32 (Will stay in gear at 33, not 32. All others are ok.)
5-6 44

I think those are actually torque converter lock-up speeds.

Sometimes that puts me above the speed limit - e.g., 44 in a 40 zone - and sometimes below the speed limit - e.g., 45 in a 50 zone. I do drive 35 in the 35 zone as I'm already getting the drivers behind me upset. But, if the traffic would do 45 in the 35 zone, I would to. Seems about 5 over is what most people do in town.

I drive 65 on the IL toll roads and 68 on the Indiana Turnpike. Faster then the trucks and slower then all the cars in Indiana.

I use the speed control all the time - even on my short 7 mile drive to/from work. I notice many times when the car won't shift or won't lock up the torque converter until I turn on the speed control. I think that's odd and often wonder if the computer may be doing something else. I see this all the time with my desk top computer and Windows Vista too.

My wife asks why I didn't drive like this 20 years ago. I tell her gas wasn't $3 20 years ago.

Anyway, probably more information then you wanted. And, none of it answers your question.

 

[Wingmn]

Good post Tim - I agree with your statement to your wife about why you didn't drive like this 20 years ago....


I also try to keep my RPMs at 2000 or below - upsetting many drivers around me I'm sure, however I usually do not go really slow unless I"m on double lane roads, it lets the angry drivers speed around me to the next red light... Happens pretty often...

My average over 8700 miles is 21.46... Lowest 17.36, Highest 24.47. Not bad I think.

Here is my gas log since I bought the Outlook
MPG
2010-02-11 381 mi. 16 US gal $3.279 23.81 US
2010-02-06 424 mi. 21.28 US gal $2.349 19.92 US
2010-02-02 366 mi. 15.01 US gal $2.369 24.38 US
2010-01-27 424 mi. 20.04 US gal $2.429 21.16 US Ave MPH 29.1
2010-01-14 422 mi. 19.85 US gal $2.459 21.26 US Ave MPH 33
2010-01-06 277.5 mi. 15.41 US gal $2.549 18.01 US Ave MPH 27.7
2009-12-23 415.7 mi. 18.6 US gal $2.359 22.35 US Ave MPH 28.5
2009-12-12 466 mi. 22.56 US gal $2.329 20.66 US Ave MPH 29.1
2009-12-04 506 mi. 21.76 US gal $2.499 23.25 US Ave MPH 41.1
2009-11-27 572.5 mi. 23.4 US gal $2.499 24.47 US Ave MPH 54.2
2009-11-23 315.2 mi. 16.95 US gal $2.439 18.6 US Ave MPH 25.7
2009-11-12 425.4 mi. 20.38 US gal $2.439 20.87 US Ave MPH 27.4
2009-10-30 424.5 mi. 21.3 US gal $2.479 19.93 US Ave MPH 27.4
2009-10-16 411.7 mi. 18.7 US gal $2.329 22.02 US Ave MPH 26.3
2009-10-02 412.9 mi. 18.7 US gal $2.159 22.08 US Ave MPH 34.1
2009-09-24 570 mi. 23.12 US gal $2.459 24.65 US Ave MPH 55.1
2009-09-23 385 mi. 16.95 US gal $2.239 22.71 US Ave MPH 29.9
2009-09-11 381 mi. 18.85 US gal $2.339 20.21 US Ave MPH 30.5
2009-09-03 446 mi. 21.88 US gal $2.389 20.38 US
2009-08-30 412 mi. 18.92 US gal $2.489 21.78 US
2009-08-28 320 mi. 18.43 US gal $2.499 17.36 US

 

[Tim]

My average over 8700 miles is 21.46...

2009-11-27 572.5 mi. 23.4 US gal $2.499 24.47 US Ave MPH 54.2
2009-09-24 570 mi. 23.12 US gal $2.459 24.65 US Ave MPH 55.1

21.46 - about 1 MPG better than mine. Must be the DI engine.

23.4 and 23.12 gallons?? I'm beginning to wonder if I really have a 24 gallon tank. I'm thinking of putting a gas can in the back and drive until it runs out just to see what the DIC would say. The DIC stops telling me miles to go around 40 miles. Even then, it won't take 22 gallons. The most I ever put in was 21.7 gallons. Maybe when the miles to go stops declining, I should just switch over and watch the gallons used until it gets over 23.5.

Hopefully, jacksaturn can give our driving techniques a try and see if his mileage improves.

P.S. Next time my wife asks me why I keep writing down all this stuff I can tell her I'm helping other Lambda owners and besides I'm not the only one!

 

[Wingmn]

yeah, 23.1 gallons, all my data is hand calculated MPG and Gallons posted from my gas receipts, not from the DIC.

I tend to top off on long trips. I know it's not good, I know.. but when I do - I can usually put 2.5 gallons in after the first click (stop).

I've been topping off my 93 SL2 since I bought it in 1996. I only top off the Outlook 1 gallon after first stop now, I know it can cause problems with the emissions system more in a newer car than the older ones. So, reason why I do the full 2.5 gallons on a long trip is after 23, or 24 miles (like 20 mins of driving) that extra gallon is already consumed.. So the extra gas that I filled into the neck of the gas tank isn't there after 20 mins.. (anyone can justify to themselves something that they shouldn't do, even if it's not wise)

So, yes, I did put 23.1 gals one time

 

[6Sixathome]

I think the most I've ever got in the tank was 21.something and I stopped after the 1st click. The salesman said to turn the gas cap until it clicks 3 times ??? anyone else? He said it may cause the DIC to read something about it not being tight, it's what I do and have'nt any issues so it must work .

 

[Tim]

The salesman said to turn the gas cap until it clicks 3 times ??? anyone else? He said it may cause the DIC to read something about it not being tight, it's what I do and have'nt any issues so it must work .

Never heard of that!

 

[khansen30]

I think the most I've ever got in the tank was 21.something and I stopped after the 1st click. The salesman said to turn the gas cap until it clicks 3 times ??? anyone else? He said it may cause the DIC to read something about it not being tight, it's what I do and have'nt any issues so it must work .

If it's not tight you will get the check engine light because of a vacuume issue is all I know of.

 

[carbonflash2]

we average about 14 MPG. I got 12 in our Expedition, but on the interstate, which our Outlook does not regularly see, I got 24.5 MPG, cruising 75-80 MPH. I had just picked it up from getting it repaired, but the exhaust had to be replaced. Before the accident, the best we ever got was 21 MPG, and that was driving 65-70 MPH. Right now we are averaging 15 MPG city, and I have not changed driving style at all.

BTW, the best our Expedition ever got was 17.5 MPG...

 

[theclarkfam]

I hate beating the bones of a long dead horse ;D but yes these vehicles do suck on the gas mileage a bit. Case in point my wife is the key driver for the outlook and she loves to leave the defrost on. When she does this the A/C compressor turns on as well and it will cause a major drag on the engine making your gas mileage drop very low or in my case a couple day ago to 14 MPG and that was all city driving. It would be nice to use the defrost and leave the compressor off.

 

[kurtzr]

I just bought a 2008 Outlook XR with 5,000k and drove it 1,000k to get home. I averaged 20 - 24mpg driving 65 - 75. I was pretty happy with that, but must say I am not looking forward to the mileage once I start city driving. My 2001 Chev Venture that I replaced with the Outlook faithfully got 22mpg on the highway, so I am hoping my Outlook will match that.

I've read all the posts about the mileage on the Outlook and am wondering if anyone has done some trials on using mid grade or premium fuel? Does it make any difference, is it worth the extra cost? I did have one person who does all city driving say that their Outlook shifts up & down less often when they use premium fuel. Just curious.

Randy

 

[Wingmn]

I just drove from OKC to Little Rock this weekend - 1 tank 543.1 Miles on 22 Gal. 24.69MPG. I did have the cruise set at 69MPH, so 1 mph under the speed limit.

If I dropped the speed down to 66 I saw 25.1 mpg.. Just thought I'd point that out...


Any time I drive her on the Interstate - 65mph-70mph no faster - also winds have a little to do with it.... stronger winds hurt mileage if they are head winds.. Tail winds improve mpg obviously....

My Average speed for that tank was 64 mph.

So, I was pushing 25 mpg. If you want to drive faster - you will hurt MPG. On the highway.

in town, if you want to jack-rabbit from red light to red light - or stop sign to stop sign you will see 14mpg... My worst tank since I bought the Outlook was 17mpg. That was the first tank.. After that I haven't gotten below 18. Although most people think I'm crazy for turtle starts (grandma driving) - I take my time getting up to speed. 2 mins of saved time is not worth it to me. It's far more worth it to me to get 20 - 22 mpg in my everyday driving than to save a few mins between getting from my house to the grocery store or work.

That is my opinion only That's one thing that is so AWESOME about our country - we are all allowed to have our own opinions And our own driving styles.. The speed limits aren't posted to see how fast we get accelerate up to them, they are posted so we don't exceed them for safety reasons... *shrug* I'll step off my soap box now.

 

[rbarrios]

engine is tuned for regular.
so the fancier gas is really of no use-- unless youre getting pinging with regular.
You will most likely be throwing your money away by going to higher octance.

 

[BigTallV]

The Outlook runs just fine on regular and I didn't notice a lick of difference when I filled it with premium fuel on several occasions.

One is better off simply to "ease" it up to between 90 to 95K/hr (55 to 60MPH) and you'll observe the best fuel economy. Nix the roof racks, pull the junk out of the trunk so to speak and again, you will likely observe even better economy. Headwind/tailwind has an effect too obviously. If you really want to go crazy with it, leave the passengers at home, skip lunch and turn off all accessories and close the vents. Follow a big truck on the highway if you must, but the wake it leaves behind will give you a more unsettled ride and probably you'll end up with a whole pile of road rash in your paint. Stop idling in the lineup at the touch-less carwash (you can kill a litre of gas just idling there for your turn) or at the corner store while you run in. It all makes a difference on how long your tank of gas lasts.

We could just plain forget about those "ratings" that were on the door sticker when it was on the dealers lot. Those simply are *NOT* reality and are difficult if not down right impossible to achieve on a normal driving basis. The reality is we all have to drive from point A to point B in a variety of weather, traffic conditions, detours or other variables that affect fuel economy. It's destiny.

 

[leobg]

Well this is a 2.5 tonn truck, you should not expect to get very high mileage off it, especially where it comes to a lot of stop and go traffic. I had to use mine for commute for a month or so last summer, I was averaging 14-15MPG (15-16 L/100km) in city driving (Toronto here, so read this as stop and go pertty much). In the winter it gets considerably worse - 11-12MPG (19-20 L/100km). Not something I did not expect when I bouth the car though. I have seen higher mileage just few times when it was constant hwy speed for many miles (I think I've gone as good as 21-22 MPG (11L/100km), even with the car loaded to the max with people and luggage), which is more than what I expected.
My car has the "sport" transmission programming, has all extras (8 seater) XR AWD 08 (no DI engine). So the worst possible MPG scenario I guess

As for the OP - make sure you've got tire presure right, that hits bad when tires underinflated - like 2+ MPG. Headwinds don't help at all either. Not that you can change anything about the latter

 

[tiger66]

I have had my Saturn since November 2008. Stop and go driving really hurts the mileage. I have avoided the air conditioner. However, summer 2009 in Columbus OH was unusually cool and I could get away with not using it - however the wind noise from open windows is considerable. I will give the car a good test the weekend of May 29 - we are driving to Charleston SC. Good highway miles, but many miles in WV and VA will be very hilly. I will need to click on the air conditioner. I can just feel the engine drag when the compressor kicks in. Another thing that will make you good friends with Exxon is cold weather. In 15 degree weather the engine has a tough time getting going - oh it starts right up; but the accelleration, the ol get up and go, is lacking. I will usually remote start it and let it idle for five to eight minutes. Once the engine is warmed up, acceleration in normal. I also found that the engine began to run smoother after about 8000 miles. Now at 20,000 miles the economy and smoothness have improved considerably, however, it gets its best economy going downhill with a back wind (smile).

 

[tiger66]

I reply to Tim's note on February 15.

I am sure that the tank holds the stated amount of fuel. I believe that the gas gauge is calibrated to get us to the gas pump with plenty of reserve fuel, as the fuel is a coolant for the fuel pump. Yes, the fuel pump is usually in the fuel tank of the newer, fuel injected cars. With the constant motion of the car, the fuel moves over the fuel pump, cooling it. If the fuel level gets too low, part of the fuel pump may become exposed, then it becomes more difficult to dissipate its heat. Excessive heat is very likely to cause premature failure of the fuel pump. An expensive repair. After 50,000 miles it is your money - the fuel pump is not part of the Power Train.