L200 Highway Mileage

Discussion in 'Saturn L-series' started by Dan, Aug 7, 2003.

  1. Dan

    Dan Guest

    We just returned from a 2200 mile round trip tour from Denver to
    Indianapolis in our 2003 L200. I was really looking forward to seeing
    how the mpg would be on the interstate in comparison to my daily driving
    of 26 to 27 mpg.

    I was greatly disappointed to see my mileage increase to 28 to 29. :(

    Does anyone know what the speeds are when the sticker mileage is posted?
    We averaged 70 - 75 across Kansas and 65 - 70 across Illinois and Indiana.

    We also discovered some unfavorable tendencies by our car, so I will
    probably have to face another horror trip to Saturn of Boulder only to
    be told that "there are no problems" or "if you want us to check things
    out and there isn't a problem there will be a $75 diagnosis fee even
    though it is under warranty."
     
    Dan, Aug 7, 2003
    #1
  2. I believe they are supposed to measure HWY mileage on a mixed circuit of
    hills, level & varying speeds. Although I suspect Saturn is guilty of a 55
    mph, level course with a 30 mph tailwind. Was the car loaded down? Was it
    windy? Maybe it prefers higher altitude? A/C on or off? The A/C on my LW300
    shaves off about 2 mpg. I rarely get better than 25 hwy with the six.

    Dana

    "It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it." - G.W. Bush


    SNIP
    Indiana.
    SNIP
     
    Dana Rohleder, Aug 8, 2003
    #2
  3. The EPA fuel economy figures are measured based on very specific driving
    cycles. In the case of the highway figures, it's based on a trip with an
    average speed of 48 mph and maximum speed under 60 mph. You can see a speed
    graph here:

    http://www.epa.gov/otaq/emisslab/methods/hwfetdds.gif

    I believe they then correct the resulting fuel economy figure down 10% to
    try to match up better with real-world conditions..
     
    Robert Hancock, Aug 8, 2003
    #3
  4. I drive 31 miles to work everyday. The first 3 miles is stop and go. The
    next 5 miles is 50 mph and the remaining 24 miles is 65 MPH mostly on cruise
    control. I do this 10 times in a week so that's 310 miles plus other short
    trips.

    I get about 29 to 31 miles per gallon. Sometimes less depending on AC,
    temperature and traffic. I don't carry much in my trunk.

    I don't know what tendencies your are writing about. What are they?
     
    New & Improved - N/F John, Aug 26, 2003
    #4
  5. Dan

    Vito Cavallo Guest

    I have a 2001 L300. I drive about 10 miles back roads and 10 miles highway
    everyday. I have rarely reached stated MPG. I get about 19 - 20 weekly, and
    maybe 25 on long highway trips.

    I also have had a few irritating quirks in the last 2 years. Right now, I
    am not happy with Saturns.
     
    Vito Cavallo, Aug 26, 2003
    #5
  6. Dan

    Jon Smith Guest

    Our 2001 LW300 is similar. It seems to only get 19-21 MPG in mixed city/hwy
    driving and on all hwy it was getting about 25 (sticker said 20/26). But I
    have started using the Shell gas that is supposed to give you better mileage
    and it really does. We just put 1000 miles on the car on a long trip. We
    actually got 26 to 27 mpg with A/C on and a big luggage carrier on the top.
    My SC2 has also gotten a small increase in mileage. Anyone else have the
    same experience?
    Jon
     
    Jon Smith, Sep 7, 2003
    #6
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