[Smokin SRX]

I discovered the other day that if you don't drive like there is an egg under the accelerator but you just drive fairly easily that these beasts get better mileage. Maybe has something to do with getting into the higher gear ratios faster?

AWD, had re-flash of tranny done, now have about 5300 miles. Local driving, with stops only at every 5-10 blocks and 20-35 MPH yields 13MPG. If I drive hard locally..........10MPG, but what fun that manu-shift is!

Highway at 65-75 MPH yields 21-25MPG, on basically flat normal freeways.

As a note, stop and go driving, like NYC, where there's a light on every corner and taxi's forcing you to brake (no MPG when braking!!) this sled yields only 10-12 MPG at best. It's a Boulevard Bruiser and Highway Cruiser ;D

At 5100 LBS, I'm satisfied!

 

[Tin Man]

My wife is currently getting over 20 mpg AROUND TOWN with her driving style, with Emma, and she hasn't even gotten her first special factory fill oil change yet! She doesn't gun it, ever, and she is VERY steady on the gas. We never use the brakes much either, so speed limits are usually kept.

TM

 

[43sbest]

I'm curious, why did you change the oil with only 1300 miles? Have I missed something? Guess I better get out the owners manual!!

Nope your not missing anything, I just wanted to get synthetic oil in the Enclave.
I'm a firm believer in synthetic motor oils and high quality filters, to me it's cheap insurance and also helps out slightly with MPG. I'll change the oil and filter every 5000 miles with Mobil 1 5W30 and a Mobil 1 or K&N filter. Although this is somewhat overkill (changing synthetic every 5000 miles) it's just the way the way I do it.

 

[Smokin SRX]

My wife is currently getting over 20 mpg AROUND TOWN with her driving style, with Emma, and she hasn't even gotten her first special factory fill oil change yet! She doesn't gun it, ever, and she is VERY steady on the gas. We never use the brakes much either, so speed limits are usually kept.

TM

I'm impressed by her discipline! I know you're right cause I just saw a show where the guy drove the reporter around in a 2-door coupe (I think it was a Pontiac Solstice?) and showed with the cars own DIC computer how to get 65 MPG !!!!

He almost never touched the brakes (until he wanted to park) by "driving ahead" or anticipating traffic. He coasted with engine Off, whenever possible, especially on any long hill, and shut off the engine for every Stop sign/traffic lite he saw coming. Then re-started when ready. Interestingly enough, he said NOT to baby the gas pedal too much, as getting to a higher gear is important! It worked but requires much patience.

I started to use a little of this (mostly the coasting part, and turning off ignition while at a long red lite) and YEAH, big boost in MPG! And I felt great to see 29 Average MPG on the DIC!! So congrats to the Mrs. for refreshing our memories on how to get GREAT MPG!

NOTE: he said to NOT turn Off engine, too long, just kill ignition and flip back to Run position,(dash lites are On) so the DIC computer retains memory of your MPG. Also BEWARE...If you turn key all the way OFF, steering wheel may lock!! Plus, power steering is gone, without engine, and Power brakes are good for 1 or 2 presses only, as you coast!

 

[Tin Man]

Thanks. She's fairly stingy, but also gets annoyed when others have their foot go on and off the gas a lot, making the car lunge a little each time.

Occasionally she gets below 20 mpg, but maybe when the oil is changed and the rest of the drivetrain is "broken in" we'll keep up the good numbers.

TM