2006 M45 Average MPG - 10.5 miles ???

[Wcaban1206]

I know I was too expect bad mpg, but this is pretty bad. Any suggesstions on how to get better mpg? I drive the car mainly in the city- I rarely do long trips with this beast. I do idle the start for a few minutes at startup just to get the juices flowing and only use premium 93.

Front tires will be replaced in the next couple weeks so maybe this will help a bit.

Anything mechanical I should be aware of?

Also, I noticed on a recent gas fuel up that I was only able to fill up about 16-17 gallons. The fuel light was on so I was expecting to hit 20 gallons as specified in the manual. Can anyone verify how many gallons I should expect to pump once the low fuel light comes on?

Appreciate any advice on this.

[Ilya]

Air filters, good oil, proper air pressure in tires, closed windows, etc. are all things 'hypermilers' do to squeeze MPG out of their cars. I believe there is a thread in my signature in the FAQ's on this topic. Or you can just Google the topic 'increasing MPGs' and you'll get literally 10000 links.

As for amount of fuel, yes, the most I have ever filled like 17.5 gallons with the light on for a while. There is a reserve the car has you have to remember. If you stalled because of lack of gas, then you'd probably get 19+ in there.

[BlackCat81]

I'm currently averaging 12.4 in my M35. I have an an all around town 7 mile round trip commute to work. The cold weather kills it.

[Ilya]

I used to average 18.5 on my M35x and average the same on my M56x. 90% of my trips are 30+ minutes though and mostly at 45mph or more. Live in the sticks.

[Wcaban1206]

Yea I am literally getting 10.5 miles. But in Florida AC pumps but because I'm one of those weird is that loves to listen to his car, I ride with the windows down regardless of the weather. So I'm stumped. My commute is also very short- 7 miles or so round trip. I find excuses to make the route longer :-)

[Ilya]

You use AC when the windows are down? Well, that isn't helping your MPG...hah.

[Wcaban1206]

Haha, no, I only use it when my wife is in the car and complains about the heat and the seat coolers not being cool enough

[ericthered]

And I was unhappy getting at 2, 0.1 MPG on my '06 M35x.
I found MPG was happiest around 60 mph, could get to 24 MPG ( with much pedal discipline, a short-lived phenomenon )

I'd worry that some sensor somewhere has your car's ECU in safe mode so it runs truly crappier.

[Wcaban1206]

How do I check that ?

[EdBwoy]

By using a code reader, regardless of the check engine light being on or not...to start off

But as for mechanical issues that would bring your mpg that far down for mostly city driving, what immediately comes to mind is bad wheel bearings and dragging brakes.