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Volvo XC90 Real World MPG
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Comments
My operating assumption is that Volvo has decided that a significant fraction of the Volvo customer base is looking for value, not just ultimate performance at any price. Volvo thinks that some of these customers want to be able to run their vehicles on the cheapest grade of fuel available in the US. My view is that a Volvo is not low end value transportation and owners should expect to use premium fuel at least when they are demanding a good fraction of maximum performance from the engine.
19.5 mpg (comp 20.3 mpg) 1-27-09 with Shell 93 octane
17.8 mpg (comp 18.0 mpg) 2-17-08 with Shell 93 octane
15.5 mpg (comp 16.2 mpg) 3-7-08 with Shell 93 octane
17.3 mpg (comp 18.0 mpg) 3-23-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
16.6 mpg (comp 17.5 mpg) 4-10-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
19.4 mpg (comp 20.5 mpg) 4-18-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
19.1 mpg (comp 19.8 mpg) 4-29-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
This driving is a mixture of highway and city including some very short trips.
Based on these data the computer gives a value which is 4.0% higher than the value calculated from the pump volumes and trip odometer readings.
21.4 mpg (computer 22.4 mpg) 5-13-2009 with Shell 89+93
Looking at the VolvoUK site, the 2008 XC90 3.2 (only comes in AWD, I think) is estimated in their tests to achieve the following fuel use:
Urban........... 17.2 L/100km => 13.7 mpgUS
Extra Urban... 9.2 L/100km => 25.5 mpgUS
Combined..... 12.1 L/100km => 19.4 mpgUS
The extra urban mpg is considerably higher than the US EPA highway estimate, and much of that may be due to a difference in the test conditons. However, the site states, "For best performance and lowest fuel consumption 98 octane RON is recommended. 93 octane RON can be used for normal driving."
98 octane RON is equivalent to 93 or 94 octane AKI, and 93 octane RON is equivalent to 88 or 89 octane AKI. The fuel requirement for US Volvos are 87 octane AKI minimum and 91 octane AKI recommended. So it would appear that the European Volvos are tuned to require and take advantage of higher octane gasolines than the US models. This may contribute to significantly higher mpg for the European models.
This suggests to me that the recommended 91 octane AKI might give higher fuel economy in the US models, than 87 octane AKI or 89 octane AKI. It would be interesting to see the results of tests by users.
To me the cost difference between regular, midgrade, and premium is insufficient to use a fuel which gives a lower mpg even if it would give a lower cost per mile. I am going to use the "recommended" 91 octane AKI, if I think there is just a chance that it gives a higher mpg, even if the mpg is only say 0.5 mpg or even 0.25 mpg higher.
One way to test the effect of octane rating of fuel on mpg would be to run the tank down to near empty and put in say 3 gal of 87 octane. Then drive a prescribed highway route at some specified speed (60 or 65 or 70 mph) and use the computer to get an average mpg over the route of perhaps 10 miles. Then put in a volume of 93 octane AKI equal to half the amount of 87 octane added (this gives 89 octane) and drive the same route at the same speed and use the compter to obtain an average mpg over the 10 mile route. Then add 93 octane AKI in the same amount as the total already added (this gives 91 octane) and redo the route.
Unfortunately, my wife ain't so good at keeping track for me and she's been driving it pretty much exclusively (it is her car, after all). All I can report so far is that our first couple of tanks of regular 87 got her in the high 18s. Her past couple of tanks of mid-grade (91) have gotten nearly 21 mpg.
But, really, this is just anecdotal. The transmission may also have been learning her driving habits.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
A. Full test: Wait till you have say 1/4 or 1/8 tank left use the computer to estimate how much fuel is in the tank. Use the computer ave mpg and the trip odometer since last fillup to determine how much fuel is in the tank. Fuel used since fillup = distance travelled / ave mpg. Subtract that from the tank capacity of 21 gal.
Now reset the computer ave mpg and ave speed just before starting a freeway constant speed run of at least 1 mile. (Five miles would be better.) Record that as mpg at 87 octane.
Now add 93 octane in an amount equal to half the amount of 87 octane you calculated was in the tank and redo the test, resetting the computer mpg and ave speed just before the run. This is mpg at 89 octane.
Now add 93 octane in an amount equal to the total vol in the tank at the start of the 89 octane run, reset the computer and redo the test. This is mpg at 91 octane.
At this point you could fillup with 93 octane and redo the test.
If you do this and report your computer readings and pump volume data, we can check you calculations.
B. Simpler test: Wait till you have 1/3 tank (~ 7 gal) remaining and then do a certain route at constant speed, resetting the computer mpg and ave speed just before the test. You could do the route twice to see what is the variability.
Now fill up with 93 octane (fuel in tank is now 91 octane) and redo the test run.
What you ask wouldn't be much different than me requesting she go outside and change the head gasket on my Alfa. I would get a confounded look in return in either instance.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
What about you doing the quickie test B?
Wait till she's got 1/3 tank or less of 87 octane. Then you take the vehicle out for a test run. Get the engine to full operating temp. Reset the mpg function at speed just before doing a run of a mile or two at constant speed, then read the ave mpg. This is mpg at 87 octane.
Now fill up with 93 octane, and repeat the same test run at the same constant speed. Of course, just as you start the run you reset the ave mpg on the computer, and read the ave mpg at the end of the run. This is the mpg at 91 octane (or higher if the tank was less than 1/3 full for the first run).
This test might take an hour max and you'd deliver your wife's car back to her with the gas tank full.
Latest results with my wife's 2007 XC90 3.2 FWD
19.5 mpg (computer 20.9 mpg, ave speed 23 mph) 5-23-2008 with Shell 89+93 => 91 octane
Prior to this, we used regular twice and got ~18. But, like I said before, the truck was new to us at that point, so I don't necessarily trust those readings. Anyway, I filled up with 92 octane today and I'll get her to do the same for the next 2 tanks and see what happens.
Again, for those keeping score, this is a 2005 2.5T AWD.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
19.5 mpg (comp 20.3 mpg) 1-27-09 with Shell 93 octane
17.8 mpg (comp 18.0 mpg) 2-17-08 with Shell 93 octane
15.5 mpg (comp 16.2 mpg) 3-7-08 with Shell 93 octane
17.3 mpg (comp 18.0 mpg) 3-23-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
16.6 mpg (comp 17.5 mpg) 4-10-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
19.4 mpg (comp 20.5 mpg) 4-18-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
19.1 mpg (comp 19.8 mpg) 4-29-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
20.2 mpg (computer 20.8 mpg) 5-10-2008 with Shell 89+93 => 91 octane
21.4 mpg (computer 22.4 mpg) 5-13-2009 with Shell 89+93
19.5 mpg (computer 20.9 mpg) 5-23-2008 with Shell 89+93 => 91 octane
15.0 mpg (computer 16.0 mpg) 6-14-2008 with Shell 93, all urban short trips
23.5 mpg (computer 24.9 mpg) 6-16-2008 with Chevron 93, includes 361 mi road trip much of which was urban, some at slow speed in state park
Overall fuel economy to date since purchase 11,244 mi / 597.1 gal = 18.8 mpg
21.8 mpg (computer 23.4 mpg) 6-23-2008 with Shell 91, highway
24.2 mpg (computer 25.5 mpg) 6-23-2008 with Shell 91, last leg of 609 mi road trip, non interstate four and two lane highways, and some at slow speed in state parks
Overall on two day road trip: 608.7 mi / 26.3 gal = 23.1 mpg.
Overall fuel use to date since purchase: 11,991 mi / 630.9 gal = 19.0 mpg.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
22.8 mpg (computer 23.9 mpg) 7-6-08 with Shell 93, highway
26.5 mpg (computer 28.4 mpg) 7-7-2008 with Shell 93, 330.9 mile leg of 659 mi road on trip, uncrowded state highways, rolling hills at 45 mph to 55 mph to 60 mph (a/c off, 3 windows open for old dog who likes to look out the window), and some interstate mostly at 60-65 mph, windows closed a/c on.
Overall on two-day, two-night camping trip: 659 mi / 26.89 gal = 24.5 mpg.
Overall fuel use to date since purchase: 12,853 mi / 670.6 gal = 19.2 mpg.
The last result suggests that the mpg of the XC90 3.2 will increase strongly with lowering of the speed. Steady driving on interstate highways (but not extreme hypermiling) at 60 mph, with nothing on roof might give ~26 - 27 mpg.
Begin 2631 mile road trip (10.3 mi on tank) Dallas TX to Wisconsin to Indiana to Dallas, 2631 mi / 107.2 gal = 24.5 mpg, 60 to 65 to 70 mph, two people and 3 dogs with camping gear, nothing on roof, most driving by me (attentive to fuel economy but no hypermiler), some by my wife (much less atttention to fuel economy, keeps 8 second interval between her vehicle and the next one ahead), some by brother (low attention to fuel economy).
24.5 mpg (computer 26.0 mpg, 46 mph) 7-19-2008 with Shell 93, highway, park roads
26.2 mpg (computer 27.6 mpg, 51 mph) 7-20-2008 with Shell 91, 404 mi highway
25.5 mpg (computer 26.6 mpg, 54 mph) 7-22-2008 with generic 93, 451 mi highway, touring urban
23.6 mpg (computer 24.3 mpg, 31 mph) 7-25-2008 with generic 93, urban touring
23.4 mpg (computer 24.3 mpg, 35 mph) 7-26-2008 with generic 93, highway and Chicago traffic jams
24.9 mpg (computer 26.5 mpg, 47 mph) 7-27-2008) with 92 AKI, highway, touring
24.1 mpg (computer 25.6 mpg, 42 mph) 7-28-2008) with Shell 93, highway, touring
Ave mpg to date since purchase 15570 mi / 783.5 gal = 19.9 mpg
I will still use a minimum of 91 octane AKI in our non-turbo Volvos. Suppose the knock sensor fails? The slight savings in fuel costs are not worth it to me. Of course if I would stop at a station in the boonies I would not hesitate to use 87 to get me where I needed to go.
89 octane might be the best fuel for a driver (like me) who doesn't push the vehicle to anywhere near its upper power levels. This would provide a safety factor against the fuel being below 87 octane, and save some money. I'm going to think about it.
Lately I have been using 93, which bugs me. My area stocks 87, 89, and 93, and I used to deliver equal vols of 89 and 93 to get 91. But recently I have had problems with the fuel pumps not allowing me to dispense two different fuels in quick succession on my credit card.
Note: Mpg values of 16 mpg and below were for the entire tank consumed on very short urban trips. The higher mpg for 2008 could be real improvement after breakin, but is more likely due to a smaller proportion of very short urban trips and changes in driving practices in an attempt to get the best possible fuel economy. Unless otherwise stated the fuel is generally premium, 91 or 93 octane AKI. Tires are 235/65-17 Michelin 4x4 Synchrone (max infl pressure 51 psi) inflated to 40 psi. Driving style is careful, but no drafting on semis or other "hypermiling" techniques except keeping speed as constant as possible and generally not exceeding 70 mph.
17.8 mpg 5-02-2007
13.0 mpg 5-22-2007
17.8 mpg 5-28-2007
Road trip: Dallas to Gulfport MS and return
22.8 mpg 5-30-2008 on road trip with 91 octane AKI from previous fillup
21.6 mpg 6-02-2007 on road trip with 93 octane from prev fillup
22.7 mpg 6-04-2007 on road trip
23.8 mpg 6-05-2008 on road trip
25.7 mpg 6-05-2007 after last leg of road trip, all interstate hwy, odometer 2322 mi; Ave mpg for road trip: 1550 mi / 66.75 gal = 23.2 mpg.
18.7 mpg 6-14-2007
15.2 mpg 7-03-2007
16.0 mpg 7-16-2007
16.1 mpg 7-25-2007
16.9 mpg 8-10-2007
14.9 mpg 8-24-2007
16.6 mpg 9-12-2007
12.9 mpg 10-02-2007
21.4 mpg 10-08-2007
20.1 mpg 10-20-2007
19.9 mpg 10-24-2007
14.9 mpg 11-10-2007
20.7 mpg 11-16-2007
19.7 mpg 11-28-2007
21.8 mpg 12-03-2007
19.8 mpg 12-11-2007
18.9 mpg (computer 19.3 mpg) 12-22-2007
20.5 mpg (computer 21.4 mpg) 12-23-2007
22.6 mpg (computer 22.8 mpg) 12-30-2007
(Overall mpg since purchase: 7251 mi / 385.2 gal = 18.8 mpg. First oil change 12-28-2007, to Mobile1 0W-40 "European Car Formula", but no definite evidence that this improved highway mpg. But this oil may reduce wear during warmup, and may slightly improve mpg during the warmup periods of short urban trips.)
2008 Fuel consumption records (gas pump results) for 2007 Volvo XC90 3.2 Front wheel drive, purchased April 2007.
20.7 mpg (computer 21.4 mpg) 1-8-2008 with Shell 93 octane AKI
19.5 mpg (comp 20.3 mpg) 1-27-2008 with Shell 93 octane
17.8 mpg (comp 18.0 mpg) 2-17-08 with Shell 93 octane
15.5 mpg (comp 16.2 mpg) 3-7-08 with Shell 93 octane
17.3 mpg (comp 18.0 mpg) 3-23-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
16.6 mpg (comp 17.5 mpg) 4-10-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
19.4 mpg (comp 20.5 mpg) 4-18-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
19.1 mpg (comp 19.8 mpg) 4-29-08 with Shell 89 + 93 => 91 octane
20.2 mpg (computer 20.8 mpg) 5-10-2008 with Shell 89+93 => 91 octane
21.4 mpg (computer 22.4 mpg) 5-13-2009 with Shell 89+93
19.5 mpg (computer 20.9 mpg) 5-23-2008 with Shell 89+93 => 91 octane
15.0 mpg (computer 16.0 mpg) 6-14-2008 with Shell 93, all urban short trips
23.5 mpg (computer 24.9 mpg) 6-16-2008 with Chevron 93, includes 361 mi road trip much of which was urban, some at slow speed in state park
Overall fuel economy to date since purchase 11,244 mi / 597.1 gal = 18.8 mpg.
19.0 mpg (computer 20.7 mpg) 6-22-2008 with Shell 93 octane
21.8 mpg (computer 23.4 mpg) 6-23-2008 with Shell 91, highway
24.2 mpg (computer 25.5 mpg) 6-23-2008 with Shell 91, last leg of 609 mi road trip, non interstate four and two lane highways, and some at slow speed in state parks
Overall on two day road trip: 608.7 mi / 26.3 gal = 23.1 mpg. Overall fuel use to date since purchase: 11,991 mi / 630.9 gal = 19.0 mpg.
16.0 mpg (computer 17.4 mpg) 7-5-2008 with Shell 89+91 octane => 91 octane, mostly short trips in city
22.8 mpg (computer 23.9 mpg) 7-6-08 with Shell 93, highway
26.5 mpg (computer 28.4 mpg) 7-7-2008 with Shell 93, 330.9 mile leg of 659 mi road on trip, uncrowded state highways, rolling hills at 45 mph to 55 mph to 60 mph (a/c off, 3 windows open for a dog who likes to look out the window), and some interstate mostly at 60-65 mph, windows closed a/c on. Overall on two-day, two-night camping trip: 659 mi / 26.89 gal = 24.5 mpg. Overall fuel use to date since purchase: 12,853 mi / 670.6 gal = 19.2 mpg.
13.5 mpg (computer 14.2 mpg) 7-17-2008 with Shell 93 AKI, all very short trips in town only 76.1mi / 5.656 gal
Begin 2631 mile road trip Dallas to Milwaukee to Indiana to Dallas.
24.5 mpg (computer 26.0 mpg, 46 mph) 7-19-2008 with Shell 93, highway, park roads
26.2 mpg (computer 27.6 mpg, 51 mph) 7-20-2008 with Shell 91, 404 mi highway
25.5 mpg (computer 26.6 mpg, 54 mph) 7-22-2008 with generic 93, 451 mi highway, touring urban
23.6 mpg (computer 24.3 mpg, 31 mph) 7-25-2008 with generic 93, urban touring
23.4 mpg (computer 24.3 mpg, 35 mph) 7-26-2008 with generic 93, highway and Chicago traffic jams
24.9 mpg (computer 26.5 mpg, 47 mph) 7-27-2008) with 92 AKI, highway, touring
24.1 mpg (computer 25.6 mpg, 42 mph) 7-28-2008) with Shell 93, highway, touring
Average mpg on trip 2631 mi / 107.2 gal = 24.5 mpg, highway speeds 60 to 65 to 70 mph, two people and 3 dogs with camping gear, nothing on roof. Average mpg to date for 2008: 8319 mi / 398.3 gal = 20.9 mpg. Average mpg to date since purchase 15570 mi / 783.5 gal = 19.9 mpg. Second oil change at 15600 mi with Mobile1 0W-40 European Car Formula. The engine oil level was still at full before the change suggesting that the engine uses no oil over 8000 mi.
Total distance 1640 mi / 70.83 gal premium 93 octane => 23.2 mpg.
Tires 235/65-17 Michelin 4x4 Synchrone inflated to 37 psi. About 70 mph on the interstate hwy.
Previous two tanks for all city short trips were 14.1 mpg and 16.0 mpg.