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Just found this forum and am learning a lot, especially about air filters and synthetic oil. Unfortunately, my 2005 4 cylinder Tucson is at the dealer for its 30,000 mile service which includes oil change, air filter and coolant change. I doubt they will use synthetic oil or a K&N air filter. Anyway, I have just finished an experiment driving 55 mph using cruise control when possible and intermittent A/C in a combination of city/suburban/highway for the last tank of gas and averaged 26 mpg. If I switch to synthetic oil and the K&N air filter, how much better gas mileage do you think I will achieve?
Thanks.
Check out the Synthetic motor oil discussion and What Really Saves Gas? And How Much?
I use it to commute +/- 30 miles each way, and one highway trip each week.
I am getting a steady 23 mpg using regular gasoline.
You folks make me wonder what I am doing right !
-Beth
I purchased my Tucson new in July 2005. It got great mileage for about the first 1500 miles the mileage then dropped to about 19 MPG since this was late October the dealer blamed this on cold weather ( October weather in Michigan is not cold). We lived with the mileage until the July 2006 oil change and then insisted something be done. Resetting the computer was suggested and tried. The mileage improved to 25 MPG highway. I don't check city mileage because we do very little of it. Resetting the computer has been done at every oil change since and the mileage always comes back to 25 MPG and then drops to 19 about midway to the next oil change. I have tried to convince the dealer that they have a problem but their response is if it does not throw a code the computer has no problem.
I'm curious about "resetting the computer" to improve the mpg. How does that work?
I liked the Elantra a lot but really love the Tucson.
I'm sitting up higher and see the the road much better.
I feel much safer with the 5 star ratings all around.
My mileage was a steady 26 MPG @ 65 MPH highway right from the get go. I added a K&N air filter and saw an immediate increase up to 28 MPG.
I think it is important when reporting the miles per gallon with the miles per hour.
Going 55 WILL save you money, even if it feels like you are standing still......
All in all I love this car. Get lots of compliments on it.
These posts are a little scary, re: low MPG. I'm quite intrigued by the Tucson, because I'm looking for a true compact SUV, and its competitors (CR-V, RAV4, etc) all seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I don't need that much size; I just want the higher seating position that an SUV offers.
So I'm inclined toward a 4-cylinder Tucson, because I don't really need 6-cylinders, and I'd rather save the $ on fuel. But there are so many options that aren't available on the GLS, it's disappointing.
Does anyone think that Hyundai might offer a 4-cylinder version of the SE or Limited at some point?
SDE
http://www.hyundainews.com/Media_Kits/2008_Models/Tucson/Features.asp
SDE
I'm prepared to live without 4WD (since the snow doesn't usually get terribly high where I live, and when it does, it gets plowed), but the lack of a moonroof is a bummer. Even my Corolla has a moonroof!
SDE
On the exact same trip, in the same car, same load, same conditions, I can routinely get 3mpg improvement without the cruise. And another big improvement? Drive the speed limit, and pay attention to what is happening down the road. It amazes me the way drivers in Austin, Texas will gun it away from a light when one can clearly see that the light three blocks ahead is turning red. Stop and go will kill gas mileage.
We Test the Tips - What Really Saves Gas? And How Much?
The other town trick I'm sure you know about is to watch the pedestrian signals - if they start flashing, and you're familiar with them, you can get a good idea whether you need to speed up a tad to make the light or know if it's time to coast in to the red.
True, but around here the smart pedestrians alway count to 5 before stepping off the curb with a green light. Those that don't are the one's you see on the news.
I averaged 30 miles per gallon on one tank, and 28 miles per gallon on another tank. With some city miles in Dallas and Houston, I averaged 26.6 miles. My average speed on the HWY was 70 miles an hour. NOT BAD...better than the sticker said. I am still averaging 17-20 in the city...but not bad overall.
I'm sure others will want to try this inexpensive modification to get your Tucson to breath easier and I would like to hear your results as well. This same modification should work just as well on the 4 cylinder engines as well. I look forward to hearing others comments.
May try this later....
Thanks
The best i've ever done in the summer is 23.5mpg when i did all highway driving on a tank. In order to get 30mpg you would have to be driving 60 miles/hour on a flat road in 68 degree weather and never fluctuate your speed and it might be possible in the v6, not sure about the 4.
I've tracked the mileage on every tank of gas since i bought the vehicle 1 year ago. It did improve slightly after the first oil change, but more due to the warmer weather as it got close to summer.
I live on the East Coast so yes to cold driving, although I do garage it overnight and never drive with a cold engine. I calculate every mile and gas stop. I really do not think it's going to get much better and with gas prices the way they are I am considering trading it in already at a loss to but something better on gas.
Thanks again for all the imput.
A coworker complained since day one about the fuel economy of her Elantra. It is mecanically identical to mine. I get 32-34 on the highway, she gets 25-27. Combined driving I consistently get 30, she gets 22.
I only had to ride with her one time to understand the problem. Gas, brake, gas, brake, gas, brake ...
:sick:
My buddy bought an 08 tucson fwd (see my specs in post 86), but he drives all highway to work, even though he's still in the break-in period not even 5000miles yet, he gets closer to 18-20 mpg. I saw a huge jump after break-in so he may get even better mileage this time next year.
I agree 15 mpg is pretty bad and if i had known thats what i would be looking at for mileage for 6 months of the year i would have bought something different. I've also had my fair share of problems with a 1 year old car which doesn't help.
As far as the above posting about re-routing the cold-air intake, sounds good but you're really screwing with the computer, messing up your emissions and will probably burn your valves. I'd stick with stock and not risk voiding my warranty.
Toyota is a good car, but in my mind, inferior design because you have a stupid tire hanging off the back, side opening hatch and it is smaller. I can't say anything bad about the Honda CRV except I think it is a bit ugly and they think a lot of it and charge accordingly. It is also only a 4 cylinder. Both these autos have half the warrantee and you can't beat the fold flat seats in the Tucson or the nice storage under the rear compartment lid, or the full size spare under that, or the great mp3 player, all the features and built in options and nice up-right seating position. I think that is why many of us purchased the Tucson, good value and a very comfortable and safe vehicle.
I am getting 23-24 mpg on mostly highway miles. At the price of gas, we can all use improved performance.
LOOK very closely if its comfort you want.....if not, pass on the Tucson....it wont deliver the MPG unless you have deep pockets ! It LOVES gas !!
I'm looking at the 2009 toyota matrix, hopefully it will be greener pastures.
We did not drive with economy as a priority, but neither did we try to beat the hell out of the car. We simply drove as circumstances required to get "there" from "here". The absolute best milage we noted was right on 25 MPG (Imp gal. --- about 21 MPG US gal), with 22 - 23 being more common & less than 20 as we ground our way through the rockies. My Chrysler 300C is better than that & my 3.2 L Chrysler Concord is a bunch better!! We didn't notice any particular improvement in performance or economy as the trip progressed over the 5000 km total, so I'm not convinced that break-in is an issue.
There is ample cruise power at any sane speed, but passing on 2-lane roads requires planning & care. While it climbed the mountains without becoming a mobile road block (1 vehicle passed us in the Kootenay Pass), it sure worked hard at continuous full throttle in 3rd gear for many km in the passes. We were able to maintain at least 80 kph (50 mph) in all passes, except for 2 brief drops back to 70 kph at the 2 steepest points in the mountains.
I came away from the trip with considerable respect for the beast & I am considering buying a 6 cyl Tucson to replace my Concord which is nearing the end of its economically viable life. However, with gasoline at >$1.30/L I might buy a used 300C for the same price -- it's cheaper to run than the Tucson.
The problem is that your engine is probably never getting to full operating temperature, and as such is running rich. May I suggest an oil change first, because I would bet you have fuel in the oil by now. Then, at least once a week, get the thing out on the road and cruise above 50MPH for at least 30 minutes. What you are doing will not only cause the car to get miserable gas mileage, you will shorten the life of the engine by constantly running it cold and with a rich fuel mixture.
Another point is that your engine will need at least 6000 miles on it to fully "break it in". After that point you should see your gas mileage steadily increase.
I really don't mean to sound rude, but NO CAR will get decent mileage if only driven for short trips at in-town speeds.