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Buick Lucerne: Real World MPG
How's your Lucerne MPG?
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Comments
One highway test,(210 miles round trip)used just
7.25 Gal or about 29 MPG,for this full size car!
I will update again as I have
longer trips planned. The best compliment I can give is
that the Buick Lucerne is exceeding my expectations.
Our new Lucerne CX definitely uses Less gas than our old
1994 Park Ave that had 30 HP. less power !
For a full-size car the highway mileage of 29-30 MPG.
and city mileage of 20, (or more) exceeds expectations,
while providing a really quiet and comfortable ride.
The car now has 1000 miles and the tire pressure is set right from the beginning. I don't think the engine will loosen up significantly. I know it is a couple of hundred pounds heavier than the old car but is more streamlined to make up for it. I think there is something wrong. I will try again before taking it back to the dealer.
Phone call to dealer resulted in nothing. They said that since the check engine light did not come on, there should not be a problem, and there were no TSBs, but I can bring the car in.
Other than that, I am the happiest I have ever been with any new car.
Any V6 drivers go back to the dealer and get any resolution for better gas mileage?
What kind off interstate? Hilly? Level?
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT
The Lucerne has the Energy MX4 Plus Michelin, which I assume are known for low rolling resistance.
I now have 5200 miles on my 2007 Lucerne CXL (6 cylinders). I have reset the mpg indicator for my last 1400 miles of driving. My driving is in a small seaside resort with sometimes heavy traffic and country driving along with some interstate. My overall mileage is now 20.3 mpg. My dealer says that is normal for this car. I am amazed at the mileage some people say they are getting, especially since I never gun the engine.
Taralee: which brand and weight of oil did you use to get the mileage to jump? Thanks.
I would say the Bucik Engineers did not consider gas economy when considering gear ratios. A 6 speed transmission is a must with 100 dollar a barrel oil prices.
Actually it's odd you'd say that. More speeds are needed if your motors have little torque at low revolutions. So you add speeds to be able to keep the motor turning at 3000 and up as people accelerate briskly; or you do that to keep the motor reving high upon slight push on the gas pedal demanding acceleration which the motor can't give at 1500-1800 due to low torque. Hence you have the tranny downshift.
Your NorthStar V8 has gobs of torque and performs nicely in most of the 4 gears. Adding a speed might gain a slight fuel economy edge, depending on the test cycle speeds involved. Trouble is most people don't drive like the test cycles used at EPA to garner info about mileage.
My 3800 motor has more than adequate acceleration with a 4 speed transmission. I don't accelerate at full throttle often. The people getting low 20s in everyday driving are probably doing mostly short trips under 10 miles and running on a cold motor often using lots of extra gas because of that. They also may, I said may, accelerate differently than I do from the stop signs every mile and the stop lights. I'm not in a hurry but I usually catch the jackrabbits who accelerate quickly and go within 5 of the speed limit. They don't gain a thing. My one car gives 24 in mixed driving; the older car is giving about 22-20 because of lots of short trips of 4 miles on cold motor.
If you can take you car out on the open interstate and push the reset button on the mileage and show an average of 28 and above while cruising at 65 or so, I'd feel I'm doing great.
Oddly the WunderKar from Honda only has a 5 speed transmission.
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT
But for 90% of drivers, the 3800 and 4 speeds are more than adequate.
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT
I am also surprised that just increasing speed to 55 - 57 MPH a 10 % drop in mileage- not sure why either since lockup converter is engaged a at both speeds.
I be interested in the octane of gas which you got your mileage. Also I hear that the level of ethenol affects mileage.
The Lucerne is a terrible car all around. Thankfully, when I want to drive a smooth, quiet, well made vehicle, I can still take my old LeSabre out as it is now my wifes car.
Telll us about the area where you live as far as the type of driving you do. How close are the stoplights? Are you on the freeway?
What mileage do you get when you take a long drive on a highway without stoplights? When you reset the MPG gauge while you're rolling on an open highway with the car warmed up, what kind of mileage do you get?
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT
That takes additional fuel and is not recommended. Let the car idle for 10-15 seconds while you get things organized, then gentle start driving.
Use the fuel recommende for the car. I believe regular is recommended for both the 3800 and Northstar. If you've
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT
All they told me is that oil when it's cold is thick, and requires a warm up in order to lubricate moving parts more efficiently. Driving it cold makes the oil pump move thick oil slower to moving parts, therefore causing friction and wear. :confuse:
Buick's recommended tire pressure on the Lucerne is in the 30 - 32 pound neighborhood IIRC. The maximum tire pressure printed on our tires is 44#. We run ours at around 37 as a compromise between greater rolling resistance at 32, and harsh ride at 44.
I know, "follow the manufacturers tire pressure recommendations", but at the lower tire pressure, your mileage and tire life will be lower than at at a slightly higher pressure.
You should take the recommended pressure from the manufacturer and add a FEW pounds. I would keep it 35 or less. Myself I run at 33 typically on my Buicks which have a door sticker at 30. I have Michellin tires on both cars.
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT
If you are particularly cold in the winter you want to put in 5W-30 oil for that oil chagne in Nov. Dec. and then switch to 10W-30 when you change your oil in the spring and have the heavier oil for summer. If your car is garaged you can do as I do in W. Ohio and use 10W-30 all the time. My car rarely sits outside where it's extra cold to be very cold for a start.
2015 Cruze 2LT, 2014 Malibu 2LT, 2008 Cobalt 2LT