Hi, I've just had the cooper for a few weeks and have changed the oil, air filter, new toyo 205/50/R16 tires , new brake rotors and pads, tires balanced and aired to 33psi, wheels perfectly alligned...

The car has 42K miles. I just ran my first MPG test and came up with 26 MPG which is consistent with the onboard computer reading of 26.5. One of the main reasons I bought this car was because of the good mileage. I was expecting atleast 30+ especially since I did not drive it hard. I will run a few more tests but wanted to know if there is anything else I should fix/replace?

I was thinking about changing the fuel filter next? When is it recommended to change? Where is it located?

 

I've got an '03 Cooper and average 22 to 25MPG in city driving. On Highway I get between 28 to 36MPG.

AC usage will lower MPG, as will driving the way I do---5,000 to 6,000 RPM cruising--i.e. cruising in 3rd on the expressway. Lousy MPG, but HUGE GRINS!

Richard

 

Yes I could understand if I drove hard but I drove like a gradma keeping it under 4K RPM and usually shifting at 3K. I'm just not happy and I know I should be getting beter mileage....

 

For what it's worth, my '02 rarely gets above 30 MPG. Usually, it hovers around 28-29 MPG, and my driving is almost exclusively on the highway, and I don't have a lead foot either. I use the AC, but, honestly I don't see much of a difference with it on or off. I was also a bit disappointed with the numbers in any case. I wouldn't say your milage is "low" however, there are MINIs on here getting numbers in the teens for some reason; mine was getting around 20 MPG before I changed the air filter. I would also like to change the fuel filter, but I don't know how to go about it. I did use fuel line cleaner, I'm not sure if that helped any, but I know it made the acceleration slightly (and I mean slightly) peppier.

All in all I am still very happy, because the car is simply a blast to drive, and it certainly gets better mileage than my last car. But it would be great if I were getting numbers closer to those in the "Little Gulp" ads I've been seeing lately.

 

Thats weird, I average 34mpg US (42mpg UK) with about 80% city driving. Granted my city has almost zero traffic jams at the times I normally drive. I keep my tires inflated to 38/41 psi front to rear, rotate my tires often, I get perfect tirewear across the tread. I also like to rev up the engine in 1st and 2nd all the time and then directly shift to 5th. I always skip gears if I don't need the power to accelerate and just need to cruise. And everyday I probably rev it to the redline atleast 3-4 times. Also I drive with windows closed about 98% of the time, that might help as well, but it is entirely personal preference. Another thing I do that helps gas mileage is that I always try very hard to avoid using the brakes. If I could leave the car in gear and coast without annoying people behind me, I'll do that instead of braking. If the traffic is thick enough that I won't be able to get past the car infront of me, I'll keep my distance and never use the brakes. Remember, braking means you're scrubbing off energy created by burning fuel.

My recommendation - Maybe a bit more tire pressure (won't help much though), get rid of stuff that you don't need in the car. Check spark plugs.

 

I pulled the plugs today to look at them and they had normal wear. I was going to replace them at 50K miles but decided to put the new ones in anyway. I got NGK laser platinum same as stock. Let's see how this helps...

Does anyone know where the fuel filter is located? When does MINI tell you to change it? I've searched but not much info...

 

Filter is inside the tank. RealOEM.com will show you ... R50 Cooper FUEL FILTER WITH FUEL LEVEL SENSOR RIGHT, category fuel supply, fuel feed.

Not a simple task to change.

My 02 CVT gets between 24/38 city/hwy. City for me is stop and go traffic lights avg about 30mph. Highway is 65-whatever the flow of traffic.

 

Thanks! That is a great site (realoem). I think I will leave the filter alone for now. Maybe at 60K? When does Mini tell you to change it?

I will be doing more Hwy driving starting next week so lets see if I can hit 30+. I think the 40+MPG figures some have posted are erroneous. You would have to be on bicycle tires cruising on flat low altitude and cool temperature. Or it could be a calculation error. I just don't see it.

 

Well I think it is very possible to average 39-40mpg US if you drive at about 50-55mph on a flat straight highway for most of the tank. I know my calculations are correct because I write down the miles displayed on the odometer and divide that by the amount of fuel from the pump. I put all the data in excel every time I fill up.

I think the major factors affecting gas mileage are the amount of time in traffic/idle/hills, how the driver controls the RPM and amount of braking, air temp/AC and the mechanical condition of the car.

Where are you located Redfusion? Maybe there are lots of hills and traffic where you are?

 

I'm in Texas. Not very hilly but the air is very humid. You are correct about the factors and I just want to make sure it is not the mechanical condition that is affecting my mileage. BTW I wasn't saying your calculations were wrong but I saw another thread for 46 or 50 MPG using the onboard computer.

I also track it in excel. And FWIW this is how I calculate MPG...

Start with a full tank note the odometer reading (#1). When the fuel gauge reaches approximately 1/4, refill the tank and note the odometer reading (#2). Subtract odometer #1 from odometer #2. Divide the result by the number of gallons purchased.

Current Odometer Reading - Previous Odometer Reading = Miles Traveled
Miles Traveled / Fuel Purchased = MPG