R50/53 Help! Poor gas milage??
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Help! Poor gas milage??
I've been getting around 21.1 MPG in my mini (not even an S) with around 40% freeway and 60% street driving. At first I thought it was just part of the break in period but I have over 2,000 miles on it now with no improvement. I've resetted the computer numerous times and i've never gotten over 23 MPG. Yesterday I reset it again and drove only streets and it now reads 14.1 MPG. There was a bit of traffic on the streets but I think 14.1 is too low. I only use 91 octane gas in it so I don't think its the gas. I don't floor it all the time and have been trying to drive more conservative and drive slower but my milage is still not improving. I rarely drive it in sports mode so I don't know why i'm getting such poor gas milage. Any help would greatly be appriciated as the rising gas prices in socal are killing me. Thanks in advance.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
It's quite possible that the computer itself is reading things wrong. Try to calculate the gas mileage on your own, independently of the computer. This has been covered on other threads a number of times - common suggestions include checking things like tire pressure (as mentioned above). The mileage given by the OBC has been reported to be lower than actual mileage, and so it might be more out of whack than usual.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
I'm no expert but if I felt my relatively new Cooper was performing that far below expectation, I'd take it to the dealer. That's just not right...you should be getting better. Even if that's the most that can be technically coaxed out of your particular engine, it is so far below sticker mpg estimates for a Cooper that it raises serious questions about product representation to the consumer.
The OBC really isnt that accurate. Especially if you idle a LOT. Idling is 0 MPG, and that makes it drop like a rock.
The only way that you can really get an accurate number is by hand.
The only way that you can really get an accurate number is by hand.
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Before yout take it in and spend a few hours of your life you will never get back, caluclate the MPG yourself.
the obc is a piece of crap!!!!! it is nowhere near accurate. the only true way to tell is calulate yourself!
the obc is a piece of crap!!!!! it is nowhere near accurate. the only true way to tell is calulate yourself!
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
I just calculated my mpg the other week. Filled up with Sunoco ultra 94 (i dont usually buy 94, but gas was 'cheaper' that night).
I got about 630km's out of my tank ('05 MC, sport/premium), which worked out to be 44mpg+/-. (6.5 - 7 L/100km) thats mostly highway driving...maybe a 60/40 ratio.
I usually calculate my milage the old fashion way on a regular basis, and i do find my obc is quite acurate.
I dont think the ultra94 makes much of a difference but i'd say overall my fuel milage averages around 35-45mpg (that covers my "Jekyll & Hide" driving style
)
I got about 630km's out of my tank ('05 MC, sport/premium), which worked out to be 44mpg+/-. (6.5 - 7 L/100km) thats mostly highway driving...maybe a 60/40 ratio.
I usually calculate my milage the old fashion way on a regular basis, and i do find my obc is quite acurate.
I dont think the ultra94 makes much of a difference but i'd say overall my fuel milage averages around 35-45mpg (that covers my "Jekyll & Hide" driving style
)
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,443
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From: Wichita, Kansas
Originally Posted by C4
Also a lead foot affects gas mileage. Sudden braking wastes fuel also.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Hermosa Beach, CA
Similar situation
Have an '06 MC CVT. Don't have the OBC, but have tracking mileage old fashioned way, and am only getting about 20 mpg. I do live in LA, and drive at least 75-80% in city traffic, mostly in standard drive. Took a trip up to SF Bay Area and averaged 32 mpg. Only thing I've added are larger rims (17"). Expected more, but hoping to find a way to improve.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
You should definitely see better fuel milage, but im guessing your Mini is still young with very low miles. Your engine still needs to 'break in' (around 1000-2000 miles??). But I find even that is still young for optimum fuel efficiency. Once your engine matures over the next few months (maybe a year or two), things will get better. 
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
My milage is also horrid, around 20 MPG. The type of driving doesn't seem to matter. This morning I checked my air filter, and it was covered in grime. On my lunch break I'm going to go get a new one and we'll see what that does for it.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Indy
4500 miles on the clock, and i'm averaging 20 (low 16, high 22) in around town and 24-25 on the highway, calculated the old fashioned way. yesi have a lead foot, but i'm still surprised that overall i'm not a little bit higher.
'06 MCS JCW, no mods. (yet)
'06 MCS JCW, no mods. (yet)
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: show me state
I hardly look at the obc. I figure the gas the old fashioned way. I get way better gas mileage than my obc tells me I get. I get even better mileage when not in town and on a Interstate Hwy. STILL, I would have it cked out to make certain something isn't wrong.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Well, I got the new air filter, and put it in. Huge difference!!! I went from (according to the OBC) 22 MPG to 30.5 MPG!! Amazing! My baby can breathe now!! Now I wonder if there is anything else that needs to be changed that is holding it back yet??
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
I have 55000 on it now. I bought it used with 53500 on it a few weeks ago from a small used car dealer. It was my first time buying from a dealer, and I wanted the car so bad, I didn't check anything out. So, lo and behold the rear rotors are nearly shot, a headlight was out, and here the air filter needed to be changed (what makes this odd is that here in PA we have mandatory yearly inspections, and the car was inspected that very month). The car was fresh off a four year lease in Indiana so I have to assume it was reasonably well maintained as it was under warranty all that time. The car has been very good other than the milage up till now. It just makes me wonder what else is lurking?
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Monk, sorry to hear about your initial car troubles. Hopefully those bugs have been worked out and you can fully enjoy the Mini experience!
So what air filter did you end up buying? Stock replacement or did you upgrade?
So what air filter did you end up buying? Stock replacement or did you upgrade?
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
I just got whatever the lady called up, it was $20. I wanted something nicer but didn't really have the cash to spare. I figured the cheapest would be at least as good as new. I don't know what the advantage of an upgrade would be anyway.
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