2006 Aveo dissappointing MPG
Our 2006 Aveo is only getting MPG's in the mid to upper 20's. It's a hatch back with auto trans, we run reg gas. We took a trip from Indiana to NJ last Oct and got between 27 & 29MPG. Avg speed was prob around 70mph. Typically tho 80% of the driving is by me back & forth to work which is 24 mi and 95% interstate driving at 70-75 mpg using cruise control. The other 20% is my girlfriend driving around town. She tends to use jackrabbit starts and hard braking, I on the other hand, watch the tach as I accelerate to keep it under 3,000, and cruise around 2600 rpm(70 mph). Her habbits are getting better but last tank only gave us 22mpg. Tires are in good shape and properly inflated. I'm sure the a couple MPGs can be attributed to the "Winter Blend" oxygenated gas but we still seem to be way below par.
I am going to change the plugs 'cause I don't think they ever have been changed and I have heard of an over tightening issue from the factory causing them to crack and lower fuel economy.(Posted on Edmunds Forums)
Any other suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ray
Thanks for the re-assurance
Thank you both for the prompt courteous replies. I figured the speeds driven had the most to do with the mpg and told her that they were prob going by the 55 mph limit, however my driving is mostly on interstate 69 out here in Indiana where the posted limit is 70mph. I'll take the mid 20's mpg rather than take the chance of getting run over by a semi. I have included the link for the Edmonds forum relating to the AVEO MPG and what their members had to say.
Chevrolet Aveo Real World MPG - Car Forums - Edmunds
look at replies #260 for the spark plug theory and reply #265 for the shift point theory