Mitsubishi Mirage fuel economy/RPM at certain speeds

So I decided to pull the trigger on a 2017 ES Plus model of the Mirage.

I've ran into an issue however, it seems that my fuel economy and RPM is out of whack at higher speeds. When I'm crusing at 70-80km/h, it's getting an awesome 3.0l/100km. When I jump up to 90-100km/h it rises to almost 6.0l/100km. It almost feels like the car doesn't want to go that fast. I don't know if my car isn't gearing properly or what... it's been really cold lately so could that be it?
What kind of RPMs do you find your mirage getting when cruising at around 60mph/100kmh?

Do you have a CVT?

At 60mph, a 5-speed is running at approximately 3,000 RPMs. A CVT should be around 2,000 RPMs at 60mph.

If you have the CVT it should be turning about 2k rpm at 100 kph. Now I will say that if you have cruise control, use it aggressively. Otherwise not using cruise control it usually likes to spend most of the time between 2200-2500 rpm. Cruise control is really the key to getting decent mileage.

I've got the CVT!

Ugh really? Yeah I never had cruise control, so I thought I couldn't be missing much. Guess I was wrong.

4k @80mph(130km/h) doing around 38mpg

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Originally Posted by XxMetalMartyrxX

Ugh really? Yeah I never had cruise control, so I thought I couldn't be missing much. Guess I was wrong.

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It has to be some programming on Mitsubishi's part. My experience is that when cruise control is not activated the CVT will only go into the maximum OD ratio of .55 only under the most perfect of conditions. It seems that due to the limited amount of power the Mirage has the ECU doesn't "know" what speed the driver is intending to drive so it won't go into maximum efficiency due to anticipating speed changes which require more rapid throttle response. However when cruise control is engaged the ECU knows exactly what speed the driver intends to go and "knows" that it can aggressively maximize efficiency. This is just theory on my part but there is a huge difference in the way the CVT acts between cruise engaged and cruise disengaged modes.

First off congratulations and welcome to the forum! I can't find a smiley with metal horns.

Increased speed equals increased fuel consumption. Every time. So now you get to learn how your Mirage behaves - the honeymoon period, if you will. I've noticed my fuel consumption has increased with the colder weather, but for reasons different from what you shared. Watch what happens at different speeds when outside air temps increase.

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Originally Posted by inuvik

This is just theory on my part but there is a huge difference in the way the CVT acts between cruise engaged and cruise disengaged modes.

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That's interesting...but makes sense. That would be a good thing to know before buying a CVT Mirage.

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Originally Posted by XxMetalMartyrxX

...I never had cruise control, so I thought I couldn't be missing much. Guess I was wrong.

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You can still add it to your car. It's not trivial but it can be done.

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Originally Posted by Eggman

I've noticed my fuel consumption has increased with the colder weather, but for reasons different from what you shared.

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You aren't kidding. Between winter-blended fuel and single-digit temperatures, my typical fuel mileage is off close to 15%. :(

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Originally Posted by Top_Fuel

Between winter-blended fuel and single-digit temperatures, my typical fuel mileage is off close to 15%. :(

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Mines at an all time low, as well.

Didn't really drop until the temp hit 30ish and below then Seemed to plummet

I'm on my second cvt Mirage and I can tell you for certain my '17 does not match the economy of my '14.
(My '17 is the "GT" equivalent SEL with 15" wheels.)
As stated above, the cvt gets better economy with cruise engaged as the rpm's are aggressively held as low as possible. At 70km/hr it will hold 1500 to 1600 rpm on level road and about 2100 @ 110km/hr.
That said I am getting economy of 5 to 6L/100km in winter (lately sub -20°C) mostly due to warm up idling.

It's true. Just drove an hour and a half today without cruise because I wanted to go a bit faster, and I used perhaps an extra litre or two per 100 km.

If you use the cruise, especially in the summer, you'll get into the 4's pretty often.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inuvik

It has to be some programming on Mitsubishi's part. My experience is that when cruise control is not activated the CVT will only go into the maximum OD ratio of .55 only under the most perfect of conditions. It seems that due to the limited amount of power the Mirage has the ECU doesn't "know" what speed the driver is intending to drive so it won't go into maximum efficiency due to anticipating speed changes which require more rapid throttle response. However when cruise control is engaged the ECU knows exactly what speed the driver intends to go and "knows" that it can aggressively maximize efficiency. This is just theory on my part but there is a huge difference in the way the CVT acts between cruise engaged and cruise disengaged modes.

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I can 100 percent confirm this. Doing 60mph going up the Grapevine in CA holding the pedal I get around 4200 RPM, while in cruise the car sets itself at around 32-3400RPM