Factory cruise may net you a couple MPGs under the right freeway conditions with a CVT. But the 33 mpg mileage in your example is a direct result of the other things you mentioned.
Driving fast
They call these things "city cars" for a reason. Mirages are not at their highest efficiency when screaming down the interstate at 75 mph and 4000 RPMs. If you had factory cruise, your RPMS may be as much as 500 lower at that point. That's significant but it's not going to get you 10mpg. I do about 60% freeway driving and my car has never been close to 70mph. I know...that would get me killed on I-75 in GA or FL.
Using the AC
I know you live in Georgia and it's hotter than h*ll down there, but these cars do not deal well with any kind of engine load. Whether it's the AC compressor constantly cycling or that extra 425 lbs you were hauling, those are both bad news for fuel mileage...with the AC being the biggest offender by far.
Using cruise control all the time on the freeway
Setting the cruise at 75 mph in a Mirage and just kicking back is going to net you some pretty bad mileage. If you leave it to the car to maintain that speed up a grade, your fuel economy is going to get pummeled as the throttle opens wider and wider to maintain that speed. The factory cruise control will actually turn OFF automatically if it can't maintain the set speed for a certain time period.
Combining any/all of the above conditions
Don't tell me you went up a grade with the AC blasting and the cruise control on 75mph? Holy cow you may have been getting 15 mpg during that scenario and you didn't know it.
The Mirage doesn't give you good usable feedback for instant fuel mileage. If you had a ScanGauge, you would be able to see how individual forces affect fuel mileage. For example, you would see your instantaneous fuel mileage drop by something like 7mpg every time your AC compressor cycles on.
I have never taken my Mirage on a trip longer than maybe 250 miles one way. I like my car but I can't imagine putting this thing down to Florida. If I decided to drive 1000 miles to St. Pete, I would rent a car.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
Dirk Diggler (06-11-2019)
Wow! I just showed my fiance your report and her and I were both deeply impressed! What a great, thoughtful response brother. Here we were thinking we might need yet another new engine. You put our mind at ease my friend, I thank you. I guess we should be greatful for the 33 mpg gallon average huh? Great lil car. It did fine on the highway, we push the hell out of it. Wind of course, caused some wrist fatigue, constantly correcting the steering. But hey, 700 miles for only $45 bucks in gas.
Not apples to apples..
my G4, 5 speed, manual ac / heat controls with enslave at 40psi. Running expressway from Jamestown ny to Pittsburgh pa and around Pittsburgh area then back.. speeds around 65/ a fair bit of 73 mph running cruise, was not running ac. My boy and I netted 46.9 mpg at the pump for the trip..
think I was getting better mpg at 70 then 65 ..
but don't have scan gauge to prove anything..
think the new 15" rim tire combo is costing a slight mpg penalty vs enslaves on that trip.. but willing to trade a couple mpg for a better gripping combo.. I'm sure the keep me more planted and probably reduced braking distance by a good margin..
If I run ac, I usually run it on downhills and kick it off for up hills.. that way I don't get big ac penalties.
Dirk Diggler (06-11-2019)
Kicking off your cruise and follow someone for a while will help your mpg a lot.
Following this truck to buffalo to pick up a trombone for my son..
P.s. By the time I was done with the tank I didn't average those numbers.. wish I did...
But letting someone "break the wind" for you means they pay a penalty for you..
Flat bed trailers won't give you the wind wash box trailer will..
safe travels and good luck
Dirk Diggler (06-11-2019)
Absolutely...there's nothing wrong with your car. You're asking a lot of that 1.2 liters of fury buried under the hood.
Look...it takes some effort and the right driving conditions to consistently average 45+ mpg in these cars. Given your current driving trip to Florida, you aren't in the ideal situation to get big MPG numbers. But decent numbers in a Mirage are still pretty good!
You got that right!700 miles for only $45 bucks in gas.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
Dirk Diggler (06-11-2019)
I've noticed that too on long trips, with several different cars. I don't think it has much to do with wind resistance ("drafting"), actually. If I get behind a big truck and stay there, even hanging far enough back that their draft has little to no effect on the car, my average MPG goes way up. I assume it's because big trucks mostly drive slower than the rest of traffic, and any speed changes they do are gradual enough that you never need the brakes.
To add to the points Top Fuel made, keeping your distance from whoever's in front of you also helps MPG, so you can coast instead of hitting the brakes if there's a slowdown. Tailgating with one foot on the gas and one on the brake murders efficiency.
Dirk Diggler (06-11-2019)
Dirk Diggler (06-11-2019)
Help,, we need a tow truck for pryme..
think his mind is stuck in a gutter somewhere.
No it was just tarnished.... lol
I follow at a distance where other cars feel free to squeeze between me and the one I'm following.
I usually use cruise. I can easily see mpg rise following people at expressway speeds vs. running alone.
Pryme (06-11-2019)