Gas mileage

Posted by Dorenda Truesdale on July 14, 2008 at 9:37pm in Support/Questions & Answers

I have been using premium gas in my Smart and still am not getting very good gas mileage. I drive conservatively and have not gotten over 3500 rpms. I'm concerned as I have been getting only about 26 to 28 mpg around town. I have about 1500 miles on my car. Took it to the dealer today to see if there was anything wrong and they said everything was ok. What is everybody else averaging? Any suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on July 14, 2008 at 11:09pm: i got 45mpg on my last tank of mixed driving (4100 miles on the smart) last 2 tanks were 47mpg and 53mpg (95% good highway miles, 55-60mph, no stopping most of the time)

a few days ago i "aired up" my tires to 36/40PSI, i'll post any change in MPG (was at 29/36PSI since i got the car) rick m, our milage "guru" is running 44/44 on his smart, the ride got "harsh" when i went to 36/40, rick must like bucking broncs or has smooth as glass roads.

i have no idea what's going on, you're not the only person with mid 20's MPGs. my last tank was 247 miles and 5.5 gallons (filled to the neck, as usual) 44.9mpg is pretty good. i think i'd camp out at the smart center with a sign "i get 27MPG with this LEMON" they'd go to work on that in minutes, i'd think. but smarts are sold to 2010 now, so it's not like you'd mess up their sales. that's the sucky part. every other vendor would jump if you did that, smart doesn't need to advertise and is sold out forever.

good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mr Ed on July 15, 2008 at 12:14am: What gas station are you getting the premium gas from and what type of terrain?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by karen on July 15, 2008 at 12:20am: you might want to look into this. i thought i was saving by buying fuel from bj's wholesale club (discounted), but my efficiency went down immediately (i have a direct mpg readout). had to go back to the local/better gas station and my efficiency is slowly gaining ground again.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mr bad example on July 15, 2008 at 1:27am: i do 90% of my fueling at sam's club and it's 93 octane. my last fill was at sams, but i did some "mixing" i had a bit over 3 gallons left of 93, i put in 3 gallons of 87 and 2.5 gallons of 93.

my terrain isn't too bad, just a few nasty hills. Dorenda has some problems. i'm racking up 45mpg, getting sub-30 is a crime! i think to get that i'd have to lock it in 3rd and redline the little bugger!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mr Ed on July 15, 2008 at 11:01am: One other thing are you driving it in auto or manual mode? I'm getting a combined mpg 34 - 42 usually avg out around 38; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mr bad example on July 15, 2008 at 11:23am: in slower driving, 30-40mph, i'll pop it into manual and force 5th gear, but most of the time i leave it in D.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on September 13, 2008 at 1:18am: Manual dose do better millage.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dorenda Truesdale on July 15, 2008 at 1:33pm: To answer a few of the questions, I usually fill up at the BP station and use their premium gas. Terrain is some inclines, but I wouldn't really call them hills. I drive in the automatic mode. When I first got my Smart I was getting about 38-42 mpg. That's why i can't figure out what is going on. It seems to be getting worse as I break it in. I'm a little discouraged. Do you think running the air conditioner could affect the mileage? I live in SC and the temperature down here is usually upper 80's to upper 90's.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Scott Mankewitz on July 15, 2008 at 3:30pm: Of course running your AC affects your mielage. It is a big drain on the engine, just like running your AC at home translates into higher energy bills. I live in San Antonio, TX, and only run my AC when I am in heavy traffic. I find if you just roll the windows down it keeps you cool. It has been in the high 90's here and I don't think I have run the AC for more than 200 miles of the 2k on my car now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mr Ed on July 15, 2008 at 11:53pm: Stop the suffering call the dealer and setup a doctor appointment to have them take a look at it...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dorenda Truesdale on July 16, 2008 at 10:59am: I did take it to the dealership. They said nothing was wrong.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Loren Young on July 15, 2008 at 11:32pm: The A/C will effect mileage a little bit. I run it all the time here in las vegas, our low temp at 4am is 80, I have to drive around in 110 plus heat, so A/C is a must. I spend most of my time shifting manual( I dive a 10speed Tractor Trailer at work, so 5 gears is nothing) If i just putt around like I usually do, no racing or anything I have been getting around 40-42 MPG. I think my worst was around 38MPG. On my way back from Riverside,CA where I had to pick up my smart doing 55-60 all the way back to vegas, and no A/C use I averaged 51MPG all freeway of course. I think once it cools off here in vegas again, I should be able to average about 45MPG. Time will tell. I do have a Scangauge, and I have been using the doug Headley exhaust from just about day one. But I did get that great mileage on the way back to vegas with the stock exhaust.; ▶ Reply to This