Jeffo64

Bought a brand new 2013 Forester XT a couple weeks ago. So far I,ve put around 500 miles on it. 3/5 freeway 2/5 city. Im gettin terrible gas milage for what I think could be better. Just drove to Reno from Sacramento and used a half tank Averaging 17.5-18 uphill, 18-19 downhill, and 18 city (what the car is saying). Is this just because the cars new? Hoping things change!

DaveB420

Welcome to the site.
I am sure that there will be comments that the car is new and once everything starts to break in, you will get much better mileage.
I can tell you from personal experience of my FXT, that is exactly what happened. I was getting mediocre mileage and as I got to about 1000-1500 miles, it started to really pick up. If I drove reasonably from NJ to CT, I could keep my mpg at 25+mpg for about 70 miles after a fill up on the way out of NJ. Occassionally breaking into the 30+ range for a while.
Enjoy the car.

Dave

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2010 Forester XT Limited - Silver Spark

ArcadeTom

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yeah, What Dave said. I concur.
BTW-Welcome to our little part of the world from Arcade, Georgia, USA!

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2009 XT, Camillia Red Pearl

jdmdaddy

Good to see another Sacramento resident on here! In regards to mpg, I get much better than that, although I did buy my FXT used. Hopefully things improve. What the others are saying, makes sense to me...

I forgot to mention, I'm getting around 24-25 on the hwy. I try not to look at it while I'm driving in the city though :)

crewzer

There are many factors that need to be considered:

1) The fuel economy gauge displays a running average; it's not instaneous f/e. So, driving downhill, the displayed economy should improve, but it will be weighted by the previous economy and distance.
2) The fuel economy gauge may not be correct, or it may need to be reset. Try a regular ol' hand calculcation: fill tank, drive a bunch of miles, fill tank again, divide miles driven by qty of fuel.
3) You need to reset the odometer to reset the gauge. For the Sacremento-to-Reno run, try resting the odometer in Sacremento, logging the mileage when you arrive in Reno, and then resting the odometer in Reno to get the downhill number when you return to Sacremento.
4) Fuel economy may improve with age.
5) I have to ask: Are you using the correct grade fuel? The turbo motor requires premium fuel (91 AKI min)... using 89 or 87 will result in reduced fuel economy.
6) If the outside temp is 32F or higher, the a/c compressor will run if the defroster is selected.
7) Check tire pressure when the tires are cold; i.e., in the morning after leaving the car out overnight.

HTH!
Jim / crewzer

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12 Forester 2.5X FB25 5MT Premium AWP PZEV
09 Forester 2.5X EJ25 5MT Premium AWP PZEV (sold 7/2011)

Mauricio

It changes. I also have a 2013 XT and I do travel a lot. Right now I'm averaging 25, but before I was happy hitting 17.


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Jeffo64

Thread Starter

^^^^^ Thats all great input! Thank you! My hope is that, like everyone else, it will eventually break in and be where it is supposed to. As far as the fuel economy guage not working, I dont think thats the problem. Does anybody specifically know why a new engine doesn't meet mpg standards right away? Just curious..

phantomfozzy

Because it isn't broken in yet. Just like blue jeans.

Also, your right foot might to need to acclimate to the new car. ;)

AWDFTW

On the FXT you need a light foot to get good MPG.

No lots of boost. No 70+ MPH.

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2003 Outback 2.5 AWP.