Road trip update

[packardv8]

3.0 XWD - Now have 15,000 miles and just returned from a 2,000 mile road trip from WA to S. UT.

When new, the highway MPG was 20-21 MPG.

Now, with 39 PSI cold, 41 warm, and AC off, it is up to 23 MPG. On one tank of slower driving I actually saw 25 MPG average on the computer.

And yes, using the AC does have at least a one MPG penalty. Of course, on a hot day, it's non-negotiable, but on this trip, 50-60 degree outside, turning off the AC, which had never occurred to me, showed +1MPG.

FWIW, here in the frozen northwest, we cruise at 75-80 MPH, so the mileage is worst case. Staying exactly to posted limits, which varied from 55-80 MPH, usually gave one MPG better than my habitual five-over.

Another FWIW, on the same route, our 2005 9-5 got 30-33 MPG with the AC on. Bottom line, there's a 50% fuel economy penalty with the XWD 9-4X. Over a 100,000 mile lifespan at the current $4.00 per gallon, that's an additional $7,000 in fuel costs.

jack vines

[kanundrum]

Thanks! I just did a 500 Mile road trip and was getting 22mpg with my car tuned and bigger tires so I guess that is the Norm.

[nordwulf]

That's pretty similar to what I got with mine but it was FWD. I averaged 20.5 mpg and best was 23.6 mpg. SaabWorld - Saab Garage - Fuel tracking

Mark_Venture is only getting 16.2 mpg average. That just seems waaaay to low. SaabWorld - Saab Garage

Another FWIW, on the same route, our 2005 9-5 got 30-33 MPG with the AC on. Bottom line, there's a 50% fuel economy penalty with the XWD 9-4X. Over a 100,000 mile lifespan at the current $4.00 per gallon, that's an additional $7,000 in fuel costs.

The 9-5 likes premium fuel and the 9-4X 3.0i is fine with regular so that's a small price difference. But still a significant difference between the 9-5 and 9-4X over 100K miles.

[packardv8]

FWIW, the 9-4X has the largest penalty for cold weather/short trips of any vehicle I've ever owned. Many short around-town trips in cold weather will drop the average to 13-14 MPG. The warm weather highway is 50% more than that.

It's contrary to what I'd have expected; that direct injection would reduce that differential.

jack vines

[packardv8]

Latest road trip to/from Missoula, MT averaged 22.7 @ 75 MPH through the mountains.

The running average for 15,000 seems to be 19.7.

jack vines

[Mark_Venture]

I now have just over 30K miles on mine.

At lot of my driving seems to be shorter trips. Before the new job and moving, I was driving 7 miles ONE WAY to work, roads were 25-45mph speed limits and stop lights. (About 20 minute drive). The stores were located no more than 5 miles away.

With the new job and old house, it was about 35 miles ONE WAY. Roads were 25-55 mph speed limits. There were back roads, stop lights and lots of traffic. (about 1hr 15 to 1hr 30 min drive).

With the new job and new house, its about 22 miles one way. Roads are 35-55mph. Again, back roads, lots of lights, and traffic depends on what time I'm driving. (takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic). Stores are about 7-10 miles away.

My best mileage has always been seen on highway trips to visit family (about 90 miles one way). But I've never seen as good of mileage posted by other 9-4x drivers (3.0i or Aero).

I do try to wait until I have only a 1/4 tank or so left, unless I know I'm going on a trip, or a longer drive. And one thing I have noticed... the Trip Computer does read higher MPG than when I top the tank and do the math.