Quest for 40 mpg
 

Almost...but not quite 40

In my quest for my first 40 mpg tank in my Scion xB, I came awfully close today at 39.5! I'm really happy about it but still a bit wanting to see that big FOUR OH !!!!

Almost there.!

Is 40 MPG good or bad?

That's above average for US cars as a whole. But that's all. Hell my 1994 Beretta gets 30-35 pretty easy. And it has a V6 and an auto transmission.

All I can say is keep trying. I was on that quest and managed 38-39mpg at least 3 times in my Matrix before I finally did 40.7 (48.8 UK) MPG out of my tank. Suprisingly the fuel light had just came on so I could've driven much longer.

40 mpg is very good for this car in mixed city/highway driving, including stop and go. No way a 91's era Baretta comes close under the same conditions

Draig, the car is EPA rated at 30/34 under the old standards, and 28/31 under the new standards so yes, I think 40 is very good for an overall number in mixed driving.

The BMM 6 series also has a 6 cylinder 3.0 litre engine, but that does 56 MPG! Oh and 0-60 in 5.5 seconds.

There is a huge difference between advanced European engine technology, and old American engineering.

Draigflag, thank you for your opinion, but would you mind toning down the America bashing? It's been getting old for a while now. Deliberately comparing US MPG to UK MPG, that doesn't help either. Also note that you used the term "old American engineering" for a Japanese car. And that the 635d is only rated at 41mpg (UK) which is 34mpg (US).

To add something to the discussion, those old Scions get great mileage and are lots of fun to drive. I'm hoping I will get to buy my mom's xA off her when I convince her to impulse-buy a Scion iQ. The best she's done with it was 40.6mpg (US).

No, the UK is a free country too ;)

That's OK BDC, I'm used to it. I don't know the ratings of the vehicle that Draig is speaking of, but it is of no consequence. I am not purporting that my Scion is one of the higher rated vehicles, but more so that I am coaxing 20-25% higher mileage from the vehicle than it is rated. I would be doing the same if I were driving a big truck rated at 13 mpg and getting 18 mpg.

Draig sees the need to top other people instead of just sharing his experiences. That's his right, if he wishes. People will see him for who he is and that will keep him from getting the full enjoyment of this forum.

Thanks for your comments.

Dont get carried away chaps. Its far too easy to jump to stereotyping on forums. I always invite people to my place to meet me before they cast judgement on my opinions. I appreciate Americans dont take critisizm too well though, they have stronger egos than us laid back Europeans :-) Did I do it again? ;-)