I purchased a new 2018 Niro EX in July and I have not been able to get above 36mpg (average for a tank). Well I got 38mpg once but that included half a tank of freeway @ 75mph.
The computer shows 40mpg (50 for the freeway tank) but when calculating miles driven/gallons used it's only 36mpg this is going on 5 tanks now since purchase. I have a 70% Eco driving and 30% Normal.
Any suggestions, is there a technique that i'm missing for better mpg? Should I just take to the dealer? This mpg is nearly unacceptable for a car advertised as 51mpg.
I already am "that jerk" who drives and accelerates super slow, but getting the honking and middle fingers isn't worth 35mpg, 50mpg ok i'll take the punishment of being "that jerk". If I drove more economical I wouldn't be driving at all.
Cars that have very high mpg also seem to be more sensitive to 'stresses' on that mpg. Components could include...
1. Impression. When someone getting 20 mpg loses 10%, it is 18 mpg and they aren't likely to notice. Losing 10% of 50 is 5 mpg down to 45.
2. Model. The higher end the model, the worse the mileage. Extra weight, extra electrical loads, and worst of all the 18 inch wheels/low profile tires. The wheels alone can be 10 to 15%.
3. Crappy gas. There is substantial variation in gasoline regardless of what the owner's manual says. New cars will all burn regular and not 'knock' per se, but nobody says they'll get the same mileage vs using premium. Ethanol impacts it too. Here we get the worst of both worlds on the cheap end of the gas. 87 octane that has 10% ethanol. What that amounts to is nasty 84 octane gas mixed with ethanol to bring it up to 87.
4. You are getting good mileage at highway speeds. At 75 mph you are outperforming your slow speed driving. That's the opposite of what should happen. But it means your engine is running fine.
5. Lead foot/sport mode. Sport mode already mentioned. You mentioned 70% eco and 30 regular. That seems hard to believe unless you are really using the foot in that 30 (or as mentioned sport mode which amps things up considerably).
6. Hard braking. If you are one of those that likes to brake hard, you are going to miss out on most of the regenerative braking and nullify the benefit of being a hybrid. It can have an enormous impact. You'll end up using mostly mechanical braking vs regen. I must say it's hard to tell just by foot feel on mine when one vs the other is in use. Let off the gas earlier, brake more gently. It'll make a big difference.
7. Dragging around extra crap in your car? Junk in the trunk? Adds weight...kills mpg.
8. Non-stock rims/tires? Perhaps you put 'summer tread' on? It will drag your mileage down. Softer/grippy tread. Less efficient than the eco Michelins mine came with.
9. Lastly give it a bit. Mine is getting close to 5000 miles and seems to be getting more efficient. Engine breaking in I presume.
10. oh this is really the last one. Have you changed the oil? The recommended 0-20 full synthetic is there to improve mileage. Using a cheaper oil can cut off some mileage.