Hi guys:

I am a new member here and didn't own Mazda for about 15 years (since my first Mazda GLC). About two months ago, I bought a 2002 Mazda 626 2.5 L automatic from a used car dealer. Since I drove 5000km (3100 miles). Car runs well, starts normal, all power options work fine. My concern is the gas consumption. A full gas tank (64 liters, or 16 gal.) will last for just 600 kilometers (375 miles) and mostly (90%) on highway. It seems a bit high. I noticed that at 100 km/h (62.5 m/hr), the tachometer shows 2500 rev/min, at 110 km/hr (68.75 m/hr) - 2750 rev/min. At cold start in the morning, engine goes to 1100 revs per min., it is not noisy, it stays that way for some time. At idle on a stop light, it goes to about 650-700 revs. I changed oil, air filter, spark plugs, wiring, four brand new tires.
Is that normal for 626?
Please advise

 

Hi there, this sounds about right , although saying that i would advise that you have all the Intake inspected for air leaks , also it might be worth checking your Oxygen sensors too if they are faulty they can cause extreme excessive gas consumption.

 

//Master P wrote: "Hi there, this sounds about right...//

Thank you for your advice, Master P. You may be right, but my Mazda's RPM still seem high. At 120 km/hr (75 mph), it reaches 3000 rpm. Today I drove 2002 BMW 525i (automatic, same size engine) - it reached 140 km/hr (87.5 mph) at about 2800 rpm - I understand I am comparing apples and oranges given BMW superior engineering and overall supremacy in the auto world (sorry, but I love my bimmer). It seems the 626 being a relatively light car, should consume much less fuel. Even my 2000 Intrepid with 2.7L engine had a better fuel economy - 58 liter (15.3 G) tank lasted 630 kms (395 miles), but it was a heavier car (1600 kg vs 1400 kg for the 626). I guess, that is what the 626 is, and there is not much I can do.

 

You sure are comparing apples and oranges! The larger engined Mazdas use the joint venture strategic alliance Ford stuff, which includes among other things, the Ford automatic transmission.
Yew hauls the weight, yew buys the gas.
For years now, Europe has paid dearly for motor fuel, so there has been much greater investment in end-to-end powerplant efficiencies and power to weight factors than has been the case in North America where the assumption of relatively cheap gas has played hell with both the motor industry and the economy in general.

 

Thank you for your explanation, Oldeng. Between you and Master P I guess I got answers to my questions. If there is anything else to add, I would only appreciate - after all, we learn as we go.