I've had my new CX-5 for a few months now, just turned 4,000 miles so I consider it "broken in". We took a trip last week and drove 390 miles on 12 gallons of gas, averaging 32.5 MPG. Not bad - the rated highway mileage is 33, but I was doing quite a bit in the 70 - 80 MPH range, so it's not as good at that high a speed. The 33 MPG is more like if you only drive @ 60 MPH. I was paying attention to the fuel gauge and the trip computer telling me the remaining range. When I finally filled up, there was only one dot left on the fuel gauge, and of course the low fuel warning light was on. The funny thing was that the computer said my range was only 11 miles, yet I could only put 12 gallons in the 14.8 gallon tank. To me that means there were still 2.8 gallons left, which should give me a range of 91 miles, not 11. Good to know I've got 80 miles of safety built in, but I was thinking it should be more accurate. I'm happy. I can't believe I can go 400 miles on a tank of gas.

 

As I understand it, every manufacturer with a "Miles to empty" (or "Distance remaining") feature counts down to zero with roughly two gallons in the tank. I know that's the case for my Mazda, my Honda, my Chrysler, as well as our former VWs and BMWs.

 

It makes sense they would build in a margin of safety. If 2 gallons is the margin, then it's quite accurate. It's good to know what the real numbers are, just in case! I was really nervous cutting it so close yesterday, but I wanted to figure this out.

 

Actually, I was on a quest to get to a particular RaceTrac gas station near where we live. We get a 20% discount by buying a $50 RaceTrac gift card for $40 at Publix, so we get the gas listed at $2.26 for $1.80. Not bad! It cost us only $21.70 to drive almost 400 miles.

 

You've got at least 450 miles in the tank!

 

something is wrong with mine then.. i've never averaged over 30, even on the highway. would having the cruise set at 80 drop me down to 26? i've got 25k miles...

 

Yup, at 80 mph it is almost impossible for you to get any better mileage than you are reporting. If you want to get over 30 mpg, you're going to have to slow it way down.

 

but the slogan was zoom-zoom not slow-slow. haha.. i figured such.. i like the couple extra minutes versus the couple extra bucks i'd save in fuel.

 

There is a considerable amount of extra in the tank the guage hides.. it is almost 4 gallons on a mazda 3 now. However it is for good reason, the extra gas cools the fuel pump. So yes, you have almost 100 miles in the tank onempty, and no you shouldn't ever run in that zone.

 

I had a '73 Corvette with an 18 gallon tank and couldn't go 200 miles between fill-ups.