Actually the trip was not all down hill and I even pushed on the gas a couple of times for some two lane road passing.

You realize that 6th gear is nearly the same ratio and 5th in a 5-speed. In the MS3 6-speed 5th gear is essentially 1:1 like 4th normally would be similar to an RSX Type-S transmission. I wish they would have kept the standard 5 speed ratios and given another gear since the powerband is much wider than the gear ratios.

Mazda advertises 20 mph city and 28 mph highway using premium 91 octane fuel. If you purchased a Speed 3 and have concerns about the cost of fuel or economy then why purchase a car like this. My only concern would be if I wasn't getting the advertised mileage and it was an indicator of a mechanical problem. Mine has just over 5,000 miles and has always run about 24 mpg. My first tank was 23 mph and I played with it, not abuse,during break in. Maybe you can find out how the testing is done and compare it to your driving style.

What rpm do you shift and cruise at? I try to keep the car between 2,500 - 3,500 rpm in town and will cruise about 2,000 rpm on the highway on the flat and will downshift for hills. Lugging a car is not only hard on an engine, it burn fuel. Coasting down a hill doesn't really save much gas as anytime you let off the gas the computer will read 99.9 mpg no matter what the gear.

 

For some reason I was assuming that you had a Speed 3, but I don't see on this thread where you actually say, did I miss it?

 

sorry i keep on forgetting to do that. im drivin a m3 2.3 hb wit a 1020 miles on it.

 

The 2007 Mazda 3 HB is rated for 26/33 Manual and 25/31 Automatic.

Are you using the AC? People have reported a couple mpg loss from the AC being turned on.

Are you tires aired up properly?

Does it coast easily? Possibly a brake sticking or a wheel brearing issue?

What brand/grade of fuel do you generally use?

 

i dont use the a/c unless im on the highway, which is not to often becuase i use back roads.

yea the pressure is good, i was gonna take virgin1's advice on the inflation of tires for better handling jus have done it yet.

no it doesnt coast easily when its in gear, coasts a lot better when i put it in nuetrual.

and i use the cheapest gas usually citgo or the stop and shop brand.

 

Try running a few tanks of a Top Tier fuel like Conoco/Philips/76, Texaco/Chevron or Shell and see if it makes any difference. It shouldn't cost you even a dollar per tank.

My old 85 Toyota truck was extremely picky about the fuel it liked and the local7/11 Citgo seemed to run ok in my Camaro, but I stopped running it after I put a tank in the Toyota.

It might not help, but you never know.

 

p.s. is it possible that you are running some of the "corn" fuel that is known to cause poor mpg.

 

[font=californainfb]Hahaha!! Like West Virgina "drip gas?"

My old Civic was very picky too. It absolutely HATED Exxon gas, no matter what grade it was.

 

ok im gonna fill up at a shell station tomorrow.

 

The cars are so picky that the way the gas is refined will effect the engine? dannnggg