So, I guess what this exercise shows is that the rather average posted fuel economy figures for the Mazda5 has a lot to do with wind resistance from the tall body, rather than any inherent difficiency of the 4-banger motor. My old Buick got pretty good highway mileage (450km from the same 60 litre tank) but didn't benefit a lot from drafting.

 

I might be inclined to believe the above were it not for the huge disparity between reported numbers from Automatic versions versus Manual versions.

 

The trick with the MZ5 with manual tranny is to short shift I usually shift between 1500-1700 rpm and cruise at 110kph on the highway. I usually get 600km per tank of 55L during the winter and 700km per tank during the summer.

 

That works with any car, just be sure you are not lugging the engine which can cost you more in the long run than fuel would.

In city driving, its not always possible to be this conservative. Personally, I don't like when other driver's are holding up traffic because they're afraid to use the throttle for its intended purpose, and therefore avoid doing it myself. If I need to put the pedal down to avoid someone else coming up behind me, I do it.

Plus its a boring way to drive. I've tried it for a tankful or two just to see what my mileage might end up being. So I got 29-30mpg instead of the usual27-28 mpg. And though I like getting better mileage, its just not worth it to me. I spend more time on the roads and go to sleep doing it.

I don't usually drive like a Boy Racer, but I'm not an old man yet either.... well, sort of....? (Watch it, Dale. )

 

I think we're both encroaching on the southern end of "Old Fart" status; to say the very least we're both a bit salty.