Full Tank(12.8 gallons) = 212 miles in city = 16.6 MPG. What's happening?

[kevinvu]

Hi all,

I have the 2013 Elantra limited. I just bought it last week and it already had 106 miles. After a week using this vehicle, I realize that it eats gasoline pretty quick. I haven't filled up the tank yet because I want to check out what is the mileage rating on this car. I reached 286 miles yesterday and the Range showed me that I only had 32 more to drive. Anyway, I definitely will need to fill up my tank tomorrow but I wonder why does it runs out of gas so quickly? Is it because the auto climate control or what? After doing some calculations, I came up with this number: 212 miles = 12.8 gallons in the city (286 + 32 - 106 = 212). Giving that number, my car's mpg rating in the city is about 16.6 mpg (212/12.8 = 16.6). It's a huge gap between 28 MPG vs 16.6 MPG. Any thoughts?

[lovemysantafe]

Well you're in San Francisco so there are EPIC hills there. Are you only in the downtown core or are you hitting the freeway at all?

[kevinvu]

Yes. Here in SF, we do have a lot of hills but I don't think it affects my car's MPG rating significantly since I only drive in my local area which doesn't seem to have a lot of hills. However, there are a lot of stop signs. In deed, I still don't know why I only get about 17 MPG with my 1 week old Elantra 2013.

[lovemysantafe]

If I only drive to work and back, I'll struggle to get 20 MPG and those stop signs are your enemy. Head out on the highway and let her run for a little bit and I guarantee your figures will go up, even more so once the engine gets broken in.

[kevinvu]

I would expect to get between 23-25 but it's even worse than that. Come on, 16.6 MPG! If it stays 16.6 MPG consistently, I will have to fill up 51 gallons/ month which is about $200/month. I'm screwed right now.

[someguy]

You will never put 12.8 gallons in your tank. If the low fuel light comes on its between 11-12. Also dont judge the car by its first tank. Give tourself a few weeks to get used to it. Try driving with eco mode both on and off and remember the higher the rpm while accelerating the lower your mpg will be.

[Bianco]

Man at 16.6mpg my old V8 4X4 truck was in that range!! The car is brand new and still needs to be broken in and you're currently doing 100% city driving. All this is not helping with your mpg, I do agree that 16.6 mpg is not acceptable. Like mentioned take the car on the highway, get some miles into her and then take it from there.

[Not_My_Elantra]

it's because it's 1 week old...

also, try to lose alllllll stop sign and red light drag races. that helps.

my 3.2 V6 midsize car always gets 20+ in downtown driving.

[Praxis]

It already had 106 miles from the dealer? That seems a bit high!

[Buerkletucson]

Geez........
Forget about the darn MPG numbers for a couple of months and a few thousand miles.
Then go out and hit the highway on a long trip and see what you get.

btw - figure your MPG numbers on actuals not guesswork. (i.e. actual miles driven vs actual fuel put in the vehicle).