Welcome to ecomodder.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandonppr
Just bought a 2011 Malibu 2.4L A6. Hoping to learn some new tricks.
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Looks like you'll need them.
16mpg is an awful lot of gas or even E85 for a newly bought 2L engine.
Fuel Consumption usually goes down a bit after one gets used to a new car and the car gets bed in, but still...
You state "lots of idling" in your fuel log.
Cut the idling time, as it's wasting gas going nowhere.
Keeping a fuel log and joining an eco-driving forum are good for improving your mileage
Much depends on how you drive, so there's lots to gain there as well.
Read through the hypermiling tips, and see what you could do to improve the mileage.
100+ Hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics for better mpg - EcoModder.com
Slowing down, and looking further up the road (i.e. don't accelerate while you may have to slow down or stop further down the road) can get marked improvements in Fuel Economy.
As it's new you might not want to modify the car - yet - but one easy mod is to increase the tyre pressure.
You can do it gradually to get used to the harder ride, but you could go to max. sidewall pressure right away and see what that gives. The ride will get harder as tire pressure is increased, but back off a bit if it gets bouncy. When starting to use higher inflated tires, keep an eye out for uneven wear (Though for me, higher pressures evened out the previously uneven wear on the shoulders.)
65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com
A grille block (usually upper grille) is another easy mod, and can be done stealthily if desired.
Keep an eye on engine temps when blocking the grille.
Good luck !