Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Not so Eco Friendly: '03 Subaru Forester X 2.5L Auto

redpoint5 · 12-20-2016, 01:13 PM

I wouldn't put too much into trying to improve MPGs. The 2.5L autos are stubborn. I owned a 2007 Legacy for 1 month and tried as hard as I could to get good fuel economy, and could only manage 23 MPG. That was much worse than my 2.2L manual Legacy which averaged 28 MPG. I also wasn't a fan of the sluggish auto tranny.

I'd get the alignment checked, especially if you are putting new meat on the wheels.

Don't bother with lifting the vehicle. It's already tall and capable of clearing many things. All that will do is reduce the longevity of the axles and reduce your fuel economy. If you put good chains on, you will be able to push quite a lot of snow. Other objects you can just steer around or over.

ZeroHour has this thread detailing the extensive modding he did in his quest for 35 MPG. He only achieved 28.

12-20-2016, 01:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
redpoint5 Human Environmentalist Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 12,906 Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX 90 day: 24.19 mpg (US) Lafawnda - CBR600 - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i 90 day: 47.32 mpg (US) Big Yeller - Dodge/Cummins - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base 90 day: 21.82 mpg (US) Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2 90 day: 17.14 mpg (US) Model Y - '24 Tesla Y LR AWD Pacifica Hybrid - '21 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 90 day: 38.47 mpg (US) Thanks: 4,352 Thanked 4,501 Times in 3,462 Posts	I wouldn't put too much into trying to improve MPGs. The 2.5L autos are stubborn. I owned a 2007 Legacy for 1 month and tried as hard as I could to get good fuel economy, and could only manage 23 MPG. That was much worse than my 2.2L manual Legacy which averaged 28 MPG. I also wasn't a fan of the sluggish auto tranny. I'd get the alignment checked, especially if you are putting new meat on the wheels. Don't bother with lifting the vehicle. It's already tall and capable of clearing many things. All that will do is reduce the longevity of the axles and reduce your fuel economy. If you put good chains on, you will be able to push quite a lot of snow. Other objects you can just steer around or over. ZeroHour has this thread detailing the extensive modding he did in his quest for 35 MPG. He only achieved 28. __________________ Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator Give me absolute safety, or give me death! Last edited by redpoint5; 12-20-2016 at 01:22 PM..