2015 Mazda 6, easy 40mpg

[Dean in Milwaukee]

These are the stock tires: Yokohama Advan A83A

They seem to have very low rolling resistance, yet grip well when pushed.

[MeteorGray]

It's amazing how efficient these cars are without really trying.

I just got a 2015 Mazda3 2.0 liter sedan with the six-speed automatic tranny. It is probably two or three hundred pounds lighter than the Mazda6. I've got 1700 miles on it now, and my average so far is about 43 mpg as reported in my Fuelly account.

I live in the South, so it's 100% air conditioning. I do drive conservatively, but don't use the more advanced hypermiling techniques of P&G, etc.

I'm happy.

[ChewChewTrain]

40mpg with a full-size, passenger car doing 70mph?! And, you're only turning 2,200rpm at 70mph, too? (jaw dropped) DANG!

First of all, congratulations to the Mazda engineering team.

[kafer65]

Even though my Mazda is averaging 5 mpg higher than I'd hoped for I'm also impressed, but not surprised, that you're doing that well with an automatic. I'm fond of the SV hatch backish base version with a manual transmission. I was seeing high forties peaks on my test drive without much effort. For comparison, I was able to get high 30s and low 40s in my wifes auto CX-5 with no mods and applying much of what I use on mine. She would get 31 mpg with regularity. Kudos indeed!

[Miller88]

The Mazda 6 and Cx5s are nice vehicles ... I test drove a few CX5s and almost bought one.

It was , perfect. Loved the gearing. Loved the shift feel. Chassis was awesome. Interior was perfect.

[ChewChewTrain]

Can't remember where I read it, but a journalist wrote that Mazda, while being a "boutique" car maker compared to Toyota, is positioning their badge to be on the upper end of the quality scale. For me, judging the fit, finish, and materials used in their interiors makes, that's easy to believe.

[Dean in Milwaukee]

So far very pleased with the 6. Looks great in the metallic red, like a more expensive car than it is, and drives very well, both sporty and quiet.

So far its averaging 34 mpg overall with my wives daily use, mostly short trips and perhaps 50/50 hwy to city ratio. This is better than I was expecting when I bought it, was expecting at best high 20's overall.

[Daox]

Sounds pretty nice. Any chance you'll start a fuel log here for it?

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by Dean in Milwaukee

I wonder if the car could still be breaking in at the 3k mile mark?

Sure is. Maybe only 1/2 way broken in. It takes at least 5k miles (or more) for the Compression rings to expand outwards towards the cylinder walls. This results in increased compression which equals more power. More power at the lower RPMs means the engine doesn't work as hard and actually decreases fuel consumption.

BTW, do NOT baby your new engine. That is absolutely the worst thing you can do to a brand new engine. Drive it as you normally would with frequent WOT events (highway on ramps are perfect for this).

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by ChewChewTrain

Can't remember where I read it, but a journalist wrote that Mazda, while being a "boutique" car maker compared to Toyota, is positioning their badge to be on the upper end of the quality scale. For me, judging the fit, finish, and materials used in their interiors makes, that's easy to believe.

They are the poor man's BMW. Very similar engineering.

My next car will be a Mazda 6. Hopefully.