actually you should get better mileage in the winter, colder fuel burns more efficiently, and as for the 50,000 mile idea, I dont see that as an issue, mine has over 62,000 right now, and fuel consumption seems to be where it should be. And mileage does change here in arizona, they change the amount of alcohol in the fuel with the seasons here, so it does fluctuate a little but nothing remarkable. they put a higher alcohol content in it in the summer so the fuel/engine burning temp is cooler in the summer.But maintainance is keey to keeping your engin running at its optimum temp and efficiencyand such.

 

what part of az? Just gald there is another arizonian DF member

 

When I bought my 2001 it got about 26 MPG on my home to work route, which I was disappointed with. So I made a few modifications to the engine and trans, and now get 33-34 - which is not bad for a 3 speed automatic with 140K miles. I watch my fuel economy very closely and have found the optimum air temp to be about 40 degrees at my altitude. This is running non-oxygenated fuel. I can get almost 36 at that temp. Also, because there are so many formulationsof gasoline, just changing from one brand to another can effect it. Some fuel blends have more detergents, some have more ant-knock additives, winter or summer blends, sulfur content, the list goes on and on. So just from station to station your milage can fluxuate 5-10%. Also, you may not baby the car so much now. Aggressive driving can also effect your fuel economy - a lot. A lot of factors outside your control will effect fuel economy, but keep track of the things you can do. Keep up with the maintainence, keep track of where you get fuel and what your milage is. You may find a gas station that you get particularly good milage with. Also, engines now don't have the break-in period they had 20 years ago. You don't drain out the green oil after 500 miles and stay away from redline for 5000. The manufacturing and materialshave gotten much better, but it still takes miles to seat and seal the rings. At 7K, your engine was probably running the best it ever will, until a complete rebuild. You will see a gradual decline, but I think with good maintainence, you can improve upon what you have.

 

+1 problem i dont have with my "hubcaps" hahaha !!

<3 u Adionik lol

 

dj I live in litchfield Park, just outside of Phoenix. We also have turtletunes who is from El Mirage. Havent seen him on in a while though.

 

oh, i'm in tucson

 

According to my owners manual my '05 SXT has a 12.5 gal. gas tank so you're actually getting even worse mileage then you thought, LOL.

 

you know mine says that 2 but I have run mine as empty as I dare, and I can barely force 11 gal in there.Ive had it below the red line on E

 

same here... i think there is a typo in the manual....

 

Well right now Im getting under 25 in the city and havent been on any trips so I dont know about the highway mpg but in spring and summer my sxt gets over25 in the city and over 35 on the highway. So In my op still think where you live makes a difference some in your mpg.