Gas MIleage Problems in my S

[Charlie Brown]

I have about 3 months and 2,700 miles on my Mini S and can’t be happier. It is what I expected and more. Fun, stable, fast, small. The only drawback is the gas mileage I am getting from it: last time it was about a poor 22 MPG

My commute to work is about 45 minutes, with about 30 minutes of those in no traffic, mostly flat and straight highways (I live in Miami, Florida). The rest is on streets with fairly normal traffic, no bumper to bumper, just ordinary rush hour traffic, or even less. My driving style is not aggressive (hard to do in a Mini ), as I am trying to save gas on this high-price environment and my long commute. I drive alone and I only weight 180 pounds. No dead bodies on the trunk (they won't fit anyway ) No matter these conditions, in line with the 24-33 MPG on the spec sheet, the more I can get is 300 miles per tank. Considering a 13 gallon tank, you do the math and will see the car is below the lowest spec milestone (23.07 MPG)

To add to the issue, the on-board computer is telling me my average consumption is about 27.5 to 28 MPG, or 360+ MPG. How can the computer tell me I am averaging that, while my tank is empty at the 300 miles? Also, the computer (and the fuel gauge) act in strange ways after the half-tank mark. According to the computer, fuel efficiency decrease dramatically after passing the ½ tank mark, as well as range. Before hitting the half-tank mark, average consumption is over 30+ MPG. Then drops to 27-27.5. For range, before reaching the half-tank mark, it stands at 200+ MPG. Logically making you think you have about another 180-200 miles to go. After that, on its way to the ¼ mile, range goes steeply down to end up at 50 miles with a ¼ tank. The fuel gauge, which I guess it’s tied to the electronic system and the on-board computer, also falls rapidly after the half tank mark

I am puzzled and ed. Why I am not getting the MPG I line with specs? Does it has to do with other issues as driving with the A/C on all the time (South Florida is a hot place), wind factor, etc? Does anyone is experiencing the same issue? I am about to talk to my dealer and ask him if there is something wrong. Or are EPA standards crap? (I’ve heard this). Shouldn’t the car be lighter with less gas on it, then more efficient? Is the Supercharger a gass-gluzzer?

If you add that mywife's car is a Land Rover Freelander, with also a 13 gallon tank, driving only on streets and she fills it up at 240 miles, it makes you wonder . The Freelander is a much bigger car, with a much bigger engine and poor aerodynamics compared with the Mini. Also, driving conditions are less efficient. Also, it uses regular gas and not premium, which makes it cheaper to fill-it-up

Any help, comments appreciated. Thanks!!!!

[kapps]

I'm not sure what the problem is. I also live in Florida (Jacksonville) and probably do the same % city and highway driving as you do. We regularly get 31-33 mpg. On a trip of all highway driving, we averaged 37 mpg going 75-85 mph. There are other people that say the computer gives the wrong gas mileage but I haven't checked it myself. The EPA standards are pretty much crap because they can't fully take wind resistance as a factor but you still can beat the EPA by driving with traffic (almost like drafting) or on 45-55 mph roads. The MCS can actually get over 40 mpg on those. The A/C does play a part but it shouldn't kill your mileage. Driving habits really do play a part and my other car is a Honda Insight so driving for fuel economy is 2nd nature to me.

[milliethemini]

22 MPG (US gallons) is right on par for fuel economy for the Cooper S in city driving, unfortunately.

I have been monitoring my fuel consumption very carefully for the past year. Since my MCS doesn't have an on board computer, I have been tabulating my fuel consumption by the old fashioned method of filling up my car with gas right up to the brim each time, and calculating the amount of gas pumped in with the mileage on the tripmeter, which I reset to zero after every fillup. My daily route is a combination of both highway and stop and go traffic.

FYI I take my time when filling the car right up to the brim, after the fuel pump autostops, I take a couple of minutes to slowly fill the gas line right up to the brim!!! This is so that I can ensure that the amount of gas I put in the car is almost the same each and everytime.

The only suggestions I can make to improve fuel economy is the following:

- remove any unnecessary items from your car. Less weight, the better (but you shouldn't have to diet to lose weight for this reason!! )
- check your tire pressure, underinflated tires affect fuel economy
- focus on smooth driving, going into higher gears whenever possible, keeping the revs down (ie below 3000rpm) to minimize the use/boost of the supercharger.
- look ahead and anticipate, when driving. For example, when coming up to a stoplight, coast to a stop if possible.

Having said all of that, I personally find it hard to follow my own advice. The Cooper S practically begs to be driven like I just stole it each and everytime!!!

[GTmini]

On average, I get 22MPG with mixed city/highway driving. However, there are quite a few more hills where I'm at. The best MPG I've ever gotten was 25, all highway. I was a little shocked when I first got it, but after a couple of months, I got over it.

[Bootsy]

Just over 2000 miles. In town driving. Two tanks ago it was 19.6 mpg. Last tank I took it a little easier, less time on boost (and easier said than done), mpg climbed all the way to just under 22.

I'm getting a vac/boost gauge. I'm sure mileage will improve if I can keep it out of boost, but what fun will that be?

[dav]

My last Mini club run totalled 320 miles. I averaged 29.7 mpg. This involved 75 mph on the freeway, and aggressive driving in the hills. I have a Magnaflow exhaust and a Pilo cold air intake as the only drivetrain modifications and 17 factory S spoke rims...

[rhogg]

In my first 938 kilometers I've recorded these numbers on three fills.
All numbers converted to US: MPG 23.9 ; 26.3 ; 34.1

The first two were 100% City driving with Airconditioning on 80% of the time.

The last item was 90% highway miles averaging 70mph (90-125kmh) using cruise and no air.

These are right in line with my expectaions. I do expect some slight improvement as the car breaks in. I have a Feb 04 build so I presume V36.

[stargate]

Our UK Gallon is 4.54 Litres and I'm getting 21-24 MPG from our Standard MCS.

The fuel price over here is £0.829 per litre !!!!, what are you paying for Unleaded in the USA at the moment?

It's probably so low that we will all start crying!

The MCS's main criticism is the fuel consumption, but then could you have as much fun in anything else?

[GBMINI]

Stargate, gas near Boston is up to $2.30 per US gallon at the moment - $0.60/litre! With the awful US exchange rate that is about 35p/litre

Charlie Brown,
How fast do you drive when you can - my MPG is much lower at 80+ than at 60-70 and I bet it would be better still at the US official 55 speed. Try driving at 55 max for a whole tank and see how well you do (and how dull your drive is).
The MINI is an economical "performance car" - it is not as economical as a Honda Civic for example, but it is more fun

[Charlie Brown]

Well,

I followed your advise. Had changed my driving style to moreconservative (very hard. I miss the high-pitch sound of the SC ). I also raised the temperature of the auto AC to 78, and have turned it off when possible. I am almost fried in the highway at 90+ degrees F sometimes . Have used cruise control under 3000 RPM at 6th gear, which gives me a lame 60-65 MPH in the highway. Tire pressure was OK

Although my tank is at half, I've already gone 200 miles. Never done taht before. If the tank gauge act as usual, I would finish with about 320-330 miles in a tank, or about 25.38 MPG, no matter the computer is showing 29.7 MPG. Still

This is about a 15% increase in fuel efficiency but man, with many compromises. I'll let you now my final tally but so far I see an improvement. But this would be it. I just want to prove a point. I won't live without the high pitch noise of the super-charger or will die of a heat stroke to save me less than 20 dollars a month. I didn't buy a Mini S to drive (and live) like a 80 year old retiree on SS benefits . If a were too concerned with MPG, I would have buy the Mini non-S or a Prious

But what a thirsty little beast, oh my! Was it designed by Irish engineers or by germans? (no offense here )

S S

[GBMINI]

I look forward to your final result - rather you than me

[MINI Division]

I'm with MINI USA. There are many variables that influence fuel consumption. Individual driving habits, fuel grade and weather conditions all play a role in overall fuel mileage. MINI USA recommends the use of premium fuel as lower grade fuels impact both performance and fuel economy. In addition, EPA figures are used only for comparison purposes; actual fuel mileage will vary based on the variables mentioned above.

All of the engine parameters for your MINI are closely monitored by the engine management system. However, if you feel something is wrong, either with the engine performance or with the fuel gauge, please have it checked out by your authorized MINI dealer. If you would like to discuss this further, please give us a call at 866 ASK.MINI and mention Reference # 200418400090 so that we can help you more efficiently.

[meanboy]

We've gotta 21mpg on ours and it has 300 miles on the meter. It's a mix of city and highway driving..more city then highway and lots of hills and stop and go traffic. We'll see if it improves after the break in period

[plugot]

Perhaps it's the very high temps this past week or so (90's in the SF Valley) and the fact that I've been running my A/C nearly continuously, but my gas mileage has gone down the tubes. My normal around town/stop'n go driving with A/C on (most of the time) runs around 21- 22 mpg. My last fill up, I was down to 18.6 mpg. Except for the really hot temps, nothing else has changed.
I know that the car experiences a real power loss in hot weather with the A/C, but a 3 mpg drop?
Anyone else experiencing this kind of reduced mileage?