Looking for some insight on gas tank range/mileage

[AWDBoost]

So when I got the car from the dealer it didn't run rough, or so I thought. I got 280 miles out of that full tank based on the range gauge. Then when I filled up I put 93 in plus some techron and by the end of the tank it ran smoother and I got 350 miles, now on my third tank the range gauge is saying 420 miles. So my question is, is it plausible that the dealership didn't use premium and/or the fuel system needed a scrubbing?

Thanks
Jerry

P.s. it's an 05 XT limited manual.

[AWDFTW]

It is possible. The turbo requires premium and won't run well on regular if it got a tank of that.

[OregonBP9]

Anything north of 300 miles in an XT is admirable. Getting 350 is amazing. 280 is my average in mixed driving. Equates to about 18.5 MPG. I'm on it, but not crazy, just brisk. Rarely >4k shifts.

[rasterman]

I agree, 350+ is impressive.

Fuel quality is more than just octane. It could have been premium gas from a discount grocery store. It could have been old. How long was the car sitting at the dealer?

[AWDBoost]

Originally Posted by rasterman

I agree, 350+ is impressive.

Fuel quality is more than just octane. It could have been premium gas from a discount grocery store. It could have been old. How long was the car sitting at the dealer?

Ohh good point! It was sitting there long enough for them to knock off $752 before I arrived to knock off another $1000.

As for the 350 miles its because I drive like a grandmother and all highway. Since I am out the door by 6 am I can usually set my own speed limit and not sweat if I'm causing a back up, so I will go 60 mph to work and right now the gauge is reading 25.5 avg mpg.

I love the power and I'll let loose every so often but having a wagon makes its ok to drive like an old man (I'm 27) and no one expects any different.

I filled the back up with a honda transmission 2 honda axles and a bunch of tools over the weekend and the car didn't even break a sweat. I love it!

[OregonBP9]

Originally Posted by AWDBoost

As for the 350 miles its because I drive like a grandmother and all highway. Since I am out the door by 6 am I can usually set my own speed limit and not sweat if I'm causing a back up, so I will go 60 mph to work and right now the gauge is reading 25.5 avg mpg.

Then why have an XT? Not exactly a hypermiling machine. LGT/OBXT are big on fun but low on economy. Drive it lit it was built to run and enjoy it. The delta between 25 and 20 MPG is maybe going to be $20 a month.

[rasterman]

Originally Posted by OregonBP9

Then why have an XT?

Because it's nice to have the choice. It's much cheaper doing it this way vs. buying the base model and figuring out how to make it go faster.

[AWDBoost]

Originally Posted by OregonBP9

Then why have an XT? Not exactly a hypermiling machine. LGT/OBXT are big on fun but low on economy. Drive it lit it was built to run and enjoy it. The delta between 25 and 20 MPG is maybe going to be $20 a month.

I drive over 500 miles a week and I tow things on the weekend and I drive to canada 2x a month. Its pretty worth it in my opinion. I don't need to go fast all the time, I have 3 race cars.

[ACSubbie]

I have a 06 outback wgn XT and I am only getting about 13 miles to the gallon. Can you give me some suggestions where to start. I don't have a lead foot and live in the city. I bought the car from a dealer in Dec 2012. I have been driving cautiously to get an accurate mpg number and I keep coming up with only about 12.3 to 13.5 ?
Please help !

Thx
Aaron

[tdelker]

Is the tire size stock?