MPG on cruise control vs. without 2013 OB 2.5i

[mediocrity]

I'll second the terrible intuition of the cruise. Yes all cruise is sup optimal but the 2013 2.5 took steps backwards in a significant way.

A mild hill and I'm dropping down a gear or two and climbing @ 3-4K rpms for a solid 30 seconds, destroying fuel economy.

It happens way too often, and is one of my biggest gripes w/ the car.

[imwjl]

I've noticed times when manual shift more than cruise makes the difference. If there's a headwind or speed cruise will give me more high RPM moments getting up to speed.

[Cruisinob]

Cruise control should have a save position, that senses hills, and backs off speed. To save gas you need to back off on hills, and speed up down. When I made a test drive once, I took it easy as described, and try to keep it in highest gear without downshifting the automatic in my 99. I'm still getting used to the outbacks transmission. It's not like my other vehicles.

[upflying]

I only use cruise on flat and downhill. Any upgrade on cruise results in "downshift" and high, mpg killing, rpm.
My right foot is a better engine rpm and mpg control on uphill segments.

[2013OB]

Just completed a 7 day, 2020 mile road trip starting in Sandy, Utah, hit the south rim of the Grand Canyon, a couple days in Phoenix, drove to Puerto Penasco Mexico. Reset trip B on the way back from Mexico and both A and B odomometer were identical: 25.5mpg. The return trip we did in 15 1/2 hours---all highway, no tourist stops or city driving--863 miles from Puerto Penasco to Sandy, UT. About 1200 miles on the way down with stops at the Grand Canyon and venturing around the Phoenix metro area. Average speed was 75mph (75 and 80 speed limits in UT/AV) on the main highways with lots of mountains (US89 through UT/AZ--Kanab/Flagstaff). Based on my last 2 road trips, I see no way of me ever getting 30mpg on the highway. The best I saw was driving at sea level in Mexico for about the first 70 miles on the return trip, averaging about 50-60mph and I was getting 29.5 mpg.

I would say its almost impossible that I would get 30mpg in my Outback unless I was driving 55mph at sea level and no hills. Regardless, Im just fine with the 25.5 mpg on this roadtrip. The car was solid the entire trip and blazed through the mountains just fine.

[there4igraham]

Don't use CC to make speed adjustments. Avoid tailgating and passing. CC isn't a tool for people trying to "make good time." Settle in a tick or two below the speed limit. You'll find there are less corrections to make with regards to speed which will net better numbers. Don't use the brake to turn it off. There's a perfectly good button the steering wheel. Shut it down when you're climbing hills and leave it off when you can coast.

The rule is to keep revs down. This is tricky when it comes to getting up to speed on hills. You can burn just as much fuel on a 5 second charge at 4k rpm than you would on a 10 second charge at 2k rpm. Try to make it up with a good bit of coasting on the way down the other side.

[Unclviny]

I make the same drive on a regular-basis, Galveston, Texas to Tilden, Texas and being so flat the cruise seems to be better than I am at keeping the mileage up. 60-65 seems to work best as the milage nosedives HARD over 70!!

Vince

[2013OB]

I dont believe you can get 30mpg driving between 75 or 80 mph--thats the speed limit 60% of the drive and at least 50% in the high desert mountains with elevation ranging from 4500-7200 feet. Im a 5-7 mph over the speed limit---keep up with the flow of traffic type of driver. Regardless, 25.5 mpg is just fine for me. If it would have been 24 or 27mpg, I could have cared less either way.

[subiefanil83]

Just remember, the primary purpose of cruise control is to maintain the chosen speed under a variety of conditions. I can say this one does that pretty well. I can't say I was disappointed with it's performance during a road trip I took (part of it through the Southern Appalachians and Foothills of NC.

[jogosub]

I get pretty much get the same mileage as 2013OB.
I have only used cruise control on my drives through KS and TX ... with kids yelling in the back seat: Are we there yet? LOL