Outback fuel mileage regression for 2013

25255 Views 118 Replies 65 Participants Last post by bullhead, Feb 26, 2015

Restlessk

Discussion Starter · Nov 28, 2012

I was a buyer that waited until the 2013's were available because of the new engine and CVT, and the promised increased fuel mileage of the new 2.5.

I've been disappointed, to say the least, with mileage in the 24's for a mix of about 75% highway driving. We took one 1200 mile trip of all highway mileage, and it delivered just over 27 mpg cruising at 70 on flat roads.

Prior to buying, my principle experience had been driving 2011 and 2012 Outbacks which were loaner cars at my local Porsche dealer. And, in exactly the same conditions, their computers showed 27-28 mpg where mine shows 24 now.

So, my assertion is that the changes Subaru made to the 2013s actually reduced fuel economy rather than improved it. Looking at fuelly.com data seems to support that.

Two reactions to likely arguments.

1. The mileage of 2013s is all low mileage vehicles, and mileage will improve after break-in. I'd love to see any study that shows that mileage improves after break-in in more than a negligible way. I've tracked mileage in every car I've owned, and have only noticed an extremely small, if any, improvement. And my Outback has shown absolutely zero improvement after 3500 miles.

2. The EPA rates the 2013s higher, and their testing must have better results than prior years. Although the EPA actually tests very few cars, and generally takes and reports data from the manufacturer. And given scant resources at the EPA, they generally only test major model changes, so it is unlikely that the 2013 Outback would have been tested.

My mileage is not terrible, but is disappointing. It's not a deal breaker for me, but I do think it important that potential buyers know that the 2013s don't deliver better fuel mileage.

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101 - 119 of 119 Posts

chuchu

· #101 · Jan 24, 2013

Yeah, it's unfortunate nobody sells ethanol-free regular unleaded. I'd even pay more for it.

subiesailor

· #102 · Jan 24, 2013

^ this has more to do with what the states are mandating regarding the fuel mix to address emissions standards etc. Smoke and mirrors of course and all politics.

The Ethanol thing is nothing but a Political scam run on the US consumers nothing else.

beninma

· #103 · Jan 24, 2013

Funny no one is concerned about drinking MTBE? Ethanol at the 10% level is totally about keeping MTBE out of drinking water.. definitely not a scam. I guess it's all just a conspiracy right? Ethanol at the 80% level is a different issue and one that is far less justified but most of us just have it at the 10% level to replace carcinogenic additives.

subiesailor

· #104 · Jan 24, 2013

beninma said:
Funny no one is concerned about drinking MTBE?

MTBE was phased out years ago. You need to catch up

beninma

· #105 · Jan 24, 2013

subiesailor said:
MTBE was phased out years ago. You need to catch up

Phased out in favor of Ethanol!

combatmedic870

· #106 · Jan 25, 2013

You guys and your letters and numbers......meh...

U006jtm

· #107 · Feb 17, 2013

greenvalleybob said:
I get that OB's may increase mileage a bit over time. But from someone who had a 2010, I can tell you this: According to the car's computer, my mileage is definitely less at 3,000 miles than my 2010 was at 3000 miles. Could my 2010 computer have been "optimistic"? Yes. Might my 2013 get better over time? Yes.

As a fairly mechanical guy, my gut tells me this car really does get lower MPG's - about 10% less.

Remember, the EPA no longer tests all cars. Instead, carmakers test their own cars (conflict of interest???) on the honor system. Ford, Hyundai, and Kia are under investigation for overstating mileage. Ford (per Consumer Reports) appears to have overstated by the most: 47mpg for some models versus 30 something in the real world. In at least one case, consumers are being reimbursed for higher costs.

I say this: Those who own the "higher gas mileage" 2013 models, especially those who had 2010 or 2011's, should continue to monitor their mileage as we build up more miles. If it is indeed worse, we should hold Subaru accountable, as did owners of the other brands listed above.

:29: I agree I had a 2010 and expected an increase not a 5mpg decrease with the '13. I have around 8K on my '13 and the best mpg to date is 27.5. According to the dealer we are not alone in this situation, those who owned a '10 or '11 OB are experiencing lower MPG also.

jodesa

· #108 · Mar 3, 2013

I like your measuring tool.

I'm also a bit restless about the fuel economy I'm getting on my 2013 Outback.
reading through I'm learning of all the variables.

I've been getting considerably lower gas milage since the weather got below 30 every day. I only have 600 miles on the car so far so the first tank was better than the second tank of gas.

Temperature I think is making the difference. Is this a factor?

I think I'll stay around 60 - 65 from now on.

No sense pushing the variable transmission in the breaking in stage.

Going over the hills here in the mountains, I feel the car slow down.

My instinct is to drive in the left lane and go about 70-75.

This clearly will use much more gas and I'm thinking will

push the car regarding this "breaking in" period I'm reading about.

Is this a good idea?

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forty2

· #109 · Mar 3, 2013

jodesa said:
I like your measuring tool.

I'm also a bit restless about the fuel economy I'm getting on my 2013 Outback.
reading through I'm learning of all the variables.

I've been getting considerably lower gas milage since the weather got below 30 every day. I only have 600 miles on the car so far so the first tank was better than the second tank of gas.

Temperature I think is making the difference. Is this a factor?

I think I'll stay around 60 - 65 from now on.

No sense pushing the variable transmission in the breaking in stage.

Going over the hills here in the mountains, I feel the car slow down.

My instinct is to drive in the left lane and go about 70-75.

This clearly will use much more gas and I'm thinking will

push the car regarding this "breaking in" period I'm reading about.

Is this a good idea?

The issue with the break in period isn't so much how fast you are going but rather what the engine is doing. If you can keep the engine below 4000 RPMs and not at a steady speed for extended period of time drive as fast as you like.

As for fuel economy, I can't speak to the CVT as I drive a manual but I'm 300 miles into my first fresh tank after getting rid of the break in oil and seeing ~3-4 mpg jump over my best tank before the oil change. Of course a sample of 1 is by no means scientific but it has me optimistic:

Photo taken yesterday at around the 280 mile mark on this tank and ~20/80 city/highway. My previous tanks have calculated out at ~4% lower economy than what the car has told me so I'm guessing that I'm around 31 mpg so far.

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Metzroth

· #110 · Aug 6, 2013

Not sure how or why, but my girlfriends 2013 OB averages between 31-37MPG. We just got home from visiting family about 2.5 hours away. I filled up right before getting on the highway. Cruised 65mph on the interstate and 55mph on rural highways. Average was bouncing between 36 and 36.3. Computer has been adjusted to correct for error and has been checked at the pump when refilling.

I drive with a light foot...but not to a ridiculous degree. When I really REALLY try I can average upwards of 40MPG in that car. My 98 EK civic is only getting 41 and thats with Pulse and glide and the grill blocked off.

The ONLY thing I can think of that is different from factory on her OB is that we run Amsoil...and though I am a huge proponent of AMSOIL ( and a dealer) , there is no way it can account for that large of a difference.

Sorry to bring back a dead thread.

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Metzroth

· #111 · Aug 6, 2013

Just rolled 10.8K on the odo.

jtkkz

· #112 · Aug 6, 2013

my '13 outback 6 speed manual with 3000+ miles

the best I did with no bikes on roof 31.9 mpg according to computer, not sure how accurate those are

with bikes on roof rack, the best I got was 26.1 mpg

eduvon

· #113 · Dec 4, 2013

2013 fuel mileage change

My 2013 Outback 2.5 with CVT has been getting great gas mileage for the first 15K miles, averaging 28.5 mpg combined driving, 30-31 on the highway keeping below 65mph. This last time I filled up, I was down to 26 mpg for the exact same driving. I just filled up yesterday, doing the same driving and I'm at 20 mpg avg for the first 50 miles based on the onboard calculator. Usually this is accurate to about 5% on previous calculations based on fillups and mileage per tank. Sounds like I have a problem, but will get through this tank and see where I am. Other than this I've been very happy with my first Subaru :29:

subiesailor

· #114 · Dec 4, 2013

eduvon said:
My 2013 Outback 2.5 with CVT has been getting great gas mileage for the first 15K miles, averaging 28.5 mpg combined driving, 30-31 on the highway keeping below 65mph. This last time I filled up, I was down to 26 mpg for the exact same driving. I just filled up yesterday, doing the same driving and I'm at 20 mpg avg for the first 50 miles based on the onboard calculator. Usually this is accurate to about 5% on previous calculations based on fillups and mileage per tank. Sounds like I have a problem, but will get through this tank and see where I am. Other than this I've been very happy with my first Subaru :29:

Its called winter blend fuel and colder temps yes it does reduce mileage. Your numbers seem about right for winter blend and temps changes however 50 miles on a full tank isn't a good cross section for judging mileage run the tank out and then do the math miles drive vs gallons burned ie put back into the car.

eduvon

· #115 · Dec 5, 2013

Thanks SubieSailor, I would agree with the winter blend and temps, except I purchased the car Dec last year (this time of year) and was getting the higher mileage then and its been consistant. You are right though, I'll do the math on the next couple of fillups and see where I am. Are you seeing much oil usage? I did during the breakin, but I think its gotten less. Of course its kinda hard to tell, the Subaru Dealer seems to overfill the oil when they change the oil...twice so far...

4wheeldog

· #116 · Dec 5, 2013

eduvon said:
Thanks SubieSailor, I would agree with the winter blend and temps, except I purchased the car Dec last year (this time of year) and was getting the higher mileage then and its been consistant. You are right though, I'll do the math on the next couple of fillups and see where I am. Are you seeing much oil usage? I did during the breakin, but I think its gotten less. Of course its kinda hard to tell, the Subaru Dealer seems to overfill the oil when they change the oil...twice so far...

Not all winter blends are equal. If you consistently get poor fuel mileage, try another brand. Twice I have bought fuel on the road that gave me terrible mileage, which returned to normal at the next fillup. Crap gas does not necessarily make the car run differently, it can just give you really lousy fuel mileage.

G

· #117 · Jan 28, 2014

very disappointed that my 2013 subaru avg mileage has dropped. bought it in may and it was getting 30-33 consistently. Since mid november (approx 10,000 miles on it) it has steadily dropped to 25-26. not a happy camper here.

Anot7

· #118 · Feb 26, 2015

I am having the same problem with fuel milage. I was getting 25 to 26.5 in town and 29 to 33 on the highwayfor the first 24000 miles. Now 22.5 city and 25.5 highway. If you watch the instant fuel milage reader. Same spot on the highway in cruse control, milage can range 6 to 8 miles per gallon difference on different days.

bullhead

· #119 · Feb 26, 2015

2013 O.B. Premium 2.5. Couple months ago, city driving was 24-25 mpg, now 22-23, same station for fuel which is a discount station. Not going to try name brand since the higher cost of fuel does not compensate economically.

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