I recently purchased a Protege 5 and was expecting upper 20s for gas mileage. It's listed at 31 mpg highway, but I kind of figured that that was at optimum performance. My car has 60k on it and this past weekend I drove mainly highway miles on a short trip and only got 23 mpg!!

Has anyone had this same issue....it probably needs a good tuneup (I imagine the last time anything was done was 30k) and a few minor tweaks, but 23 mpg is sad and I would be extremely disappointed if this was what I end up with. I have been driving it like I stole it lately (because it's so fun to drive) so I'm trying to settle that down and see what happens.

Does anyone have any advice or had a similar problem with this type of engine or with the same car?? I have the automatic.

I am also looking at getting the windows tinted.......what should I expect to pay for that???

I am also looking to install a cold air intake....is it worth it??

 

Is your car stick or automatic? What size engine is it (if various on P5)?
I have a 2000 Protege LX 1.6 automatic and it gets around 29/33mpg.
You might need servicing for your car, maybe like a tune-up. Check with the previous owner to see when was the car last serviced, if so, what was done to it (major or minor tune-up or any other additional work).
The two major things that can improve gas mileage are: Air Filter and new Spark Plugs (Platinum). If you think the last tune-up was done at 30K, then it's time to also change the Transmission fluid and a Radiator flush.
I'm pretty sure you car will run a lot more efficient afterwards.

 

i bought the same 03 protege5 w/auto in August. Vehicle had 50k, with mostly highway driving, im averaging 30mpg. If I drive with the pedal to the metal that number drops to 25mpg.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I hope to get it tuned in the next week or so and hopefully the mpg improves thereafter. I will be going with the Bosch Platinum spark plugs. I hear those are quality.

 

Hi Guys, I’ve just registered to this forum cz I need some help….
I have a Mazda protege 5, 2003, 80K Autom.
It’s in very good shape but the only problem is GAS CONSUMPTION , which is incredible: 17mpg
usually it should be around 25 up to 33mpg
I’ve already changed the air-filter, cleaned the injector, changed the Spark Plugs, I even took the car to the Mazda company, and they told me that the car is perfectly clean….. No check engine…..

Any ideas guys….

 

i get about 20ish in town, but im pretty hard on the peddal. its lightly modified and very rev happy. i drive to its full potential. pretty hard on the car. but i see my car as a very big, expensive toy. lol

 

I've got one and with the pedal squished I get aroud 25avrg. and stock they come with iridium and don't use less that can cause misfire I know from experince get the Denso Plugs and you will see the imporvement. 5spd p5 with everything.

 

i don't even know what my mileage is. i put $35 in premium about every two weeks. i never drive the car though.

 

Hey, I've got an '02 Protege 5, 5spd. I've found that on the highway I usually do average around 30-31mpg. On occasion I've gotten slightly better.

 

I have posted the gas mileage question in several Protege 5 forums. I bought a '03 automatic, with 13,000 original miles, in October'07 for $8,900 (to replace my 1998 Altima with 178,000 miles). Ihave put about 11,000 miles on it since. Iamonly getting 25 mpg. Mostly highwayto and from work. I drive 26 miles to work and then 26 back (this includes approximately 5 milescity). On the highway I average 80mph and I know this is not helping my gas mileage, but anticipated low 30mpg's when I bought the car.

The answers I got from the other forums are consistant with what I am seeing, but there are people that have calculated low-mid 30'mpgs. Guess I should try to slow it down a bit.

I like the car but Ihate the automatic. My first automatic in 22 years (since my 1968 Camaro), there is no feeling to it and it shifts horribly.
Oh yeah, car needs new tires any suggestions, nothing aggressive, something good on highway??????