TOPIC:

I have an 09 S80 3.2 FWD and just curious if anyone else gets horribly bad gas mileage like I've been getting. I usually have to fill up around 220 miles or so, the average gas mileage is 16-17 mpg UNLESS it's all freeway mileage. I realize what the EPA estimates are for the car, but usually (to me) they're kind of worst case scenario. Car's been dealer maintained, I do mostly city driving and am a mature driver so no jackrabbit starts. I guess I'm floored it's so gawdawful as another one of my cars is an 03 BMW 530 which has almost the same interior space, is also 2wd but I have a LOT more fun in that car; all while regularly getting at least 5-7 mpg better as well. I just can't understand why the gas mileage is so rotten for basically a safe but boring car.

fierogtv6 wrote:

I have an 09 S80 3.2 FWD and just curious if anyone else gets horribly bad gas mileage like I've been getting. I usually have to fill up around 220 miles or so, the average gas mileage is 16-17 mpg UNLESS it's all freeway mileage. I realize what the EPA estimates are for the car, but usually (to me) they're kind of worst case scenario. Car's been dealer maintained, I do mostly city driving and am a mature driver so no jackrabbit starts. I guess I'm floored it's so gawdawful as another one of my cars is an 03 BMW 530 which has almost the same interior space, is also 2wd but I have a LOT more fun in that car; all while regularly getting at least 5-7 mpg better as well. I just can't understand why the gas mileage is so rotten for basically a safe but boring car.

Welcome back to the Forum.

Your 2009 S80 is getting the exact City MPG as indicated by the Feds...

www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2009_Volvo_S80.shtml

The engine in your BMW is a version of the world's best IC gasoline motor ever. The 3.2 in your Volvo is not.

Also, your Volvo's engine exhaust management differs from the BMW due to comparative design combustion inefficiencies.

Wha?

Question - how are you calculating/determining real-world MPG for the Volvo and BMW?

Thanks.

George Dill

Thanks for your thoughts George. In my older cars I do simple math based on how far I'd driven compared to how much gas I need to "fill 'er up". However, with both the Volvo and the 530 I'm relying on the trip computers. Even if they're a little off, the range on a tank of fuel couldn't be more different, low 200s for the S80 compared to high 300s for the BMW. I realize the BMW may have a bigger tank, but truly, I drive it a lot more energetically than the S80. Honestly, my gas mileage is about as poor as my old VehiCross, but I forgave that as it was a very heavy 4WD vehicle with a 4 speed tranny. Just really very surprised/disappointed in the mileage so far and was wondering if others has seen similar results.