2012 Chevy Cruze Fuel Economy Upped to 38-MPG, Matching Ford Focus

14103 Views 38 Replies 24 Participants Last post by Macman, May 15, 2012

AutoGuide.com

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2011

When Chevy first brought the Cruze to America, there were bold promises of 40-mpg. Then GM proudly boasted that the special Cruze Eco would get an astonishing 42-mpg.

Unfortunately that Eco model costs plenty more than the standard vehicle and only the 6-speed manual model (of which approximately six will be sold) gets the 42-mpg mark, while the auto-box Eco is rated at a less dramatic 38-mpg. As for the Cruze most people will look at buying, it received an official 36-mpg rating by the EPA.

An alarmingly good number just a few years ago, with the launch of a new Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, it's already nearing the back of the pack. Chevy aims to change this for 2012, upping the Cruze's highway mpg rating by 2 for a 38-mpg total. The Cruze ECO model with an automatic transmission will also get a slight bump and will now be rated at 39-mpg.

More: 2012 Chevy Cruze Fuel Economy Upped to 38-MPG, Matching Ford Focus on AutoGuide.com

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21 - 39 of 39 Posts

Macman

· #21 · Sep 14, 2011

70AARCUDA said:
...would be better if it only required a reprogramming!!!

my thoughts exactly. I have the 2lt and have yet to consistently(for more than 1 trip) hit 36 mpg or more.

70AARCUDA

· #22 · Sep 14, 2011

...unfortunately, it (milage increase) was accomplished by reducing the axle-ratio from original 3.87:1 down by 9% to 3.53:1.

sheleb1

· #23 · Sep 16, 2011 (Edited)

I wasn’t aware that the transmission has a “learning stage”. Lately I’ve developed the habit of shifting into Neutral with my auto trans, in certain situations, so that the car will coast (instead of slowing down abruptly due to the trans downshifting automatically). Now I’m wondering if this is a good practice (odometer reads about 3,100km./1,900mi). Would anyone know?

TSURacing

· #24 · Sep 16, 2011

sheleb1 said:
I wasn’t aware that the transmission has a “learning stage”. Lately I’ve developed the habit of shifting into Neutral with my auto trans, in certain situations, so that the car will coast (instead of slowing down abruptly due to the trans downshifting automatically). Now I’m wondering if this is a good practice (odometer reads about 3,100km./1,900mi). Would anyone know?

The downshift will definitely smooth out. However, due to the fuel cut-off feature that saves gas during decelleration, it still tends to be more noticable that the old style auto that were completely seamless on downshift.

sheleb1

· #25 · Sep 16, 2011

Thanks,
So no problem with shifting to Neutral to coast? (In other words, this practice won't confuse the transmission's "learning curve"?)

feh

· #26 · Sep 16, 2011

sheleb1 said:
Thanks,
So no problem with shifting to Neutral to coast? (In other words, this practice won't confuse the transmission's "learning curve"?)

Shifting to neutral and back into drive will cause unnecessary wear on tranny parts. It's not a good idea.

sciphi

· #27 · Sep 17, 2011

Doing that could damage some of the electronics. Knowing GM's older electronic transmissions, they didn't like anything but being put into D when moving. Damaging the pressure control solenoids is an expensive repair.

montgom626

· #28 · Jan 2, 2012

RS LTZ said:
I disagree with them wholeheartedly on nearly everything. .

The Focus is too small if you are > 6 feet. And the MyFord touch is a nightmare. Cruze is much nicer imo

montgom626

· #29 · Jan 2, 2012

70AARCUDA said:
...unfortunately, it (milage increase) was accomplished by reducing the axle-ratio from original 3.87:1 down by 9% to 3.53:1.

So all 2012 automatics have the new axle-ratio?

montgom626

· #30 · Jan 2, 2012

windsmith said:
I was extremely disappointed in the 2012 Ford Focus. The interior noise was way to loud compared to the Chevy Cruze. The interior was cheap and the buttons felt terrible. The steering wheel position blocked the center digital display and I could not find a seating position that felt comfortable. The front leg room was way better in the Cruze.

I agree 100% I wanted to like the Focus. Too noisy and not enough leg room. I will give Ford another year to fix the MyFord and see if it makes a difference.

70AARCUDA

· #31 · Jan 2, 2012 (Edited)

montgom626 said:
So all 2012 automatics have the new axle-ratio?

...standard on LTZ and Fleet cars, optional on 1LT, 2LT and Eco models:

Axle, 3.53 final drive ratio
1 - Included and only available with (MH8) 6-speed automatic transmission.

--

S

A[SUP]1[/SUP]

A[SUP]1[/SUP]

S

A[SUP]1[/SUP]

...where (from left to right):

-- = 1LS = Not Available
_S = 1FL = Standard for MH8 fleet cars
A1 = 1LT = Available MH8
A1 = 2LT = Available MH8
_S = LTZ = Standard MH8
A1 = Eco = Available MH8

...RPO-code FXH is the 3.53:1 axle ratio.

...more info here: http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/do...egionID=1&divisionID=3&vehicleID=11503&type=0

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montgom626

· #32 · Jan 2, 2012

Great links and thank you for the answer.

Disbeliever

· #33 · May 15, 2012 (Edited)

robertbick said:
And what did they change to achieve that 38MPG's??? I think most folks here can't achieve 36MPG.

All fuel figures are false in my experience, I only get 27.8 mpg from my 2litre diesel Cruze auto in the UK using Shell V power Diesel however fuel display shows up to44 mpg I shall not be buying another Cruze. Chev UK marketing is hopeless, Cruze does not have DRL, tyre pressure monitor, powered foldaway door mirrors. Very poor resale value and not liked by UK media especially leading consumer magazine WHICH ? Cruze available with huge discounts £3200 off current models.

Patman

· #34 · May 15, 2012

Drove around a track at a constant speed with no AC on, no traffic or stopping or hills. Real driving is not the above bubble of FE for sales/marketing.

70AARCUDA

· #35 · May 15, 2012 (Edited)

EPA "tests" are done on dynamometers, not around a tract. The dynamometers are "loaded" to simulate a total "road" load (tires, aero, mechanical, etc.), but there's NO extraneous electrical loads, ie: NO day-light running lamps, NO road/fog lamps, NO radio/media, etc.

ErikBEggs

· #36 · May 15, 2012

No problems here meeting the EPA on any vehicle I've ever driven, including my 2011 Cruze.

Reactions: 1

obermd

· #37 · May 15, 2012

feh said:
Shifting to neutral and back into drive will cause unnecessary wear on tranny parts. It's not a good idea.

Depends on the transmission. I have done just this for 22 years in my Transport and then Montana with no problems.

silverram323

· #38 · May 15, 2012

I didn't read all of these, (most) and there is quite a few bitching about not achieving 36 mpg. I have 2 cruzes, even the not so fuel efficient 2011 LT1AUTO. My wife drives 4 miles to work each way, and she is pulling in a 33-34 mpg. I took it to work one day on the freeway (31 miles at 55 mph and it has 16k miles on it) and it said 46 mpg while pulling into the parking lot.

I think driving styles kill MPG.

I have been pulling 39-40 with my 2012 at 60-65 on my way to work.

Here is what the 2011 said after 31 miles to work.

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Macman

· #39 · May 15, 2012

Then we probably need a thread on "driving styles" instead of tips. I baby the heck out of my gas pedal and brakes, the only other changes I could make are to never ever use the AC or radio, turn off drl, tilt my head slightly to the right(to help balance weight)

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