How to reduce fuel consumption in Subaru Impreza?
In short, there are clear, low-cost strategies to improve fuel efficiency in your Impreza: drive more smoothly, keep the car well maintained, and reduce drag and weight where possible.
Smart driving habits that save fuel
Adopting careful driving habits is the quickest way to see mpg gains without spending on parts or services.
- Maintain steady speeds and use cruise control on highways when conditions allow.
- Anticipate traffic: brake gradually and accelerate gently to avoid wasteful bursts of power.
- Avoid long idling; if you expect to be stopped for more than a minute or two, consider turning the engine off where safe to do so.
- Consolidate trips to reduce cold starts and keep the engine warm between runs.
- Drive at moderate speeds; significant increases in speed dramatically raise aerodynamic drag and fuel use.
By adopting these driving habits consistently, Impreza owners can see meaningful fuel savings across daily commutes and longer trips.
Maintenance and parts that influence efficiency
Regular maintenance keeps the engine and drivetrain operating at peak efficiency, which directly affects fuel economy.
- Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure on the door placard; under-inflation wastes fuel and can wear tires unevenly.
- Use the engine oil grade specified in the owner's manual; synthetic oils with appropriate viscosity can reduce internal friction and improve efficiency.
- Replace a dirty or clogged air filter promptly; a clean intake helps the engine breathe efficiently.
- Replace worn spark plugs and address ignition issues to prevent misfires that waste fuel.
- Ensure sensors such as the oxygen sensor and mass airflow sensor are functioning correctly; faulty sensors can cause rich or lean fuel mixtures and lower mpg.
- Keep the exhaust and catalytic converter in good condition; address codes promptly with a qualified technician.
Regular maintenance is the most reliable way to sustain the Impreza’s EPA-estimated fuel economy and prevent economy loss due to avoidable issues.
Load, aerodynamics, and onboard accessories
Weight and drag are invisible but powerful factors in fuel consumption; lightening the load and minimizing aero drag can yield noticeable gains.
- Remove roof racks, bike carriers, and cargo boxes when not in use to reduce aerodynamic drag.
- Carry only necessary luggage and equipment; extra weight increases fuel consumption, especially on city roads.
- Be mindful of aftermarket accessories that may increase drag or rolling resistance; prioritize parts designed for efficiency.
- Consider low-rolling-resistance tires if you’re replacing tires and your driving conditions permit it.
These adjustments help minimize resistance and weight, translating into better real-world fuel economy.
Model-specific tips for the Subaru Impreza
The Impreza’s drivetrain and transmission choices influence how you should optimize for efficiency. AWD adds weight and can affect mpg, while CVT and manual transmissions respond differently to driving style.
- For CVT-equipped models, smooth throttle input and gradual acceleration generally yield better economy than aggressive starts.
- For manual-transmission models, keeping the engine in its efficient RPM range and shifting early can improve mileage, while avoiding lugging in high gears at very low RPM.
- If your model supports eco or fuel-saving modes, use them appropriately; some settings trade peak performance for steadier, lower fuel use.
- Always use the fuel grade recommended in the owner's manual; higher octane does not automatically improve mpg unless your engine requires it to prevent knocking.
- Ensure the AWD system is functioning properly, as mechanical issues can increase drag and reduce efficiency; consult a technician if you notice unusual fuel use or handling problems.
Understanding your specific Impreza generation and drivetrain helps tailor these practices for maximum gain.
Realistic expectations and tracking progress
EPA fuel economy numbers vary by model year, drivetrain, tires, and driving conditions. Real-world mileage is often lower than highway ratings due to stop-and-go traffic, climate, and load. Track your fuel economy over time using the trip computer or manual logs to gauge the effectiveness of the above steps.
Summary
To reduce fuel consumption in a Subaru Impreza, combine smart driving habits, regular maintenance, load and aerodynamic management, and model-specific driving practices. Start with smoother acceleration and braking, keep tires properly inflated, remove unnecessary weight and roof clutter, and drive in ways that suit your CVT or manual transmission. Regularly monitor fuel economy to measure improvements and adjust as needed for your driving conditions.
Why is my Subaru using so much gas?
Issues with the fuel system, such as clogged fuel injectors, a dirty fuel filter, or a malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator, can contribute to high fuel consumption. Have your Subaru's fuel system inspected and serviced regularly to ensure proper operation and fuel efficiency.
Are Subaru Impreza fuel efficient?
Subaru Impreza running costs and value
With a combined fuel efficiency of 7.5L/100km, the Impreza ensures efficient fuel consumption, helping owners save on refuelling expenses.
Why is Subaru's fuel consumption so high?
The reason is because the motor was designed in the 80s so it's ancient technology, and it's a low compression motor so it doesn't burn fuel efficiently at light throttle. It's also a very heavy car at nearly 3500lbs. All this combines to give it poor gas mileage and dated performance numbers.
Is it better to drive with eco mode on or off?
You should use Eco Mode when you want to prioritize fuel efficiency, like during city driving or long highway cruises, but turn it off when you need maximum power for situations like merging onto a highway, overtaking, or driving up steep hills. Leaving it on in those situations can make the vehicle feel sluggish, as Eco Mode works by reducing throttle response and sometimes adjusting the climate control to save energy.
When to use Eco Mode
- For maximum fuel efficiency: Eco Mode is designed to improve your gas mileage by making the throttle less sensitive and shifting the transmission to a higher gear earlier.
- For city and highway cruising: Use it for steady driving, such as in stop-and-go traffic or on the highway, where responsiveness is less critical.
When to turn Eco Mode off
- When you need more power: If you need to accelerate quickly to merge onto a highway or overtake another vehicle, Eco Mode can make the car feel underpowered.
- For steep inclines: Driving up a steep hill with Eco Mode on might make the car feel sluggish and unable to generate enough power.
- If you prefer a more responsive feel: Some drivers dislike the sluggish feeling and prefer the more immediate response of normal or sport modes.
Other considerations
- No long-term harm: There is no evidence to suggest that leaving Eco Mode on for extended periods causes extra wear and tear on a vehicle, says Progressive.
- Potential for carbon buildup: Some older, direct-injection engines might benefit from the occasional use of a different mode to burn off carbon deposits that can form from consistently low engine speeds in Eco Mode, according to this Reddit post.
- Climate control: In some vehicles, Eco Mode may also limit the power to the air conditioning, which could make it less effective, notes this Reddit post and this Reddit post.
