I just recently purchased a 2010 Outlander GT and have been keeping track of my fuel usage. I figured people interested in purchasing an Outlander would find this information useful. Keep in mind that these MPG figures are based on the first 1000 miles and I'm hoping the MPG would improve over time. Also note that I've been using 87 grade gasoline.

Highway Only
2WD "Tarmac" - 25.4 MPG
AWD "Snow" - 24.5 MPG


Mixed Driving (Mostly Highway)
2WD "Tarmac" - 23.5 MPG
AWD "Snow" - 22.1 MPG

I have not done a lot of city driving so I'm not sure how the MPG is affected. The "Snow" mode is definitely more enjoyable from a driving perspective.

 

I just took my 2010 GT on it's first long road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco
and would like to add my numbers to this thread. I drove on "Tarmac" and was able to get 25.3 mpg on 91 unleaded. I also used cruise contol 90% of the time. We spent about 1 hour in bumper to bumper traffic due to an major traffic accident that bottlenecked traffic into 1 lane. I'm curious home much of that delay affected my mileage numbers.

 

I would be using at least 91 octane with the GT. 93 if you have it.

 

I have a 2009 Outlander ES 4WD and in all reality the difference between 2WD/4WD/Lock modes are really minimal (+/- 1 MPG). The only difference in MPG in Outlanders is between those who are 2WD only and with AWD systems only because the AWD adds about 150 lbs of extra weight. But if your car does have AWD, switching between the modes doesn't result any significant differences in MPG.

PS. In suburban driving (couple of traffic lights) I get about 22.5MPG (4WD)/23MPG (2WD), during winters MPG is a bit lower but nothing significant. On highways I can hit 28/29MPG with speed around 65/70 MPH. I usually use 89 octane grade fuel.

 

Thanks for the info!

The i4 gets the same roughly or worse mpg since the engine has to work harder to move the same weight.

 

Just wanted to post and update with the mileage numbers from my trip home from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This time I decided to not use cruise control. I was deliberately light with the gas pedal and kept my speed between 60-65 mph. I also did not encounter the traffic issues I had on the way up. I was able to get 27.8 mpg on 90% highway miles. This was done on 91 octane and driven on "Tarmac". I currently have about 821 miles on the odometer. I'm already very happy that my Outlander has exceeded EPA estimates. It would be a bonus if the mileage improves from these numbers as the engine continues to break in.

 

You should note that the Tarmac setting is in fact AWD as well. The difference between Snow and Tarmac is that the differentials are put into a more aggressive limited slip mode.

Then when you switch it to lock, that's full on lock.

 

Here is something to think about as you discuss fuel mileage and performance in FWD and AWD modes. According to the owner's and maintenance manuals, switching to either AWD mode raises the operating temperature of the transaxle and could potentially overheat it. The manuals do not state exactly what conditions would lead to excessive temperatures but they do indicate the computer will put the car into some kind of limp home mode if fluid temperature exceeds limits. This should be considered because elevated temperatures will increase the aging of the transmission fluid and parts. It also probably means frequent AWD operation should result in changing the transmission fluid at 25-30K miles instead of 44K miles as called for in the maintenance manual.

Having said all that, I do notice improved handling in both AWD modes. I tend to leave it in FWD mode for most local driving and highway driving. I save the AWD for after I drop the kids off.:-)

 

The owners manual does state which conditions could lead to overheating the AWD system (is it transaxle or transfer case) in my '09. Mud, sand, excessive wheel slip on ice. Anything where you can spin the tires without road resistance.

FYI:
"some kind of limp home mode" = 2WD on my '09 = Tarmac on the 2010's I think. This is independent of what you have selected on the 3 way toggle until the AWD fluid temperature falls to normal limits again.

My understanding is that the AWD components are always spinning no matter what mode you are in. The difference is that in 2WD mode the rear clutch does not engage to drive the rear wheels and the driving "profile" is different. Which means more fuel efficient gear choices = less performance feel -- faster shifting at lower RPMs, etc.

I leave it in 4WD Auto (snow in an '10?) unless I'm cruising on the highway for quite a while then I drop it down to 2WD. I put it into 4WD Lock in bad snow/rain storms.

I haven't heard of anyone overheating their AWD before. I think you have to work pretty hard at it.

 

Hi,
I own a Motor Home built by our largest Caravan manufacturer built on the L300 Express Chassis

I am elderly and wish to avoid traction problems on loose or wet gravel roads when we tour Namibia later this year,

Does anybody know whether a Differential lock/LSD is available for the backaxle of this chassis.

Any assistance and advice would be much appreciated.

Frank, Durban, South Africa