Not sure if this is normal, but my ‘miles to empty’ seems to go down faster than the distance I’m actually driving. I have a 2023 Kia Stonic, and I’m noticing that even on short trips, it’s using up more miles than I would expect. For example, today I had 60 miles left, drove just 1.1 miles to the shop and back, and now it’s down to 47 miles. Is this common? I really like this car, but the fuel economy has me scratching my head.
Yep, that sounds normal. ‘Miles to empty’ is based on your average fuel use, so a short trip can make it go down faster. For example, a city drive with lots of stops can use up fuel faster than driving on the highway.
@Mark
Thanks, that makes sense. Though, I live in a rural area and my 1.1-mile trip was all open roads at around 60 mph, not stop-and-go driving. Also, I thought hybrids were supposed to be more fuel-efficient. I took a 550-mile trip recently, and it felt like I was refilling way more often than my friend who was driving a smaller, older car. Could my driving style be affecting it, or is it just how hybrids work?
@MatthewGonzalez
Driving habits definitely impact fuel economy. Do you accelerate hard, or speed up and slow down a lot? Things like that can make a big difference. Try to keep a steady speed whenever possible and avoid sudden stops.
@Garcia
I don’t do anything like resting my foot on the brake, and I always turn the engine off when parked. But yeah, I do speed up and slow down a lot since there are sharp bends around here. Maybe that’s affecting it?
@MatthewGonzalez
Watch your MPG readout on the dashboard—it shows the fuel economy in real time. I drive a lot of curvy roads myself, and the constant changes in speed do take a toll on MPG.
@MatthewGonzalez
Short trips are usually less fuel-efficient. I have a Kia Soul, and anything under 5 miles often has lower MPG because the engine isn’t fully warmed up yet.
@MatthewGonzalez
Hybrids save more fuel in city traffic. At highway speeds, the car relies more on the engine than the battery. If you only do short, high-speed trips, you might not see the fuel savings you expect. You might consider a full electric vehicle if gas savings are your main goal.
@MatthewGonzalez
What’s your actual fuel economy? There should be an MPG readout on the screen.
SportageSpur said:
@MatthewGonzalez
What’s your actual fuel economy? There should be an MPG readout on the screen.
It says 33 mpg.
Even just sitting with the car running can cause it to go down faster. The reading adjusts based on your average fuel usage, not the miles you’re actually driving.
Lisa said:
Even just sitting with the car running can cause it to go down faster. The reading adjusts based on your average fuel usage, not the miles you’re actually driving.
Thanks for explaining. I’ve never had a car with these kinds of meters before!
@MatthewGonzalez
Idling uses fuel in all cars, it’s not just a modern car issue. That’s just how engines work.
marthakrausen said:
@MatthewGonzalez
Idling uses fuel in all cars, it’s not just a modern car issue. That’s just how engines work.
True, I meant more that I’ve never had a ‘miles to empty’ meter before, so this kind of thing is new to me .
My old Kia’s fuel gauge was always off. It would stay at full for a while, but then drop really fast after reaching halfway.
Juneta said:
My old Kia’s fuel gauge was always off. It would stay at full for a while, but then drop really fast after reaching halfway.
Had the same experience! My old car would hold steady at full, then suddenly drop after a certain point.
Juneta said:
My old Kia’s fuel gauge was always off. It would stay at full for a while, but then drop really fast after reaching halfway.
My old Clio did this too! Stayed at ‘full’ for ages then dropped quickly. Seems like a common issue.
Try not to let the tank get too close to empty. It’s good to refill once you’re down to a quarter tank so the fuel pump doesn’t work harder.
fabgise said:
Try not to let the tank get too close to empty. It’s good to refill once you’re down to a quarter tank so the fuel pump doesn’t work harder.
Thanks for the tip. I usually refill around that point but stretched it a bit this time because payday’s just around the corner.
My 2023 Sportage hybrid does the same—stays full for ages, then the gauge drops quickly.