Can I get better than 18 mpg from my 2009 XC70?

[jimmy57]

Resetting fuel trim will not yield results unless there was a part changed that had impact on fuel trim. Even then there is a small chance it would have any impact. Fuel trims are the computers adjustments based on oxygen sensor inputs and have nothing to do with learning YOUR driving habits or style. The exhaust gas content has to be within the range where catalysts can function. If a part is changed the unlearn may not come back to the optimal on older cars so clearing and letting it do it over can make a difference. On newer models that is less likely with the linear front oxygen sensors.
There have been ECM/TCM upgrades since that car was manufactured to specifically address MPG. The trans shift program was adjusted for quicker upshifts at low throttle and the control of CVVT and CPS was adjusted to improve torque to go along with getting into higher gear sooner to keep revs lower.
You still have so little info as to how and where you drive so I can't really make any guesses as to whether this upgrade will have any real benefit for you.
I would think the car is under warranty and a complaint of poor MPG and poor cold start might get this done and covered. Again I have no idea of your milage or whether you live in US or Canada where warranty is long or other parts of the world where warranty is 2 years unlimited miles.

[mbreed]

Did you just get this car? Fuel trim is going to be set by previous driving habits and can take a while to adapt to you. So if the previous driver was Ricky Racer then a reset would be a good idea. Resetting may or may not help. But we are all spit balling here.

[jblackburn]

^this. My dads jeep gets confused whenever my sister drives it. I would be too. Poor car.

Biggest gains in MPG are from adjusting driving habits. I have been able to gain 4 mpg from my Chevy by changing shifting habits.

[AlanS]

^this. My dads jeep gets confused whenever my sister drives it. I would be too. Poor car.

Biggest gains in MPG are from adjusting driving habits. I have been able to gain 4 mpg from my Chevy by changing shifting habits.

I live in NY- Long Island to be exact. Drive 15 miles to work..about 15 minutes 'in town', then highway for 20 minutes. I am light on the pedal, as I have found that a heavy foot does nothing in the non-turbo. I cruise at about 55-65 on the parkways. The car was purchased with 41,000miles on a CPO plan. I have to bring it back on the 23rd for a new windshield, so I can ask them about the poor fuel milage. Anything that I can say to have them 'look further into it'? If I just tell them it's 18mpg, they'll say "that's normal".

[mbreed]

I did some research and am seeing why they would say its normal. The best you can do is ask for an ECM software upgrade. Ad cross your fingers. If it doesn't make you happy, trade it in. In which case they will probably rape you. But maybe you can work something out.

[AlanS]

I went to the Dealer. They are willing to work with me...(not rape, but heavy molestation!). I would take about a $2.5K loss giving the car back to them - trading up. They suggest (And I ask you all) that I get a FWD xc70 or a V70 (circa 2008). Both could be had. Service manager, just chatting with him while I was waiting, said that my recent long drive, getting 18.8mpg was 'average' and not surprising. He said that many people come in asking for the car to be reviewed, thinking that the 'normal' low mpg is a problem.
So... I own a 2009 XC70...getting 18.5 mpg on average (city and highway) with a light foot and conservative driving. Would a move to the FWD (3.2 engine), V70 (2007/8) make that much of a difference?

[jblackburn]

I went to the Dealer. They are willing to work with me...(not rape, but heavy molestation!). I would take about a $2.5K loss giving the car back to them - trading up. They suggest (And I ask you all) that I get a FWD xc70 or a V70 (circa 2008). Both could be had. Service manager, just chatting with him while I was waiting, said that my recent long drive, getting 18.8mpg was 'average' and not surprising. He said that many people come in asking for the car to be reviewed, thinking that the 'normal' low mpg is a problem.
So... I own a 2009 XC70...getting 18.5 mpg on average (city and highway) with a light foot and conservative driving. Would a move to the FWD (3.2 engine), V70 (2007/8) make that much of a difference?

Ask to borrow one for a day. They let me borrow my Cruze for the weekend before I bought it.