32mpg ???

Funny you should phrase it that way

When I drive I drive normally but take some care to not ride the gas pedal and the brakes. I get around 47 mpg, at least during the warmer spring and summer weather (winter is another issue here in Manitoba)

When my wife drives, she gets around 40-41 mpg which comes, I believe mostly from riding the gas pedal until the last possible moment when she has to brake, if not hard, then at least moderately hard. I've tried to educate her and change her habits to no avail (and have now chosen to give up rather than risk 28 years of marriage).

Point is, even with her "bad" habits and even in our colder climates, over 40 mpg is easily achievable. Even my worst tank in the depths of winter with lots of idling with the heat running have yielded better than 33 mpg. And yes, sometimes I use ethanol blended gas too. Gotta be something up with the car.

 

Our first tank was 32 mpg but then again it was -28C with lots of idling, defrosters running continuously, and studded snow tires. I don't think that the OP was dealing with any of that.

 

And just where IS the op?

 

Yep. This is why I don't spend time (nor think anyone else should) unless the OP answers the questionnaire and does what's mentioned in post 9.

FWIW, CR in their testing got 32 mpg city at The most fuel-efficient cars. Last page of http://www.consumersunion.org/Oct_CR_Fuel_Economy.pdf describes their tests and the pre-MY07 EPA tests.

 

Sometimes I feel sorry for myself with our cold winters here in Winnipeg. Then I see a post like this from somewhere like Alaska and I don't feel so bad

 

We've had our 2011 m4 with solar roof and moon roof for a year. When driving on a highway with limited stops mileage is great. But my morning commute, especially if I stop at the store on the way in is more difficult.

Add to this we live in a VERY hilly area (East Tennessee) and getting good mileage is difficult. Considering our 2004 Honda CR-V got between 19 and 24 MPG during normal driving and I'm glad for the 46 to 49 MPG we get. The best was ~53MPG between Dallas, TX and Oklahoma City, OK last June.

 

Does the OP know the questionnaire isn't a closed book test? They can use their notes when they fill it out.