Boost Your 2020 Mazda CX-3 MPG by 5 to 15%
You can improve your 2020 Mazda CX-3 gas mileage by 5 to 15% with simple changes. Front-wheel drive models get 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. All-wheel drive versions rate 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Proper tires, smooth driving, and basic upkeep add 1 to 3 mpg. That saves you $100 to $300 a year on gas.
Start with tires. Low pressure cuts fuel economy by 3 to 10% if tires sit 10 psi under spec. Check monthly and before trips. Aim for 35 to 36 psi from the driver door label. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Keep alignment current to lower rolling resistance.
Drive smarter. Speed over 60 mph spikes fuel use. Drop highway speed from 75 to 65 mph for 10 to 15% better mpg. Accelerate gently. Coast into stops. Steady speeds beat aggressive habits, which drop mpg by 10 to 30% in city driving. Set cruise control on safe highways.
Cut idling and AC drag. Turn off the engine for waits over 10 seconds. Use windows open below 40 mph instead of AC. On highways, run AC but pre-cool the cabin. This eases the compressor load.
Tune the engine. Swap a dirty air filter for better flow and response. Change spark plugs at 75,000 miles per the manual. Stick to 0W-20 synthetic oil and change on schedule to cut friction. Fix check engine lights fast. Bad sensors or misfires steal mpg.
Lighten the load. Ditch the roof rack when empty for 2 to 5% mpg gains. Clear heavy cargo from the back. Light throttle on flats lets the transmission hit top gear.
Quick gains overview:
| Tip | Typical Gain | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Set tire pressure to door label | 3 to 6% | Free, 5 minutes |
| Smooth acceleration and braking | 10 to 20% | Free, ongoing |
| Drive 65 mph not 75 mph | 10 to 15% | Free |
| Avoid idling over 10 seconds | 3 to 8% | Free |
| Remove roof rack or cargo box | 2 to 5% | Free |
| Fix check engine light | Up to 4% | Varies by repair |
| Use right oil on time | 1 to 2% | Service cost |
Take these steps now:
- Check tire pressure monthly and before long drives.
- Cap highway speeds at 65 mph when safe.
- Accelerate smooth and coast to stops.
- Kill the engine for waits longer than 10 seconds.
- Drop unused roof gear and extra weight.
- Swap dirty air filters and spark plugs on time.
- Run 0W-20 oil changes and clear warning lights.
Sidekick tracks your trips to show real mpg boosts and local fuel savings.