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SUVs Honda CR-V Honda CR-V Real World MPG
782 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 7:34 PM
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Replying to: kipk (Jun 24, 2009 2:44 am) I was a bit surprised by the numbers myself. I was hoping for 32 mpg, and when it went to almost 39 I was completely amazed. I filled up the tank after that trip just to confirm those numbers. It might be a few weeks before I can test at different speeds and with AC on. I know at some point I turned on the compressor for a few seconds, and the mpg instantly dropped from around 38 to 36 (this was shortly after resetting the trip odometer). To be fair about the Pilot, I always had the climate controls set to "Auto", which basically gives it license to turn on the AC even when it's 65 out. The "auto" setting is just awful. I think if I had a scangauge hooked up, I might have realized just where the fuel economy was going. I've read that operating AC at a 50% duty cycle can reduce fuel economy as much as 10% in a conventional car (and more like 15-20% in a hybrid). As far as the impact of speed on fuel economy, since wind resistance is proportional to the square of your velocity, your going to have twice as much wind resistance at 78 mph than at 55. According to some charts I've seen such as mpg vs. speed an increase from 55 to 65 would result in another 10% drop. So, at 65 with AC on I'd expect maybe 31-32 mpg. Another tip is to make sure your tires are always fully inflated. I've found that my economy increases if I go a few psi over Honda's recommendations, but still stay below the max psi for the tire (remember to account for the fact that the pressure will increase as the ambient temperature increases - pV=nRT). If you fill up your tires with nitrogen, then it is less likely to leak out and you won't need to get your tires very often. My dad bought a V6 Accord because he felt that his 4 cylinder didn't give him enough power to accelerate onto the freeway. I get better economy in my CR-V than he does with his Accord. The problem here is speed limits used to be 55, and a small fuel-sipping engine used to be enough. People have demanded bigger engines over the last 25 years to keep up with the new speed limits. People want bigger cars because they feel unsafe next to all of the huge SUVs on the road. Now everyone's in a rush to get somewhere. So, you've got a whole bunch of lemmings going 70 (and with the AC at full blast) just because the signs say they're allowed to do it. You don't need a hybrid to get high fuel economy - just drive slower and crack open your windows instead of using AC (well, unless you're driving through Newark or Coalinga, CA - then make sure you close off your outside vents!). Check out the Drive 55 conservation project: If you're doing mostly highway driving, you don't need a hybrid. Because of the extra weight from the batteries, a conventional car can actually get better mileage if you're not doing a lot of breaking. With cruise control on, you're not going to get a lot of heavy acceleration unless you're going uphill. I'll get off my soapbox now. Hopefully someone will find this info useful! Keith
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Replying to: klanger (Jun 24, 2009 5:29 am) |
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I just got a 09 CRV FWD LX and couldn't be happier. It's getting 27-28 in light city use, short trips, 45-65 mph with several traffic lights, stop signs and a bridge. For comparison, my 08 Kia Spectra5 2.0  compact car got the same 27-28 for the exact same commute and much worse on the highway. The CRV has a 5 speed transmission. It is a very solid ride and handles amazingly well. The bottom line is the CRV beats many 4 speed compact cars mpg and is an SUV. More traffic lights and fast acceleration will lower mpg. I'll post a follow up later but for now the CRV is awesome. I'm 6'3'' and have lots of room in front or back. Also good cargo space, only a tiny bit less than a 4 runner or Jeep, but just about double the mpg. I took a big loss on dumping the Kia after a year but should made up for the loss with the CRV.
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Help...I just got an 09 CR-V 4WD EX-L w/NAV. The posted MPG on the sticker is 20 City, 27 Hwy, combined 22. Now, I've only driven about 100 miles so far, of which probably 60 were city and 40 hwy, but on the screen I'm getting 14.1 mpg. I don't floor it when the light turns green, it hasn't been ungodly hot (requiring lots of A/C), and I don't have a ton of cargo. I just don't get it. I know that the 20/27 is from "ideal conditions" but I wasn't expecting the combined number to be off by a whopping 8mpg. Any thoughts? I was getting 10-12 mpg combined on my Ford Explorer and was really excited for the upgrade.
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Replying to: pfloydman (Aug 27, 2009 8:37 pm) I have never reset the "B" trip meter on my 2007 CR-V, so I have a complete mileage reading for the car. It's 26.1 mpg. The meter, and you won't like this, probably reads high--1/2 to 3/4 mpg in my experience. Check the tire pressure, although dealers usually over inflate tires. Be assured, a well-running CR-V under normal driving conditions will deliver 20+ mpg. Good luck. |
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Never, never count on the onboard mpg screen for a reading. Always off by a few mpg. Use the try and true method by filling up to the first click at a gas station you use on a regular basis. Then after at least 3/4 tank left fill up again at the very same station and the very same pump to the first click only. This will give you a better reading. Driving any car a short distance without giving the engine a chance to warm up is a mpg killer. Example... My former 2006 Civic ( 25mpg city sticker ) got about 24/25 miles per gallon on a 10/12 mile city round drive per day. When I only drove 1/2 mile up and then later 1/2 mile back from a store or bank, my mpg was 16 to 17 miles per gallon. See the big difference when you only drive a short distance. Long traffic lights, many traffic lights over few lights will also give you a less mpg reading.
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Replying to: sr146260211 (Aug 28, 2009 5:26 am) First, though, driving conditions. Suburban and rural 35 - 45 mph limits, rolling hills, stops typically 1/2 to 1 mile, 85 percent.Short interstate 65 - 70 mph 15 percent. A/C on auto, 2 occupants mostly. Tires inflated to recommended 30psi. Temps, Oklahoma typical 85 - 95. Calculated mpg using miles/gallons fuel = 23.53mpg. Best tank was 24.72mpg (last tank), worst was 22.87mpg. Onboard mpg reading for the three tanks of fuel is 24.2mpg. Whats that, 1 percent or so off? I'll take it. So far, I'm a happy camper. The "Cute Little Car", as my grandkids call it, is tight and responsive, fairly quiet and very handy. Lotsa stuff goes in the cargo area, which along with being a Honda is the main reason for this purchase. |
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On my second fill-up, my tri pcomputer actually read lower tha nmy calculated amount. I'll see if that continues. It would be a suprise because on our altima, it always comes out reading higher tha nthe calculated amount. I'm starting ot think the trip computer is more accurate than hand calculation. Hand calculation could be off by a 1/2 gallon depending and require you average 3 or 4 tanks together. I think what will throw off the mpg indicator the most, is the gasoline itself. the energy content of the gasoline can vary slightly.. especially if ethanol is used. I think my dealer filled it with E10 when delivered (it's usually cheaper in the midwest), so I wasn't suprised when my mileage improve noticeably on the next 2 tanks... that along with more break-in. |
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In mixed suburban driving during the summer of '09 -- avg 21.5 mpg with low of 18 and high of 25.8 In mostly highway mileage during the same period -- avg 28.4 mpg with a high of 31. Speed in the range of 60 - 75. Context -- G'year Assurance Comfort Tread tires at 30 psi. A/C running when SaabGirl deemed it necessary, which is anytime temp exceeds 60. Carrying two adults on trips plus couple hundred pounds of stuff. Drove with traffic flow; no special effort to squeeze out better mileage. Shell 87 -- fuel most often used. Off-topic note: One thing I've appreciated about this very practical machine is that it still has no rattles or squeaks, even on rough pavement. |
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| Just completed 3000 mile cross country trek in 2008 CRV EX L 2 wheel drive which had 11400 miles at srtart of trip . I averaged an astounding 31.7 MPGs most of which was at 70MPH on Cruise control. The low end MPG 23.1 up mountains in the west the best at 37.8 going down those mountains. No issues whatsoever about anything. Vehicle ran better than Secretariat in the 73 Kentucky Derby ! | |
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