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Sedans Honda Civic Honda Civic Real World MPG
2058 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 6:19 PM
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I believe a scan gauge would help, if we use it properly. For example: Most of the local speed limits in our area are 45 mph. Our Pilot AT won't shift into 5th and OD until 50 mpg. So should I speed up and allow the shift for slower engine RPM with more air resistance and the engine possibly not really in a "sweet spot"? Or stay at the 45mph speed in 4th gear with less air drag and possibly a bit less stress on the engine, etc.? Same would be true with a MT car, especially on hills. Is it better to keep it in a higher gear with the throttle closer to the floor, or drop down a gear and use less throttle although the injectors are firing more frequently but with less volume? On the road, we have, at times, experienced about the same or better mileage at a slightly higher speed. Is it because the tranny downshifted less on the hills? Or the engine had a bit more power to deal with some other condition(s). What we don't know is: How the road surface, elevation, prevailing wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, humidity, load, and so forth were affecting the mileage on that particular day and trip. We also don't know where the engines "Sweet Spot" is. Is it 1800 rpm, 1900 rpm, or more or less? I fill the tank the same way every time. Put the nozzle in as far as it will go and set it on the slowest setting. When it clicks off , wait a few seconds and gently squeeze until it clicks off a second time and stop. I try to use the same pump every time, although that is not an option on the road. Problem is that the tilt of the car will dictate how much fuel the tank will take. Also, how well is the pump calibrated. 8 gallons to drive 300 miles is 37.5 mph. But 9 gallons for the same distance is 33.3 mpg. If we were driving in a vacuum on flat smooth roads all the time, we could quickly figure the best way. But we have the real world to deal with. We can develop our own Hypothesis, but the Scan Gauge will instantly reveal which speed and gear actually gets the better mileage, under present conditions.  Kip
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Replying to: kipk (Oct 31, 2008 2:50 am) 
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at 20k miles/yr; $3/gal; the annual savings of 38mpg over 35 mpg is $135. at $2.50/g it's a whopping $112/year savings. I hope the scangage costs less than that.
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Replying to: kenlw (Oct 31, 2008 6:41 am) |
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Replying to: ruking1 (Oct 31, 2008 6:05 am) Kip
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Replying to: kenlw (Oct 31, 2008 6:41 am) I hope the scangage costs less than that. " I don't personally own a Scan Gauge or other such device yet, but have seriously considered getting one. Last time I checked , a few months ago, it seems they were in the $150 range. Using your numbers, it would pay for itself in about 1 1/2 years. To go a little farther: If we could save that $112 a year on every "Necessary" item, it could save a considerable amount of money in a years time. Consider: Automobile fuel, automobile fuel for the 2nd car, Health insurance, Life insurance, Car insurance, Groceries, Electricity, Heating oil/ natural gas, Income tax, eating out, movies, other entertainment, cable or dish, cell phone, telephone, internet connection, automotive maintenance, yard/lawn care, miscelanious purchases, home maintenance, clothing, and drug store items. Those are 22 items that quickly come to mind. At $112 each the savings would be $2464 yearly. Still not overwhelming, but considerable. As Ruking pointed out, different folks enjoy beating different systems. One person may enjoy shaving as many minutes as possible off commute times, while another enjoys using as little fuel as possible for the commute. I don't personally understand why anyone would buy an "Economy" car and not want to benefit as much economy out of it as possible. But that is me. Your mileage may vary! Kip |
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Replying to: kipk (Nov 01, 2008 2:22 am) The nexus is that Wayne Gerdes used to post here on www.edmunds.com. He is of the 59 mpg on a Honda Accord fame. 
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Kip, if you want to have that as a hobby, go ahead and enjoy it, no one can criticize you. But if you insist it's a "investment", well, let's just say that you should keep it as an enjoyable hobby. And using your analogy, if each of those $112 /yr savings COST you $150, would you still do it? Technically, the analogy is a bit of a stretch to those of us who do return on investment calculations on a regular basis. As a hobby, it's great. Trust me, I was there in the 80s. My 81 GLC consistently got over 45 hwy mpg. It was fun to see how much I could squeeze out of it. But then I got another hobby I enjoyed more.
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Replying to: kenlw (Nov 01, 2008 5:58 pm) To answer your question, yes I will gladly spend $150 once to save $112 each and every year. In 1.5 years the money is recovered and the savings go on year after year. Savings may even increase yearly if prices rise. I'm very interested to know how that is a "stretch". "But if you insist it's a "investment", well, let's just say that you should keep it as an enjoyable hobby." I have never been great at math. So need your help in understanding your logic. Thanks, Kip |
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Replying to: ruking1 (Oct 30, 2008 8:19 am) First tank full after the above quote, 38.5 mpg (354 miles/9.2 gal) . So I (still) swag (all things being equal) a new tire set loss of app 1.5 mpg ( getting app 40 mpg before tire set swap and alignment) . The first tank came almost dead in the middle of my original projection. We shall see what another 3 tank fulls will mike out to be. |
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