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Honda Pilot Real World MPG

1183 messages,  Last post on Jan 04, 2013 at 7:12 AM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 101 of 119

#997 of 1183 Re: 2009 Pilot EXL 2WD [kingfans1] by jeffinva

Mar 03, 2010 (8:13 am)

Replying to: kingfans1 (Feb 26, 2010 6:26 pm)
I have only used 87 octane. Like other posters here, I don't think a higher octane is needed unless you need extra power for a haul or mountains. I keep my psi on whatever honda recommends (I don't recall off the top of my head). I've never asked about the type oil when an oil change is done. I typically drive 0-5 mph over the speed limit and try to avoid quick accelerations though I also don't "drag out" accelerating either. I watched the ECO light for the first 6 months and used that to help "train my foot" For the size of the car, I'm happy with 18 town / 24 hwy

#998 of 1183 Re: Octane and Compression by justaveragejoe

Mar 03, 2010 (11:31 am)

Replying to: kingfans1 (Mar 01, 2010 7:33 pm)
The 2010 Pilot has a 10.5:1 compression w/ 3.471 cc displacement and 253 hp
  (needs reg unleaded)
 
The 2010 MDX has 11.2:1 compression w/ 3.664 cc displacement and 300 hp
 (needs premium unleaded)
 
Todays standards for gasses are pretty tight, some are a bit better for your engine but none should make a significant difference in mpg.

#999 of 1183 Re: Octane and Compression [justaveragejoe] by kingfans1

Mar 03, 2010 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: justaveragejoe (Mar 03, 2010 11:31 am)
so your point is the engine with 10:1 compression doesn't need preminum 91 or higher..
 
If you look at 2006 MDX which has 3471 CC 10:1 compression, required 91 or higher.
 
Of course you can use octane 87 on Acura MDX, but you are going to loose some HP.. for normal drivers wouldn't probably notice.
 
I do believe Honda Pilot engine really need octane 91 or higher. because of the weight of the car, and engine.

#1000 of 1183 Re: Octane and Compression [kingfans1] by justaveragejoe

Mar 04, 2010 (10:46 am)

Replying to: kingfans1 (Mar 03, 2010 6:16 pm)
Yes, for 2006 you are correct and make a good point. Both the Pilot and MDX have the same compression ratio and displacement (I made a mistake in my prior post, I meant to show 3.471 Liter).
 
Yet the MDX gets a higher HP rating? I imagine the MDX engine computer was "tuned" to perform better than the Pilot because it is a premium brand of car (Acura vs Honda) and people expect more for the premium price they pay. This performance tuning, things like increasing the maximum ignition timing through programming of the computer, requires premium gas to prevent pre-ignition or "pinging" during hard acceleration. Thats when timing needs to be advanced the most. If an OBDII sensor detects pre-ignition because the octane is too low for the MDX, it will compensate by adjusting some engine controls, such as retarding the timing. Maximum performance would not be achieved.
 
But I don't think the Pilot can achieve more HP with premium gas because it was deigned and programmed to run on regular. I think the computer has its limits and as long as the gas is letting the computer run everything at optimum, then that's all she's got.
 
I set the timing in my old truck by manually turning the distributor cap. It also has a vacuum advance and centrifugal advance. These methods are primitive compared to computers but they helped the car run more efficiently. The specs for my truck call for 2 degree advanced. I can advance it up to 6 degrees before I get any pinging. I keep it at 4 degrees to prevent any pre-ignition that I can't hear. I have always run premium in that old thing.
 
Anyway, people should feel good about whatever they do. A lot of stuff is opinion (including my babbling) and folks should do the things that increase the enjoyment they get when driving their vehicles.
 
Edit: Hey, check it out. Post number 1000 in this thread.
 
 

#1001 of 1183 Re: Octane and Compression [justaveragejoe] by kingfans1

Mar 04, 2010 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: justaveragejoe (Mar 04, 2010 10:46 am)
I always fuel up my car with chevron 91. It always show 420 miles range at 2 different chevron gas station after fuel up.
 
today I fuel up with shell V-power, the miles range show 429. I will let you guys know if shell gas brand give me good mpg.
 
so far shell v-power is excellent brand. performance is great. no problems going up on the mountains ( 8000 feet ). the car breathe better.

#1002 of 1183 Honda Pilot Real World MPG by kanatah0nda

Mar 11, 2010 (8:36 am)

I sell Pilots and 87 is all you need. 91 octane is a waste as stated above the engine is designed for 87 and will not perform any better or different with 91. If you beleive it does it is probably because you have convinced yourself of it.
 
 

#1003 of 1183 Re: Octane and Compression [kingfans1] by thegraduate

Mar 11, 2010 (8:52 pm)

Replying to: kingfans1 (Mar 04, 2010 5:42 pm)
Every "miles to empty" computer I've ever seen calculates this based on MPGs over the last few hundred miles. Ford, Hyundai, Toyota. Hate to break it to ya, but that computer isn't analyzing the fuel and saying "yep, this gas feels a little better than the last stuff." It just means your driving style and/or how much fuel was in the tank meant mathematically, you'd get a little further on that tank.
 
I've read several different articles mentioning how the higher resistance to ignition of premium can be a detriment to your mileage. I don't disagree or agree; I'm no engineer.

#1004 of 1183 Re: Honda Pilot Real World MPG [kanatah0nda] by kingfans1

Mar 11, 2010 (10:21 pm)

Replying to: kanatah0nda (Mar 11, 2010 8:36 am)
Octane 91 like chevron, shell, brand name have more cleaning agents than 87. In the long run of using 91, it will maintain your engine max performance.
 
lets say you drive 15,000 miles a year. 20 mpg. regular vs preminum 91 difference is .20 cents. Using preminum will cost you $150 more.
 
yea I believe 91 perform better than 87.

#1005 of 1183 Re: Honda Pilot Real World MPG [kingfans1] by thegraduate

Mar 12, 2010 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: kingfans1 (Mar 11, 2010 10:21 pm)
At Chevron (I know at least in Alabama because I have bought it exclusively for years) there is the same amount of cleaning agent in 87, 89, and 93. All feature "Techron."
 
I've used 87 in my Honda all of its life with no problems or performance issues at all. I've only got 209k miles on it though, so its not nearly used up.

#1006 of 1183 Re: 2009 Pilot EXL 2WD [jeffinva] by kingfans1

Mar 13, 2010 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: jeffinva (Mar 03, 2010 8:13 am)
Hi jeffinva,
you mentioned you got 24 hwy. is that 2wd or 4wd? how often you average 24 hwy? I assume 24 mpg only show couple minutes....
 
please post the prof.. thanks

Messages Page 101 of 119

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