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Honda Civic Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers

475 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 3:11 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan


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#465 of 475
2008 HCH sudden drop in mpg by jtisch
Aug 01, 2009 (6:22 am)
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Well, I finally figured out the problem with the sudden drop in mpg for my 2008 HCH from a steady 47 to 41. The mileage dropped even farther, to 39.2. As I mentioned I was getting a steady 47 mpg local driving. Even the dealer couldn't give me a reason for the drop from 47 to 39. I tried different brands of gas. Same problem. My curiosity then turned to the air conditioner. I live in Florida. Last Wednesday I filled up my 2008 HCH, opened the windows and left off the air conditioner. I drove for three days without the AC (try that in Florida in the summer). Sure enough, my mileage again jumped up to 47 mpg. Can't wait for the return of fall.
jt
#466 of 475
2006 Gas mileage falling. Why? by nilesboy
Aug 18, 2009 (2:12 pm)
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I bought a 2006 Civic Hybrid new in 2006. I have 33,500 miles on the car. I started out getting 45 to 47 MPG city/highway driving for the first 2 years.
On a trip from Fl. to W.Va. I even got 50 mpg.
In January 2009 (after buying new tires) I began to get 38 mpg or less city/hwy. It keeps going down consistantly. Today I checked my mileage and it was 32 mpg city/hwy. Anyone out there have any answers? I use the same gas (sunoko, hess,BP, citgo, etc.)
#467 of 475
Mileage continues to go down by nilesboy
Sep 15, 2009 (12:00 pm)
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I bought a new (06) civic hybrid in Jan. 2006, I have 35,000 miles on the car. Started out getting 47 mpg average for the first 2 years. In Jan. 2009 after putting on new expensive tires the mpg went down to 38 mpg. Today Sept. 15th, 2009 I checked after fillup and it was 35 mpg. I am a careful driver with no jack rabbit starts etc. Any suggestions? Could it be the Hybrid Battery? Please give me your opinion.
#468 of 475
Re: Mileage continues to go down [nilesboy] by bradzepfan
Sep 15, 2009 (12:31 pm)
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Replying to: nilesboy (Sep 15, 2009 12:00 pm)

I am not an expert by any means, but I understand that tires make a big difference. Just that they are "expensive" doesn't mean anything in terms of gas mileage. Too much tread equals decreased gas mileage??? again, sorry not an expert.
#469 of 475
Re: Mileage continues to go down [nilesboy] by jtisch
Sep 15, 2009 (12:42 pm)
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Replying to: nilesboy (Sep 15, 2009 12:00 pm)

I have a 2008 Civic Hybrid. I was averaging 47mpg and 50+ on the highway.
Suddenly, my mileage dropped to the 39-40 range. I talked to the dealer about it and they had no clue. I changed several gas brands to no avail.
So, I did a little test. I turned off the air conditioner for two to three days (that's torture in Florida in the summer) and sure enough the mileage started to climb.
I also play golf once a week, sometimes twice, so I took my golf clubs out of the trunk and put them in the garage.
Sure enough, my mileage climbed back to the 47 level with no A\C and no extra weight in the trunk.
So, if you live in a hot climate, try the A\C trick, take extra weight out of the trunk and overinflate the tires by 2 or 3 lbs. each.
During the hot days I still use the A\C and suffer the fewer miles.
Can't wait for fall and the cooler weather to get back to normal.
jt
#470 of 475
Re: 2006 Gas mileage falling. Why? [nilesboy] by frednjudik
Sep 15, 2009 (2:49 pm)
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Replying to: nilesboy (Aug 18, 2009 2:12 pm)

As I mentioned before on this thread, I wasn't getting the mileage I expected after buying a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid on April 1, 2009. As I mentioned then, please take your Honda Civic Hybrid to any Honda Dealer and ask for a Fuel Consumption Test. They may have to keep your car for several days to do this.
I have never gotten better than 39.9 miles per gallon driving in all conditions. I do have the A/C on a lot as we have been in the 100's the last of August and the first two weeks in September. This is sometimes with another passenger in the car, and sometimes with some weight in the trunk. I have to think that the ideal conditions to get MPG in the high 40's to 50 would be single driver, no A/C on, no extra weight in car, and factory recommended tires, (in the Owner's Manual), and reasonbly conservative driving habits. In this condition if you don't get at least 40 to 45 mpg, something may be wrong with your Honda Civic Hybrid. If you don't follow exactly what the owner's manual calls out in tires, that could make a difference. If you ignore the low tire pressure indicator, this can bite you also.
I am going on a long trip this week-end and will have a chance to really check out highway mileage. Of course I will have another passenger, some luggage, and probably the A/C on. I think the EPA ratings on MPG should get real, and define what real MPG are with the conditions I just described. Otherwise, the MPG on the dealer's window stickers are always going to be high and GUESSING at what the REAL MPG are in average driving conditions/situations.
#471 of 475
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid by gillster
Dec 03, 2009 (1:16 pm)
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Living in the colder winter climates,people that own Civic Hybrids are now more than likely starting to experience the annual lose of between 7-10 Mpg!! This has been my dilema since the 08'/ 09 winter when I first started seeing this major loss of fuel economy. When I went to my dealership, they had no solutions or explanations.When I called Honda of America[corporate headquarters] they couldn't come with any answers either. Earlier this summer, I saw a report on the Weather Channel about hybrids & winter fuel losses due to the battery pack being cold & not functioning efficiently as when warm.This was the only report/explanation I have ever seen about this MAJOR problem w/hybrid batteries. Anyone else experiencing this winter loss of Mpg?
#472 of 475
Re: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid [gillster] by frednjudik
Dec 03, 2009 (4:00 pm)
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Replying to: gillster (Dec 03, 2009 1:16 pm)

Not sure about the cold weather affecting the battery pack charge life. It is possible that it takes longer to charge. I would think that Honda could give you the specs. on the optimum battery temp. producing the best battery charge and discharge rate. On my Calif. 800 mile round trip, I averaged 42 mpg, w/passenger, A/C on, luggage in trunk. Driving around 200 miles in town and around 200 miles hwy. I average 37 mpg. Most auto mags, and consumer reports indicate this is about what to expect from the Honda Civic Hybrid, (37 mpg) average.
 
If anyone gets abouve 37 mpg, consider yourself ahead of the GAME!
#473 of 475
Re: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid [gillster] by mrwaug
Dec 04, 2009 (9:01 am)
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Replying to: gillster (Dec 03, 2009 1:16 pm)

I live in southean Idaho and get 50 mpg spring and fall, 46 during the summer with the A/C on and the lowest of 37 during the winter when temps drop below freezing.
  I dont think the drop in cold mileage is so much a problem due to the electral side of the powertrain. The internal combustion engine has always had been inhertently inefficent in cold weather,especally during warm up. The old carbureted engines used to have to be choked of almost all air to be able to get to start and run when cold, and the incoming air had to be heated to eliminate hesitation during acceleration. The new fuel injected engines are no different. The injectors are dumping fuel during start-up and warmup to get things running. Any why is this? Liquid gasoline does not burn. It needs to be a vapor or near vapor. when an engine is hot, and the intake air is hot, the fuel sprayed from the injuctors turns to vapor or at least stays in the form of small dropplets. Then the engine is cold, and the air is cold, the fuel does not vaporize, but tends to turn back into liquid fuel. By increasing the fuel mixture by llke 200% when cold, there is enough vaporized fuel to make the engine run properly.
 Add the fact that all of the liquids in the engine are thicker when cold, adds resistance to the powertrain.
 The Hybred engine is extreamly fuel efficent and can get 48mpg on the freeway with only using the battery to assist in acceleration. but everything that can cause resistance to the car (weight, low tire pressure,wheels missaligned, excessive speed,wrong motor oil, ect) will cause a dramatic drop in mileage.
#474 of 475
BAD Mileage on my 2006 Hybrid by kyhybrid
Dec 04, 2009 (2:50 pm)
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I have posted this before and I still don't get anywhere near 40 MPG on a regular basis. We just took a 1,600 mile trip to NY. I average 39.5 MPG for the entire trip. That was with me contstantly watching the speedometer and never flooring the gas pedal. In town we only receive around 27MPG.
 
Of course the Honda dealer has never offered any help with this problem. Everytime we take it in for service they only shrug their shoulders and tell us the car has no problems.
 
Any advice?

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