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I take issue with that comment because I have found the same lack of claimed mileage results as others in this forum. If you drive with full intent of achieving the numbers claimed, you WILL be killed on the highway.
My Korean-built 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS has 8,200 miles on it. Around town, stop and go traffic, I get 20 to 22 mpg. I've done road tests during my frequent travels to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I've found I can get 43 to 44 mpg with slow acceleration and traveling at 55 to 60 mph. That's about the first hour of my trip. Then the stop and go starts, along with the 4 lane free-for-all beyond that, and I end up with 35 mpg by the time I get home. I used to get that kind of mileage with my 2006 Nissan Sentra.
I also tested the "ECO" mode. I see the same RPM's at 60 mph with it on or off......it's nothing more than a reminder light, unlike the 2012 Soul my son has which allows you to turn it off and on.
I use an app on my iphone called "Vehical" to track my mileage. At 8,261 miles, I've averaged 28.78 mpg, which is nothing to write home about.
I still would have bought the car, but the 40 mpg carrot was definitely not true!
Replying to: mike1052 (Dec 03, 2011 2:26 pm)
He says the mileage ratings are achievable unless "you drive like a maniac."
People say some pretty stupid things sometimes.
Driving like a maniac sure won't help get close to those EPA numbers, but there's many other factors that reduce fuel economy that have nothing to do with driving like a maniac.
Replying to: backy (Dec 03, 2011 6:19 am)
BTW... that was kind of an odd response to my post. Aren't you in favor of someone who is experiencing lower mpg than expected to rule out a problem with the car as a cause, using controlled tests?
Of course I am. My response wasn't meant to negate your suggestion as I didn't reference it at all. I was just pointing out further information in the discussion.
If I remember correctly, I think this poster mentioned that he had driven his new Elantra even more conservatively than he did a previous car and couldn't achieve the mpg he had previously with the new Elantra that's rated substantially higher mpg. I have a 2007 Mazda6 2.3l auto which my wife drives about 52 miles round trip daily with a mixture of about 30city/70 hwy. She averages 28 mpg tank in tank out. She drives fast too(proven by a recent speeding ticket I may add). That avg is above what the EPA estimates the avg to be. If I bought an Elantra and I did not even average the city rating on the car I would be PO'd too. Especially if I knew of others that were getting a lot better mpg with their Elantras. You know what the dealers tell these people which just probably makes it worse.
It seems to be clear that a small percentage of people are having problems getting close to estimates no matter how hard they try. I just think we should keep an open mind and consider there may be a problem with some of the cars and not the owners.
Replying to: m6user (Dec 03, 2011 6:56 pm)
That is exactly what my suggestion was about: rule out a mechanical problem with the car first. Then look at other factors than can impact FE, e.g. temperature, wind speed, number of stops, speed (top speed and average speed), hills, weight of cargo/passengers, gas pedal pressure (light vs. heavy), tire pressure, miles on the car/break-in, driving habits (e.g. coasting as much as possible), etc. etc.
My wife would tell you she drives very "conservatively", and from what I've observed that's true in general. Although she occasionally runs up the speed without thinking and has had a couple speeding tickets. And for some reason she can't master using a light touch on the gas. Also, she drives a lot of short trips and likes to keep the engine running while she's waiting for our daughter at school etc. So while she believes she drives conservatively, she gets very poor FE while driving.
I think someone could make a very good business for himself/herself if they could teach people how to drive for high fuel economy. There's driving classes for safety, for handling emergency conditions... why not for fuel economy?
Also, some feather-foot training is due for many complainers who don't know how to drive efficiently. Funny how so many complainers expect they can match or excel the professionals driving the EPA mpg tests.
Replying to: backy (Dec 03, 2011 8:45 pm)
Then look at other factors than can impact FE, e.g. temperature, wind speed, number of stops, speed (top speed and average speed), hills, weight of cargo/passengers, gas pedal pressure (light vs. heavy), tire pressure, miles on the car/break-in, driving habits (e.g. coasting as much as possible), etc. etc.
Yes, that's true but most of those things will average out over time and affect all drivers and vehicles pretty much equally. I have to assume that these unsatisfied owners are driving in a similar manner to which they drove their previous vehicles. If they bought the Elantra to save fuel they may even be driving more conservatively.....who knows?
By the way, my wife is the opposite. She does not say she drives conservatively and from what I've observed she is right. Neither of us are in any shape or form hypermilers. I probably drive like I always have as I would guess that to really affect my mpg a whole lot I would really have to baby it and that would take out a lot of the fun of driving for me.
Replying to: litesong2 (Dec 03, 2011 9:52 pm)
Also, some feather-foot training is due for many complainers who don't know how to drive efficiently
I guess you are assuming that all the people that are complaining about their FE with the new Elantra are just stupid then. Driving to save gas in not brain surgery and the information is out there and easily attainable. I doubt if you asked any driver how they could save gas that they wouldn't know most of the methods. They just don't practise them. Kind of like leading a horse to water so to speak.
I have ethanol mix year round here in Chicagoland and I alway meet or beat the EPA numbers. And I don't drive with a feather under my foot. Since 2008 when the EPA revised their numbers it has been pretty easy to meet or surpass their estimates unless you drive really hard in most cars. So when I read a lot of reports of people not even getting close to the EPA numbers even when they seem to be trying very hard, I'm not quick to assign labels to them like "complainers". That is a little condescending IMO.
Replying to: m6user (Dec 03, 2011 10:30 pm)
m6user 'guesses' that I assume ALL people complaining about Elantra FE are stupid, tho m6user even quoted my term, "many complainers'. Obviously, m6user doesn't translate my quote properly, that HE emphasized. Also, his 'stupid' comment, referring to my belief, is assumed & also in error.
Looking at the extensive & accurate map of ethanol-free gas stations listed at pure-gas.org, I see that m6user is correct & I'm sorry no ethanol-free gas stations are in the Chicago area. But for those who do have ethanol-free gas stations, near you, I urge you to extensively test ethanol-free gasoline. Ethanol-free gas is NOT higher octane gas, but is gasoline without ethanol, & which is getting rare & even non-existent in many areas. In my own town, ethanol-free is unavailable, & I must go to the next town to purchase it. & a station with a good price on ethanol-free is in the next town, yet further from me.
As stated in another post previously, tho the ethanol industry & Federal government admit to only a 2% to 4% loss in mpg from the use of 10% ethanol blend, my 3 cars show a 4% to 7% mpg difference. Many, many other people voice even greater losses from the use of 10% ethanol blends. Tho actual lost btus of energy are about 3% from the use of 10% ethanol blends, seems like many cars may be losing the sweet spot of efficient combustion from their individual cars which were designed to be at their best with 100% gasoline AND AS THE EPA TESTS ALL MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES FOR MPG.
Along with urging people to use ethanol-free gasoline, make sure your tires are at proper pressures, specially in these times of cooling weather which may lower tire pressures. Studies have indicated millions of people have lost billions of gallons of fuel due to underinflated tires. Without regular monitoring of tire pressures, I've even found my tires underinflated at times. In my northern region of the country, I normally drive with a few extra pounds of tire pressure.
However, honestly I am a little disappointed with the MPG I achieve in the city. My Elantra is a great highway car, I get pretty much 40mpg on long distance highway trips when going between 70-80mph on cruise. However, I commute to work in the city daily and the MPG rating is drastically different. I only get about 20-22mpg city driving. My gas seems to burn fairly quickly driving in the city as oppose to long distance highway trips. I can drive from Jersey to New York and back with still a full tank of gas in the car. Yet, when driving to work in the city (much shorter distance) my gas tank depletes rapidly.
I know the Elantra is rated with a higher Highway mpg than city, but the advertise 29/40 should actually be 20/40. No matter how conservative I drive, with ECO on, slow accelation, no extra weight in the car, etc., I get no more than 21-22 mpg at best!
I still love my car because it doesn't cost much to fill up, but IMHO, the Elantra is a highway vehicle more so than a city commuter. The best city commuter in my oppinon is the Ford Fusion Hybrid, that baby runs on pure battery if you stay below 47mph (no gas at all). I and most city commuters only do about 25-40 mph city driving. So the Fusion Hybrid wins. I almost bought the Fusion hybrid, but the Elantra's price and style won me over. However, now I believe for city commuter purposes solely, the Fusion Hybrid would've been the better choice. However, still love my Elantra. Just wish I could get that advertise mpg
Replying to: siskokb (Dec 05, 2011 10:12 am)
You are correct; a gas-electric hybrid like the FFH or Prius or TCH will probably do much better in city driving than a gas-only car. For your type of driving, something like the Prius would likely have been a better choice (and the Prius is closer in size to the Elantra than the FFH).
I've seen rumors on the 'net of an Elantra hybrid, but I haven't seen anything official on it. Hyundai certainly has the technology for it, since they have the Sonata hybrid. Just need to apply it to a smaller gas engine.
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Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2011 MY and earlier
655 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2012 at 6:27 PM
You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan
#554 of 655 2011 Elantra Mileage by mike1052
Dec 03, 2011 (2:26 pm)
A friend sent me a link to the same article that m6user referred to. The last comment made by Jim Trainor, Hyundai representative, was, "The numbers are the numbers and the tests are the tests," he said. He says the mileage ratings are achievable unless "you drive like a maniac."I take issue with that comment because I have found the same lack of claimed mileage results as others in this forum. If you drive with full intent of achieving the numbers claimed, you WILL be killed on the highway.
My Korean-built 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS has 8,200 miles on it. Around town, stop and go traffic, I get 20 to 22 mpg. I've done road tests during my frequent travels to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I've found I can get 43 to 44 mpg with slow acceleration and traveling at 55 to 60 mph. That's about the first hour of my trip. Then the stop and go starts, along with the 4 lane free-for-all beyond that, and I end up with 35 mpg by the time I get home. I used to get that kind of mileage with my 2006 Nissan Sentra.
I also tested the "ECO" mode. I see the same RPM's at 60 mph with it on or off......it's nothing more than a reminder light, unlike the 2012 Soul my son has which allows you to turn it off and on.
I use an app on my iphone called "Vehical" to track my mileage. At 8,261 miles, I've averaged 28.78 mpg, which is nothing to write home about.
I still would have bought the car, but the 40 mpg carrot was definitely not true!
- backy (Dec 03, 2011 2:29 pm)
Replies to this message:
#555 of 655 Re: 2011 Elantra Mileage [mike1052] by backy
Dec 03, 2011 (2:29 pm)
Replying to: mike1052 (Dec 03, 2011 2:26 pm)
He says the mileage ratings are achievable unless "you drive like a maniac." People say some pretty stupid things sometimes.
Driving like a maniac sure won't help get close to those EPA numbers, but there's many other factors that reduce fuel economy that have nothing to do with driving like a maniac.
#556 of 655 Re: Pretty close [backy] by m6user
Dec 03, 2011 (6:56 pm)
Replying to: backy (Dec 03, 2011 6:19 am)
BTW... that was kind of an odd response to my post. Aren't you in favor of someone who is experiencing lower mpg than expected to rule out a problem with the car as a cause, using controlled tests? Of course I am. My response wasn't meant to negate your suggestion as I didn't reference it at all. I was just pointing out further information in the discussion.
If I remember correctly, I think this poster mentioned that he had driven his new Elantra even more conservatively than he did a previous car and couldn't achieve the mpg he had previously with the new Elantra that's rated substantially higher mpg. I have a 2007 Mazda6 2.3l auto which my wife drives about 52 miles round trip daily with a mixture of about 30city/70 hwy. She averages 28 mpg tank in tank out. She drives fast too(proven by a recent speeding ticket I may add). That avg is above what the EPA estimates the avg to be. If I bought an Elantra and I did not even average the city rating on the car I would be PO'd too. Especially if I knew of others that were getting a lot better mpg with their Elantras. You know what the dealers tell these people which just probably makes it worse.
It seems to be clear that a small percentage of people are having problems getting close to estimates no matter how hard they try. I just think we should keep an open mind and consider there may be a problem with some of the cars and not the owners.
- backy (Dec 03, 2011 8:45 pm)
Replies to this message:
#557 of 655 Re: Pretty close [m6user] by backy
Dec 03, 2011 (8:45 pm)
Replying to: m6user (Dec 03, 2011 6:56 pm)
That is exactly what my suggestion was about: rule out a mechanical problem with the car first. Then look at other factors than can impact FE, e.g. temperature, wind speed, number of stops, speed (top speed and average speed), hills, weight of cargo/passengers, gas pedal pressure (light vs. heavy), tire pressure, miles on the car/break-in, driving habits (e.g. coasting as much as possible), etc. etc. My wife would tell you she drives very "conservatively", and from what I've observed that's true in general. Although she occasionally runs up the speed without thinking and has had a couple speeding tickets. And for some reason she can't master using a light touch on the gas. Also, she drives a lot of short trips and likes to keep the engine running while she's waiting for our daughter at school etc. So while she believes she drives conservatively, she gets very poor FE while driving.
I think someone could make a very good business for himself/herself if they could teach people how to drive for high fuel economy. There's driving classes for safety, for handling emergency conditions... why not for fuel economy?
- m6user (Dec 03, 2011 10:33 pm)
Replies to this message:
#558 of 655 EPA uses ethanol-free gasoline by litesong2
Dec 03, 2011 (9:52 pm)
The EPA runs their mpg ratings tests on 100% gasoline without any ethanol blended into it. The ethanol industry admits that their 10% ethanol blend will cause 2% decrease in mpg. The EPA admits that mpg is reduced 3% to 4%. However, many many people determine the mpg has been reduced to a much greater extent. My three cars with mpg line graphs listed at fueleconomy.gov have mpg reductions of 4% to 7%. Seems that the 10% ethanol, which loses ~ 3% btus in the blend compared to 100% gasoline, also must lose the 'sweet spot' of which vehicles were manufactured to run best on 100% gasoline. Go to pure-gas.org for listings & maps of gas stations in your area selling ethanol-free gasoline.Also, some feather-foot training is due for many complainers who don't know how to drive efficiently. Funny how so many complainers expect they can match or excel the professionals driving the EPA mpg tests.
- m6user (Dec 03, 2011 10:30 pm)
Replies to this message:
#559 of 655 Re: Pretty close [backy] by m6user
Dec 03, 2011 (10:33 pm)
Replying to: backy (Dec 03, 2011 8:45 pm)
Then look at other factors than can impact FE, e.g. temperature, wind speed, number of stops, speed (top speed and average speed), hills, weight of cargo/passengers, gas pedal pressure (light vs. heavy), tire pressure, miles on the car/break-in, driving habits (e.g. coasting as much as possible), etc. etc. Yes, that's true but most of those things will average out over time and affect all drivers and vehicles pretty much equally. I have to assume that these unsatisfied owners are driving in a similar manner to which they drove their previous vehicles. If they bought the Elantra to save fuel they may even be driving more conservatively.....who knows?
By the way, my wife is the opposite. She does not say she drives conservatively and from what I've observed she is right. Neither of us are in any shape or form hypermilers. I probably drive like I always have as I would guess that to really affect my mpg a whole lot I would really have to baby it and that would take out a lot of the fun of driving for me.
#560 of 655 Re: EPA uses ethanol-free gasoline [litesong2] by m6user
Dec 03, 2011 (10:30 pm)
Replying to: litesong2 (Dec 03, 2011 9:52 pm)
Also, some feather-foot training is due for many complainers who don't know how to drive efficiently I guess you are assuming that all the people that are complaining about their FE with the new Elantra are just stupid then. Driving to save gas in not brain surgery and the information is out there and easily attainable. I doubt if you asked any driver how they could save gas that they wouldn't know most of the methods. They just don't practise them. Kind of like leading a horse to water so to speak.
I have ethanol mix year round here in Chicagoland and I alway meet or beat the EPA numbers. And I don't drive with a feather under my foot. Since 2008 when the EPA revised their numbers it has been pretty easy to meet or surpass their estimates unless you drive really hard in most cars. So when I read a lot of reports of people not even getting close to the EPA numbers even when they seem to be trying very hard, I'm not quick to assign labels to them like "complainers". That is a little condescending IMO.
- litesong2 (Dec 04, 2011 11:03 pm)
Replies to this message:
#561 of 655 Re: EPA uses ethanol-free gasoline [m6user] by litesong2
Dec 04, 2011 (11:03 pm)
Replying to: m6user (Dec 03, 2011 10:30 pm)
m6user 'guesses' that I assume ALL people complaining about Elantra FE are stupid, tho m6user even quoted my term, "many complainers'. Obviously, m6user doesn't translate my quote properly, that HE emphasized. Also, his 'stupid' comment, referring to my belief, is assumed & also in error. Looking at the extensive & accurate map of ethanol-free gas stations listed at pure-gas.org, I see that m6user is correct & I'm sorry no ethanol-free gas stations are in the Chicago area. But for those who do have ethanol-free gas stations, near you, I urge you to extensively test ethanol-free gasoline. Ethanol-free gas is NOT higher octane gas, but is gasoline without ethanol, & which is getting rare & even non-existent in many areas. In my own town, ethanol-free is unavailable, & I must go to the next town to purchase it. & a station with a good price on ethanol-free is in the next town, yet further from me.
As stated in another post previously, tho the ethanol industry & Federal government admit to only a 2% to 4% loss in mpg from the use of 10% ethanol blend, my 3 cars show a 4% to 7% mpg difference. Many, many other people voice even greater losses from the use of 10% ethanol blends. Tho actual lost btus of energy are about 3% from the use of 10% ethanol blends, seems like many cars may be losing the sweet spot of efficient combustion from their individual cars which were designed to be at their best with 100% gasoline AND AS THE EPA TESTS ALL MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES FOR MPG.
Along with urging people to use ethanol-free gasoline, make sure your tires are at proper pressures, specially in these times of cooling weather which may lower tire pressures. Studies have indicated millions of people have lost billions of gallons of fuel due to underinflated tires. Without regular monitoring of tire pressures, I've even found my tires underinflated at times. In my northern region of the country, I normally drive with a few extra pounds of tire pressure.
- m6user (Dec 05, 2011 10:50 am)
Replies to this message:
#562 of 655 My 2012 Elantra MPG experience by siskokb
Dec 05, 2011 (10:12 am)
First, let me say that I love my new 2012 Elantra. It's sleek design and compact yet roomy interior is cool. Car is very durable and strong as well. I've hit several major potholes and my car still runs like she just came out the showroom - SMOOTH! Very happy.However, honestly I am a little disappointed with the MPG I achieve in the city. My Elantra is a great highway car, I get pretty much 40mpg on long distance highway trips when going between 70-80mph on cruise. However, I commute to work in the city daily and the MPG rating is drastically different. I only get about 20-22mpg city driving. My gas seems to burn fairly quickly driving in the city as oppose to long distance highway trips. I can drive from Jersey to New York and back with still a full tank of gas in the car. Yet, when driving to work in the city (much shorter distance) my gas tank depletes rapidly.
I know the Elantra is rated with a higher Highway mpg than city, but the advertise 29/40 should actually be 20/40. No matter how conservative I drive, with ECO on, slow accelation, no extra weight in the car, etc., I get no more than 21-22 mpg at best!
I still love my car because it doesn't cost much to fill up, but IMHO, the Elantra is a highway vehicle more so than a city commuter. The best city commuter in my oppinon is the Ford Fusion Hybrid, that baby runs on pure battery if you stay below 47mph (no gas at all). I and most city commuters only do about 25-40 mph city driving. So the Fusion Hybrid wins. I almost bought the Fusion hybrid, but the Elantra's price and style won me over. However, now I believe for city commuter purposes solely, the Fusion Hybrid would've been the better choice. However, still love my Elantra. Just wish I could get that advertise mpg
- backy (Dec 05, 2011 10:18 am)
- m6user (Dec 05, 2011 10:40 am)
- rudy66 (Dec 05, 2011 5:24 pm)
Replies to this message:
#563 of 655 Re: My 2012 Elantra MPG experience [siskokb] by backy
Dec 05, 2011 (10:18 am)
Replying to: siskokb (Dec 05, 2011 10:12 am)
You are correct; a gas-electric hybrid like the FFH or Prius or TCH will probably do much better in city driving than a gas-only car. For your type of driving, something like the Prius would likely have been a better choice (and the Prius is closer in size to the Elantra than the FFH). I've seen rumors on the 'net of an Elantra hybrid, but I haven't seen anything official on it. Hyundai certainly has the technology for it, since they have the Sonata hybrid. Just need to apply it to a smaller gas engine.
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