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Honda Ridgeline Real World MPG Numbers

81 messages,  Last post on Apr 19, 2009 at 11:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Ridgeline, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck


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#42 of 81
Fooled by the Sticker by stevecarnut
Dec 03, 2007 (4:29 pm)
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I asked my salesman point blank are the Ridgelines getting 17 MPG ? I told him I heard some Ridgeline Owners are getting alot less than the sticker. My saleman told me " Hey Honda wouldn't put that number on the Sticker if it weren't True" . So, I bought the Honda Ridgeline and I've had my MPG checked where I purchased it , and guess what? After I told the saleman I heard the Ridgeline is getting Poor MPG , I was Right. 10.896 MPG that's right. 2100 total miles to date and the best tank mileage has not been better than 12 MPG. Honda asked about my driving habits and I said I have not been over 60MPH and the Honda said it will get 16-17 in the city after 5 or 6,000 miles I said I can't afford it. I said buy it back and my salesman said I'm the first one he knows of , that's not getting at least 17MPG. Who do you believe? I'm trading for the Rogue of the CR-V which one , anyone know? Beware about the Ridgeline MPG otherwise it's a very solid great truck that I'd love to keep forever. But the $3.19 per gallon $68.00 fill-up for 11MPG don't work for me. What happen to bomb Irag get cheap oil?
#43 of 81
Re: Fooled by the Sticker [stevecarnut] by bolivar
Dec 03, 2007 (4:45 pm)
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Replying to: stevecarnut (Dec 03, 2007 4:29 pm)

Look, I've got 16,000 on a 2006. It will consistently get about 13.5 in town and about 19 on steady highway driving at 70-75mph. The top I've see is about 21 on the highway. I keep detailed records, writting down the milage and odometer reading and calculating the mpg on every fillup.
 
Have you looked at your truck? It is a rolling brick. The front is a big squared off frontend and windshield. Look at the driveline. The wheel, hubs, suspension is pretty major sized stuff.
 
And, it is 4 wheel drive!!!!!! It pulles a rear driveline and some part of a rear differential all the time!
 
Exactly what did you expect? What kind of town driving are you doing to get only 11mpg?
 
You didn't buy a Civic.
#44 of 81
Re: Fooled by the Sticker [bolivar] by jonejam18
Dec 03, 2007 (6:15 pm)
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Replying to: bolivar (Dec 03, 2007 4:45 pm)

Since this was my third brand new Honda since 1990, I was expecting the fuel figures to be as represented. My 1990 and 2000 Civics both got (significantly) better than advertised. At the very least I was expecting the 16-20, especially with a 20 mile highway commute. I get about 13-15 with 70 percent highway. That's garbage as far as I'm concerned. As such, I likely will unload the truck. By the way, I've had it since April and have 13,000 miles.
#45 of 81
Re: Fooled by the Sticker [jonejam18] by shayes2
Dec 04, 2007 (11:09 am)
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Replying to: jonejam18 (Dec 03, 2007 6:15 pm)

I was concerned about the mileage on my 2008 Ridgeline when the first three fill ups (not counting the one based on the dealer fill up) ran 16 mpg, 16.5 and 17 for a 1200 mile trip. Once I went over 1,000 miles on the vehicle the next three fill ups ran 20, 20.5 and 21.5 for freeway driving at a non-constant speed due to Holiday trafffic. The truck was loaded down due to my relocating to another state. With clothes, iron weights, dishes, tools and etc., I had at least 700 extra pounds plus my 200 pounds. So far I am very satisfied with the mileage. I do have the cargo area cover.
#46 of 81
Fuel Economy by dstrom
Dec 05, 2007 (5:46 am)
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I'm retired after 45 years in the retail automobile business. One of the regular complaints I receive from customers was regarding poor fuel economy. I found there are a few things that everyone needs to consider regarding this subject as follows:
 
1. The mileage figures posted on the vehicle are provided to the manufacturers by the EPA. They ARE NOT from the manufacturer. The EPA conducts THE SAME tests on every vehicle and publishes the results for consumer COMPARISON PURPOSES ONLY. Manufacturers are required to post these on the vehicle. Don't blame the manufacturer for the figures.
 
2. Fuel economy is a product of vehicle design, driving conditions, AND the driver's skills and habits. If two different people drive essentially the same vehicle under the same or similar driving conditions and get different mileage results, the difference IS THE DRIVER. In my 45 years experience I have never found a vehicle that I couldn't get to achieve the EPA posted fuel economy results, and I drove hundreds. I used to take customers with me while I drove their vehicle to demonstrate to them how to achieve the maximum fuel economy. Most customers would say, "But I don't (or don't want to) drive that way." Bingo! There's the problem. It's a choice, your choice.
 
I have a 2006 Honda Ridgeline with 25,000 miles on it. About 1/3 city and 2/3 rural driving. Over those 25,000 miles I've experienced a calculated and recorded 20.3 mpg average. My best was 23.7 on the highway and my worst 11.9 towing my 4,500 pound pontoon boat.
 
Suggestions, things I have done, to improve economy:
 
- Inflate the tires to 2-4 psi over specs (36-38 psi) They roll easier.
- Be sure to use synthetic oil and lubricants. Less friction.
- Install a low restriction air filter element (K&N or other). Better breathing.
- Use the heater's "Economy" mode whenever you're not using air conditioning.
     This turns off the AC compressor lightening engine load
- Use the Cruise Control whenever possible. This eliminates accelerator "pedal
     palpitations" (on and off the gas) which are far and away THE BIGGEST
     "Driving Habit" enemy of fuel economy.
- Drive the speed limit. OK, I don't really do this but when I do I'm always
     amazed at the improvement in fuel economy (and the decrease in stress)
     Try it.
And, most importantly,
- DRIVE "GENTLY." My father taught me this years ago. Coast into traffic
     lights and stop signs. Accelerate slowly. Etceteras.
 
Good luck, have fun, enjoy.
 
PS: Did you ever wonder why the top of the Ridgeline's tailgate is a couple of inches lower than the sides? Originally, it was the same height but Honda's windtunnel tests showed that the vehicle's aerodynamics were best with the height lowered (I talked with Honda engineers). In fact the vehicles aerodynamics are best with the tailgate up. Installing a cargo area doesn't help at all. It desn't hurt either.
#47 of 81
Re: Fuel Economy [dstrom] by eddiem
Dec 05, 2007 (8:26 am)
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Replying to: dstrom (Dec 05, 2007 5:46 am)

Hello dstrom,
 
I am a Mechanical Engineer and couldn't agree with and say what you said better!
 
I looked at and compared the Honda Ridgeline to the Dodge Dakota, and eventually went with the Dakota, primarily because I wanted the manual transmission, which gets slightly better mileage and I could control the shifting. (For all you readers, an automatic trans must work off of hydraulic pressure and guess where the power comes from? The engine! And along with the frictional losses the convenience of not having to shift affords you, by nature it is inherently more efficient. You pay for everything.) But, back to your comments and the subject, I was surprised to learn that my Dakota came with a "computer" that displays among other things, mpg. Resetting it at fillups and never resetting it inbetween, it has been better than 95% correct when comparing the results to my manual methods over the last 7,000 miles. I ordered my Dakota (4x4, Quad Cab, 3.7l, 6-spd man) custom to order, did not get the bigger tires or gear ratios, and have added a cap which did drop the mileage when first installed, but a custom deflector shield, (designed and installed by myself) along with what you stated have allowed me to attain a worst tank average of about 17.5 and a best of 20.7, 20% city / 80% highway driving. It is rated at 16/20. (It was purchased for long trips for my wife and I and our three dogs.) While driving, I find that if I keep the mpg display on, I can gauge my driving habits and see the immediate results on the display. Cold mornings, truck barely warmed up and 10's, 11's and 12's appear if the tank was recently filled. After it warms up, the impact is much less and highway driving shows a steady increase if you keep the speed below 65, (this drives my wife NUTS), use the cruise control, accelerate gradually and, as you stated, have properly (or 2-3 psi slightly above) inflated tires. A good tire gauge is a must.
 
(Note: Next time you are driving, take a look at other car's tires. You would be surprised at how many people drive with visibly underinflated tires. It doesn't take much to drop the pressure by 3-5 or more psi, and just 3psi is 10% of 30psi! Unless you check them regularly, your's may also be under.)
 
If your mileage is really off the charts, have the vehicle checked. If nothing is found, look behind the wheel. If it kills you, get/use a smaller vehicle with better mpg when you don't need the truck. Days of cheap gas are over. Higher gas $ are here to stay. Use your head. There are worse things to be upset over.
 
Eddie
Fairfax, VA
#48 of 81
Sticker Lied ? by toytruck1
Dec 13, 2007 (9:37 am)
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I have read of some owners getting really poor mpg numbers on Ridgelines. Seems odd that Honda would have such wide numbers due to their quality controlled engine manufacture, but...........if you're getting under 11, I guess you would know. I drive mine at mostly cruising speeds in very little stop and go and manage to get 18.5 to 20 mpg consistently. When towing a 3,000 lb. Hi-Lo I get 14.6 consistently, sometimes a bit higher. I would bring tire pressure up to 34 psi all around for starters, and keep the revs below 3,000. Stop and go really seems to affect mileage in these trucks but I have never gotten below 17 mpg. Something is not "kosher" with your RL.
#49 of 81
Re: Sticker Lied ? [toytruck1] by roaddog1
Jan 07, 2008 (12:24 pm)
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Replying to: toytruck1 (Dec 13, 2007 9:37 am)

Milage check: Highway travel with lots of slowdowns and stops on secondary roads. Temperature: -18 Degrees Centigrade with some snowy roads. Speed was 100kph at cruise. Moderate driving. With the wind. 230 Kilometers
24.25 MPG (imp) 20.2 (US)
 
Return trip, pulling empty 5' X 10' utility trailer (500lbs), against the wind. 110kph at cruise. No special measures taken to increase efficiency. Against the wind.
23.0 MPG (imp) 19.1 (US)
 
Existing odometer: 48,250 Km (30,156m)
 
The fuel efficiency of my '06 RidgelineRLS gets better with time and use. This experience is mirrored by my wife's '06 Civic EX which has become more efficient over time and Kms..
 
I expect my summertime miliage will be better as I will not have driveline drag due to cold temperatures.
#50 of 81
2007 RIDGELINE MPG by glemoyne
Jan 12, 2008 (4:30 pm)
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I PURCHASED NEW WITH 742 MILES ON IT. I'VE BEEN GETTING 16.5MPG AROUND TOWN ON 87 OCTANE GAS. ON THE ROAD I AVERAGE 19 MPG WITH 5000 MILES ON THE TRUCK NOW. MY BEST ON CRUISE AT 72MPH WAS 21.2 MPG. I'M VERY SATISFIED. NOT TO MENTION THE RIDE AND QUIETNESS IS EXCEPTIONAL FOR A TRUCK IN ANYBODYS BOOK.
#51 of 81
Re: Fuel Economy [eddiem] by jewillm
Jan 23, 2008 (12:08 pm)
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Replying to: eddiem (Dec 05, 2007 8:26 am)

Wow! This is really good information. I am looking at trading my 04 Dodge Ram Q/C 4X4 on either a Tacoma, Dakota, Frontier, Ridgeline. My Ram will get the same or better mileage than reported in some of the posts on here. I think I will go with the Dakota, regardless of how superior Nissan, Toyota and Honda say their vehicles are. Or maybe just stay with the Ram for another couple years.
Thanks for the insight!

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