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Pickups Honda Ridgeline Honda Ridgeline Real World MPG Numbers
71 messages, Last post on Jun 11, 2008 at 3:48 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.
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Replying to: dstrom (Dec 05, 2007 5:46 am) 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 |
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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.
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Replying to: toytruck1 (Dec 13, 2007 9:37 am) 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. |
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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. | |
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Replying to: eddiem (Dec 05, 2007 8:26 am) Thanks for the insight! |
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Replying to: burgdorf (Feb 18, 2007 8:44 pm)  and it does not look like I am going to get more than 160/320 for half and full tank mileage. Honda has a good engine but at this rate, I'm dumping the Honda and going back to the tried and true Nissan VQE in the Murano. This is my first Honda purchase and I am not happy at all with the gas mileage. My vehicle did sit on the lot for 6 months, so maybe something is up with the air filter being prematurely bad |
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Replying to: muggz (Jan 16, 2006 3:17 pm) The mileage before the first oil change wasn't much better than my OJ Simpson Bronco with the big V8. When I had my first oil change at 6500 miles, the mileage went up to 15-18 in town and 20 plus on the road. It gets better mileage on long road trips with the trunk loaded, the inside loaded and both my wife and I in the front. We just drove from the wine country to San Pedro fully loaded for a cruise and back. The first tank averaged 23 mpg. The second tank inspite of heavy traffic down 405 and back on 405 averaged 20.5 mpg. Average speed was between 65 to 70 when we were out of the slow traffic. We had the AC on for about 2 hours on the return trip. It was cold when we left and both front tire lights had the warning lights on re low tires. The Big O guy filled the tires to what was recommended, and he said that we should get better mileage. I fill it with the lowest price regular gas. There appears to be some variance with the Safeway gas getting the best mileage. The next best mileage is from a generic station on the way to some of my fishing spots. The Costco mileage is all over from the low to a fair high. A friend of one of our sons has the same 2007 Ridgeline year/color, and his mileage was terrible until his first oil change. He has over 24 k and gets very good mileage in town and exceptional on the road with full loads. He has a friend with over 36 K on his Ridgeline, and his mileage improve slightly to the 30 K and stabilized. |
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Replying to: eddiem (Dec 05, 2007 8:26 am)
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Replying to: jewillm (Feb 12, 2008 8:35 am) There are a few points I would like to say, (bummer, I forgot his name... the retired guy after 45 years of the business.(congrats)) but he said alot of very good stuff. one that he failed to mention I thought that we would surly souch on is NEW... a new engine takes a little while to brake-in all of them do, they always have, I sell hondas and there are 4 in my near by family driveways; Grandpa has an 07 CR-V 4WD with around 12k on it, my wife has an 08 with about 4,500, and we get no were near the same mpg... (grandpa is a lead foot) we get 22 most of the time, hiway trips 40-75 minutes we have done better than 30 (the SUV hypermiling family) My dad has a certified used 07 Ridgline RTL and before we bought it, we put the A.R.E topper on the truck, his drive to work sucks, its only about 6 minutes and its one stop light, the truck barely gets warm, but he still gets around 18.5 most of the time, we took a 1500 mile trip and he avg 23.4 (all hwy from MN, to AK for some late duck hunting, and back) we dont have numbers about the truck when it was new, but I hear at work the 14-17 is about it for the first 7k. I cant wait to get 10k on my wifes CR-V and see if we can keep the avg over 24! the 4th Honda is mine, and I beat the crap out of it... its an 89' prelude. and I have never once check the MPG on it... I have had it about a year and maybe put 2,500 on it. (weekends only)
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