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Honda Insight MPG-Real World Numbers

162 messages,  Last post on Apr 04, 2013 at 11:02 PM

You are in the Honda Insight Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Insight, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Hatchback

Messages Page 15 of 17

#132 of 162 Real Honda Insight MPG by jshow

Nov 20, 2011 (12:06 am)

So far so good with the mpg listing. I have the 2011 Honda Insight LX as a second commuter car. With the stock steel wheels and Dunlop Tires I was averaging about 38 overall with mix freeway and city.
 
I changed wheels and tires about 2000 miles ago to lighter alloy wheels by konig and put the bridgestone ecopia 422 tires on. Now I am getting 41.5 overall. On one mostly freeway trip to Vegas I got it up to 46.5 mpg. So unlike US brands (GMC) I think Honda really states the correct MPG's.
 
Great lower cost alternate to Prius, funner to drive, lighter, looks better, more front legroom (No weird Middle Console thing). But seats could be better quality.

#133 of 162 Seats by sandman_6472

Nov 20, 2011 (2:55 pm)

I found the front seat pretty uncomfortable for my bad spine and was not much more comfortable in the back seat on a small ride. The headrest was also canted a bit to forward which created immediate neck pain so unless they change the seats, this car is one I could never own. Also found the rear split hatch window difficult to see out of, not a deal breaker but didn't feel safe looking out the rear. A shame to because I really wanted to like this car and the stellar mpg's are just a bonus...I also did not want to get a Prius for the extra price plus the weird dash layout. So I'll keep on truckin' in my '06 Civic, which is still in great shape and tightly screwed together with nary a rattle or squeak...it does help that I am the sole driver of it 99% of the time. And besides my son coming home for a few days/year, that's the way it'll stay!
 
Just like you, I had changed out the stock steelies to a set of '05 SI alloys and am wondering if in fact my mpg's improved with that swap? I don't keep detailed mileage records so have no idea if this could be true...hopefully it has helped. The highway mileage ain't to bad but my city driving has been always around 30 from my quick computations...in specs to be sure but nothing to write home about but not worth it to trade for a few more mpg's.
 
The Sandman

#134 of 162 my mph by johnobvious

Nov 22, 2011 (10:28 am)

Sandman, 30mph in city? You must drive pretty aggressively. I have 5,500 miles on my 2011 and have averaged 45 overall, almost all city. I do keep detailed records and what I calculate and what the car says is at least 2 mpg off. Car says almost 47 but that is high.

#135 of 162 Re: my mph [johnobvious] by as2010insight

Nov 22, 2011 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: johnobvious (Nov 22, 2011 10:28 am)
I have to agree - the computer showed my recent 15000 miles achieved 57.4 MPGs (I have about 60K on this 30 month old vehicle), I had to drive pretty conservatively to achieve that, but if I drive as aggressively as I can I don't see how I could average 30.

#136 of 162 Aggressively by sandman_6472

Nov 22, 2011 (7:12 pm)

No, hardly drive at all. My trips are usually under 10 miles with constant a/c usage. On the expressway, averaging 36 or so but stop and go city with a/c...30 or 31 tops. But not really a problem as I do a full tank every 3 to 4 weeks since October 2010. And now with season officially in full swing, traffic in South Florida will be that much worse resulting in longer traffic delays and worse mpg's for all. The price we pay for living in paradise!
 
The Sandman

#137 of 162 2010 Insight EX by billintoo

Dec 15, 2011 (6:17 am)

Just throwing my hat into the ring... I have a 2010 Insight EX dealer demo model I bought in May of 2011. Started out with something like 10 miles on the odometer. Since then, I've racked up 11K miles, and my average is 44.0 MPG, at least according to the dash display. My commute is 35 miles each way, mostly on the highway, but maybe 7 miles on local roads. On days when I'm just cruising along with little traffic, I can get it up to 51 MPG, but short trips and stop and go traffic really kill the mileage, obviously. I drive with the Econ mode all the time, although according to Consumer Reports, it doesn't make much of a difference in mileage since drivers naturally fight the softer acceleration. Curious to see how much the MPG suffers now that winter's here in NY.

#138 of 162 Re: 2010 Insight EX [billintoo] by sandman_6472

Dec 15, 2011 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: billintoo (Dec 15, 2011 6:17 am)
Honestly, besides the great mileage, how do you really like the car as a daily driver? Does it put a smile on your face? I know my '06 Civic still does that even though I yearn for a 2004 to 2009 Lexus RX330...it's a blast to throw around when needed and it does everything right except having very uncomfortable front seats. I now look for seat comfort as I have some intense spinal issues and I need comfort first and foremost...the RX covers that area nicely and I'd happily pay the premium to own one and drive it. Just not ready to pull the trigger since my Civic has yet to break the 33k mark and it does everything else right, seems silly to trade it in as I know I won't get all that much for it. I'd love to get $10k and put that down on a $20k RX...if that would be the case, I'd sign right now!
 
The Sandman

#139 of 162 2011 Insight - 44/41 mpg? by cinny17

Feb 02, 2012 (12:43 pm)

I've had the 2011 for almost 2 weeks now and i'm not seeing mileage anywhere near what the sticker suggested. i'm getting about 33 mpg. driving in both city and highway. i'm watching the green on the speedometer (which i guess is where you should try to keep it) but wondering if there's a certain way to drive hybrids? what am i doing wrong? bought it specifically for the mpg and chose it over the prius b/c of the price, not to mention their stupid console design.

#140 of 162 Mileage answer to cinny 17 by dnatech

Feb 04, 2012 (5:20 am)

Hi,
I got a new 2012 Insight in Nov. 2011 with now about 2000 miles. I drive very conservatively, that is 55 mph in 55 zones & 60-65 on highhway. I try to keep my RPM under 2000, mostly stays around 1500 where it's flat. The car gets good mileage at about 50 mpg doing the "real"math with Excel after fill ups.(display says 52 mpg).
As you mention, keep the green light on, use the eco mode (never driven the car without it) and avoid sudden acceleration.
You really should get more than 33 mpg.
Good luck.
P.S. I did notice I loose mileage when it's get really cold, like 20 F.

#141 of 162 Re: 2011 Insight - 44/41 mpg? [cinny17] by albalma

Feb 04, 2012 (9:16 am)

Replying to: cinny17 (Feb 02, 2012 12:43 pm)
You should keep in mind that during the winter your mileage goes down. Also, if you commute long distances with a lot of highway traveling, you will get much better mileage than if you only move short distances in a town. My town average must be about 38, driving conservatively, but I do have a big hill to go up in the 2.5 miles to work, so no green there if I want to keep the guys behind me off my fender. However, I use a lot less gas per month than when I was driving 22 miles each way to work and getting about 45 mpg (driving at 70mph, which is not efficient). If you are driving between 40 and 60 for most of your drive on a highway, you should get up to 70mpg or so. The perfect conditions are hard to get. If you want to get the best mpgs out of your car, you should:
- Ease off the gas and do not try to go 0-60 fast, but rather accelerate slowly.
- If you are cruising, get the feeling for the accelerator, so you are in the right place for your speed. It is a bit tricky, but doable: You need to decelerate a little, so your car stops accelerating and is just barely keeping the speed you are at. It is easy to give your engine more gas than it needs.
- Some people recommend accelerating past the speed at which you want to go, and letting go of the gas a bit so the car slows down very slightly, then accelerating again when the speed goes a few miles/hour under the speed you want to go at.
- Let your batteries charge when breaking, break early and stop slowly.
- The engine takes a while before it "loosens" to its maximum efficiency, so wait until you are past the first 10-12,000 miles to get the best mpg.
 
Finally, if you are commuting a short distance, don't worry, the best way to save gas is by not using it. In any case, with your hybrid you should be getting the best mpg for your driving style, whichever it may be, the key is adapting your style to the best mpg you can get.

Messages Page 15 of 17

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