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SUVs Honda Element Honda Element Real World MPG
117 messages, Last post on Aug 10, 2009 at 4:17 PM
You are in the Honda Element Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: micweb (Aug 17, 2008 3:59 pm) Fill variation - well, for me, I fill up at the same Sunoco (and usually the same pump) and I will go $.75 to $1.00 over the first "click". Trying to be as consistent as possible. Under my conditions, would I really see significant fill variation, to the point where that would effect mpg more so than everyday driving variations and conditions? Not arguing - just curious.  craig |
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 17, 2008 6:25 pm) Part of the fill variation comes from the air bubble that fuel tanks are supposed to preserve to allow for gas expansion and vapor recovery system operation. Let us know if you get some repetition of that high mileage number - try to trace it to driving conditions, driving style (lighter throttle?). That type of mileage on the 3400 pound, big square box, AWD Element is phenomenal. In my own case, after 4,500 miles of driving my Nissan Versa (2008, 6 speed manual) I finally got a single high mileage tank - 35 mpg vs. the more usual 32 mpg. I am trying to figure out if that is a false reading due to fill variation, of if I did less weekend and after work surface street driving, and more of the freeway commuting. BTW I write down the mileage on the receipt and use a calculator to figure the mileage. The thing about mileage reports is that people often due the math "in their head" or round up or down on the miles or gallons to make it simpler. So anecdotal reports from the general public who winced at math and science classes is often suspect, particularly when the numbers are unusually high or low. Although given the prevalence of "lead foot-itis" in modern America, unusually low numbers don't seem that unusual anymore.
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Replying to: micweb (Aug 20, 2008 8:39 am) Tidester had a little problem with that, lol.
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Replying to: micweb (Aug 20, 2008 8:39 am) I would definitely say I have "re-trained" my foot since getting the Element. My previous car was a ~36 mpg Civic, so I really wanted to narrow the gap in the difference in fuel efficiency with the Element. As I read in another post, I drive "like there is an egg shell between my foot and the accelerator." I always keep this thought in the back of my mind: what is the least amount of fuel I can use to get up to, and maintain, my desired speed? (which is usually 5 to 10 mph over the speed limit - realistic cruising speeds) So even in the back-roads, hilly area where I am (not much highway driving, maybe 10%) averaging 27 mpg is not too bad. My next venture is to explore the HHO devices, which from what I've read will cost about $100 ($50 for the plans, $50 for parts). I will approach this with caution...
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 17, 2008 6:25 pm) Most US gas stations have vapor recovery systems. These systems suck the fumes back into the gas station tanks while fueling. They are intended to reduce air polution and fumes. If your gas tank spills a bit of gas back, it will go into the vapor recovery system rather than your tank. That means you lose gas and your MPG goes down - you thought that .75 cents was going into the tank, but it was (possibly) going back into the gas station owner's pocket! That is the reason that it is recommended that you stop at the first click. |
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Replying to: steve_ (Aug 20, 2008 8:56 am) I don't have a problem with it. I just want to know where they dispense gasoline measured to the nearsest thousandth of a drop and who has odometers calibrated to the nearest Angstrom.  tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 17, 2008 6:25 pm) I am surprised at the number of people when discussing cars say that they seldom if ever clock a tank for mpg when filling up. Like, how much math is involved in figuring out mpg?
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Replying to: 0311vn (Aug 31, 2008 1:18 pm) Going 1 click or $.75 over the 1st click is not as accurate as a visual since all pumps don't shut off consistantly. Some vehicles have such a severe bend in the filler necks that they shut off early, when, in fact, there is more capacity in the tank and neck. Some vehicles will accept another 2 gallons after the first click. Our 06 Sportage will take approx.1.75 gal. after the 1st shut off. My 05 XB can take another 1.0 to 1.5 gal. after shut off. By not being consistant with tank filling procedures, MPG calculation will not be accurate.
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Replying to: crazedcommuter (Nov 22, 2008 8:47 am) After several dozen fill-ups, the mpg discrepancies will even themselves out anyway. I've put ~300 tanks of gas in my minivan and I could skip writing down an entire fill-up at this point and it would barely affect my lifetime mpg. A half gallon here or there difference in where the gas pump clicks off isn't going to matter over time. Your Element owner's manual says to stop filling the tank after the nozzle automatically clicks off. "Do not try to "top-off" the tank. Leave some room for the fuel to expand with temperature changes."
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 22, 2008 9:25 am) I've never had a problem with check engine light or sloshing, because the auto fill shut offs are pretty good. Generally I try to NEVER fill this style unless I am at the start of my commute, so I will burn off a gallon or slightly more on the way to work (35 mile commute). Still I haven't even had a problem when filling upon arrival at work, although I make sure to park in a level spot in our parking ramp. The way the prior poster described to fill - tilting the nozzle up and out of the filler - to visually fill up to the top of the filler neck - is wrong or all the reasons you describe. |
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