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Honda Element Real World MPG

117 messages,  Last post on Aug 10, 2009 at 5:17 PM

You are in the Honda Element Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Element, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 12 of 12

#110 of 117 One pump click after shut off... by 0311vn

Aug 31, 2008 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 17, 2008 7:25 pm)
That is my way of being consistent when figuring mpg on my car. A cup or so of gasoline more or less on a tank of 15 or so gallons will not throw off calculation much. My thing about clocking a fill up for mpg is to have a sense if my car is under performing due to low tire pressure or some mechanical issue.
 
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?

#111 of 117 Re: One pump click after shut off... [0311vn] by crazedcommuter

Nov 22, 2008 (9:47 am)

Replying to: 0311vn (Aug 31, 2008 2:18 pm)
I am going out shopping today for an 08 Element EX AWD and would like to commend the folks on the Edmunds boards for being so thorough. What I have done for the past 25 years in all of my vehicles is to top off the tank right up to the top of the filler neck. I have done this consistanly on almost every tank where self-serve is available with no issues or harm to my vehicles. Since I can visibly see the level of fuel in the top of the neck, I know that there will be no variation of my MPG based on quantity.
 
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.

#112 of 117 Re: One pump click after shut off... [crazedcommuter] by steve_ HOST

Nov 22, 2008 (10:25 am)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Nov 22, 2008 9:47 am)
The problem with filling your tank beyond the first click is that you can damage the vapor recovery system and trigger your emissions codes. And on some cars, gas will slosh out of your tank on the first turn out of the gas station.
 
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."

#113 of 117 Re: One pump click after shut off... [steve_] by micweb

Nov 22, 2008 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Nov 22, 2008 10:25 am)
The safe way to assure reasonably consistent fill (beyond filling at the same pump all the time, so the angle of the ground is the same, the adjustment on the filler shut off is the same) is to do a "normal" fill where the nozzle kind of "leans" up and almost out of the filler, wait for the automatic shut off, then SHOVE the nozzle deeply in (against the spring on the nozzle) and slowly fill until it clicks off.
 
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.

#114 of 117 One pump click after shut off by crazedcommuter

Nov 22, 2008 (6:44 pm)

Sorry but I don't agree with your synopsis of visual filling. By pulling the handle on the 1st click you never know how full you tank is. I have NEVER had damage to a vapor recovery system and my vehicles do not slosh gas out of the tank or get an engine light.
 
I fill up on the way to work and then take a 30 mile commute down an interstate. By the time I get to work any gas in the filler neck is is down into the tank. I've never had an issue and I know that my MPG tank calculations are accurate.

#115 of 117 My method by stevedebi

Mar 04, 2009 (2:23 pm)

Around town, I always fill up at the same station, and usually the same pump. Plus I always record which pump/station I used for a fill up. I stop at the first click.

#116 of 117 29 MPG by bigfur

Apr 15, 2009 (2:44 pm)

On a road trip from minneapolis to the wisconson dells. Best i have ever got in my E, then again it was all hiway.

#117 of 117 Re: Honda Element: MPG - Real World Numbers [steve_] by soloboss

Aug 10, 2009 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jul 11, 2006 2:38 pm)
07 EX AWD MT I'm 60 years old and drive to get good economy. I'm in NE Indiana and it's pretty flat around here. At 70 mph I get around 22mpg. At 55 -60 on state highways I'll get 26 - 27 mpg. Tight Urban gets me about 19 mpg. Adding a little outer urban trips gets me back to the low 20's again. And at 31000 miles my original tires still look good if that's an indication of my driving.
Soloboss

Messages Page 12 of 12

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