Honda Element Real World MPG

I've been reading through all the posts here, I have to say I am cautiously optimistic about the fuel economy on my Element. Just made the deal today, picking it tomorrow.
 
I will be tracking my fuel from the first tank, and I will post here frequently. My plans:
 
Immediately: K&N air filter; drive with "slow & steady wins the race" style; use Sunoco fuel, 87 octane; minimal AC usage.
 
Future: Switch to Castrol Syntec oil.
 
I've heard that the combination of using synthetic oil and the K&N filter will consistently yield about 10% better mileage. Remains to be seen, but that is my plan.
 
The only catch is, Honda recommends NOT using synthetic oil until the car hits 10K miles, at the earliest. I will hit that mark in about 5 months (I drive a lot..).
 
Any other thoughts or recommendations on when to begin using synthetic oil?
 
Thanks-
Craig

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• steve_ (Jul 24, 2008 10:55 am)
  • ccirelli (Jul 24, 2008 7:46 pm)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 24, 2008 10:46 am)

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Replying to: steve_ (Jul 24, 2008 10:55 am)

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Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 24, 2008 7:46 pm)

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Replying to: steve_ (Jul 24, 2008 9:52 pm)

Interesting - I learned years ago that Ethanol is added between October and April (at least in NJ / NY / PA, afaik). I always made the correlation between poorer mileage in winter to that - simply because there is a distinct and sharp decrease like clockwork, every October.
 
For example in my Civic, between April and October I would average 36mpg. Once October hits, I'm lucky if I get 32 or 33. And it's not a sharp drop in temperature, because literally one week it's high and the next week it drops... even if it's in the 50's... until mid-April again.
 
So whether my theory is accurate or not, I'm not sure. But I've always heard that Ethanol is widely known to cost us about 10% in fuel economy.
 
Picking up my Element TODAY.
 
Hey, should I pick up one of these Scan Guage devices? Thinking about it, wondering if it will pay for itself over time.
 
Thanks-

Replying to: ragets (May 05, 2007 1:14 pm)

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• ccirelli (Jul 28, 2008 6:46 am)
  • 0311vn (Jul 28, 2008 7:10 am)
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Replying to: 0311vn (Jul 27, 2008 7:44 am)

My advice on this, based on what I've heard over the last two years (and also going through this with an 07 Civic, and now an 08 Element):
 
- Stay below 55 mph for the first 600 miles
 
- If you go on a long trip (two hours or more), try to vary your RPM's now and then (e.g., don't go 60 mph for an hours straight
 
- Do your first oil change between 1500 and 2000 miles
 
- Use common sense and drive it "slow & steady" for the first 1500 to 2000 miles
 
Again, this is what I do, not stating anything as fact - just my opinion(s).
 
craig

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• 0311vn (Jul 28, 2008 7:10 am)
  • ccirelli (Jul 28, 2008 7:24 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 28, 2008 6:46 am)

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Replying to: 0311vn (Jul 28, 2008 7:10 am)

Depends who you talk to (not sure about "listing"), but most salespersons will tell you "naa, you're fine don't worry, just drive..", but most techs will reiterate what I mentioned in my previous post. I'll go with the techs, personally..
 
I should mention that my salesperson was also in agreement with his techs as well, but again others will tell you differently.
 
hth,
craig

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• micweb (Jul 31, 2008 10:08 am)

Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 28, 2008 7:24 am)