- #74 of 117
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Re: Is there really a "break in" period cars today?... [0311vn]
by ccirelli
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Jul 28, 2008 (6:46 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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- #75 of 117
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What does Honda recommended for new engines?...
by 0311vn
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Jul 28, 2008 (7:10 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 28, 2008 6:46 am)
Other than a early oil change does Honda list a so-called "break in" period for its cars?
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- #76 of 117
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Re: What does Honda recommended for new engines?... [0311vn]
by ccirelli
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Jul 28, 2008 (7:24 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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- #77 of 117
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Re: What does Honda recommended for new engines?... [ccirelli]
by micweb
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Jul 31, 2008 (10:08 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 28, 2008 7:24 am)
I think you have to be more careful breaking in a stick shift. You need to be careful not to lug the engine (let the rpm sink low then use a lot of throttle with resulting pinging) or keep it at high rpm for extended periods (like driving 2nd on city streets or forgetting to upshift to 5th on the freeway). With an automatic all you need to remember are (i) no lead foot until warmed up and (ii) limit your lead foot to 3/4 of the throttle for the first 1000 miles.
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- #78 of 117
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Re: New Element EX AWD [steve_]
by ccirelli
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Jul 31, 2008 (10:36 am)
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Replying to: steve_ (Jul 24, 2008 9:52 pm)
FIRST MILEAGE REPORT
So I clocked my mileage for my first tank of gas. Now I have to say the dealer is the one that filled it - so whether it was truly full, that is unknown. If it was not full, this works in my favor.
My driving consisted of roughly:
- 10% highway
- 10% city (stop & go)
- 80% suburban / rural roads (40 to 50 mph, but plenty of hills here in PA)
- Additional notes: AC was on for maybe 1/2 hour, passengers ranged from 1 to 4 (mostly 1)
MPG: 25.81
Total miles on tank: 345
Refill: 13.367 gallons X 3.81 = ~$50
My driving style: For this tank I would rate it as slow & steady. I only really get on the gas when I have to pull hills, and even then I am as light as possible on the accelerator.
Not bad! Will report stats back on tank #2 this week.
EDIT: Oops, forgot: 2008 Element EX AWD Auto
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- #79 of 117
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Re: New Element EX AWD [ccirelli]
by 0311vn
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Aug 01, 2008 (6:18 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Jul 31, 2008 10:36 am)
I've never driven a AWD vehicle. Does AWD reduced mpg all that much? How much extra weight does AWD add on to an Element? I'm guessing AWD must be a real asset when driving in snow. Does it improve handling a lot in rain? Is there a noticeable difference when braking with AWD, especially when braking hard?
Can an Element hit 30 mpg on all highway driving if you keep her at 65ish?
Is there storage in an Element for bags to keep them from shifting around when driving?
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- #80 of 117
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Re: New Element EX AWD [0311vn]
by ccirelli
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Aug 01, 2008 (8:06 am)
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Replying to: 0311vn (Aug 01, 2008 6:18 am)
Does AWD reduced mpg all that much?
Depends - not really as far as the Element is concerned. The FWD models are only rated 1 mpg higher on both sides (city & hwy).
Can an Element hit 30 mpg on all highway driving if you keep her at 65ish?
Probably not maybe 30 with the wind at your back - but I think someone here reported 32 mpg after installing fuel saving "plates"? I asked for a link to more info but never heard back.
Is there storage in an Element for bags to keep them from shifting around when driving?
Yup - bungees. Plenty of little rings and hooks to tie down to. Plus the driver's side seats both have kind of a net behind them, good for smaller bags & things.
hth,
craig
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- #81 of 117
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Re: New Element EX AWD [0311vn]
by pepsicolacat
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Aug 03, 2008 (7:43 am)
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Replying to: 0311vn (Aug 01, 2008 6:18 am)
you probablly can't get 30 mpg. I have 05 element ex awd and 08 ex awd 05 best is 24 and 08 is 27 . I got 24.5 all freeway on 08 but i hit 95 mph several time. Shell gas is better than discount gas like bp, walmart. You can test this theory. Empty your tank and fill up with bp or any store gas.make sure you reset mileage reader. Drive a normal route and when your gas light comes on you have 3.9 gallons left. When you fill up right down how many gallons you used to fill up and divid it by how many miles you went. Fill up with shell gas and do the same thing. Remember to do it when your just driving your normal route for both fill ups. My 05 had 24mpg combined city/highway 30%/70%highway on shell 10.3 gallons/ 244 miles and when I drove out of town all freeway with bp gas and filled up as soon as i got of the freeway. 10.6 gallons 221 miles. bp gas was literally 99.9% all free way. I didn't even drive a whole mile from the gas station to the freeway and when i filled up i costed down. I did hit traffic for about 8 miles.
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- #82 of 117
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Re: New Element EX AWD [ccirelli]
by pepsicolacat
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Aug 03, 2008 (7:52 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 01, 2008 8:06 am)
the 2008 honda element awdex automatic gets the same gas mileage as a fwdex auto and the auto awd gets better than a fwd stick shift. the sc gets better mileage than the ex because it's lower. I have the 05 and 08 brochure. The awd drive is lite compared to other awd systems. when you use awd it well affect the mpg. i drove 100 miles around 270 with my friend to compare mpg. He used 4.26 gallons and I used 4.4 gallons but he followed behind me so who knows for sure. The difference is to small for me to give up safety feature like awd.
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- #83 of 117
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Does the Element have a compartment that can be locked...
by 0311vn
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Aug 03, 2008 (8:50 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 01, 2008 8:06 am)
...to store valuables such as cameras and a hand gun? Is there such a compartment built into the floor that can be secured?
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