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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

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


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#99 of 117
Re: Anyone know why the lighter Element gets same hiway MPG [ccirelli] by coldcranker
Aug 07, 2008 (4:29 pm)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 06, 2008 7:20 pm)

The Freestyle should have horrible aerodynamics, just as the Element is not that good either. They are blunt boxes with only a little curviness here and there in the corners. Therefore, I don't know that aero has much to do with the fact that a heavier, faster Freestyle has about the same MPG as a lighter Element. Without other ideas about where the extra gasoline is going in the Element, I'd have to say that it must be the effects of gear ratios accounting for it. With a higher top gear, the Element should be able to reach better highway MPG.
#100 of 117
Re: Anyone know why the lighter Element gets same hiway MPG [coldcranker] by stevedebi
Aug 13, 2008 (3:19 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Aug 07, 2008 4:29 pm)

"The Freestyle should have horrible aerodynamics, just as the Element is not that good either. They are blunt boxes with only a little curviness here and there in the corners. "
 
I owned a 206 FS, and I don't think the aerodynamics are nearly as bad as the Element. The Element is boxy; the Freestyle (while is has a pretty large frontal area) is much "smoother". It is based on the Ford 500.
 
I think the difference between the two is the CVT in the FS. When coupled with the 3.0 engine, the computer can use the lowest possible RPM.
#101 of 117
2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG by ragets
Aug 13, 2008 (5:17 pm)
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I cannot believe I did this great with my car. I've been averaging 23-25MPG. But on my last tank I put 300 miles on and only filled up 9.78 gallons. That means I got 30.67MPG!!!! I couldn't believe it!
I use Shell Gas because it seems to run better and get better MPG's.
I go about 75% highway, 20% dirt/gravel roads, 5%city.
I ease off the gas pedal, brake easy, only use the A/C in spurts on the highway, use windows in town.
I wish I would have gotten the manual transmission though. I hate how long this auto takes to shift up and down. I wish I could do it myself!
#102 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [ragets] by ccirelli
Aug 13, 2008 (7:38 pm)
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Replying to: ragets (Aug 13, 2008 5:17 pm)

30.67? Wow, I thought my record of 28.01 (non-highway) was good. Nice job!
 
Sounds like that automatic transmission is doing just fine for you!
#103 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [ragets] by micweb
Aug 17, 2008 (3:59 pm)
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Replying to: ragets (Aug 13, 2008 5:17 pm)

Individual tank measurements are unreliable. There is too much fill variation. You have to average tanks for reliability. At least measure mileage the tank before and the tank after. You may discover that one of them is abnormally low, indicating that you had a fill variation not a
#104 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [micweb] by ccirelli
Aug 17, 2008 (6:25 pm)
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Replying to: micweb (Aug 17, 2008 3:59 pm)

I think the end of your message was cut off somehow.
 
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
#105 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [ccirelli] by micweb
Aug 20, 2008 (8:39 am)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 17, 2008 6:25 pm)

Same pump with "one click over" is pretty reliable. I've found there is quite a variation at SOME stations in the amount of "fill" you get. You have to watch for level ground. But using the same pump at the same station with your vehicle oriented the same way is pretty reliable.
 
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.
#106 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [micweb] by steve_ HOST
Aug 20, 2008 (8:56 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Aug 20, 2008 8:39 am)

My Excel spreadsheet keeps track of my mpg out to 9 decimal points.
 
Tidester had a little problem with that, lol.
#107 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [micweb] by ccirelli
Aug 20, 2008 (10:49 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Aug 20, 2008 8:39 am)

Oh I agree, I use the calculator on my cell phone right there at the pump. No rounding at all.
 
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...
#108 of 117
Re: 2007 Element EX AUTO 4WD MPG [ccirelli] by stevedebi
Aug 20, 2008 (12:45 pm)
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Replying to: ccirelli (Aug 17, 2008 6:25 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? "
 
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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