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Kia Rondo Real World MPG

219 messages,  Last post on Apr 08, 2012 at 6:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Rondo, Wagon

Messages Page 21 of 22

#200 of 219 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks by 9394

Sep 23, 2009 (10:07 am)

09 Rondo EX I4 purchased on August 2, Vancouver, BC
 
1st tank: 19mpg (12.5L/100KM) - 100% City
 
Return trip to Oregon coast:
2nd tank: 30mpg (7.9Lpk) - 100% Hwy
3rd tank: 25mpg (9.4Lpk) - 100% Hwy.....why so bad compare to 2nd tank
4th tank: 31mpg (7.5Lpk) - 100% Hwy
 
i noticed that the FE varies from tank to tank even though in similar weather and driving condtions, i wonder i may NOT be filling the tank 100%, possibly due to the tilting degree of the platform at the pump? anyone else has that problem?
 
after that i made a return trip to Calgary, Alberta and averaged:
5-8th tanks: 29.5mpg (8Lpk) through the mountains.
 
9-10th tanks: 19mpg (12.5Lpk) - 100% City
 
now at 3000 miles (5000km), hope FE will improve, especially for the City, because i'm not too impressed with 19mpg, my much bigger minivan is getting 17.5mpg.

#201 of 219 FE by telesave

Sep 23, 2009 (10:24 am)

I've been happy with the rondo, but always unhappy with the FE too!
i also only get a little bit better FE than my much larger sienna minivan.
 
(i have a 2007 rondo with 40k)

#202 of 219 Variability in mpg by garnermike

Sep 23, 2009 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: 9394 (Sep 23, 2009 10:07 am)
I have a 2 year old LX I4 with 21K miles. Your fuel mileage is very close to what I was getting until I passed the 15K miles odometer mark. At about that mark, my 100% city mpg improved to 21 mpg, and my 100% hwy mpg improved to 29 mpg. My mixed driving is now consistently 24-26 mpg.
 
But that 24-26 mpg calculation is an average based across several tanksfuls. I have since Day One gotten wide swings in individual tankful mpg computations. 17 mpg on some tankfuls; well over 30 mpg on others. I am convinced that the car never gets that bad -- or that good -- mpg. I have no idea why the car will sometimes take on more fuel or less fuel when filling up, such that I might go 50 miles before the fule gauge needle budges, or just 15 miles before it budges.
 
I described this all to a Kia technician. He said that it's probably a bad fuel tank level relay gismo. I nevered bothered to have it fixed, because I believe that, over a number of tankfuls, I'm getting an accurate estimate of my mpg.

#203 of 219 Re: Variability in mpg [garnermike] by 9394

Sep 24, 2009 (11:41 am)

Replying to: garnermike (Sep 23, 2009 12:32 pm)
exactly, the distance it takes for the fuel gauge to start dropping varies a lot, even under the same driving condition.
 
i will try to fillup at the same gas station, same pump to see if this problem will go away.

#204 of 219 Re: 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks [9394] by mickeyrom

Nov 04, 2009 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: 9394 (Sep 23, 2009 10:07 am)
Don't complain about 19 in town.My 4 cyl Optima gets less than 15 city.

#205 of 219 Re: 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks [9394] by mickeyrom

Nov 04, 2009 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: 9394 (Sep 23, 2009 10:07 am)
Be impressed my friend.My 4 cyl Optima barely gets 15 MPG in the city,Another story on the highway,consistently over 30 and a high of 40.7.

#206 of 219 Re: 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks [9394] by e_net_rider

Nov 05, 2009 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: 9394 (Sep 23, 2009 10:07 am)
My wife's now gets 25MPG everyday driving, which is about what it was getting on straight interstate when it was newer. I think she was over 15K when it started to get better as well.
 
Sad that it only 1.5MPG better than other vehicle. I too traded from an Aurora V-8 to a Malibu I-4 AT6. Not yet happy with the MPG difference when the overall quality of ride is considered. I'd be much happier if gas was still $4.50/gallon.
You might look at it from that view, ie, driving the same distance with both vehicles, assuming same size tank, you would currently be saving about 1 gallon per fill. That would now be only $2.50, but at old price $4.50, and if gas goes to that $6 that Dems were talking as a mark (adding tax to discourage consumption) we both will be happier with our vehicles.

#207 of 219 Re: 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks [e_net_rider] by garnermike

Nov 05, 2009 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Nov 05, 2009 1:59 pm)
It's both curious and also validating that many Rondo owners have had similar experiences to my own. At 26, 000, my Rondo ('07 LX I-4) has settled into its "calling," with mpg consistently ranging between 21 and 31 mpg, averaging right around 26. It got better after 15,000 miles, and still does a lot of inexplainable swinging between the 21 and 31 marks. I don't see the odd 15 mpg or the odd 40 mpg.

#208 of 219 Re: 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks [garnermike] by 9394

Nov 08, 2009 (10:07 pm)

Replying to: garnermike (Nov 05, 2009 8:01 pm)
i have been going to the same gas station, same pump for the last few fillups, the FE swinging problem no longer exists.
 
also, i don't top up anymore, i estimate how much gas i can pump and slow down the pump at the last 10 percent and stop pumping at the first click.
 
.

#209 of 219 Re: 09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks [UPDATED] by 9394

Feb 25, 2010 (2:09 pm)

Replying to: 9394 (Sep 23, 2009 10:07 am)
09 Rondo I4 - first 10 tanks UPDATED
 
After reading some of the older posts, i discovered and bought a gadget called "Scanguage", once calibrated, it is able to provide me with much more meaningful FE rating instantly, per trip, day and tank.
 
and i also found out why i was getting NOT so impressive FE, it is because my wife's new work location is only 2.5 miles from home, she drives it there and leaves it there all day, then drives home, and short trip really kills FE.
according to Scanguage, her per (work) day FE is around 16mpg.
 
luckily, we use the car for longer trips on the weekends, and as long as we drive a minimum of 5 miles, per trip FE will improve to 20mpg or better.
i was able to achieve 26mpg once going home from UBC after an evening concert, 10 miles with minimal traffic and stopped at only 5 red lights.
  
TANKs 11th to 18th: 100% city, gradually dropping from 19mpg(12.4LHK) to 18.6mpg(12.6LHK) due to the temperature drop (near freezing).
 
TANKs 19th and 20th: 80% city, couple ski trips brought the tank FE up to 21.4mpg(11LHK).
 
i'm planning to switch to full synthetic the next time i change oil, hope to see some better FE in the next update.
 
.

Messages Page 21 of 22

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