Kia Rondo suggested improvements

TSM280Z,
Is your Rondo experiencing poor fuel economy? Our prior 2007 EX V6 regularly saw 33 mpg Imperial (about 30 mpg US) on the highway at 110 km/hr (65-70 mph) with four people and luggage, and about 24-25 around town. We now have a 2011 EX V6 and so far it seems to be achieving the same numbers, though it only has about 1500 miles on it so far. Actually, on my first highway trip when the Rondo was brand new (ie. less than 100 miles on the odo), I was by myself and saw as high as 36 mpg at 60 mph. That trip added 400 miles to the car.

Replies to this message:

tsm280z (Jun 17, 2011 3:25 am)
- bgw (Jun 17, 2011 4:12 am)
  - tsm280z (Jun 17, 2011 9:02 am)

#41 of 44 Re: Suggested improvements [bgw] by tsm280z

Jun 17, 2011 (3:25 am)

Replying to: bgw (Jun 16, 2011 4:06 am)

BGW,
Never got what I would call good fuel economy. At least not what the Rondo was advertised as getting. I have a 2007 EX V6. Right from the beginning I was getting in the mid teens city & upper teens/low 20's hwy.
I'm not a hyper-miler but I try to take it easy. I put in a K&N air filter, synthetic oil, etc., etc. It wasn't until about 9,000 miles that I saw an improvement. Now get upper teens city & mid twenties hwy. Most of my driving is city. I guess the car's computer adapts to one's particular driving habits.
Been on this post for a few years now and noticed other owners situations vary widely.

Replies to this message:

bgw (Jun 17, 2011 4:12 am)
- tsm280z (Jun 17, 2011 9:02 am)

#42 of 44 Re: Suggested improvements [tsm280z] by bgw

Jun 17, 2011 (4:12 am)

Replying to: tsm280z (Jun 17, 2011 3:25 am)

TSM280Z,

I always found that our trip computer was optimistic. I kept my own log that I calculated myself, and the computer was usually off by .2 to .3 litres/100km (not much really, maybe 1/2 mpg?).
Our 2007 V6 was never hyper-miled, and 33 mpg Imperial was a number that we repeatedly obtained on the highway. If had I slowed to the speed limit, then I would likely have gotten more. As for around town, I admit that we live in a small town (10,000) so it can't really be considered urban.
I never changed the air filter (only had to clean it once) and used normal engine oil. I did keep all tires 2 psi above the door jamb rating, since I find that all my cars respond better to steering input that way. 2psi isn't much, not enough to firm up the ride to an uncomfortable level.
I wonder if you had the CPU reflashed, if that would affect your low mpg's? It did wonders for my 2002 PT Cruiser, which had a number of driveability problems until the CPU was reflashed (cost me about $60) at the dealer. It certainly increased the car's fuel economy.

Replies to this message:

tsm280z (Jun 17, 2011 9:02 am)

#43 of 44 Re: Suggested improvements [bgw] by tsm280z

Jun 17, 2011 (9:02 am)

Replying to: bgw (Jun 17, 2011 4:12 am)

Thanks BGW. I'll see if the cpu "reflashing" makes a difference.

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