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Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012

745 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 10:29 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 13 of 76

#113 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [kirstie_h] by brandtcpc1

Jan 10, 2012 (4:31 am)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Nov 15, 2011 6:57 am)
My 2012 Elantra Limited only gets 32 MPG highway. I drive 100 miles per day and 90% of that is highway. I am the only person in the car with nothing else in it. I have tried everything changing fuel types, higher octain, but no help. Hyundai dealer says it will get better. I have 13K on the car now. I wish I would have knwon this before I bought the thing. This car has AT.

#114 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [brandtcpc1] by tenpin288

Jan 10, 2012 (6:44 am)

Replying to: brandtcpc1 (Jan 10, 2012 4:31 am)
What is your top speed during that highway drive? The EPA Highway test cycle that gives that 40 mpg number has a 60 mph top speed and an average overall speed for the test of about 48.3 mph. Speeds above that top or average will drop fuel economy, sometimes a great deal.
 
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml

#115 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [brandtcpc1] by steven39

Jan 10, 2012 (10:50 am)

Replying to: brandtcpc1 (Jan 10, 2012 4:31 am)
on a recent trip to orlando from where i live in hallandale beach,fla i achieved 43 mpg on the highway according to the trip computer with a little over 3000 miles on the odometer.city mpg with mostly stop and go traffic is about 27.

#116 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [tenpin288] by dodgeman07

Jan 10, 2012 (11:40 am)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jan 10, 2012 6:44 am)
The EPA Highway test cycle that gives that 40 mpg number has a 60 mph top speed and an average overall speed for the test of about 48.3 mph.
 
Incorrect. Read the test criteria: "Beginning with 2008 models, three additional tests will be used to adjust the city and highway estimates to account for higher speeds, air conditioning use, and colder temperatures."
 
It was 2007 and earlier EPA estimates (which were generally reported higher MPG) that did not exceed 60mph. High speeds, A/C, and cold weather driving were incorporated in 2008.
 
P.S. Steady speed driving at 70mph or more will rarely yield EPA Hwy numbers in any car. It is aimed more at what you SHOULD achieve at 65mph with a warm engine, level terrain, appropriate tire pressure, fuel, cruise on etc.
 
My bet is I could get 40mpg out of a new Elantra if I tried, but I don't own one. Driving 75mph I wouldn't expect more than 35mpg.

#117 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [dodgeman07] by tenpin288

Jan 10, 2012 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman07 (Jan 10, 2012 11:40 am)
What I said was true. If you look at the detailed comparison tab on the page I referred to, you will see that the tests you mentioned do change the parameters somewhat, but only somewhat as the adjusted highway test has an average test cycle speed of 48.4 mph even though the max speed is up to 80 mph. Now if that high speed highway test had an average speed of over 60-65 mph, that would be a difference maker!

#118 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [tenpin288] by dodgeman07

Jan 10, 2012 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jan 10, 2012 1:02 pm)
tenpin288 you said, and I quote, "The EPA Highway test cycle that gives that 40 mpg number has a 60 mph top speed...".
 
That is incorrect. It goes to 80mph and the high-speed cycle includes several starts from a complete stop running to high speeds. The parameters are changed dramatically.
 
Telling people they have a 60mph top speed on the 40mpg hwy test? Simply not true.

#119 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [dodgeman07] by tenpin288

Jan 10, 2012 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman07 (Jan 10, 2012 2:49 pm)
Let me rephrase/refine/restate/clarify my previous posts/statements.
 
Telling people they have a 60mph top speed on the 40mpg hwy test? Simply not true.
 
Actually it is true. The highway test top speed is 60 mph. The high speed test has a spike to 80 mph for a short time but is not a highway only test as it is designed to also include some city-style stop and go driving during its 9.9 minute/8 mile in length test cycle!
 
The highway test and the high speed test both have an overall average speed of just over 48 mph. And the high speed test along with the two other new tests are used to "to adjust the city and highway estimates to account for higher speeds, air conditioning use, and colder temperatures" per the EPA.
 
The point I am trying to bring out is that given these EPA testing parameters, it is unlikely for anyone to expect their Elantra, or any car for that matter, to get the EPA highway mileage figure when they are driving for an extended highway stretch at speeds in excess of posted speed limits. If their average speed (not top speed) for their commute exceeds the EPA average of 48 mph by a significant amount, say by averaging 70-80 mph for 10, 20, 30 miles or more due to traffic, their fuel mileage will suffer. It's just simple physics.
 
What I would really like the EPA to do is come up with a testing methodology closer to what Backy usually advocates for people to try. Do an extended drive at a steady state in two directions and then check mileage. It might surprise many a person!

#120 of 745 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [tenpin288] by dodgeman07

Jan 11, 2012 (7:12 am)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jan 10, 2012 8:25 pm)
Actually it is true. The highway test top speed is 60 mph.
 
You need to re-read the EPA test critieria. The new EPA (in 2008) hwy numbers don't only include the hwy portion of the test. That's why they are (usually) much lower than the pre-2008 numbers that ONLY included the Hwy test you cite. The testing takes into account various factors to allow for high speed driving over long distances. That's what EPA Hwy numbers are supposed to reflect, not short commutes under 10 miles.
 
Most people can easily hit the EPA Hwy numbers driving 65 to 70mph on the highway. I'm basing this on actual drivers and actual cars; me, friends, family, acquaintances, etc. The EPA Hwy numbers were revised (usually 10% or more downward) after the Hwy only portion you cite was modified to reflect the other test critieria.
 
Again, most drivers easily hit the EPA Hwy numbers these days if driving 70 mph or less on over-the-road type driving. I'll quit beating the dead horse now. If you still think the Elantra's EPA 40 mpg Hwy estimate was obtained at under 60 mph, so be it. You're wrong.

#121 of 745 Highwar results in real world by g2iowa

Jan 11, 2012 (8:23 am)

Elantra owners should get to know their cars well at highway speeds. By this I mean study the speed, tachometer reading, and achieved fuel economy. Compare tach readings at 60 mph, 65, 70, and 75. Obviously, the higher the speed the higher the RPMs and the lower the FE. Max highway fuel economy is usually in the 60-65 mph steady state range. My recent longer trip was mostly (about 90%) at 70 mph using active Eco and cruise and I achieved nearly 37 mpg. A shorter one, that had some city driving but was nearly 80% 62 mph interstate with Eco and cruise achieved 38 mpg. Both on 87 octane non-ethanol.

#122 of 745 Very dissapointed by knocker81

Jan 13, 2012 (7:20 am)

I have my 2011 Elantra for a month now and all I can say is I'm very dissapointed. I've been driving a 2009 Corolla for the last 3 years averaging 28-30 miles a gal, but with this Elantra only 24-25 mpg. It has only 900 miles on it but I just can't see more than a few miles improvement. The reason I went with the Elantra is for the gas mileage, I don't see how they can claim 29/40, it's not even close. I thought I would average at least 31mpg, it's still new so I'm gonna be patient.

Messages Page 13 of 76

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