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Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012

752 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2013 at 12:33 AM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

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

Messages Page 32 of 76

#306 of 752 Fuel economy & Flash(?) by ronnomad

Mar 18, 2012 (4:08 pm)

New to this board and trying to see what other owners are experiencing.
 
Got our 2012 Elantra Limited in June. So far, just under 8,000 miles. Was unsatisfied with mileage at onset but was assured by dealer (sales & service reps) that economy would improve as engine was 'broken' in. Not sure how long this is supposed to take but I would think that after 7,500 miles and two oil changes economy should be closer to what was advertised.
 
To date overall MPG is 29.84. Best single trip MPG 33.6 (280 mile round trip from Mesa, AZ to Tucson this past weekend). Experienced same MPG during trip from Las Vegas to Mesa (about the same distance as Tucson round trip) and trip ended with about 5,700 miles. On trip from Vegas, computer said average speed 65MPH. On Tuscon trip computer said 51MPH. Logic says that on lower average speed mileage should be higher.
 
Regardless, overall fuel economy (but particularly highway economy) is not where I expected.
Expected range on highway (using best MPG to date) is only 487 miles to empty. If I use the estimate on the window sticker it should be closer to 580. And, frankly, based on my ratio of highway to street travel driven, I expected the overall MPG to be closer to 35.
 
I agree with some of the other posts that the computer calculation of MPG is off (I have seen it off by up to 8%) and, it is off in both directions.
 
Although not accurate, I probably would appreciate an 'instant' MPG read. There was one on a 2011 Sonata I rented last year (in which I calculate I averaged 35+ MPG on a round trip from St. Louis, MO. to Memphis, TN) and it was this trip that led me to purchase the Hyundai. To be honest, one of the factors that led to the Elantra was the leap of faith that if the Sonata got that kind of MPG, the Elantra should be as good or better.
 
So, in first looking at this forum, I spotted indications that some owners have received some update to their vehicle's computer(?) that has dramatically increased MPG. Is this true and is there more info available?
 
Oh, one last point, the car is ALWAYS in ECON mode.

#307 of 752 Re: Fuel economy & avg speed [ronnomad] by g2iowa

Mar 19, 2012 (6:44 am)

Replying to: ronnomad (Mar 18, 2012 4:08 pm)
Have you studied your tachometer and the AT at various speeds? Seems like this car is geared for max fuel economy in the 35-65 mph range. You have to get into overdrive gears (5th & 6th) quickly, stay there, and maintain steady speed (preferably using cruise control).
 
The mileage seems to crater at speeds higher than 65 mph and lower than 35 mph. So when your AVG speed was 65 mph, I'm assuming you spent some time above that and maybe in the mid-70 mphs? You won't get anywhere near 40 mpg at 75 mph or higher. Your FE starts dropping significantly at 65-70 mph.
 
Your 51 mph avg result is the most interesting one. And the one you achieved the highest FE result, which would be expected. Don't know if you had passengers, luggage, what type fuel you're using, etc. IF ethanol, expect 3-4% decrease in FE.

#308 of 752 MPG update with weather by stevens5882

Mar 19, 2012 (7:02 am)

I have about 5,300 miles on my elantra. I drive about 90% highway and 10% BUSY city traffic (lots of lights and stop and go).
 
With the weather in Ohio getting much nicer (60+ degrees), I have noticed an increase in MPG, my last tank I got 36.8 MPG calculated (the computer said 41.2 MPG, my computer is routinely off by 3-4 MPGs). At the beginning of that tank, the computer was calculating as high as 49 MPGs.
 
I had been averaging in the 33-34 MPG range(calculated).

#309 of 752 Re: Fuel economy & avg speed [g2iowa] by ronnomad

Mar 19, 2012 (8:49 am)

Replying to: g2iowa (Mar 19, 2012 6:44 am)
The simple answer to your question is yes! I do watch the tach. In doing my research before the purchase, I was drawn to the Elantra because of the 6 speed AT (as compared to the 4 speed in the Corolla). Although more complex, I equated the 6 speed to more efficient in gear selection and overall economy. At 65MPH, in 6th, I would guess the engine is turning around 2100 RPM.
 
On the 65MPH trip there were two of us in the car but we were carrying some extra luggage (maybe 100 Lbs.) but the speed was relatively consistent. On the 51MPH trip there were three of us but no luggage so the weights were comparable. Since the 51MPH trip did follow different routes on the round trip, what I should have done was check the economy each way. I am sure the return trip (although longer) was at a higher speed.
 
Maybe I'm looking at this from the wrong perspective. I should mention that my other vehicle is another brand with about 125,000 miles on it; is a turbocharged 4 cyl with a 5 speed MT that requires 91 octane. Because of the way it is geared, I would say that at 65MPH this vehicle is turning about 3150 RPM. So, when I compare the driving between the two at similar speeds, it just seems logical that the Elantra should be getting significantly better economy. But it doesn't. On similar trips (2) to Tucson (the 51MPH average trip), this car got between 30 - 32.5 MPG. And, I drive this vehicle a lot harder (read faster).
 
I guess that I just feel, that considering the overall driving conditions in the Elantra, the fuel economy should be higher.
 
So, going back to my original query, is there a factory authorized adjustment that will boost MPG?
 
I must admit that, if I was looking to purchase today instead of last June, I would probably go for diesel. In comparing rated fuel economy and cost of fuel, it didn't make sense back then (diesel would have had to have double the economy). But, with cost of regular gas rising significantly faster than diesel, diesel would appear to be the more economical choice

#310 of 752 Re: Fuel economy & avg speed [ronnomad] by g2iowa

Mar 19, 2012 (9:54 am)

Replying to: ronnomad (Mar 19, 2012 8:49 am)
What type gasoline are you using? Ethanol? Keep watching your average MPH calculation.
 
I wish we had more posters here with the manual transmission. Seems like nearly all here are AT not MT. My '12 GLS turns over at 1500 RPMs at 25 mph in 4th (direct drive), 35 mph in 5th (an overdrive), and 45 mph in 6th (deeper overdrive). I find it fascinating that the AT won't go into 5th at 25-30 mph even when I use the manumatic feature. Same for getting her into 6th at 35-40 mph. Nice thing about an MT is that you can put her in whatever gear you want as long as their is enough engine torque for the resulting RPMs.

#311 of 752 Re: Fuel economy & avg speed [g2iowa] by crankeee

Mar 19, 2012 (10:20 am)

Replying to: g2iowa (Mar 19, 2012 6:44 am)
Comments on tach are right on IMO. Keeping the tach below 2000 in town, with AT or manual, will maximize city MPG. We have 2012 Sonata GLS and the city MPG is much improved with RPMs <2000 and when at 50 MPH RPMs are also lowest and MPG highest. Maximizing City MPG also results in higher "average" MPG since the highway MPG is more consistent and less subject to variables. Our 24 in town and 36 (at 65-70 MPH) on highway is right on the EPA estimates and the average is weighted by the % of city/highway. Also your comment on MPG at speeds over 65-70 is exactly what we see. 15% more speed (with more RPMs obviously) results in 10-15% lower MPG. Good driver training comments to getting the best MPG from cars that will deliver IF driven the correct way. Thanks for the comments.

#312 of 752 Re: Fuel economy & Flash(?) [ronnomad] by islandtractor

Mar 19, 2012 (8:17 pm)

Replying to: ronnomad (Mar 18, 2012 4:08 pm)
Popular Mechanics just addressed exactly this issue with the 2012 Elantra by using a fairly sophisticated road test to check EPA mileage figures. They got slightly HIGHER numbers for miles per gallon than the official figures. Check out the article in the April 2012 edition. Final numbers from a real world 133 mile highway cycle and a 60+ mile urban/suburban cycle were 34.1mpg city and 47.6mpg highway at 55 or 39.3 highway at 70mph. For comparison they tested the Ford Focus SPE at the same time and got 34.3/47.5/33.5mpg respectively. Not sure if this test is on their website but it is in the print edition on the stands now.

#313 of 752 I love my Hyundai but.... by aptman

Mar 22, 2012 (9:08 pm)

Look, I read peoples comments before I bought my 2012 Elantra Limited, I saw that many were not pleased with the gas mileage, I have had 2 hyundai's before so I ignored those comments...here is the truth as I experienced it...first, I do totally love my car, and I would buy one again...BUT...the is definetly a gas mileage issue...I have 1800 miles on my Elantra and I DO drive with a lead foot, but here is the thing I dont understand...my 2010 Elantra averaged 26-27 mpg and I also drove that with a lead foot...my 2012 gets 23-24 mpg, the computer always reads a couple miles per gallon more than actual mileage...I admit to having a lead foot and driving mostly city driving, but am puzzled by the fact that my 2010 got much better mileage, it also seems that my 2010 had more power...I would have expected the same mpg as my 2010

#314 of 752 Re: I love my Hyundai but.... [aptman] by secor

Mar 23, 2012 (9:34 am)

Replying to: aptman (Mar 22, 2012 9:08 pm)
Not sue why you're having less mileage under same driving conditions. Was there an engine change between 2010 and 2012? Even if there was, would expect a bit peppier acceleration with the new engine. I only have one tank on my new Elantra and computer says about 25 mpg. Should have stayed with my 2008 Sante Fe. I could believe the computer and was a much nicer drive.

#315 of 752 Fuel System Recommendation by secor

Mar 23, 2012 (9:53 am)

Do you have any thoughts of the Hyundai recommended $15/20 ounce container of fuel system additive at oil changes? Previous post (thank you) directed me to a site that showed high detergent gasoline which would not necessitate the additive. Have over past few years few years felt a shot of injector cleaner once every 5K miles would not hurt.

Messages Page 32 of 76

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