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Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012

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

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

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

Messages Page 44 of 75

#428 of 745 Re: My take [crankeee] by doodlydo

Apr 23, 2012 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: crankeee (Apr 21, 2012 11:58 am)
I too have been disappointed in my 2011 Elantra Limited's gas mileage.
My daily commute is 63 miles one way over a variety of state highways where my speed is generally 60-65PMPH.
I traded in a 2010 Honda Civic for this car. The Civic was rated at 36 MPG and I was getting 33-34MPG.
My Elantra has been running in the 32-33MPG range over the same course for over 30K miles. Given the amount of time you spend in the car and the number of times you fill up each week gives you a lot of opportunities to 'sort out' the cars mileage. I tried coasting to stops, driving a little slower, running premium gas, windows up/down, etc. and it didn't really make a difference. Lead footed starts where the biggest killers in mileage.
 
Then I started reading these posts and it seemed most complaints were about the Limited model and the mileage kings sounded like they were driving the base models.
Since I was due for tires, I did some checking on tire sizes and their impact. I was a bit surprized at the speed difference between the low profile 17" tires on the Limited and those on the base model.
Since I already have 46K miles on the car in 14 months and needed some tires with a higher mileage rating (was tired of buying new tires every 25K miles!), I sprung for new 16" wheels and a tire size in the middle of Elantra's offering. The tires are 80K rated Michelin tires, but I can not attest to their 'rolling resistance', but I here to report my mileage after 6K miles on the new tires is now 2MPG higher. I am now pretty consistently running 34-35MPG.
I suspect that Hyundai only has one speedometer gear they put in the car and if you go to the physically smaller diameter low profile tire that comes on the Limited model, you will get lower mileage.
If you want to see how tire size can effect your speed, check out any tire dealer's tire size calculator. The one I use from Discount Tire will tell you how much different your speed will be off from the standard tire.
Just thought I would share some food for thought.

#429 of 745 Re: My take [gman4911] by pflyer

Apr 23, 2012 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: gman4911 (Apr 23, 2012 1:09 pm)
Well...
 
That is true for any new car you buy.
 
I usually buy used, but bought the Elantra new.
 
I plan to keep it for years. I did pay cash, so no loan for me.
 
Yes, the first owner of any financed vehicle is usually upside down for years.

#430 of 745 Re: My take [kirstie_h] by oldburbnewcx9

Apr 23, 2012 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Apr 23, 2012 12:19 pm)
I completely agree about the made-up fact. The problem is another made-up fact is that certain cars have problems based on the number of complaints on a forum. Neither population is a representative sample of the entire population.

#431 of 745 Re: My take [oldburbnewcx9] by m6user

Apr 23, 2012 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: oldburbnewcx9 (Apr 23, 2012 2:13 pm)
I'm just replying to the thread and not you personally. I actually agree with what you're saying.
 
If one read many different brand/model forums here and in other websites you get a general appreciation for "what is going on" with a particular brand/model. The new Elantra has had many complaints about people not being able to achieve the EPA numbers. This was not true of the old model Elantras so it isn't Hyundai or Elantra bashing. These people bought Hyundais and wanted them to be great additions to their family. Hence, the complaints when it didn't live up to their expectations.
 
In comparison to other cars, it is apparent that the number of people complaining here is much higher than other brands/models. People state their concerns here in looking for some sort of answer. So what kind of answers do they get?
 
Some people honestly try to understanda and help them while many others reply with comments that these people just don't know how to drive or maintain a car.
 
Listen, Braniacs. Many of these people had cars that they had no trouble reaching EPA numbers with in the past so it is not the way they drive or maintain their cars! they didn't suddenly become aggressive drivers after buying their new Elantra. Do you realize how insulting it must be for people to read "Well, my car is fine so you are just stupid or lying". People just can't seem to comprehend that some people may have cars that aren't performing correctily. If yours is, that's great and it's fine to say so. But please, in the same breath, don't insinuate that others that aren't getting the right performance don't have a clue. I truly believe that the vast majority of people that take the time to become a member of these forums and figure out how to post have the mental capacity to understand the concept "YMMV" which, for the most part, is determined by how one drives.

#432 of 745 Re: My take [m6user] by pflyer

Apr 23, 2012 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Apr 23, 2012 2:53 pm)
Not sure who you are referring to, but I will assume it's me.
 
First, never called anyone stupid; don't think anyone on this board is stupid.
 
One of the pitfalls of typing verses talking is you do not see the nonverbal communication in the message.
 
I am truly sorry for anyone who is dissatified with whatever vehicle they are driving. I have purchased cars before that have been real letdowns. It happens. Thus, my comment about life being short and moving on.
 
My point in my entire posting is that the EPA figures are reasonable, at least for comparison with other vehicles. Some were getting better mileage with their older cars. I don't have a reasonable explanation.
 
The HOST pointed out an "untrue fact." Hmmm. Have to think about an untrue fact. What I then asked the host was (in her opinion) more people were satisfied with their Elantra mileage than not on this forum. Of course, the answer is most are NOT satisfied, thus my comment about dissatified people participating in this forum.
 
My guess is if we took a large sample (several thousand Elantra owners) the percentage of "mileage happy" people verses "mileage unhappy" people would be comparable to most other vehicles.
 
It's not personal and I am not gloating in any way. I want to drive cars I enjoy and feel I am getting my money's worth. If that is not the case, I will change my situation.
 
All the best.

#433 of 745 Re: My take [pflyer] by m6user

Apr 23, 2012 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: pflyer (Apr 23, 2012 3:46 pm)
The HOST pointed out an "untrue fact." Hmmm. Have to think about an untrue fact. What I then asked the host was (in her opinion) more people were satisfied with their Elantra mileage than not on this forum. Of course, the answer is most are NOT satisfied, thus my comment about dissatified people participating in this forum.
 
One of my points was exactly that and it seems you missed it. This particular forum about the new Elantra real world mpg has an uncommon amount of complaints in comparison to other brands/models. I don't even own an Elantra but am interested in it and I read many forums about other makes and models mpg results. Normally, you get about the same amount of people getting better or worse. Actually, from reading these forums over the years I would say you get more that "brag" about their new cars MPG rather than bash it. That's why it's a little unusual to see the number of complaints here. Again, in comparison to other brands/models. Take a look at other forums. You will see complaints, but not the steady stream that has happened here since the "40 mpg" Elantra came out.
 
And I wasn't aiming my "braniac" comment at any one person. Just a whole bunch of people that say the same thing over and over without a clue as to whether the person they are "advising" may actually have a better handle on vehicle maint and driving techniques than they do or not.
 
The host may be have been referring to your "fact" about most people come to forums to complain. She reads more posts that most posters so I think she probably has a pretty good handle on it. You were stating it as a fact and she was simply rebutting it. I personally think most people post to either learn something or share something rather than to complain.

#434 of 745 Re: My take [m6user] by pflyer

Apr 23, 2012 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Apr 23, 2012 4:20 pm)
Didn't miss your point.
 
Think you are missing mine, but don't care.
 
I'm done. Wish all the best with their cars.

#435 of 745 Re: My take [m6user] by dc_driver

Apr 23, 2012 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Apr 23, 2012 4:20 pm)
I think the general consensus in this thread is that it has been proven that the Hyundai Elantra can achieve the EPA numbers. An independent third party (Popular Mechanics) confirmed this, as well as many other owners. This is not the Civic Hybrid issue. But I agree with Backy, if you are getting significantly less that the EPA numbers and have accounted for things like driving habits, weather, gas quality, etc, you should take your car to the dealer after you hit th break in period and not let up on them.

#436 of 745 Re: My take [dc_driver] by m6user

Apr 23, 2012 (7:43 pm)

Replying to: dc_driver (Apr 23, 2012 7:17 pm)
An independent third party (Popular Mechanics) confirmed this
 
Yes, I know and there has been several other third party testers that did not achieve it, Consumer Reports among them. I've never said that the Elantra, if there are no problems, cannot hit the numbers. What I am saying is that when so many people can't come close to the numbers when they have done it easily with past vehicles, it indicates a problem with quite a number of them. Ergo the complaints.
 
And what you and Backy suggest is exactly what I would suggest, that it be checked out by the dealer until it is fixed. However, it seems that a lot of people get lip service from their dealers similar to the lip service they get from a lot of "helpful" posters within these forums.

#437 of 745 Re: My take [m6user] by backy

Apr 23, 2012 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Apr 23, 2012 7:43 pm)
So CR hit 39 mpg highway on their test Elantra - 1 mpg under the EPA average. City was only 20 mpg but better than other high-mpg compacts such as Civic and Focus. Automobile Magazine exceeded the EPA average in their tester. We heard about Popular Mechanics already. C/D and MT didn't hit the EPA average in their Elantras but they flog every car they test.
 
I have a strong suspicion that the Elantra demands driving the car differently than other, lower-mpg cars in order to achieve its EPA rating. Differently than many folks are used to. Torque has been mentioned. It's not a high-torque engine. Likely demands a light foot on the gas... again something not everyone is adept at, or simply not willing to do (see comments re "granny" driving). It's easy getting 29 mpg highway on a 2006 Elantra... its EPA rating. 40 mpg is much harder for a car to achieve. If it were easy, we'd see lots of 40 mpg cars compact or larger. How many are there, non-hybrid, non-diesel? Not many.
 
It's very possible some Elantras with disappointing FE numbers have some kind of mechanical or digital problem. I suspect most do not. Still worth checking out if one has tried everything else to maximize fuel economy over time.

Messages Page 44 of 75

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