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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 57 of 75

#557 of 745 Re: Track your own data points [g2iowa] by backy

Jun 25, 2012 (6:18 am)

Replying to: g2iowa (Jun 25, 2012 6:09 am)
The other useful data point on your last trip is the 525 lbs. of passenger weight:
 
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
 
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drivehabits.shtml
 
So for example if the driver weighs 200 pounds, the extra weight on your last trip could have reduced fuel economy by over 6%. On a 20 mpg car, that's a bit over 1 mpg so might not be that noticeable. But on a car capable of 40 mpg highway like the Elantra, that's almost 2.5 mpg. And note the statement from the EPA re how extra weight affects smaller (lighter) cars more than larger ones.
 
I wonder how often owners take cargo/passenger weight into account when considering their mpg?

#558 of 745 Re: Track your own data points [backy] by g2iowa

Jun 25, 2012 (6:39 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 25, 2012 6:18 am)
Yes there are a plethora of relevant factors when measuring achieved FE in the real world.
 
I'd like to think my small mother and big 6' 10" brother (the two passengers, who combined probably weigh about 350 lbs.) were "necessary" weight for this trip, to see my other brother.
 
The MT article also discusses tire pressure issues (e.g., deliberately underinflating the Cruze ECO's tires by 5 psi led to a .6% reduction in FE). They also noted that all of their gasoline-powered cars "are actually travelling slightly faster than their speedometers indicate. Our best explanation is their new (unworn) tires."

#559 of 745 Re: Track your own data points [backy] by rudy66

Jun 25, 2012 (6:39 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 25, 2012 6:18 am)
The Elantra's real problem is city driving, not highway. And anyway, who wants to spend their lives worrying about mpg because of Hyudai's unreliable estimates? Whatever they say, these estimates do not relate to the real world. So maybe we should just drive our Elantra's and, when the time comes for a new car, just get another brand that doesn't broadcast unrealistic mpg. For guys like me who are not into the technicalities (which is the vast majority of drivers) we should not spend our lives trying to "get good mileage". It takes the fun out of driving.

#560 of 745 Re: Track your own data points [rudy66] by backy

Jun 25, 2012 (7:15 am)

Replying to: rudy66 (Jun 25, 2012 6:39 am)
I think it can be kinda fun, like a game, to see how much FE I can get out of a car. But I see your position. If that's not fun for you, don't worry about it.
 
But you won't get optimal FE out of your Elantra or ANY car if you "just drive" it w/o regard to FE. I know because I've done that. I rent a lot of cars, I don't pay for the gas, often I'm rushed for time when driving the rentals so frequently I don't drive them for optimal FE. Guess what? I don't come close to the EPA numbers. I've done experiments with my own cars where I'll drive them for awhile like I don't care about FE--fast starts, quick stops, drive faster than I need to, etc. Guess what? My FE sucks. When I drive with attention to FE, I almost always meet or exceed the EPA numbers in any car. There's sometimes I don't, e.g. driving very short distances in very cold or very hot weather.
 
Drive as you want to drive. It's your car, your money.

#561 of 745 Re: Track your own data points [g2iowa] by backy

Jun 25, 2012 (7:21 am)

Replying to: g2iowa (Jun 25, 2012 6:39 am)
I'd like to think my small mother and big 6' 10" brother (the two passengers, who combined probably weigh about 350 lbs.) were "necessary" weight for this trip, to see my other brother.
 
I never said your family members weren't necessary, sheesh. But they represent weight not factored into EPA estimates. And it's a fact that the more weight in a car, the lower the FE.
 
I figured someone like you who is careful to document the conditions under which you achieve mpg would find that useful.
 
I am surprised a 5 psi reduction resulted in only 0.6% reduction in FE. I thought underinflated tires would have a bigger impact. On the Cruze at least, looks like it doesn't. Would have been interesting if they had OVER-inflated the tires by 5 psi to see the effect. I have done that before and I know others do it to achieve better FE. But if it's such a small improvement, probably not worth the tradeoff in ride quality.

#562 of 745 Re: Track your own data points [backy] by m6user

Jun 25, 2012 (10:42 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 25, 2012 7:21 am)
I never said your family members weren't necessary, sheesh.
 
I think he was was making a joke.

#563 of 745 Re: Lets get to the point [bpizzuti] by eweiner

Jun 25, 2012 (10:47 am)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Jun 24, 2012 2:23 pm)
What the heck are you talking about. I gave you my speeds and I understand full well how it impacts MPG.
 
65 to 75 is not realistic here and in most places. Point in time FE does not matter. What you get at the pump does. Elantra does not deliver at the pump performance unless you drive 95%+ highway.
 
In fact, I don't think many here care to even hear from people who do 95%+ highway...as they're not typical drivers.

#564 of 745 Re: POOR GAS MILAGE 2012 ELANTRA [kate007124] by camaroman2012

Jun 25, 2012 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: kate007124 (Nov 15, 2011 1:05 pm)
Kate, I agree totally. I was averaging about 25mpg, now I'm averaging about 22mpg. I finally got the dealership to take a look at it (even though no check engine light was on) and they stated that it was missing (I believe on all four cylinders as there were four separate codes, all in series). They did a fuel test and stated that I had 15% alcohol in the tank and that this was an issue with contaminated fuel and would not be covered under warranty. Well, after doing some research, it looks like about 90-95% of all gas has 10% ethanol standard. By the way, 10% ethanol equates to about a 7-8% loss in fuel economy(FE). It's hard to find a station that sells ethanol free. No gas stations near me that sell ethanol free. The nearest is just over 100 miles. So, after a bit more research, we are already suppose to be at 15% ethanol and after talking with the gas stations themselves, they stated that they were already suppose to be selling 15% ethanol mixed fuel. I requested that they get a report so that I can verify that they indeed are at 15%, which is what the EPA is pushing for. So, we will see if Hyundai still tries to pull this bull of not honoring the warranty. Either they don't know why its missing and are incompetent and trying to make stuff up, or they do know why its missing and don't want to honor the warranty and so are being snakes in the grass, either way, they have lost my business. I'll drive two hours to the next major town to get my work done by a reputable dealership.

#565 of 745 Re: POOR GAS MILAGE 2012 ELANTRA [camaroman2012] by backy

Jun 25, 2012 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: camaroman2012 (Jun 25, 2012 12:19 pm)
These are for the 2008 Elantra, different engine, but still interesting I think in light of your post re ethanol content:
 
http://www.hyundaiproblems.com/investigations/Elantra/2008/
 
And this more general comment re ethanol-laced gas and Hyundais:
 
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_ethanol_fuel_be_used_in_2002_Hyundai_elantra
 
What does your car's owner's manual say about ethanol content in the gas? Does it say 15 percent ethanol (E15) is OK? If so, you should show that page to your dealer. There's a lot of buzz on the Internet about whether E15 can be used with all newer cars, even though the EPA has given it its blessing. However, pumps that dispense E15 are supposed to be clearly labeled as such, as it is not supposed to be used on any pre-2001 vehicles.
 
And since YOUR car seems to have been affected adversely by E15, I wonder if that can explain at least some of the other cases where owners are dissatisfied with the FE on their Elantras?

#566 of 745 Re: Lets get to the point [eweiner] by bpizzuti

Jun 25, 2012 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: eweiner (Jun 25, 2012 10:47 am)
I drive 95% highway. So guess what? I care. But I also know how much difference in FE 5 MPH can make, and how some people (not making any accusations or implications) like to wave off the fact that their "highway" driving might be at 80 MPH as they wonder why they're not getting the MPGs the EPA got on their 65 MPH "highway" test. It's important to keep in mind. And whether you care about "point in time" or not, a "point in time" where you do 85 MPH will reduce your average MPG.

Messages Page 57 of 75

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