Honda Accord Real World MPG

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Comments

  • kcrossleykcrossley Member Posts: 182
    Outstanding! Thanks for the post. I'm glad your GF is feeling better.
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,641
    2002 Accord LX 5-spped manual, on the hwy at 70-75 mph, ac on, 4 passengers and luggage. It was the best mileage I've gotten in the 4 years I've owned the car. I usually get 30-32 on the hwy (ac, 4 passengers, 70-75 mph).
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    That's great mileage for a 2002 model. Their EPA numbers were lower than the 2003+ models I think, so 33MPG is great!
  • iamqzliamqzl Member Posts: 11
    I got LX on July 22. Today I filled up first time with 11.1 gallons. Here is the detail:
    Total miles (80%:20%): 302.4, in city: 250 miles, high way: 50 miles.
    AC on: 20%
    Most times one person was in the car, occasionly 2 or 3 people.

    So 302.4/11.1 = 27 MPG.
  • rzw200rzw200 Member Posts: 2
    Date Gallons Odometer MPG
    Purchased miles)
    8/2/2006 13.795 8,914 39.17
    7/21/2006 13.536 8,333 42.12
    7/12/2006 11.676 7,815 38.27
    7/3/2006 11.165 7,358 39.14

    Best mileage obtained by turned off A/C, cruised at the speed of 58 MPH, coasted down hills, anticipated traffic and red lights to the best of my knowledge, avoided city traffic and extra loads, tire pressure was 37 psi front and 35 psi rear. Also, observed significant mileage increase after first oil change at 5999 miles (thought I should have done that earlier but my maintain minder still has 30% oil life at 5999).
  • kcrossleykcrossley Member Posts: 182
    Wow! That's amazing. What's the average length of your trips? Also, what brand and grade of fuel are you using? (Exxon, Sunoco, etc.)

    And finally, what kind of MPG did you get when you first purchased your car? I'm on my first tank and I'm only averaging about 26 MPG with suburban driving. I'm told fuel efficiency improves with age.
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ...Best mileage obtained by turned off A/C, cruised at the speed of 58 MPH, coasted down hills, anticipated traffic and red lights to the best of my knowledge, avoided city traffic and extra loads, tire pressure was 37 psi front and 35 psi rear.

    ...certainly agree with several of your fuel saving tips....

    ..altho' around here it's hard to use 58 MPH ......a lot of mouthbreathers about these days; they rush up behind you .........(and then shoot off on the next exit)!!

    ..sounds like you picked a good car for your fuel saving routine.....

    You're doing better than I........with the V-6 my all-time best was just over 39 - - - in the flat Arizona desert at about 2150 rpm.......

    ..best, ez..
  • rzw200rzw200 Member Posts: 2
    kcrossley,

    To answer your question above, I averaged about 23 MPG/City and 30 MPG/Highway from 0 miles to 5999 miles (Accord '06 EX-L 4cyl Auto).

    After I had my engine oil/filter changed at 5999 miles, I noticed a significant improvements in mileage during the following month: my highway mileage increased to 33 MPG on the first tank after the oil change and to 36 on the second tank. I always drive very carefully, like anticipating lights and traffic.

    Then, I decided to test cruise control on my car. Before I wasn't sure about using cruise control to save gas b/c we have some hills around plus heavy traffic in parts of the highway during morning rush hours, but my MPG increased to 39 MPG with cruise control on.

    The following are my techniques:

    1. Drive with cruise control set on 58 MPH. Cancel the cruise control if conditions don't allow and later gently re-accelerate to 58 MPH with pedal and turn on the cruise control

    2. With cruise control on, gently accelerate before hills with pedal before let it slowly return to 58 MPH (tachometer reaches 2500 RPM briefly during acceleration and later returns to 1900 RPM).

    3. Cancel the cruise control when reach the crest and coast down hill (I think in the hot Summer, this is the time to turn on A/C with windows up on highway).

    4. Near the bottom of hill, accelerate gently with pedal to 58 MPH and set cruise control back on.
  • kcrossleykcrossley Member Posts: 182
    Great tips. Thanks for sharing.
  • greenicegreenice Member Posts: 41
    My 2006 Accord V6 6MT is now at 4000 miles, and I just came back from a long road trip to Colorado. Worst mileage so far
    25 mpg (50/50 city/highway); best mileage 31 mpg (mostly highway). Lifetime average is around 28mpg. I am normally driving fast, but not aggressive (no stop light drag races ...).

    Overall, I am very pleased with the mileage for such a fast and powerful car.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    To calculate fuel mileage do the following:

    Pull up to your favorite gas pump
    Fill the tank (make sure the fill nozzle is fully inserted, and stop at the first click off)
    Set the trip odometer
    Drive (the more miles, the better)
    Pull up to the same pump as before (in the same position)
    fill the tank exactly as before (stopping at the first click)
    record gallons, and miles before you leave the gas station.
    Divide miles by gallons
    Your answer is your miles per gallon.
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ...My 2006 Accord V6 6MT is now at 4000 miles....best mileage 31 mpg (mostly highway).

    Overall, I am very pleased with the mileage for such a fast and powerful car.

    ..05 AV6 6M here: as you rack up more engine wearing-in miles, you stand to be even more pleased with your fuel economy........... :)

    ..best, ez..
  • v6driverv6driver Member Posts: 5
    2006 Accord V6 6MT. 4600 miles. Just came back from 330 mile trip, almost all highway, speeds of 75-80+, 29 mpg. Pretty impressive. Commute to work is 10 miles with 9 stop signs/lights, with only about 10% of driving in 6th. Takes about 17-20 mins, door-to-door. Call it suburban driving; I see about 22-23. Using A/C on all trips. Very nice for 244 HP!
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,586
    took a trip for the first time in about 6 months last week. About 550 miles round trip. A good chucnk was highway, mostly running 75+/- (75-80 largely on the way home), combined with about 50 miles of back 2 lane roads with lots of lights, and a couple of traffic jams each way. Plus it was up through the hills of NY.

    So, basically not conditions condusive to top mileage (and the AC was on all the way). Overall got about 32.5 mpg. Not too bad considering the conditions, but a little less than I expected.

    The same trip, under these conditions, in our Odyssey would probably have gotten about 23-24 tops, so still a nice improvement.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Took a trip to Gulf Shores, AL from my home near Birmingham, AL on Wednesday. My numbers were:

    258.5 miles / 6.61 gallons

    Overall, this means that with A/C running constantly, cruise control set on 76 MPH, only me and one bag in the trunk, I managed to achieve 39.1 MPG. I haven't refueled since my return trip, so with my driving around town today, my mileage will not reflect the strictly highway mileage that I measured on the way to the beach.

    Overall though, I was quite pleased that I drove to the beach for less than $20. (6.61 * $2.809 a gallon) for $18.57 of Chevron Regular.

    I LOVE these cars...

    thegrad
    10,400 miles on Graphite Pearl EX
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ...Took a trip to Gulf Shores, AL

    ...is that ometimes called the "Redneck Riviera?"

    ..best, ez..
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    ...is that sometimes called the "Redneck Riviera?"

    Yep, the very place! It has recently taken a turn upscale, though. Property values have doubled in the last three years, although they did take a hit when Hurricane Ivan hit directly on Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. It's a beautiful place, that redneck riviera!
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    The Accord model is irrelevant in fuel useage posts. But the type of transmission and the type engine are very relevant. Thank you.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Well, an EX-L carries a weight penalty versus, say, a VP Accord. Also, different aerodynamics come into play when comparing wheel design, and sunroofs (and their visors). That's the only reason I'd mention the trim level.
  • davidd3davidd3 Member Posts: 582
    2006 LX-V6. New car. First tank of gas. 375 miles. 26.0mpg. 250 miles were highway trips between NY and MA, averaging perhaps 70mph to 75mph with A/C on low to medium. 125 miles were city driving, including many short trips of 1 to 3 miles. I'm pleased with 26 overall, since EPA rating is 20/29.
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    You should be pleased with 26 mpg right out of the chute in a V6, davidd3. When I bought my '03 Sonata V6 (A/T, 3 miles clocked on the odometer), my first several tankfulls were "disappoinitng": 15/20 mpg city and highway, respectively. At ~22,000 miles, I'm up to 23+ mpg city and 30+ mpg highway (70 mph) consistently now, though. Your numbers will undoubtedly move up the scale, too, as run-in continues.
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    You're right, "irrelevant" was a poor choice of terminology. I just wanted to stress that the powertrain is a major factor, too, and should be identified when discussing fuel economy numbers.

    (Now, if someone posts 40 mpg in an Accord V6 with A/T, I gonna move m'booty very quickly to my nearest Honda dealership - current finances be hanged... ;))
  • davidd3davidd3 Member Posts: 582
    Well, the flip side of the coin is that I have a 2004 Odyssey that has for the most part returned disappointing gas mileage as compared to its EPA ratings. EPA was 18/25. I typically got 16 to 18 in mixed city/highway driving. It took a road trip to get more than 20. And I monitor and correct tire pressure at least once a month.
  • vhreb123vhreb123 Member Posts: 83
    grad, are you saying a VP gets better fuel economy than an EX-L? So will an LX Special Edition get better fuel economy because of alloy wheels vs. VP with steel wheels?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Not enough to notice a difference, but it makes sense that a car nearly 100 pounds lighter would get slightly better mileage than one heavier. I would also think the flat wheel covers would be perhaps more aerodynamic? Not enough to make a difference on that one, but the weight difference would probably make a couple of tenths of MPG difference at very least. It would in the acceleration department too.

    Hence, all the guidance telling people to drive their cars without a trunk full of crap. Most people probably have less than 50 lbs in their trunk, but it must make some sense of a difference, or there wouldn't be a reason for asking people to do that.

    Do I think the VP will get more than .5 MPG better than an EX-L? Unlikely.
  • vhreb123vhreb123 Member Posts: 83
    Grad, i think the weight difference toward fuel economy is pretty much equal. Even though the VP and the LX has steel wheels, the EX has more "stuff" such as the moonroof that you mentioned before. Wouldn't the drag from the moonroof equal out to the extra weight of the steel wheels to have basically the same fuel economy? Wouldn't the differences in each trim level cancel each other out (such as moonroof and steel wheel)?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Probably. I didn't mean to make as big of a deal as I actually did out of this, and I'm gonna let this one go. All I meant to point out is that different trim levels would likely produce minor differences in economy if tested strictly the same.

    Everything you've said has made sense, though I'm not sure about myself, and I apologize if I didn't. I'm starting my first day of my sophomore year of college today, so I've been a little stressed trying to get ready for school in the last couple days (I bought books yesterday, OUCH $$$).

    Hope everyone has a good day, and keep those mileage numbers pouring in for the perspective buyers out there! :)

    thegrad
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    --"grad, are you saying a VP gets better fuel economy than an EX-L?"--

    This question isn't directed specifically to vhreb123 or thegraduate, but could someone please take a moment to educate me about the difference between an "EX-L" and an "EX"?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Sure...

    An EX-L (short for EX with Leather) is the same basic car as an EX, except for the fact that it adds features to the basic EX, those being:

    Leather-trimmed interior
    Heated Seats
    8-way power driver's seat (versus only power up-down of cloth EX)
    Automatic Climate Control

    I believe that about covers it, but I could be missing something.
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    Thank you! :)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Certainly! ;)
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Also the EX-L features:

    The Auto Climate Control has dual zones.
    Outside temperature reading.
    XM Satellite radio

    Navi is only available as an option on the EX-L. You can't get it on the EX.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Thank you... I should've mentioned the dual-climate thing, as I really did know that.

    I forgot the outside temp reading (they should put that on the EX cloth Accord, I mean, it's on a flippin Civic now!)...

    XM is also a big detail I left out.

    Thanks for filling in the gaps! :)
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    I agree about the temperature reading. Many cars have that now. It isn't all that convenient though. You have to press the odometer button to view it. Several times if you have to cycle through regular and trip odometers.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Is it like the Odyssey's, meaning, can you have the temp display and TripA odometer reading at the same time? I don't usually care about the big odometer, but the trip meter I like to have displayed (so i can see how I'm doing mileage wise on fuel)... My aunt's 2005 Odyssey EX you can have both the trip meter and the temp showing together.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    On another note, and getting back on topic...

    I'm around 8600 miles now on my 06 EX-L I-4 and I've never had a tank of gas that got me less than 30 mpg. I got 30.6 July 7 when I filled up and it hasn't been less than 33.1 since then.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Yes, it's like that. Trip and temp at the same time.
  • fujisfujis Member Posts: 27
    I'm new to this forum. I'd like to know that if anybody has done the "Idle Learn Procedure " to yuor Accord? And what's the result?

    I have a 2002 Accord, I'm got average 27MPG. I am trying to figure out if I need to do "Idle Learn Procedure ".

    Thanks.
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    Myself, not being up on the latest car stuff, could you ellucidate about the "idle learn procedure" and its importance? TIA! :)
  • fujisfujis Member Posts: 27
    the procedure is to disconnect battary, reconnect it, turn the engine, turn off all electrical equipments. Let it runs idle for 10 minutes.

    It can improve the car's mileage.

    hope this will hepl.
  • ray_h1ray_h1 Member Posts: 1,134
    Yes, thanks, fujis, your reply was very informative, helpful and interesting. Which page
    number(s) in the Accord owner's manual detail this procedure, by the way? For anyone wishing to attempt the "idle learn procedure" our friend, fujis, suggested, I would note that it only be undertaken with the car backed out of the garage or car port to an open area to avoid potentially dangerous buildup of toxic carbon monoxide levels that are always present in exhaust gasses, keep a watchful eye on the temperature gauge to avoid overheating the motor, and remember to write down the memorized radio station frequency numbers before disconnecting the car battery. Oh, and please post back your results. ;)

    (Someone might even consider starting a new topic header for an easy way to keep track of "idle learn procedure" posts.)
  • fujisfujis Member Posts: 27
    ray_h1,
    I learned it from the Honda Pilot forum, I just did it on my new 2006 Pilot a couple days ago. You can search on that forum for results -- people says it really improve the mileage.

    Good luck!
  • kcrossleykcrossley Member Posts: 182
    How is this possible? Please explain how you believe this procedure can improve fuel efficiency.
  • vhreb123vhreb123 Member Posts: 83
    Grad,I don't know if you remember, but about a month ago I posted the price and where I got my Accord in the Prices Paid and Buying Experience forum. I told you I got my Accord from Tameron Honda which is in Birmingham. Since we both live in the city, I just want to compare my fuel economy with yours. My commute is about 9-10 miles a day. I don't do any driving on the freeway. It is mainly in the suburbs up in Vestavia. I fill up every Saturday at BP after I go to
    Wal-Mart. I spend about $10 a week.
    Anyways this is what I have so far-

    Total Miles-604
    Trip A-58.2
    Gallons of gas filled-3.762

    Fuel Economy-15.52

    What the heck???????????????? :confuse:
    Is this what you're getting in the city/commute with NO FREEWAY DRIVING? I don't know if this is normal because I've been hearing that you're getting about 40 MPG in the freeway! :surprise:
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Don't worry too much. The less gas you put in the car, the more margin-of-error there is to your MPGs. I wouldn't be surprised to see around 20MPG in driving with no interstates, heavy stoplight use, and lots of A/C use (which, according to FOX 6 tonight, we'll be using awhile longer!).

    My dad averages 22-23 MPG, but has a lead foot (4k RPM acceleration is normal for him in his 2005 EX I-4) and drives in actual rush hour every day.

    In mixed driving (coming from Pleasant Grove to Birmingham/UAB) at 9AM, I average about 28-29 MPG, but that includes a trip to Shelby county every week via I-459 (easy highway driving).

    On my last beach trip, once again, I got 39.2 MPG, but any kind of revving will bring that number back to the mid-30s, as I've experienced in the past.

    In conclusion, start filling up when you've used more than half a tank (preferably 3/4ths or more) for more accurate results (pump errors/clicking off early are magnified with less miles/gallons. Maybe wait two weeks between fillups?

    I noticed a change (for the better) after my first 3k miles or so of driving in my MPGs, by about 2 MPG on average. For example, my second tank of gas, I averaged 26 MPG over the same route that I now get 28-29 MPG on. After your car is broken in, I'd expect a minor upswing in mileage.

    Anything else I can help on? I like doing so! :)

    Best,

    thegrad
  • vhreb123vhreb123 Member Posts: 83
    Well I'm not really complaining too much about $10 a week. That's only about $500 a year, just like the sticker said. I was just a bit surprised to learn that I was getting 15 miles to the gallon according to my calculations. What was your fuel economy during your first couple hundred of miles? Thanks! :D
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    My very first tank of gas yielded 25 MPG; my lowest ever. After that, I started getting 26-27 MPG (w/no A/C and mixed driving). Now, I get 28-29 with A/C and mixed driving, and closer to 30 MPG with no A/C in the same routes.
  • tldtld Member Posts: 37
    I purchased my 2005 EX-L Automatic 4 cyl in June of 2005. I drive it pretty much identical each month as it is my rush hour commuter car. I drive around 48 miles per day with 80% St. Louis rush hour traffic. It takes me about 50 minutes to drive 24 miles. I have 18,000 miles on it and my average mpg since purchase is 27.6. I used the break-in oil until 7500 miles and have been running full synthetic since then. My tires are 35 lbs front and 33 back.

    Below is a table showing each month. There are three months that overlap now that I have had the car over one year. Two of the three months showed a slight mpg increase over the year before. Some people ask about the "break-in" effect so you can see what mine is below.

    2005 MPG

    June 27.1
    July 26.8
    August 27.4
    September 25.6
    October 27.7
    November 26.8
    December 27.9
    2006 MPG
    January 27.5
    February 27.7
    March 27.8
    April 28.9
    May 28.6
    June 28.6
    July 26.5
    August 28.0
  • vhreb123vhreb123 Member Posts: 83
    Wow, 25 MPG. :D That's awesome! Is that with highway driving or just city or both? How is it possible that we have a 10 MPG difference in our fuel economy. That just doesn't make much sense to me. :mad:
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    How is it possible that we have a 10 MPG difference in our fuel economy

    It's quite simple, to me.

    I drive, at minimum, 12 miles of interstate per day, where I'm at a reasonably steady 65 MPH (I-59). You are driving in areas that always have traffic lights.
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