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Honda Accord Real World MPG

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  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    For every claim below EPA numbers on the Civic "Real World MPG" forum, there seems to be one ABOVE EPA ratings here.

    Interesting.

    I drove my dad's 2007 5AT Civic EX Sedan all week in Oklahoma City (I just got back to Birmingham today). In mixed driving, not unlike my commute here, I got about 34 MPG. Probably a little more traffic than I'm used to, but less hills, and less A/C use (they are having TONS of rain keeping things cool), so I'd say the load was probably similar to my typical ride.

    I average 29-30 MPG in my Accord, and got 34 MPG in the Civic.

    Frankly, at 6'4", I'm happy to trade 5 MPG for the added room, the added torque, and the sweeter sound of the engine.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I did keep the speed near 65, sometimes cruised under that and sometimes over 70.

    65 and under, no way. That's just not REAL in my WORLD. So you are one of those people I keep yelling at to get off the interstate, and out of my way. ;) It's just not in me to drive under the speed limit. I'll give up 5mpg to drive the way I want to drive. I only got 27mpg on my last trip to Florida in my V6 Accord, but that was going at least 80, and not just sleeping in the right lane. To each his own though. Hope you got the mileage you were shooting for.
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ...I only got 27mpg on my last trip to Florida in my V6 Accord, but that was going at least 80, and not just sleeping in the right lane.

    .....OTOH, there are V-6 folk that log 27 in everyday (non-freeway) driving.

    ...I don't get it. ('sleeping' in the LEFT lane; now that's something else..................)

    So I'm in the right lane/2200 rpm/36-38 mpg.

    Just pass the dude whose getting full potential from his well engineered Accord 6M. But I'll smoke you on the on-ramp. Great engine: performance AND economy.

    ...all the best, ez..
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    ...I don't get it. ('sleeping' in the LEFT lane; now that's something else..................)

    Well sleeping in the right lane doesn't bother me too much. But like you say when they do it in the left lane, it really gets to be a pain. We have a lot of left lane snoozers around here. :mad:
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    If the road is so congested that left lane snoozers are a problem, then 80+ mph is way too fast.

    How about better mpg and less danger to your fellow travellers. :)
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    If you are riding along in the left lane (not passing anyone) and you see a black Accord behind you, get out of my way.....please. ;)
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    It's the one with the spoiler to smooth the airflow at speed. :)
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    You probably won't get a long look at that part, but yeah. :shades:
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    Haven't seen a "flier" in a while. I wouldn't consider 80 "flying" these days. The fastest "flier" I have seen was a Camaro at maybe 135. He was "gone" pretty quick.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I wouldn't consider 80 "flying" these days.

    Not at all. At 80mph you will be passed by as many cars as you pass, on I-10 and even more on I-55. The only slow part is through New Orleans, and that's only because if you go over 70 on that stretch, you could go airborne. :surprise: It reminds me of a moto-cross track.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    Revenue opportunity for the state if they do Maximum Enforcement on a regular basis and people can scrap their lame Everyone-else-is-speeding-so-I-have-to-so-I-don't-get-rear-ended excuse.
    "I was only trying to keep up with the 'flow of traffic'" ...
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    LOL. It is interesting that some highways are just "faster" than others, even with the same speed limits.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    I wouldn't have believed the "traffic flow excuse" before I "lived it" on my motorcycle from Austin to Dallas on I 35. It's not a good hwy 'cause it's got construction in progress yet the flow was really fast. I literally had to dodge flying car parts from a wreck in progress. I had to flow fast just to protect myself.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    I had to flow fast just to protect myself

    i remember there being a stretch of highway between Springfield MA and Hartford CT that on Sunday evenings, would have people going way way too fast.

    even in ATL, GA with 6-8 lane wide HWYs and more vehicles, I don't feel as nervous as I did in CT going 80 on that road.
  • brig2221brig2221 Member Posts: 5
    Hello,

    I purchased a 2007 Honda Accord SE, 4 cylinder back at the end of February of this year. I have tracked my gas mileage and consistently get 27-28 MPG, which sounds about right to me given my type of driving and commute.

    What I don't understand is where the 3 hidden gallons are at in the 17.1 gallon Honda Accord???? I consistently fill my car up until it clicks at the pump, usually at the same gas station, and consistently drive the car until the orange indicator goes off by the fuel gauge indicating low fuel.

    Every time without failure, my car only take 13-13.5 gallons of gas to fill up. What gives? I fill the car up until it clicks and shuts off at the pump, and I drive it until the low fuel indicator goes off, and yet it only takes 13 gallons when filling up on a 17.1 gallon tank.

    I will pose the question again, where are those other 3 gallons at? Any and all responses to this vexing question would be greatly appreciated!!!
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,461
    in the tank. Honda is know for having pessamistic gas gauges (and warning lights). I guess they figure it is better to get gas before you run out, so the try to "trick" you into thinking you need to get gas soon.

    Kind of like that friend that everyone has that is always late, so you tell them things start 1/2 hour eralier than they really do?

    Anyway, it isn't good for the car to run too low on fuel. I wouldn't (for my car) want to go any lower than 3-4 gallons left before filling up. I usually do it at about 1/4 tank, taking around 10 gallons.

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

  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I will pose the question again, where are those other 3 gallons at?

    Hahaha. They are still in the tank. The light comes on early, so you still have 4 gallons left in the tank. All 7th gen Accords are like this. It's normal.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I'll be the third person to say the same thing, but just to reassure you..

    I have a 2006 Accord 4-cylinder, and when the fuel light comes on, and I fill up nearly immediately (within 15 or 20 miles), the car takes less than 14 gallons to fill up.

    Notice, the light comes on before the needle even gets to the red line (I've actually driven when the needle lined up with the redline perfectly - it still only took 15 gallons).
    I'm guessing the gauge can go as far below "E" as it will go above "F" when filling. It is a good idea to fill up before getting it that low, however, as others have indicated.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Fill up a 5 gal gas tank and put it in your trunk, and drive it until you run out. You'll see how many miles you can really go before you run out. Then put the 5 gallons in to get you to the gas station, and fill it up the rest of the way at the station. You'll have it all figured out at that point!
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    That isn't very good for the fuel pump, I believe.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,461
    at least it will clean out any sediment in the tank!

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

  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    That isn't very good for the fuel pump, I believe.

    And you would probably have to turn the ignition on and off quite a few times (prime the pump and get the fuel back to the engine) or crank the engine for a while pumping the accelerator, before it would start again.

    at least it will clean out any sediment in the tank!

    And suck it right into the fuel system. Again, not advisable.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,461
    that was supposed to be a joke (should have used a winky).

    I have always lived by the theory that you don't want to run the tank dry and suck stuff up into the filter. The gas also keeps the fuel pump cool I believe.

    So in general, running out of gas can be bad for the car, in addition to a major hassle for you!

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

  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    Just so you know the range. I once went 60 miles after the E light came on in my 02 v6. Filled up w/ 16.68 gallons.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I think the range is a little different in the 03-07 models. The gauge operates a little differently as well (notice when you turn off your car, the fuel gauge stays in place, in the 03-07 models it drops to E when turned off). It sounds about right, if not a little short.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    true. i get an early light in my '02. i can run it down to the line, and still put in generally 14gal. i always reset the odometer so i can gauge mileage on the tank, and never go over 400mi to be safe. :surprise:
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    Ditto. My 02 V6 fuel light goes w/about 3 g. left in the tank.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Wonder when Honda started the early fuel warning light thing. I remember thinking my low fuel light was burnt out on my 4th gen, because it would come on so late. I would usually get gas before the light came on.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    I think you are right. I had a '90 and a '95 and I don't recall the light coming on that early on those models.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    It's funny cause I was shocked when I finally saw the light come on again on the 92 Accord, after thinking it was burnt out for a long time. I can remember telling the wife "hey look, it still works".
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    My 1996 is a late-lighter too. Once I parked in a fairly steep driveway (maybe 15 or 20 defgrees downhill), without the light ever being on. When I got back to my car, it wouldn't crank. I had to put the car in neutral, roll down into the flat part of the driveway, and crank it. When I went to back up the hill, the car died before reaching the top. I had to turn around and go up the hill forwards instead of backing up it. The light went back off for a bit after leaving, but came back on before going the 5 or 6 miles to the gas station. I still remember, it took just over 15 gallons to fill it up, meaning I had roughly 2 gallons left.

    Needless to say, I fill up my 1996 when it hits a quarter now, just to be safe!
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    in my '94, if i recall correctly, there was a nice linear decline in level indication till about 1/2 and then it dropped fast.

    say, isn't there some access door or something in the trunk area that provides a means for a technician to adjust the sender's output?
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    2007 SE I4 MT

    Just filled up again after 3 weeks of driving on one tank. This tank was one 200 mile road trip and the rest was city driving. A typical day would be nearly ten 1 to 3 mile trips in city limits with stop signs and stop lights. Max speed limit in the city is 35 mph. The car would be cold for at least half of those trips.

    Here is the data off of my Scangauge.

    430 miles
    17.1 hours driving (3 hours were the 200 mile trip, so the vast majority of my drivng time was in town)
    25 mph average speed for the tank.
    28.2 mpg

    My calculated mpg was 28.9 mpg (430 miles / 14.9 gallons)

    Lifetime mpg is now at 31.5

    At 14.9 gallons the needle lines up just about exactly with the red mark (they are about the same width). The progression of the gauge is very linear as I notice about 7.5 gallons at half a tank.

    First oil change yesterday at 5,000 miles. Put in Mobil 1 synthetic 0w-20. Supposed to help mpg a tad. We will see.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Good post, good mileage, good info about the gauge lining up with the red at 15 gallons or so! Thanks!
  • marcwdmarcwd Member Posts: 8
    Thanks for your informative post. I just purchased an Accord similar to yours (LX w/MT) and will likely add a Scangauge to it. Could you contact me via email?
  • micro99micro99 Member Posts: 51
    Hope that you will take the time to let us all know how your car does in Real World driving conditions . You`ve got quite a challenge to match dudleyr - who alleges that he routinely gets about 34 percent better than EPA figures. I1ll let you do the math on that but it`s real impressive mileage for sure !
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    The scan gauge really helps with getting better mileage. It shows you what you are doing that uses fuel. Basically the best way to save fuel in town is to always try and anticipate lights and coast (at least keep your foot off the gas) into them. The stick shift also helps a lot.

    I have mine mounted in the cubby below the HVAC, so I can close the door and hide it completely if I want.

    I would also be very interested in seeing how another stick shift Accord does.
  • marcwdmarcwd Member Posts: 8
    Yes, will do. I picked up the car from the dealer with a full tank. My first fill-up showed about 34 MPG over roughly 300 miles of driving. A good bit of that was highway and I'm babying the car like crazy (very conservative when accelerating, anticipating stops, highway speeds 65-75 mph, etc) so I thought I might do a little better. Perhaps with a little more mileage on the engine, the fuel efficiency will improve.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    please be careful about increasing heads-down time. like using a cell phone, your visual attention if broken may result in an accident.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    He's doing more than alleging. I have no doubt he gets those numbers, having gotten 40+ MPG on more than one occasion myself.
  • bryan200kbryan200k Member Posts: 64
    I purchased my 2007 SE 4-cyl about 3 1/2 months ago. I have 7200 miles on it now.

    In my day-to-day commuting, 50 miles one way, I am averaging 30.5 MPG. That 50 mile trip consists of 11 miles of country roads between 35 and 45 MPH, and 39 miles of highway at 70 to 75 MPH.

    On a 475 mile oneway trip thru the hills of Western PA and South Eastern Ohio, I averaged 34 MPG, driving around 70 MPH with occasions of getting on the gas to pass.

    I calculate my mileage at each fill up, and have never gotten below 28.5, and that was one of those weeks that I did 5o to 60 percent in-town driving.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    As far as alleging goes - there are quite a few of us that do very well with gas mileage. I am sure that under the same conditions others could match those numbers as well.

    With cars being built to such tight tolerances I don't think there is much sample varience. The major factors effecting mpg are driving conditions/style.

    Take one of the many small trips I make - driving home from a soccer game. The trip is about 2.5 miles (and taken often with 3 kids playing). The scangauge resets its trip mpg for every trip so it is always telling me the mpg. First few times I took the trip (uphill 200 ft with 4 stop signs and 2 traffic lights, 3 left turns with no light or sign, speed limit 30-35) I got about 25 mpg driving conservatively. If I go fast, rev the engine, and brake late I get 20 mpg or less. If I coast every chance I get, and try to time lights I get over 30 mpg. Same car, same route, and very similar conditions.

    Yes the scangauge is a slight distraction, but less than fiddling with the radio or climate control - about on par with looking in the rearview mirrors.
  • brgokeybrgokey Member Posts: 3
    Perhaps someone has some suggestions. I bought a 2007 accord at the end of April. 4 cly, auto, leather, nav.....the works. I love the car except for the mileage. In the city I've averaged less than 16 mpg, and blended city/hwy the best has been 20.5 I'm 53 years old, am very easy on the car: no fast acceleration or harsh stopping etc. Lots of stop and go traffic, but, frankly, that's what city driving is. I have 1100 miles on the car. The book says 400 for break-in. Any ideas?
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    What have you averaged in your past cars, and what were they? That'll give us a better idea of what your "city" mileage is like.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    and to determine if you've got something setup wrong, what is you strickly highway mileage?
  • wardcowardco Member Posts: 27
    My first tank on new my new Accord v6 sedan (auto) = 17.3 MPG. Aggressive city driving, really enjoying my first 6 cyl car in years .
    :)
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Lots of highway driving in the last 2 weeks (nearly 3,000 miles) Unfortunately the car goes so far on a tank that none of the tanks are all highway ( the only apples to apples comparison). Most fillups were right near 500 miles. My tank mpg's were 35.1, 34.1, 35.0, 36.2 and 34.2.

    My lifetime average since new is now at 32.5 mpg.

    This recent driving is Interstate cruising with around town and city driving mixed in. Lots of rain and wind.

    Some highlights from the scangauge - all the numbers were taken over at least 50 miles, so they are not instant readouts.

    80 mph cruise control A/C on 40 mph headwind (the giant flag at Perkins was straight out) 31.1 mpg - worst ever on highway.

    73 mph cruise, calm no A/C 40.9 mpg - best ever for that speed, everything must have been just right.

    I also braved a short 50 mile trip at 60 mph with cruise, calm and no A/C, and got right at 44 mpg.

    Seems like A/C takes off about 3 mpg or about 8%.

    Wind makes a huge difference in mileage.

    Rain also hurts. I had a couple hundred miles in a heavy storm (wipers on high for an hour straight) and got about 35 mpg going 65 mph with the A/C.

    All of my scangauge numbers are with the engine already warm - a cold engine also brings down mileage.

    2007 SE MT 39 psi tires and synthetic oil.
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ....2007 SE MT 39 psi tires and synthetic oil.

    ...that would be a four-cylinder, right?

    ..ez..
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    oops left that out - yes an I4.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Oh c'mon ez! You're slipping! You know the only SE Accord that comes with a manual is a 4-cylinder! The EXV6 is the only 6-cyl model available with a stick! :)

    Just messing with ya.
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