AC is a huge power drain. It hurts your mpg in an Accord by 3 o4r 4 mpg.
This is countered somewhat by the increased efficiency of the engine at higher temps, but the net result is still 1 to 3 mpg.
While the compressor is running the mpg goes way down (5-7 mpg) but it is not running all the time.
Your best mpg will be at the highest temp you can stand with the windows closed and the A/C off - fresh air fan can still run of course.
Edmunds recently tested the A/C myth as well. They reported windows down got better mpg (this was on a truck). Of course A/C is more comfortable and quieter.
My 06 EX-L (4 cyl) has dual climate control. To shut off the compressor (I do it during winter) you have to press the A/C button a few times till the display shows "A/C Off". If the Climate Control is on, the compressor is running from what I understand.
Both my 92 and 03 Accords had/have the wind buffeting, if only the rear windows are open. I think if the rear of the car is slightly wider than the front, it makes the buffeting worse. It's like the air keeps being forced toward the rear windshield, and has a hard time getting out, if the front windows are not open.
As far as the fuel mileage thing, I'm not going to sweat, or deal with wind noise at 65mph or more, to save a couple miles per gallon. There's a limit to my frugalness. I will only ride with the windows down, at low speeds, and if the temperature is comfortable.
I can understand what you are saying. (some habits for me are hard to break!) But this brings up something I have not thought about or tried. I wonder if the compressor goes on and off like the older versions do? (I am assuming so) and if that is the case, how will that match up with the VCM? The car may not stop "moving" or "changing" while on the highway with the A/C on. Between the VCM changing and the AC going off and on, I may go mad. I'll have to try this tomorrow and see what happens.
I went out to the website that you set the link for. It was interesting. The part I found to be most interesting was the short-shift/WOT, does this only work for manuals or does it work with automatic?
The impression I got from it was to take off as fast as you can and then stay at the speed you want once reached, is this what that part of the article might mean?
I don't have an 08, but I thought I'd share my thoughts on the article.
I don't have an 08 either and I haven't read that entire article for awhile. I do remember thinking it a bit odd to accelerate that fast too. I always thought that jack rabbit starts were bad. I know one should get up to speed fairly quickly and then try to maintain it, but wide open?? :confuse:
One of the challenges of an automatic is to stay in the highest gear on the highway. That means anticipating hills so that your car doesn't downshift. Maintaining how hard your engine is working is probably more important than maintaining a certain speed.
I don't have the dual A/C ('07 SE MT) but when I have cruise control on and I am driving on a pool table flat stretch, I can watch the scangauge stay steady at 40 mpg for a few minutes then suddenly drop down to 34 mpg for a few minutes and repeat this cycle indefinately. When I turn the A/C off the mileage will just stay at around 40. This behavior leads me to believe the compressor is cycling.
Also the compressor only runs without consent when in one of the two defog modes - and there is a hack to prevent this for the 2003-2007 models. This is all for the basic climate control, not sure about the dual/automatic.
03 Accord EX (4-Cyl) with ~60K miles. I bought it used a couple of years ago.
I have an habit of obsessively monitoring my mileage - not for cost, it's just one of those things I do. At first I was getting: ~24mpg in city-highway mix ~28mpg when it was mostly highway ~31mpg when all highway
But recently the mileage really dropped, getting down to 19 - 20mpg. Did the usual things (air filter, fuel injection cleaner, spark plug check etc) didn't help.
Finally, I decided to give a different gas station than my usual one a try, and boy did it make a difference. Immediately went up to 23 mpg and it has been at 25mpg the last 4 times I have filled up.
Granted the 19 mpg range was in one of the worst Iowa winters I have seen. But I also switched gas stations in February when it was still cold.
My advice if you are getting inexplicably low mileage for your model, try different gas stations and avoid the "discount" ones. My $0.05 member discount definitely wasn't worth it. Not to mention the damage it might do to the engine.
3rd measured tank was 23.8 (1300 miles on car now) - So I've had 24.5, 22.16, and 23.8 = averages out to 23.48 - I would say 60-70% highway - I have a trip coming end of this month that will be 400 miles highway each way so I'll see how well it does on mostly highway - that is if I don't trade it off before then
I love my michelins on my 06 SE, yes, it is a little stiff, especially when they are going over bumps... I like the stiffer ride though. I do think having them aired with a little higher psi is better... and I can tell the difference too. I love the mileage, I am not sure what I get, I have never really checked, but I can drive 7 out of the 7 days and drive about 1 hour or so total each day and use a tank. So if I fill up monday, I can typically fill back up that next monday or tuesday, perhaps even on that wednesday. I never have taken the time to check my actual mileage... seems normal, does excellent on highway, which makes all the difference.
Another things with the michelins, they wear very well!!! They literally still look like new, the tred and side walls look great, although I keep them shined all the time. Keep them rotated and they last!! I have only 32k on them.
...Another things with the michelins, they wear very well!!! They literally still look like new, the tred and side walls look great, although I keep them shined all the time. Keep them rotated and they last!! I have only 32k on them.
Amen, bro...........
The Mich MXM4 pilot a/s 215/50-17 tars on my 6M measure 6/32 remaining (that's at 49k). Yes, indeed..................they aren't the best rain tars, but the wear index is something to write home about..............
Anyone ever test to see if premium improves mileage? I know it's not recommended but I'm curious if it's a fact. I would do it, but I'm still trying to baseline by 08 4 cylinder on normal gas. So far it looks like I"m right in the middle of the range- I'll report actual numbers at my second fillup.
Anyone ever test to see if premium improves mileage? I know it's not recommended but I'm curious if it's a fact.
My understanding (not based on personal tests) is as follows:
1. If you put premium gas into a car that calls for regular, you're wasting your money because it won't improve fuel efficiency or performance.
2. If you put regular gas into a car that calls for premium, you're not actually saving money because your gas mileage will be worse (as will your performance).
If you put regular gas into a car that calls for premium, you're not actually saving money because your gas mileage will be worse (as will your performance).
Not necessarily true. Instead, it will likely reduce peak power. Our 2000 Odyssey ran with the same mileage on regular as it did on premium (it recommended 91 octane).
From what I understand, elevation can be a factor in the utility of high octane gas. At high elevations, I've been told that there simply isn't enough oxygen in the combustion air to take advantage of the higher octane levels. I live at 6500 feet and get to run my I4 08 Accord on 85 octane gas (rather than 87). I understand that this octane is not available at lower elevations.
[disclaimer -- my information is simply what I've learned on this post. If someone has better information on this subject -- I'd be interested to hear it.]
I think the cut off is 3,000 ft. I get 85 in western SD and 87 in the east. Some of my best mpg has been with 85. Remember that octane is the resistance to combustion. Higher octane means less energy. Of course higher octane allows for advanced timing which helps with hp and efficiency.
Off topic, but back in the old days I had a stick shift Scirocco (1980) with breaker point ignition. You have to manually set the timing when you change the points. I advanced the **** out of it once to see the effects. I had to be really careful not to accelerate too fast because of pinging, but my mpg went from about 37 to about 47. 10 gallon tank took me from D.C. to Rochester NY and I was not too much below the halfway mark. I backed it off and found a nice compromise where I got about 42 mpg and the engine almost never pinged. Wasn't going too fast back then as the national speed limit was 55.
Back to today and my much larger, 1,100 lb heavier, 90 more hp Accord gets about the same mpg. It is constantly adjusting timing to optimum levels for efficiency (unlike the fixed timing of the past) and that makes a huge difference.
Move away from NY. Seriously though there isn't enough information about your driving style for anybody to guess. Also, mileage should be starting to improve within the next couple of months as "winter-blend" gasoline starts to be phased out and they start to phase "summer-blend" back in. "Winter-blend" really hurts mileage on most cars. Have you had to use to defrost a lot this winter, I know that I have, living in MN? The defrost for this generation turns the A/C on automatically. There is a hack to override that function in this discussion. Search for A/C Hack. That could be part of what is bring your mileage down.
Somebody who has a little more knowledge on why "winter-blend" hurts mileage I'd love to hear it. I tried to find a link that I looked at a long time ago, but was unsuccessful.
"Somebody who has a little more knowledge on why "winter-blend" hurts mileage I'd love to hear it. I tried to find a link that I looked at a long time ago, but was unsuccessful."
If I remember it correctly, winter blend generally has more slightly more ethanol, which in thermodynamic terms produces less heat energy per unit volume than gasoline.
That is really low. One person suggested to me once to start with a clean slate by disengaging the batter terminal (1 minute) to reset the computer's mixture memory; drive with a light foot for the next 100 miles; and, switch gas stations.
TO ALL. MY 08 Accord EX 4cyl. First tank (not from dealer). 24.5 MPG with combined city highway of about 40/60 est.
I believe it's because liter-for-liter, ethanol has less energy stored in its chemical bonds than gasoline. Winter blend simply has slightly higher levels of ethanol. Why this is so, I don't know.
I have a 2004 EX-L V6 Accord Sedan in which I use premium fuel. In a mix of about 50-50 highway and city driving, I can get about 24mpg. On straight highway, I get about 33 mpg maintaining in between 70 and 75. Its all about just maintaining a constant speed as much as possible.
Premium won't give you superior fuel mileage to regular blend gas, just a little heads up in the era of $3.50 premium.
And, like you, I agree that keeping steady speeds, even as high as 70-75 MPH, will help keep MPG up. I have a 4-cyl version of your car and get from 37-40 MPG at 70-75 MPH. On regular, no less!
Mileage with this car is disappointing. My history with Hondas is that they generally did at least as well as EPA if not better. 24.5 on a 250 mile trip at 70-75. Same trip with our 2004 EX V6 Coupe? 29 MPG. The VCM may or may not be economical - can you imagine the mileage without it? :confuse:
04 V6 vs 08 V6. The 08 has a larger engine, more weight, and more drag (with the large front end). It would take a lot of time running on 3 and 4 cylinders to make up for all of that, IMO. I'll stick with my 03 V6. The extra rear seat room in the 08 is not worth it to me.
Many do not realize, the the Honda engine takes a quite awhile to break-in. I did notice an improvement on my 06 between 12k and perhaps 20k or so miles. Plus then engine now is even smoother and has a little more power now that it has nearly 33k on it. My mileage improved quite a bit. So try not to be really quick to judge the mileage too crucially, keep track but keep this all in mind. I would not say this if it were not true, this has all happened in my experience, and now I am very impressed with the engine and mileage.
Even a dealer told me, when I test drove another 4cyl accord that my 4cyl is going to feel faster or quicker than a brand new one that only has 10 miles on it, maybe even one that has only 3k, like this 08 accord demo had, and my 06 4cyl was much quicker, but with that said, and the fact it probably has slightly different power points in the band, in which I did not have time to feel out.
So hang in there, it really does get better with more mileage. believe me, there were times, when I though as far as power, it lacked at first, but it truly opened up as the mileage increased and I love it!! Once it really unwinds, your mileage will show true numbers.
Just to show that the trip computers are inaccurate - you took 17 gallons to refill, the computer said you had only 10 miles to go, but according to Honda specs you had 1.5 gallons left in the 18.5 gallon tank. That should have given you at least another 25-35 miles. I agree with others - instant mileage figures mean nothing, and trip computers are inacccurate. Better to calculate the old fashioned way - IMHO.
Post 1629 by sunnfun - "I have not thought about or tried. I wonder if the compressor goes on and off like the older versions do? (I am assuming so) and if that is the case, how will that match up with the VCM? The car may not stop "moving" or "changing" while on the highway with the A/C on. Between the VCM changing and the AC going off and on, I may go mad. I'll have to try this tomorrow and see what happens."
Oh dear lord please no - if so I may be in the padded room next to you!
Your are correct to claim that Honda V6 engines take a long time to break in. I have kept records of the 216 fill-ups on my 06 Accord coupe LX-V6, 85704 miles, 3022.783 gallons. I plotted a 1 year running average mileage chart, to minimize seasonal affects. This chart shows a constant .3 mpg improvement each year over the first 4 years. At that time I got new tires and the 1 year running average declined 1 mpg. Once the new tire effect was fully in the running average, it is increasing again.
The decrease due to the new Michelin Energy MXV4 tires was not surprising, since they were softer and quieter than whatever came from Honda.
No evidence of a rapid mileage improvement over the first few thousand miles as some 4cyl Accord owners have reported.
1. Full tread depth versus that on a worn tire 2. Tread pattern can have a big effect on the rolling resistance of the tire 3. Softness or hardness of the rubber compound can affect mileage. 4. Speed rating - the higher speed tires are generally performance tires with softer rubber compounds.
Passenger car tires are in some way or another some compromise - handling and performance for ride and comfort, decreased rolling resistance for aggressive tread and rain water dispersion. Unfortunately, unlike F1 or other race cars - we have to do with one kind of tire for all conditions - race cars can and do change from soft aggressive rain tires to dry weather smooth surface tires for high performance.
If you live in AZ, I suspect you seldom need rain tires, so you can go for a hard rubber compound with low rolling resistance and a less agrressive tread pattern. Seattle? Softer rubber, aggressive water dispersing tread pattern and higher rolling resistance. The exact same car's mileage will vary with locale and types of tires.
Most GOOD tire merchants will have comparison charts for you that have them rated for rolling resistance, noise, revolutions/mile, etc.
Changing tires can have an enormous impact on MPG - sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
I think most people they are not aware of one technical aspect of the new 2008 Honda Accord 4 cylinders and 6 cylinders; they both have a drive-by-wire, where the throttle open and close electronicly when the driver press the gas pedal, instead of the old mechanical cable. This has a very bad effect on the fuel consumption. I tested this behavior using SCANGUAGE tool, and I saw that sometime you're pressing the gas pedal more than you need to, in other word the gas pedal is very sensitive, and it does not give much information about the throttle position. Using the scanguage tool as a reference, I can manage 25 MPG on my 2008 accord sdn (4 bangers). I hope this help.
just did a round trip from Philly to NY (about 240 miles). Mostly highway, a little local in the middle. For a change, no traffic delays. Lots of troopers, so I mostly ran 65-70.
Got a tick under 36 (35.9). Just me, no luggage to speak of, no AC and windows and roof closed.
IMO, about the best I am ever likely to do, and pretty darned good for a car this size and comfortable.
Got a tick under 36 (35.9). Just me, no luggage to speak of, no AC and windows and roof closed.
IMO, about the best I am ever likely to do, and pretty darned good for a car this size and comfortable.
And don't forget quick! A manual transmission Accord can run low 7s to 60 MPH. That's faster than the pocket rockets of a few years ago! I have the auto, so not quite as quick and involving, but it gets better highway mileage (taller gearing) and is great in point and shoot traffic. I love it!
I own 2008 accord 4cyl 5speed MT (300 miles on the odo). and it does not matter what you do, you will always get the same 25 MPG, and I am considering myself as a hypermiles expert, this might be due to the engine parts are still tight in the engine, and the manufacturer use a heavy oil grade to minimize the noise and the friction for the first 1000s miles. Again, this is One big car, that weight a lot, and physics talks. In stop and go traffic, I don’t think anybody will get better than 20 MPG. On a new engine.
I agree with you - this is one big car. I wonder what the CD is compeared to the 7th Generation? The front end appears to be boxier and with greater exposure than a 2007 which had the sloping hoodline. A greater CD combined with the heavier weight - the V6 is 300 pounds heavier than last year (so much for the extra 24 HP) will = lower fuel economy, REGARDLESS of the VCM. You are doing well - I am reading here about EXL models with the 190 HP I4 getting 17!.
Taken from Motor Trend article comparing 07 Camry to 08 Accord Sedan:
No projections are needed in the wind tunnel, though, as the Accord has already bettered its performance due to a drop in the coefficient of drag from 0.34 to 0.31. I'd like to know how they accomplished that as the frontal area does appear to be more substantial than the gen 7's.
I think the VCM is just hype from Honda in order to sell the V6 engine. The way the VCM work; it shuts down the fuel injectors for a specific cylinders, and fill the cylinder with air instead. According to Honda this system will result in an increase in MPG by 1 or 2 miles. I do not agree, with Honda. The fact that the cylinder is still moving up and down, result in the other active cylinders to bear the burden of the weight of the inactive cylinders. This almost cancel the effect of saving couple drops of fuel every x RPM. If Honda did use a transmission between each 3 cylinders bank, the result will be real 4 or 5 MPG increase; but the problem this approach will cost Honda more money; by consequence they need to raise their price by at least $1200 for the transmission. On my wife’s 2007 Honda Odyssey EX. No VCM, I managed 25MPG on a highway and 21MPG on avg. 25% city / 75 % highway. I heard people with the VCM are getting 17 MPG on avg. This proves my point. This is one of the reason that Honda is going to get ride of the VCM technology, and replace it with Diesel. The problem you’ll have to paye a hefty premium to get that car, plus the diesel price is $1 more than the gas for one gallon. You do the math, and you’ll see that it’s better to buy a good 4 cylinder car that suite your needs.
"You do the math, and you’ll see that it’s better to buy a good 4 cylinder car that suite your needs."
Or just get a car from a manufacturer that does not mind is engines "loafing" along. Check out some V8's from GM - at highway speeds they cruise at 2000 RPM at 80MPH because of the overdrive. Result? 28-29 MPH from a V8 - and no VCM!
My V6 with VCM just turned 1,200 miles. I am averaging with 60% highway and 40% other, 24.5 mpg. The highest I have seen on a 150 mile highway trip was 28.8. When I traded in my 2005 V6 without VCM I would average about 31 mpg. highway. That 31 mpg was pretty consistent over the three years that I owned the 2005.
Yeah - I cannot pinpoint a particular reason - VCM, increased weight, drive by wire, whatever, but it pretty clearly seems that the the verdict for the 2008's is that they are not as economical as the 7th generation, regardless of which engine you are talking about. Our 2005 V6 Coupe with AT consistently got 29-30 highway and I am not the slowest driver around. That was at 75-80 MPH.
Take this with a grain of sand, but I believe somebody else has said it. Doesn't the first year of a generation always have kinks that need to be worked out? I don't own an 08, because I can't afford a new car, but I would guess that next year in the 09 model Honda will be changing things in response to complaints they've doubtlessly received. Also, winter is almost over and everybody who does own one should most likely see an improvement in gas mileage.
New cars shouldn't be released in Fall, especially when they're the first year of a generation. Rather they should be released in Fall so people have a better idea what the mileage will be when the engine is 'broken in'. Then again I'm not well-versed in the mechanical side of things. The 09 should be an improvement over what people are saying is wrong with the 08.
I've heard that my model an 03 was plagued with problems when it was released too, but I haven't heard too much from 04 and up. I just started driving 4 years ago so I would know all the specifics.
Comments
This is countered somewhat by the increased efficiency of the engine at higher temps, but the net result is still 1 to 3 mpg.
While the compressor is running the mpg goes way down (5-7 mpg) but it is not running all the time.
Your best mpg will be at the highest temp you can stand with the windows closed and the A/C off - fresh air fan can still run of course.
Edmunds recently tested the A/C myth as well. They reported windows down got better mpg (this was on a truck). Of course A/C is more comfortable and quieter.
As far as the fuel mileage thing, I'm not going to sweat, or deal with wind noise at 65mph or more, to save a couple miles per gallon. There's a limit to my frugalness. I will only ride with the windows down, at low speeds, and if the temperature is comfortable.
The impression I got from it was to take off as fast as you can and then stay at the speed you want once reached, is this what that part of the article might mean?
I don't have an 08, but I thought I'd share my thoughts on the article.
One of the challenges of an automatic is to stay in the highest gear on the highway. That means anticipating hills so that your car doesn't downshift. Maintaining how hard your engine is working is probably more important than maintaining a certain speed.
Also the compressor only runs without consent when in one of the two defog modes - and there is a hack to prevent this for the 2003-2007 models. This is all for the basic climate control, not sure about the dual/automatic.
True. Just really wanted to make the point that I got 31.8 from the V6 without any effort to maximize my mpg, so it could have been even better.
I have an habit of obsessively monitoring my mileage - not for cost, it's just one of those things I do. At first I was getting:
~24mpg in city-highway mix
~28mpg when it was mostly highway
~31mpg when all highway
But recently the mileage really dropped, getting down to 19 - 20mpg. Did the usual things (air filter, fuel injection cleaner, spark plug check etc) didn't help.
Finally, I decided to give a different gas station than my usual one a try, and boy did it make a difference. Immediately went up to 23 mpg and it has been at 25mpg the last 4 times I have filled up.
Granted the 19 mpg range was in one of the worst Iowa winters I have seen. But I also switched gas stations in February when it was still cold.
My advice if you are getting inexplicably low mileage for your model, try different gas stations and avoid the "discount" ones. My $0.05 member discount definitely wasn't worth it. Not to mention the damage it might do to the engine.
Another things with the michelins, they wear very well!!! They literally still look like new, the tred and side walls look great, although I keep them shined all the time.
Keep them rotated and they last!! I have only 32k on them.
Keep them rotated and they last!! I have only 32k on them.
Amen, bro...........
The Mich MXM4 pilot a/s 215/50-17 tars on my 6M measure 6/32 remaining (that's at 49k). Yes, indeed..................they aren't the best rain tars, but the wear index is something to write home about..............
best, ez....
My understanding (not based on personal tests) is as follows:
1. If you put premium gas into a car that calls for regular, you're wasting your money because it won't improve fuel efficiency or performance.
2. If you put regular gas into a car that calls for premium, you're not actually saving money because your gas mileage will be worse (as will your performance).
Not necessarily true. Instead, it will likely reduce peak power. Our 2000 Odyssey ran with the same mileage on regular as it did on premium (it recommended 91 octane).
[disclaimer -- my information is simply what I've learned on this post. If someone has better information on this subject -- I'd be interested to hear it.]
Off topic, but back in the old days I had a stick shift Scirocco (1980) with breaker point ignition. You have to manually set the timing when you change the points. I advanced the **** out of it once to see the effects. I had to be really careful not to accelerate too fast because of pinging, but my mpg went from about 37 to about 47. 10 gallon tank took me from D.C. to Rochester NY and I was not too much below the halfway mark. I backed it off and found a nice compromise where I got about 42 mpg and the engine almost never pinged. Wasn't going too fast back then as the national speed limit was 55.
Back to today and my much larger, 1,100 lb heavier, 90 more hp Accord gets about the same mpg. It is constantly adjusting timing to optimum levels for efficiency (unlike the fixed timing of the past) and that makes a huge difference.
Any suggestions for improving mpg?
Somebody who has a little more knowledge on why "winter-blend" hurts mileage I'd love to hear it. I tried to find a link that I looked at a long time ago, but was unsuccessful.
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/104752/Slow-Down-a-Lttle-Save-a-Lot- -of-Gas
If I remember it correctly, winter blend generally has more slightly more ethanol, which in thermodynamic terms produces less heat energy per unit volume than gasoline.
TO ALL. MY 08 Accord EX 4cyl. First tank (not from dealer). 24.5 MPG with combined city highway of about 40/60 est.
And, like you, I agree that keeping steady speeds, even as high as 70-75 MPH, will help keep MPG up. I have a 4-cyl version of your car and get from 37-40 MPG at 70-75 MPH. On regular, no less!
Even a dealer told me, when I test drove another 4cyl accord that my 4cyl is going to feel faster or quicker than a brand new one that only has 10 miles on it, maybe even one that has only 3k, like this 08 accord demo had, and my 06 4cyl was much quicker, but with that said, and the fact it probably has slightly different power points in the band, in which I did not have time to feel out.
So hang in there, it really does get better with more mileage. believe me, there were times, when I though as far as power, it lacked at first, but it truly opened up as the mileage increased and I love it!! Once it really unwinds, your mileage will show true numbers.
At 7,074 miles
Best tank: 26.3 mpg
Worst tank: 16.1 mpg
Average mpg: 21.4 mpg
Our 2008 Accord’s EPA estimates are 19 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
Doesn't look too good to me, and confirms my experiences so far.
460 miles/18.5 = 24.86 MPG
Oh dear lord please no - if so I may be in the padded room next to you!
The decrease due to the new Michelin Energy MXV4 tires was not surprising, since they were softer and quieter than whatever came from Honda.
No evidence of a rapid mileage improvement over the first few thousand miles as some 4cyl Accord owners have reported.
1. Full tread depth versus that on a worn tire
2. Tread pattern can have a big effect on the rolling resistance of the tire
3. Softness or hardness of the rubber compound can affect mileage.
4. Speed rating - the higher speed tires are generally performance tires with softer
rubber compounds.
Passenger car tires are in some way or another some compromise - handling and performance for ride and comfort, decreased rolling resistance for aggressive tread and rain water dispersion. Unfortunately, unlike F1 or other race cars - we have to do with one kind of tire for all conditions - race cars can and do change from soft aggressive rain tires to dry weather smooth surface tires for high performance.
If you live in AZ, I suspect you seldom need rain tires, so you can go for a hard rubber compound with low rolling resistance and a less agrressive tread pattern. Seattle? Softer rubber, aggressive water dispersing tread pattern and higher rolling resistance. The exact same car's mileage will vary with locale and types of tires.
Most GOOD tire merchants will have comparison charts for you that have them rated for rolling resistance, noise, revolutions/mile, etc.
Changing tires can have an enormous impact on MPG - sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
Got a tick under 36 (35.9). Just me, no luggage to speak of, no AC and windows and roof closed.
IMO, about the best I am ever likely to do, and pretty darned good for a car this size and comfortable.
2005 EX-L 4 cyl 5 speed stick (just hitting 24K on it).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
IMO, about the best I am ever likely to do, and pretty darned good for a car this size and comfortable.
And don't forget quick! A manual transmission Accord can run low 7s to 60 MPH. That's faster than the pocket rockets of a few years ago! I have the auto, so not quite as quick and involving, but it gets better highway mileage (taller gearing) and is great in point and shoot traffic. I love it!
TheGrad
2006 Accord EX I4 5AT
No projections are needed in the wind tunnel, though, as the Accord has already bettered its performance due to a drop in the coefficient of drag from 0.34 to 0.31.
I'd like to know how they accomplished that as the frontal area does appear to be more substantial than the gen 7's.
Or just get a car from a manufacturer that does not mind is engines "loafing" along.
Check out some V8's from GM - at highway speeds they cruise at 2000 RPM at 80MPH because of the overdrive. Result? 28-29 MPH from a V8 - and no VCM!
New cars shouldn't be released in Fall, especially when they're the first year of a generation. Rather they should be released in Fall so people have a better idea what the mileage will be when the engine is 'broken in'. Then again I'm not well-versed in the mechanical side of things. The 09 should be an improvement over what people are saying is wrong with the 08.
I've heard that my model an 03 was plagued with problems when it was released too, but I haven't heard too much from 04 and up. I just started driving 4 years ago so I would know all the specifics.