I feel it does improve mileage- but as another poster stated, it is minimal in nature- perhaps 1-2 miles more per gallon.... I prefer synthetic for its longer oil change intervals, quicker starts during the winter, and what I perceive to be better protection than conventional oil...
Thanks, I'm in Hawaii where winter gets to a low of 60 degrees! Never used synthetics, but with the new Accord V-6 debating whether to try to switch. Been getting 18-21 MPG on the first couple of fill-ups (50/50 freeway/city). Kinda disappointing MPG, since I thought the VCM would improve the overall MPG. I hope this improves as the engine breaks in.
Been reading the posts and owners are getting anywhere from 18 to 28 MPG. Wife uses the A/C a lot. I know without the A/C, mileage will be better.
Synthetic oil is much better than conventional oil. I use it for all my 4 Accord V6. It lasts longer with better vicosity and protects the engine better. I use Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30 for my Accords.
I actually use 0w-20 as it flows a little better in the winter and meets the same specs as the 5w-20. Mobil claims it is their most fuel efficient oil.
I've used 0W-20 in my F-250 and a reliable older Lincoln that recently bit the dust However, it's demise led me to my third Honda. This time an Accord Ex-L with a 4 - love the car . While I'm crazed for Mobil 1, I wont change my orginal oil until that little wrench comes on. The car has 2,400 miles and is at 70% on the meter - looks like a long wait ahead.
90% city 10% hwy returned 22 MPG on my last tank, right where Honda said it would be for my 08 V6 Sedan. Same mix 2 or 3 months ago would have been 18 or 19 MPG's.
My latest mpg was 26.365, I went 296.9 miles on 11.265 gallons. It probably could have been better, but there were a few times when I had to gun it to get around some really stupid people (ie those who can't figure out that the merging lane is for speeding up and that once on the freeway you have to go with the flow instead of diddy-bopping around, also those that can't chose a lane and keep wandering back and forth.) It cost me $39.87 at $3.53/gallon :mad: .
I know - hard to believe - $2.79 As NY'ers we are very fortunate to have gas available in NJ - usually at least a $.40-50 a gallon difference. Not only that but by NJ law you cannot pump it yourself - so not only $2.79 but THEY pump it. Any NJ gas station.
Oh if it makes you feel any better, COSTCO is usually behind the curve with price movements and this week will be over $3.00/gallon - probably around $3.25 for regular.
While NY gov't has figured out how to investigate and arrest cigarette "smugglers" and liquor "smugglers" they haven't figured out how to catch us "gas smugglers"! Save $8.00 a tank in gas taxes by going into NJ - problem is you cannot get back into NYC without paying a toll - every bridge and tunnel has a toll - from $4.50 at the Tappan Zee to $8.00 at the Lincoln Tunnel without EZ pass
In Jupiter, Fla , my fillup today ran $3.789 per at my local Sunoco while half a mile way Mobil was $3.919 a gallon. MPG was 25.7 in mixed city/rural without a/c. The heavy humidity came in last night; its here for another six months.
Just spent a weekend in Maine driving 337 miles 80% hwy balance secondary roads with some stop & go. Took 11.691 gal @ $3.679 /gal for 28.88 mpg's. Dash light just came on for tire rotation & oil life is a 15%, will see if my dealer can schedule me in next week. Eager to get some clean oil running thru it.
Yea - I know I do. As a result, I'm not "dissatisfied" with the fuel economy for my 08 Accord. However, neither am I happy with it. As I've said before, I believe my 98 I4 would have done 3-4mpg better on the same runs.
I have a 07 Accord EXL 4 Cyl. Auto. The last 2 tanks of gas I got 30.1 & 30.7 MPG with 90% highway driving with the cruse set at 60 MPH. I hope that I can get 35MPG when I go from Illinois to Florida next Mo.But I dont know if I can drive at 60 MPH all the way down there with out going faster.
.........I hope that I can get 35MPG when I go from Illinois to Florida next Mo.
.....with four cylinders at a steady 65, my money is behind you for 35 mpg.......
Even tho' I remain charmed by the fuel efficiency, power and low maint. of my 6M at the 50k benchmark, every now and then the spectre of a new coupe with a four banger and a clutch looms...................
Seriously, 35+ is yours with a little discipline (and cruise control)............
At 60 driving to Florida on the Interstate he'll be somebody's hood ornament, if not get himself or others killed as a moving obstacle to the smooth flow of traffic. :surprise:
60 on an interstate with 65 MPH speed limits and most doing 70-75, including 18 wheel trucks, is dangerous. You want great mileage - take the old alternate route, stay off the interstate, and do the 50-55 MPH speed limit allowed there. Sorry - I simply cannot condone going less than the speed limit on an interestate - I think it is danerous and can get you killed.
Catmike - well, the $2.79 did not last long! Best NJ price I saw this past weekend? $3.51. Still beats the $3.89 I saw in upstate in Hudson, NY, and the $4.13 here in NYC! The days of wine and roses are over guys. I am glad I ride the subway! I could not imagine commuting 300 miles a week - even at 30 MPG, still looking at $35-40/week JUST for that mileage.
speaking of mileage - the Smart Car is a big disappointment - 33 overall? Heck, you can do that with a Civic or a Fit!
.....with four cylinders at a steady 65, my money is behind you for 35 mpg....... I concur. With 100% hwy at 65 MPH he should easily get over 35 mpg... although he did say he got 'only' 30mpg with 90% hwy at 60.
okay... filled up a couple days ago. 397.3 miles/12.127 gallons = 32.76 mpg ----> my higest single tank ever(YAY)!!!!
This tank consisted of 70% hwy and some baaad traffic and A/C use. This isn't nearly as good as what many people have posted here, but, I'm quite happy with the results!
Thanks. I'll be taking this car on a trip later this summer too (when vacation time comes) and hopefully I'll get at least 35 on a pure highway trip. IF not hello dealer I'm here!!! lol j/k
My 4th fill up tank, I got 31 MPG. 80% highway and 20% stop and go trafic. doing mostly 65 mph on the highway. and no jackrabbit driving. The MPG was calculated using the refuel method and using the SCANGUAGE. Both showed the same result. On the highway at 65 MPH, I got as high as 44 MPG steady for a long flat stretch, when the wind is helping the car from behind I got 66 MPG, when the wing is working against me, I got 26 MPG. But the average on pure highway driving is around 36 MPG with speed not exceeding 70 MPH. Pure stop and go trafic, without aggressive driving will get you only 25 MPG. These numbers are based on my own experience, I could improve on these numbers if I take it slowly all the time, but I could get worse than these numbers if I drive aggressively. One thing to remember, this I4 likes to be revved, to extract those 190 horsepower, but at the same time doing so will get you a marginal MPG in the range of 24 or 26 MPG.
Your mileage is excellent - especially as you point out that the 190 HP engine develops its maximum power in the higher RPM range. A lot of people say the ideal combination is the 190 engine w/5 speed
397 miles 43.6 mpg. Needle 1 tick under half tank. Filled at same pump, same way, same day. 43.2 mpg on scangauge.
Way there ... 37.8 mpg 40 to 48 degrees slight headwind, 65 mph.
Way back going for max mpg. Tailwind, 1600 ft elevation drop over 200 miles, dropped speed to 55/56 mph, ideal temp of 65 ... no a/c, but still warm for efficient running. 52.1 mpg.... first time over 50 mpg. (yes I coasted when it did not slow me down)
32.9 mpg lifetime, 35.2 mpg last ten tanks. 2007 se i4 mt. 0w-20 mobil one, 40 psi tires.
....congrats from our left coast. Outrageously efficient numbers - such as yours above - cause I4 consideration to enter the equation as the 6M ages (gracefully).....
ez... still jealous of your 6m. Mpg drops off faster with the 5m than the AT. Case in point my 25.1 mpg number for a run at 80 to 85 w/ aggressive driving. I think an AT would have done better at those speeds. An MT is hard to beat a lower speeds/revs though. 6MT is the best of both worlds.
gleen6191.... it is not possible with 85% city unless you are an extreme hypermiler ... much more than me. You also need the patience to drive slowly and steadily. Wayne Gerdes gets 59 mpg in city driving with an MT I4 Accord. He actually turns off his engine while coasting, and he coasts a lot. He drives real slow as well. Google him.
I think your MPG numbers are little bit more on the optimistic side; but don't get me wrong, I get the same MPG and better if I use different tricks used by hyper-milers; like switching gears to neutral when you're helped by tail wind or by sloped road, or to move the car from 0 to 25 MPH you need to adjust the throttle to not open it more than a quarter turn, just to get the car to move from stand still, or up shifting earlier than normal, or coasting from one red light to another, or shutting off the engine at red light,,,, All this techniques can help you achieve a better MPG than what the EPA states for any particular vehicle. One thing I do not agree with is shutting off the engine when you’re costing in the highway, this has serious consequences, all hydraulics system (brakes, steering wheel, etc) are operated using the engine, if this one is shutdown the brakes get hard, the steering wheels get heavier, or get locked, this will impair your aptitude at controlling your car, this is not counting case of emergency maneuvers. I think with some conservative driving attitude anybody can get 35 MPG on the highway for the 2008 accord I4, 5speed MT, and 25 MPG on stop and go traffic. I own both 2008 accord I4 MT, and 07 Odyssey V6.
Tricks like shifting into neutral may be ok with the MT but I would not be inclined to do it with the AT - I believe the owner's manual advises against it. I absolutely agree with you about shutting down the engine while driving - VERY dangerous. Have you ever tried steering and stopping a power equipped car with the engine off!? Have to be "Ahnold" and:
Here is a question. If you are coasting with the engine off and are hit, will the airbags deploy? I suspect not since isn't the system dependent on electrical sensors?
do you not also lose the anti lock braking?
I really don't know - haven't tried it and don't want to!
Coasting without the engine (by using neutral transmission setting) may not only be dangerous, but may also actually consume more gas than coasting with the engine. With modern technology, during coasting with the engine, the fuel injection to engine cylinders is completely switched off (I am almost sure that the honda car engines do that) because the engine will continue to rotate even without any power being produced by the engine. On the other hand, during coasting without the engine, some fuel (even though small) will need to be continuously provided to the cylinders to maintain idle speed.
50 mpg over how many miles of the trip? Also did you have a/c off and windows up the same time for the entire trip??? I noticed you also had your tires at 40 psi and use 0w20 mobile one... I'm not gonna try 40 psi (too stiff for me) but how much would you say using 0w20 help your fuel efficiency? Or you got similar numbers when you were using 5w20 too(that's what Honda recommends, I believe), you just used 0w20 instead for other reasons?
43.6 mpg is awesome!!! I'm seriously amazed by your numbers everytime. Congrats!
The 50+ number was for just about exactly half of the trip .. nearly 200 miles. Windows up and no a/c ... it was cloudy so I was not suffering.
Hard to give an exact number on the help from 0w-20. I would guess going to synthetic helps a couple percent and going to 0w helps another couple. Maybe 5 percent total. At 40 mpg that gives another 2 mpg. The tires pressure probably helps about the same. The biggest thing is driving slow and smooth.
btw I know that 38 and 52 average 45 not 43.x, but doing the math shows that the numbers will be biased towards the less efficient side because more gallons were used, and the average is weighted.
I also use the 0w because it gets real cold in SD and mobil claims it is a match for the 5w in the heat.
Thanks for explaining the details dudleyr. Wow, 50mpg over 200 miles! Now I know I need to improve my driving style (gotta try some of those coasting techniques sometimes lol) to maximize my mpg.... and from your post and the link above, changing the engine oil to 0w20 sounds like a good idea worth considering too.
I just finished a trip from Fort Myers, FL to Maryland which is about 1100 miles total. At the start of this trip the car had just over 5000 miles on it and I had just had the oil changed to Mobile 1 synthetic 0-W30 weight oil. I did not know that there was an ZERO weight oil. I asked for 5W30 telling the mechanic that the lower weight oil provided a slight more MPGs. The mechanic said there was ZERO W30 weight oil, so I am now using this oil.
On the first leg from Fort Myers to Brunswick, GA, which is just over 400 miles, I averaged exactly 28 MPG. This was on regular fuel from Sam's Club which contained 10% Ethanol. This leg was driven on I-75 until just above Ocala, FL where I picjed up US-301 to Callahan, FL where I got on to I-95. I used cruise control as much as I could set on 65 MPH.
In Brunswick, GA I willed up with an off brand gasoline without an ETHANOL at $3.469 a gallon. This was on 8 May 2008 at 11 PM. The very next morning it was $3.599 a gallon. Again I drove with the cruise control set on 65 MPH and drove just north of Florance, SC on I-95 and got 33 MPG. This was just over 200 mile in distance.
On the next leg from SC to Exit 104 on I-95 in VA which is about another 200 miles I got 30 MPG again using 100% gasoline without and ETHANOL. About 1/2 of this 200 miles was done at 65 MPH and the other half at 70 MPH.
All fill-ups were to the absolute top of the tank.
For normal every day driving the MPG varies from 20 to 23 MPG depending upon whether I leave the engine idle with the A/C on while waiting for my wife to come out of the super market. At traffic lights which have along wait where the cycle includes two left turn lights and one straight thru for the other side of the intersection I usually turn the engine off completely which saves about 1 minute 30 seconds of idle time.
Driving at a conservative speed, 60 to 65 MPH, and using 100% gasoline without any ETHANOL makes a real difference in MPGs.
AND BTW ETHANOL IS THE BIGGEST LIE EVER TOLD. IT SAVES NOTHING! IT TAKES MORE ENERGY TO PRODUCE ETHANOL THEN WHAT IT CONTAINS.
THE ONLY REASON IT IS COST COMPETITIVE WITH GASOLINE IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF PRODUCTION WITH THE TAX PAYERS MONEY.
DIVERTING CORN FROM THE FOOD CHAIN TO ETHANOL HAS DONE NOTHING BUT INCREASE THE COST OF ALL FOOD TO INCLUDE CHICKEN, PORK, BEEF, BREAKFAST CEREALS, DAIRY PRODUCTS AND ALL OTHER FOOD CROPS. Since fertlizer is needed to produce the corn, more demand for fertlizer has increased and therefore its price has increased. Therefore the production of all food has increased.
The next time you vote think of this. All those in Washington, DC who voted to support the production of corn based ETHANOL are to blame, both Republicans and Democrats. Kick them all out of office.
The most important thing is not the mpg but making your engine last as long as possible. I don't turn my engine on and off at long lights or drive thrus. I think it's less stress to just let it run. .02.
Comments
a low of 60 degrees! Never used synthetics,
but with the new Accord V-6 debating whether
to try to switch. Been getting 18-21 MPG on
the first couple of fill-ups (50/50 freeway/city).
Kinda disappointing MPG, since I thought the VCM
would improve the overall MPG.
I hope this improves as the engine breaks in.
Been reading the posts and owners are getting
anywhere from 18 to 28 MPG.
Wife uses the A/C a lot.
I know without the A/C, mileage will be better.
I actually use 0w-20 as it flows a little better in the winter and meets the same specs as the 5w-20. Mobil claims it is their most fuel efficient oil.
Here's Mobil's site on th 0W-20 oil.
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_0W-20.aspx
I've used 0W-20 in my F-250 and a reliable older Lincoln that recently bit the dust
I should have keep it under 2500rpm for better mpg...
My latest mpg was 26.365, I went 296.9 miles on 11.265 gallons. It probably could have been better, but there were a few times when I had to gun it to get around some really stupid people (ie those who can't figure out that the merging lane is for speeding up and that once on the freeway you have to go with the flow instead of diddy-bopping around, also those that can't chose a lane and keep wandering back and forth.) It cost me $39.87 at $3.53/gallon :mad: .
Oh if it makes you feel any better, COSTCO is usually behind the curve with price movements and this week will be over $3.00/gallon - probably around $3.25 for regular.
While NY gov't has figured out how to investigate and arrest cigarette "smugglers" and liquor "smugglers" they haven't figured out how to catch us "gas smugglers"! Save $8.00 a tank in gas taxes by going into NJ - problem is you cannot get back into NYC without paying a toll - every bridge and tunnel has a toll - from $4.50 at the Tappan Zee to $8.00 at the Lincoln Tunnel without EZ pass
In Jupiter, Fla , my fillup today ran $3.789 per at my local Sunoco while half a mile way Mobil was $3.919 a gallon. MPG was 25.7 in mixed city/rural without a/c. The heavy humidity came in last night; its here for another six months.
1st Tank: 26.6 mpg 2nd Tank: 27.1mpg
.....with four cylinders at a steady 65, my money is behind you for 35 mpg.......
Even tho' I remain charmed by the fuel efficiency, power and low maint. of my 6M at the 50k benchmark, every now and then the spectre of a new coupe with a four banger and a clutch looms...................
Seriously, 35+ is yours with a little discipline (and cruise control)............
best, ez....
At 60mph he should be pulling down 40mpg, if it is truly all interstate.
60 on an interstate with 65 MPH speed limits and most doing 70-75, including 18 wheel trucks, is dangerous. You want great mileage - take the old alternate route, stay off the interstate, and do the 50-55 MPH speed limit allowed there. Sorry - I simply cannot condone going less than the speed limit on an interestate - I think it is danerous and can get you killed.
speaking of mileage - the Smart Car is a big disappointment - 33 overall? Heck, you can do that with a Civic or a Fit!
I concur. With 100% hwy at 65 MPH he should easily get over 35 mpg... although he did say he got 'only' 30mpg with 90% hwy at 60.
This tank consisted of 70% hwy and some baaad traffic and A/C use. This isn't nearly as good as what many people have posted here, but, I'm quite happy with the results!
IF not hello dealer I'm here!!! lol j/k
397 miles 43.6 mpg. Needle 1 tick under half tank. Filled at same pump, same way, same day. 43.2 mpg on scangauge.
Way there ... 37.8 mpg 40 to 48 degrees slight headwind, 65 mph.
Way back going for max mpg. Tailwind, 1600 ft elevation drop over 200 miles, dropped speed to 55/56 mph, ideal temp of 65 ... no a/c, but still warm for efficient running. 52.1 mpg.... first time over 50 mpg. (yes I coasted when it did not slow me down)
32.9 mpg lifetime, 35.2 mpg last ten tanks. 2007 se i4 mt. 0w-20 mobil one, 40 psi tires.
well done.
best, ez....
gleen6191.... it is not possible with 85% city unless you are an extreme hypermiler ... much more than me. You also need the patience to drive slowly and steadily. Wayne Gerdes gets 59 mpg in city driving with an MT I4 Accord. He actually turns off his engine while coasting, and he coasts a lot. He drives real slow as well. Google him.
Here is a question. If you are coasting with the engine off and are hit, will the airbags deploy? I suspect not since isn't the system dependent on electrical sensors?
do you not also lose the anti lock braking?
I really don't know - haven't tried it and don't want to!
I noticed you also had your tires at 40 psi and use 0w20 mobile one... I'm not gonna try 40 psi (too stiff for me) but how much would you say using 0w20 help your fuel efficiency? Or you got similar numbers when you were using 5w20 too(that's what Honda recommends, I believe), you just used 0w20 instead for other reasons?
43.6 mpg is awesome!!! I'm seriously amazed by your numbers everytime.
Hard to give an exact number on the help from 0w-20. I would guess going to synthetic helps a couple percent and going to 0w helps another couple. Maybe 5 percent total. At 40 mpg that gives another 2 mpg. The tires pressure probably helps about the same. The biggest thing is driving slow and smooth.
btw I know that 38 and 52 average 45 not 43.x, but doing the math shows that the numbers will be biased towards the less efficient side because more gallons were used, and the average is weighted.
I also use the 0w because it gets real cold in SD and mobil claims it is a match for the 5w in the heat.
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_0W-20.aspx
BTW thanks catmike for the interesting link.
I have a 2008 Accord V6 EX-L with the VCM system.
I just finished a trip from Fort Myers, FL to Maryland which is about 1100 miles total. At the start of this trip the car had just over 5000 miles on it and I had just had the oil changed to Mobile 1 synthetic 0-W30 weight oil. I did not know that there was an ZERO weight oil. I asked for 5W30 telling the mechanic that the lower weight oil provided a slight more MPGs. The mechanic said there was ZERO W30 weight oil, so I am now using this oil.
On the first leg from Fort Myers to Brunswick, GA, which is just over 400 miles, I averaged exactly 28 MPG. This was on regular fuel from Sam's Club which contained 10% Ethanol. This leg was driven on I-75 until just above Ocala, FL where I picjed up US-301 to Callahan, FL where I got on to I-95. I used cruise control as much as I could set on 65 MPH.
In Brunswick, GA I willed up with an off brand gasoline without an ETHANOL at $3.469 a gallon. This was on 8 May 2008 at 11 PM. The very next morning it was $3.599 a gallon. Again I drove with the cruise control set on 65 MPH and drove just north of Florance, SC on I-95 and got 33 MPG. This was just over 200 mile in distance.
On the next leg from SC to Exit 104 on I-95 in VA which is about another 200 miles I got 30 MPG again using 100% gasoline without and ETHANOL. About 1/2 of this 200 miles was done at 65 MPH and the other half at 70 MPH.
All fill-ups were to the absolute top of the tank.
For normal every day driving the MPG varies from 20 to 23 MPG depending upon whether I leave the engine idle with the A/C on while waiting for my wife to come out of the super market. At traffic lights which have along wait where the cycle includes two left turn lights and one straight thru for the other side of the intersection I usually turn the engine off completely which saves about 1 minute 30 seconds of idle time.
Driving at a conservative speed, 60 to 65 MPH, and using 100% gasoline without any ETHANOL makes a real difference in MPGs.
AND BTW ETHANOL IS THE BIGGEST LIE EVER TOLD. IT SAVES NOTHING! IT TAKES MORE ENERGY TO PRODUCE ETHANOL THEN WHAT IT CONTAINS.
THE ONLY REASON IT IS COST COMPETITIVE WITH GASOLINE IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF PRODUCTION WITH THE TAX PAYERS MONEY.
DIVERTING CORN FROM THE FOOD CHAIN TO ETHANOL HAS DONE NOTHING BUT INCREASE THE COST OF ALL FOOD TO INCLUDE CHICKEN, PORK, BEEF, BREAKFAST CEREALS, DAIRY PRODUCTS AND ALL OTHER FOOD CROPS. Since fertlizer is needed to produce the corn, more demand for fertlizer has increased and therefore its price has increased. Therefore the production of all food has increased.
The next time you vote think of this. All those in Washington, DC who voted to support the production of corn based ETHANOL are to blame, both Republicans and Democrats. Kick them all out of office.