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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.