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Here is the deal though. My wife and I just grew tired of having our vehicle in the shop too often, having miserable resale values, etc. We decided that it was time to just honestly admit that the Honda was a better engineered and built vehicle. No more excuses, no more ridiculous marketing ploys (0% financing was the last one that steered us away from buying a Honda) and no more false patriotism (our Pilot was built in Canada with 75% of parts coming from the USA).
Main thing is to buy a suitable vehicle that you like. If the Jeep is what you want for any number of reasons, then go for it. Good luck with your decision.
PS As for add-on accessories: check out the Honda accessory web sites. The prices are lower, but at least a couple of them also post the instructions for install. When you read through some of them you will find that many of the accessories were already planned for and there is no drilling, cutting, etc required. That is not 100% of the time, but you may be surprised how many accessories just need the bolts attached and tightened.
- Matt
06' 4WD EX-L with NAVI
850 mile trip from Connecticut (NYC suburban area) to Virginia and back, mostly on I-84 and I-81. Used cruise control extensively at about 70 MPH average, also had A/C on most of way. Just over 22 MPG on two tankfuls.
This is our first car w/automatic climate control, you know, the kind you can set a temp and let the electrons do the work. So when we say we drove with the A/C on, how does that affect mileage? Let me give two examples:
1. You're driving w/the climate control set on 65 degrees and the outside temp is 95.
2. You're driving w/the climate control set on 70 degrees and the outside temp is 80.
(For both examples, assume the sun is shining, no clouds or shade)
With the Pilot's auto climate control, does the A/C compressor operate less percent of the time in illustration #2 than it does in illustration #1?
You can probably tell that my question is really meant to find out if how we set the auto climate control can affect our mileage, even if it's a little bit.
We have a brand new 2006 2WD EXL/Navi. We bought the 2WD since we are moving across the country from Boston to the Bay Area and won't ever see heavy snow again. We are currently driving across this great country fully loaded with the two of us, two large dogs, and the middle seat stuffed with crap. Except for towing, I would call this close to worst case.
Like a nerd, I have tracked all the actual mileage. The car has about 3K on it -- here's the mileage since the road trip started (mostly highway)
- First tank: 22.49 MPG (New England and New York, hilly)
- Second tank: 21.5, thought it would be better.
- Third tank: I drove CC at 73 and expected the best -- - 21.5. Very disappointed.
- Fourth tank 21.5.
- Fifth tank through Nebraska and Wyoming with all speeds averaging 75-85 -- 23.99 using gas I bought for 2.43!!! Maybe it is the thin air???
Note that the 2WD has the cylinder management system and switches to 3 cylinders shutting off fuel and valves for the other 3 when it can. On flat grounds it operated full time at any speed less than 80. If you go faster than 80 it almost never engages. My guess is that fuel mileage would be best optimized traveling at 60-65.
On another note – we are burning oil – it was filled to the top level of the dipstick when we took delivery, and I have checked it at every other fill-up. Now with just over 3K miles we are at the ½ point and every time I check it is lower. This concerns me .
Overall – GREAT VEHICLE
Doberwiler
Here ya go!
http://www.hondalac.com/service/Bulletins/x02-029e.pdf
It is on the left side of page 3.
Jeff our Pilot and CR-V both get excellent mileage.
Pilot=17-19 local and 25-28+ road depending on foot!
The Idle Learn Procedure may not help you at all. However, It only takes a few minutes to do and and can't hurt anything as it is part of the Honda new car get ready.
Easy version:
Start with a cold engine.
Turn on ignition switch and make sure that every accessory is turned OFF. AC,radio,all lights, everything.
Turn off ignition switch
Disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes.
Re connect cable
DO NOT TOUCH THROTTLE. Turn ignition switch on for 2 seconds, then start car.
Let it idle with all accessories turned off.
In about 10-15 minutes,in 70-80 degree weather, the radiator cooling fans will cycle. After the second cycle let idle an additional 10 minutes.
The fans will cycle some more during this additional 10 minutes.
Switch off engine. Reset radio and driver AUTO window.
Kip
Thank you in advance.
Here is my latest mpg after a few tanks and synthetic oil:
Sept 17th 21.9 mpg. (mixed driving)
Sept 21st 24.2 mpg. (all highway driving @ 65-70mph)
As you can see the mileage has taken a big jump and I am very surprised that I got 24.2 mpg today on a highway trip of 269 miles. I have NEVER had such high mileage and am looking forward to even higher returns as I only have 4500 miles on my car and I can run without air in the fall in the Northeast.
I recommend synthetic oil after owning two Pilots and not using it on my first 04 Pilot.
1st tank - 18.2 mpg with 98% highway driving.
2nd tank – 13.9 mpg with 98% city driving.
3rd tank – 19.1 mpg with 90% highway driving.
4th tank – 21.1 mpg with 97% highway driving.
5th tank – 16.6 mpg with 50/50 driving.
I’ll be keeping tabs on the mpg up until around 3,000 miles. Hope it gets better.
Does anyone know if using gas with 10% ethanol negatively affects the mpg?
Thanks
6th tank 70%city/30%hwy 15.4mpg
7th tank 70city/30hwy 15.6mpg
8th tank 20city/80hwy 19.4mpg
9th tank 10city/90hwy 22.4mpg woohoo
10th tank 90city/10hwy 15.1mpg
These are figures I will be happy with if they continue. 12-13mpg was pretty disappointing. Maybe those days are behind me.
20.8 mpg - mix of back roads and highway.
Hopefully it will get a little better as it breaks in.
My mileage averages around 16-17 around town and 22 on the Hwy. It has been this way for both.
I have found that the Pilot mileage varies greatly according to your driving style as well as where you live.
For example, heavy stop and go traffic naturally makes a huge difference in the mileage.
The worst I have ever gotten was 12.6 around town.
#2 I know this would be a PITA, but try going 1-2 tanks without A/C on to see if your still that low on the MPG.
#3 Try to limit the amount of weight you have in the vehicle (more weight = less MPG).
#4 If your idling alot then your MPG will be lower when you calculate, you need to take that into consideration.
Hope this helps any way.
Odie
Odie's Carspace
Odie
Odie's Carspace
--j
Where can I find it? Is it the same for all Hondas? ...inlcuding the '91 Accords?
Worst mpg experienced in depth of winter on 5miles trips or broiling heat of summer on 5 mile trips is 17.
Get out on the interstate for a tank at 65-75 expect to see 22-24mpg. Longest run is 960 miles in a day. Felt great.
Daily commute 19.7-21 25miles each way mix country/interstate/intown
Also, the EPA test is not indicative of driver's style, so it is impossible to get direct numbers for every driving style, weather condition, and other variables. The EPA test is an estimate only (and it says that on the sticker). If people would read the fine print, they would know this already.
http://www.carspace.com/videos/play!id=.59cd8305
I got about 19 (and change) on the tank I used to make the video. But I did use the 4wd on a couple occations while getting to the section where I did the part out in the woods.
Odie
Odie's Carspace
In summer, I got 20MPG with A/C on in Houston hot weather.
I've done idel learning on it.
Fuel efficiency is subject to many things. Driving conditions and driving habits are great contributors.
Many Pilot owners have posted 17-20 local and 26-28 on the road. Actually higher that advertised. Also very efficient for a vehicle that size and weight.
One of the early posters complained of her Pilot averaging 11-12 MPG day in and day out. As it turned out her average trip was to work. It was something like 3 miles and took 30-40 minutes. Cold engine, lots of idling and not conducive to great mileage.
FWIW my 31 HP Diesel tractor only gets approx 5 MPG when working a bush hog. :sick:
Kip
Your strange feeling is wrong. Go back and read all my posts and you will find that I have had several problems with the Pilot over the years. And I have posted the problems as well as solutions that were found, in an effort to head off some frustrations of others that may experience similar problems.
I've also tried to offer some possible solutions to the problems you and other are having. Sorry you choose to not read them.
Nothing is perfect including the 95 Maxima my wife traded for her 03 CR-V. That is what warranties are for.
I pointed out that a lady was complaining about horrible gas mileage and the reason for her problems. If you are not driving as she did, then you at least know what your problems are not.
You are on a forum dealing with Pilot Problems and Solutions. So you are going to read about both problems and solutions. Keep in mind that for every problem you see here there are a bunch out there with few or no problems. Go to a Toyota or Nissan site entitled Problems and Solutions and you will find they are having their share of problems also.
Start jumping in the face of those you asked for help from and you may find folks less willing to help.
I used the tractor as an example. Even a small engine working and moving along slow will get terrible mileage, as with that lady with her 3 mile 30-40 minute trip.
Hope you get your car fixed to your satisfaction.
Kip
I have not seen people reporting 28 on the highway and I don't think that is a realistic number to expect.
This is a most compelling point. A forum dedicated to problems (and solutions) can make it seem as though the vehicle which is the subject of the forum is plagued with all sorts of problems. But such is not necessarily the case, as there are countless satisfied owners who have no reason to post positive comments in this forum. I have a 2007 EXL 4WD. I have been monitoring this forum in order to be aware of the sort of problems (and solutions) people have been experiencing with their Pilots. Only 2 months and 2,500 miles, but thankfully no problems so far.
Gas mileage is averaging 17mpg overall in mixed driving. I'm not happy, but I'm not suprised either. I'm about to take my first almost all highway road trip. Then I'll see if I can finally break 20mpg, maybe even achieve the 22mpg highway EPA rating. Haven't even sniffed the 20s yet. Best tank to date has been 17.9mpg. I've been posting my mpg in the forum for Pilot Real World Gas Mileage.
I can understand how you might be overwhelmed. So allow me alter the quote you chose to challenge.
Several Pilot owners have posted 26 to 28 on the road.
I suggest that you curl up one evening with your computer and READ all the Pilot post from the beginning. You will be amazed at what you can learn.
I've posted those numbers and how I achieve them. I've also posted how those numbers will and have dropped to 24-25 on the road if I choose to drive more aggressively.
Here are a couple of examples:
1. On one round trip from Atlanta to Indiana , and starting with a full tank from a station near the house and ending with a fill up at the same pump yielded these fill ups. 28.8(all road)-26.2 (all road)-21.3(running around town in Indiana)- 30.2 (all road)- 27.7 (all road and finish of trip) The entire trip including the running around averaged 26.84. Without including the running around tank the ROAD portion would have averaged 28.23. These figures were obtained driving the posted speed limit and not exceeding 70 for any reason. Ac was in use about 1/3rd the time and cruise was used only on flat sections of road.
2. A trip to Myrtle beach averaged 18.9 going. 80-90+/- mph in heavy rain with 4 people and luggage. AC and cruise on full time. The return trip at posted limits yielded 28.7 with the same load but without the rain. AC was running 1/2 the time and cruise very little. Surely that 18.9 indicated the fill up was really packed in there and the 28.7 maybe not.
Of course there are differences in the way a tank is filled each time. Individual tanks are markers but don't tell the whole story. Average of those tanks does!
I also explained how disconnecting the battery for some wiring changes resulted in mileage dropping for several tanks until I discovered and performed the ILP. Then it went back up and actually increased overall about 1 mpg.
Local driving is mostly to work. Involving 7 roads 3 stop signs, and 3 traffic lights. IT IS A 13 MILE ROUND TRIP. Starting with a cold engine both directions. Light traffic. Once or twice a week will involve a 22 mile round trip with 12-13 traffic lights each way, and a few 2-3 mile trips to the store. here are the last few fill ups. There were maybe 10 trips of 45 miles or so mixed in over the near 4 month period. Tank is filled at about 1/2 way mark.
08/24 18.9
09/13 20.0
09/25 19.2
10/21 20.2
11/13 18.0
11/26 19.4
12/07 21.3 one 80 mile trip was involved here
12/15 17.5 This one included pulling a 1500# trailer on 4 12.5 mile round trips. Cold engine both ways.
Same time frame last year: 17.4, 17.7, 19.5, (18.4, 28.7 SC trip), 19.2, 16.5, 18, 18.7, 17.5, 17.5
Do some reading and you will find the posts.
Kip
not bad... I've been averaging between 18 - 22 depending on type of driving I've been doing.
http://www.carspace.com/videos/play!id=.59cd8305
What a great video!
Kip
It takes 30 to 40 minutes, but you can be doing something else while the car is idling and learning. Actual time for you to be involved is minimum.
Try it, you got nothing to loose and possibly a lot to gain.
Kip
Here ya go!
http://www.hondalac.com/service/Bulletins/x02-029e.pdf
It is on the left side of page 3.
The Idle Learn Procedure may not help you at all. However, It only takes a few minutes to do and and can't hurt anything as it is part of the Honda new car get ready. A 10mm wrench or adjustable works good.
Easy version:
NOTE: This is the IDLE LEARN PROCEEDURE. Stress the IDLE part. It is not a race the engine to see how fast you can get it to warm up.
Start with a cold engine.
Turn on ignition switch and make sure that every accessory is turned OFF. AC,radio,all lights, everything.
Turn off ignition switch.
Disconnect the negative (Black) battery cable for 5 minutes.
Re connect battery cable. (**)
DO NOT TOUCH THROTTLE. Turn ignition switch on for 2 seconds,................ then start car.
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. Let it idle with all accessories turned off.
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. In about 10-15 minutes,in 70-80 degree weather, the radiator cooling fans will cycle. (It will take longer in colder weather.)
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. After the second cycle let it idle an additional 10 minutes.
(The fans will probably cycle some more during this additional 10 minutes.)
Here is a TIP: No reason to stand around waiting for those 1st 2 fan cycles. After re connecting the battery cable (**) above. DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. and start the car. Go back in the house and do something for a half hour or so. Give it a chance to warm up. Then go back out and listen or watch for the fans to cycle twice. Then go back in the house and let it idle that additional ten minutes.
It doesn't matter if you missed "SEEING" the very first two cycles. The important thing is that it got AT LEAST 2 fan cycles and the additional 10 minutes, and any cycles that may have occurred during that additional 10 minutes.
Then: Switch off engine. Reset radio and driver AUTO window.
To reset driver window:
Turn on ignition switch. Get the window to the top.
Push down and hold driver window button including that extra little "AUTO" click
Continue to hold an additional 2 seconds after window stops at the bottom.
Pull up the switch including the "AUTO" click and hold up an additional 2 seconds after window reaches top and stops moving.
Release the switch.
Now "auto window" should be working.
Kip
Is this a just for safety's sake sort of thing? Dealer should have done it, but no way to know for sure and can't hurt to do it for yourself even if it's been done before?
I'd like to have the benefits of ILP, if any. But unless it's never been done to my vehicle, I'd rather not have to deal with all those nuisances associated with disconnecting the battery. I'm thinking about making an inquiry to my dealer to check if ILP is part of dealer prep and if they have a record of it having been done on my vehicle.