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If you have any questions about this, please click on my username and drop me an email and I'll be happy to discuss it there.
However, during the winter (this is my 2nd with the HCH), my MPG drops (per tank) to around 33-36. Need to check the tires more often (obviously), but the Hybrid engine simply does not perform as well when it is cold. For instance, the engine has to warm up before it turns off during stops (e.g. traffic lights).
At first, I thought perhaps the gasoline 'winter blend' had something to do with it, however we had some nice temps (mid 60's) during November and my MPG went back to 'normal.'
The drivers here in Jersey are as bad as anywhere (they've bled over from NY!), and I don't get run off the road (co-workers here give me the same excuse!). I can't possibly be that brave, I'm only 5'5"!!! (NJ has the highest population density in the US, so the congestion here is as bad, if not worse, as anywhere else.) Simply have to put the testosterone in check and remember that it's not a race out there; no prize for getting to the red light or exit ramp first! Unless you consider lower MPG a prize! (lol)
BTW, I didn't say that I use "premium" grade, I just avoid the 'independant' brands. I have tried them (during the price spike last year) and it really affected my MPG.
If you want to drive that fast, then don't waste your money on a hybrid, because you don't understand what it takes. As you parents may have told you: you cannot have your cake and eat it, too.
I've had more experience driving on all types of highways, in many different states, and countries in many different automobiles, and trucks, than most of you have had going to the bathroom. And oh, yes. Cold weather does affect the mileage of any vehicle.
But here is a tip I recently found about getting better gas mileage on these hybrids. Turn on the cruise control and don't turn it off. Use it every chance you get by setting it to the speed limit on the road you are driving, even in urban areas. Hit the set button every chance you get. Watch the assist go to work no matter what speed you are driving. Believe me, it works, and it will give you better than average mileage.
Currently my gas tank is down to a little under half full and when I checked the mileage on the dash last night I am averaging 50.2 in mostly non-highway driving. Prior to this trick, I was averaging 45 to 46.
I live in Florida and am anxious to see how this works in the hot weather because using the air conditioner does reduce mileage per gallon. In the hot weather I average around 41-44 because the AC runs constantly. Haven't noticed any change yet using the heater because I haven't run it in around 10 days when the last really cold spell came through (yes, it's gets pretty darn cold in Florida in the winder).
jt
jt
The merrit in Connecticut is what it is: I can't do the super efficient driving without getting shot.
I'm real happy with 42! My old 2002 regular civic was getting 34 or lower.
And, I LOVE IT!! :shades:
Jon
I suggest you take your car to a Honda Dealer and ask them to do a MPG Test.
If HCH is only getting 29 to 30 MPG, something is wrong! If you're getting 37 mpg, that is, on average, what I get with combined city/highway. We now have 7,600 miles on our 2009 HCH, and were told by the Honda Dealer the more we drive it, the MPG should improve. Sticker advertised MPG's on new vehicles are very inaccurate, and there are fine print disclaimers.
So a problem with the electrical part of the powertrain can cause poor mileage.
The gas engine is extreamly fuel effiecient on its own, but lacks power on acceleration, (thus the electrical boost). So when traveling at say 45mph, it is all gas and no electrical. To see if the problem is one or the other, I like to find a long stretch of level road, get the car up to speed, set the cruise,and reset the mpg display. If the readings are high, then there is a problem in the electrical drive system. It the reading is low, the problem is with the rest of the car: Tires,tire pressure, alignment,not using the proper weight oil, dirty fuel injector's,dirty mass air flow sensor, weak oxygen sensor, too much weight......
I just added Seafoam fuel system cleaner to my 07 GMC Envoy with a 5.3 V8 and gained 3 mpg, so I am going to try it in my civic and see if i get any results. I currently get 50mpg spring and fall 40 during the coldest months and 47 during the hottest months with A/C.
re: "Tires,tire pressure, alignment,not using the proper weight oil, dirty fuel injector's,dirty mass air flow sensor, weak oxygen sensor, too much weight...... "
- service tech people checked tire pressure and presumably everything else when I went in. We even did a drive together to make sure it was at its optimum.
If it's the powertrain, do you think its "fix"able?
To see if this applies to your car ( around 39-41 MPG in most good weather conditions) then try this as a temp. test...Pull out fuse #22 near driver's foot...it is 7.5 or 10amp -- make sure it is #22 under dash fuse box.
It is a fuse that disables the drive to the electric AC compr. circuit... regular AC still works fine and doesnt steal power now from the HV Bat. My mpg jumped to 50 mpg with AC on at moderate levels ----- 20% improvement! I am still investigating......
I drive another HCH06 that avgs. 45+ - with AC on in similar driving situations..and it gives several ASSIST bars ... whereas the Older HCH06 is often actually charging up a hill and rarely can assist...even with the fan on lowest setting and ac temp higher than comfortable. With Elect AC disabled it is same or better than 45+ car.
That all depends on the dealer.And i would say that there is a problem somewhere, but getting them to fix it depends on how hard they want to try to make you happy. I know almost anything but the original tires can kill your mileage, I am hanging on to mine as long as possible, I also keep them slightly over-inflated, which is a risk i take( remember the ford explorer's and the exploding tire issues). I gained 3mpg after an alignment. And was told that anything other than the 0/5w oil or whatever it is, can cause a drop of 7 mpg.
I dont know if you purchased from a Honda dealer, or just a used car lot, but if they have any reputation, the should try a little harder that air up the tires for you.
We now have 16,000 miles on the car. Way past any so called break-in period, B.S.
If Honda cannot fix the problem, I am selling the HCH, and going to a Hybrid Toyota Camry. I sacrificed the quiet comfort of our Camry for what I thought was going to be superior MPG. I am convinced that battery operated autos are a waste of auto engineering time. The auto industry needs to develop fuel cell technology for automobiles. No plug in, no batteries, no gasoline. The auto industry and it's Unions are still screwing the public.
The problem is HONDA! They want to offer a Hybrid because Toyota does but they don't have the know-how yet so their Hybrids stink.
Will put lumbar seat cushions in car for better comfort, and live with the small trunk space. Current Hybrid technology is overpriced, and not practical. Driving around in a hybrid carrying the heavy weignt of EM batteries is not efficient. The best technology is Fuel Cells. for both efficiency and "green"! The fuel is Hydrogen, and the exhaust is water.
The fuel cell technology just has to get affordable. May not happen in my life time!
I went to the dealer for the initial service, and told the service guy about it. I didn't get a straight answer from the guy, and I wasn't too happy. A few months later IMA light came on, so I took the car to the dealer. They said that the battery was bad and need to be replaced. After the battery was replaced, it drives a better.
I was searching the net about the problem that I have and got mixed reviews. But there was a site that I found, I'll have to look for it again now. They describe how to get better mileage from a hybrid (I guess or any gas engine car) by changing the way I drive the car.
I have been practicing the driving techniques. And I have been getting better mileage on my civic hybrid, as high as 49 mpg on a 200 miles + hwy trip. But mostly I have been getting mid to high 40s. Even in summer with A/C on, the mpg doesn't suffer that much. I really think the driving technique is the key to get high mpg from these cars.
Slow accelerating (in most case, except at the fwy on ramp)
More coasting and less braking (a lot of planning and practice on this one both on the streets and on the freeways)
Keep the engine rev around 2500rpm or lower (I can mantain 2000prm going 65+mph on the freeway)
Street speed between 30-45 mph, Hwy speed between 65-70mph are ideal. Just remember to accelerate slowly if you can and keep the engine rev low and constant.
Plan your route, fewer stop and go, less up hills, etc.
Practice and practice.
I guess the EPA mpg is rated at ideal driving conditions (not much stop and go, slow accelerate, etc), in order to get it, you have to try to achieve those driving conditions.
To get higher mileage on the hybrid, or any car, we need to change our driving habits.
I also keep the tire pressure a bit higher than honda spec which is 32-34 psi. The factory tires are rated higher (45-50psi). I have been inflating my tires to 38-40psi. The higher the pressure in the tires, the less rolling resistance, the better mpg. But you have to check the pressure limit on your tires, and I wouldn't recommend using the high limit on the tire rating. As the tires get warm, the air inside expands causing the pressure to go higher.
I traded it in for a fully loaded 2011 Camry Hybrid. It is much more comfortable and quiter than the cheaper small Civic Hybrid. The big difference was getting 37.5 mpg on the highway, and 35.6 driving around town.
This is with the normal driving technique, not babying the car for better mileage. Toyota is far superior in fuel economy in its Hybrid design than Honda. Please note the new 2012 Toyota Camry, non hybrid, that just came out with a 43 mpg fuel economy.
Honda is okay as a lower priced commuter vehicle, but it just doesn't compete with Toyota in overall fuel economy, and overall driving.
I am glad for you. I wish my finiancial was better so I could get rid off my 2008HCH. it is now under 37mpg and that still requires a lot of efforts. I used to get above 44mpg . Same driving techniques, same other factors...it's just that the car's mpg is decreasing...My friend has Prius 2007. I ask his mpg, he says the prius mpg almost stay the same and it is around 48mpg. I wish I bought the prius!
Then steady drops with each tank of gas reaching 29 mpg in Nov 2011.
Driving in Seattle, cold weather and heavy traffic for 4 miles of 12 mile one way commute - light traffic on return commute. Commute is 8 miles city/4 miles freeway. Use defroster only while car in warming up and turn off after 2 miles or so.
Took to dealer - found no issues - insists I am using wrong gas and that is responsible for 10 mpg drop . Have used same gas (Safeway) from the beginning until last tank when on advice of Dealer, filled up with Chevron. Great burst of mpg just after (50 mpg!), next AM drove .5 miles to intersection and stopped at red light - watch mpg drop from 41 t0 37 while idling at stoplight then continue dropping while in heavy traffic for four miles to 27! After traffic broke and freeway travel ended up at 32 mpg. So much for "premium" gas.
Dealer is not responsive - any advice on what to do from here? Besides trading in for a Prius which I am seriously considering depending on the financial hit I would take. HELP!
Again, Honda just doesn't compare to Toyota's Hybrid Technology. The Regional Honda Corp told me to take it to a dealer and have them do a fuel consumption test. They have to keep the vehicle for several days to do this testing. Most Honda Dealers just buzz you off regarding MPG issues on their Hybrids. I suggest you trade yours in for a Toyota Hybrid. Used cars are at a premium right now, especially Hybrid's. Searching the Internet is the best way I found in finding what you want. Visiting Dealers, while looking, is a waste of time. We drove 90 miles when we found our 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid on the Internet. It was at a Ford/Suburu Dealer & used with 1300 miles on it. It was exactly what we had been looking for in a new vehicle. This car was like new, but at used car price. We really were lucky, but it took looking on the Internet, a lot.
Good Luck!
How do you get 45 mpg on an 07 HCH? Did you not get the software upgrade? I get 30 mpg and I drive with fuel economy in mind! I no longer have low resistant tires, but still.
My original tires got chewed up at 32,000 miles due to some sort of suspension defect. I thought my car was going to fall apart, it was shaking so bad. Went to Les Shwab assuming I needed an alignment. They said tires were SHOT! They also couldn't align it properly due to this defect. Went to Honda who put in control arm fix (whatever that is). This was a KNOWN issue, they just didn't bother to fix it until asked. My replacement tires were not low resistance and I noticed a 2 mpg or so decrease. What I would really like an answer to is HOW I got my car serviced and tires rotated at Honda and NO ONE said a thing about the abnormal wear on my tires.
Bottom line is since the software upgrade, shortly after my new tires, my mpg took another hit. The battery constantly recals - every 10 miles or so - and the auto stop hardly ever comes on. Honda just blames it on the tires.
My sister loves her 2006 Prius and so do I when I drive it - 50 mpg no problem.
Can anyone advise on how to escalate with Honda?
This is an issue and its gonna cost too much for Honda to fix.
Those who opt-out of the Class Action suit may get some joy if Honda think the numbers are within there tolerance.
I have written to my congressman because this is more than individuals getting duped, this is about Americans believing in new fuel efficient technology and whether they are taking a "big" risk in wanting to go green.
I for one wont buy a Honda "fuel efficient" vehicle again.
The 2008 HCH was an incredible performer for me. Toward the end, with 72k miles on it, I could not have gotten bellow 39 had I tried. Most of the time I was getting from 41 to 45 in mixed and not particularly careful driving. One week, determined to wring every last drop of fuel from it, I got an amazing 57 mpg on a tankful of gas.
The 08 was incredibly reliable. Not one problem. Not one service visit for anything other than maintenance. It got wonderful gas mileage when I really applied myself to it. When I didn't, I got lower gas mileage, but never less than 39.
It's all in how you drive it. My new car is rated at 28 - 32 city/highway. I'm currently getting 37 mpg out of it, having been well trained by the HCH.
Bill
I got the IMA battery Cell replacement on 3/14-15. I just finished the first gas tank since and calculated that, with a 60 mile trip on I95 I still got less than 32mpg. I am very disappointed with the results I have experienced. My purchase of new tires was done in March and does not seem to show any change in mileage. I am not sure what to do now. Was the IMA battery changed or just a bad cell? At least the “AUTO STOP” is now working and the IMA battery charge stays near half charged 90% of the time.
What do you suggest?
Bill
26-Jan-12 33321 164 4.7070 34.84 Trip to Havre de Grace
17-Feb-12 33489 168 8.1160 20.70 Check Engine & IMA lights on &
off sporadically
3-Mar-12 33693 204 7.9290 25.73 Check Engine & IMA lights on & off sporadically
Took car to Piazza Honda (33737) - Cost $194 upgraded Software "No more problems with IMA Light coming on" - IMA Light and Check engine light came on that afternoon. The next day the check engine light stayed on for our trip to the GYM.
16-Mar-12 33904 211 7.3270 28.80 Check Engine Light on constantly and IMA light on & off sporadically. Car to PIAZZA HONDA - New IMA battery 14-Mar-12
28-Mar-12 34155 251 7.9500 31.57