Mielage

[LiquidSilver]

Good Day

I looked in the archives amd saw some comments on the mileage. So fat I am experiencing a dissappointing 18.5 mpg to 19.5 mpg with a little over 1000 miles on my 2003 EX. Is this a matter of cancern or, as some have stated, mileage will increase as the E ages? I drive mostly in city traffic. Edmunds suggests that I should be able to get about 300 miles to a tank but I am nowhere near that.

[shadow=red:ba744f9be0]Thanks[/shadow:ba744f9be0]

[Anonymous]

I have the 2002 CRV and it's about 23,000 KM and the mileage is also poor. In Summer time, I could drive 350 KM before the light came on and Winter time it came on at about 300 KM with winter tires.

Joke: Jeep is coming out with a new model, called RESCUE, but apparently only one trim level, which is ME :lol:

[Varmint]

Mileage can improve as the vehicle is broken in. It may also improve as the weather gets warmer (dunno where you are).

But the most important factor in gas mileage is how you drive. Going easy on the gas really makes a difference.

[steverem]

My 03 Element, 4WD, auto, now has 13000 miles on it. The mileage has consistently gotten better. I get 20 mpg around town and just got 29 mpg on a trip. The trip was mixed with some 70 mph expressway and some slower travel with a little stop and go. Since it is full time AWD I'm pretty impressed with its mileage.

[ttempel]

going easy, as pointed out, can make a difference, as can weather (and gas---oxygenated crap is, well, crap here in NJ)

Additionally, drive-type and cruise control can make a difference. I've noticed that long freeway drives, steady speed, get much better mileage (of course). For me, the absolute best milage is when those drives are combined with cruise control, which tends to reduce the amount of pedal pump that humans introduce, and the system runs a bit more smoothly (never accellerates unnecessarily).

Personally, I've gotten between 18 (awful, when low mileage on the vehicle, extreme winter conditions, short stop/go driving) to 26, which frames the 20-24MPG figure quite nicely. I haven't done the uber-hauls that some folks have, so I can't speak as to whether you start to incur worse mileage on those drives or not.

[Michelle5480]

I just bought my E and so far I only go about 205 miles per tank. I drive mostly city driving, stop and go. I do use my heater since its cold right now in Chicago. Maybe I'll get better mileage when it warms up. I only have about 500 miles on my E yet. I think its pretty good considering I drive around alot in short trips. :D

[fullforcelement]

My E has about 20,800 miles on it and i have bigger tires and i get about 220 miles to the tank.

[k1enneth]

I'm here in Hartford...I get 24mpg now in mostly highway driving. They took out the MBTE (thank god) and replaced it. The gas is 10% ethanol. I get better mileage if I put in higher octane, and worse mileage if I use lower than 91 octane. My CRV has 9k mileage on it. I drive conservatively.

[Michelle5480]

Does using higher octane give you better gas mileage? Usually I just put the cheapest unleaded. Maybe I should try a higher octane. THe other day my E didnt want to start up and I know it doesnt need a tune up cause I just bought it. It kept trying to start but it did after three tries. Thats not a good thing. :cry:

[ttempel]

Does using higher octane give you better gas mileage? Usually I just put the cheapest unleaded. Maybe I should try a higher octane. THe other day my E didnt want to start up and I know it doesnt need a tune up cause I just bought it. It kept trying to start but it did after three tries. Thats not a good thing. :cry:

no necessarily--it's something subject to much debate, but it's important to note that the feds did get all over the petrol companies and got them to back off their claims that the more expensive, higher octane gas was demonstrably better.

A few things to think about:

(1) in the lab, with finely tuned mechanisms, there is a difference in performance and consumption on the same engine between two different grades of fuel

(2) If it's good quality fuel, the octane won't matter much at all in daily real world situations.

(3) What's the recommended octane rating in your manual? I'd bet that states the "cheap stuff" (87 or so).

Having said that, I put 87 in my Element because it's big, heavy, and the octane difference won't amount to much. I put high-test, so to speak, in my motorcycle which is a much more demanding machine, and much thriftier with the fuel.

[Michelle5480]

I always use Amoco gas. I noticed a difference in performance when I used a Mom and Pop gas station, u know those gas stations that have like 3 pumps. It stuttered a lot and just drove bad. So now I only use Amoco. Our Amoco has about 50 something pumps in it.

Hopefully the hesitation thing was a one time deal. Its kinda embarasing to have a new car and it wont start. If the manual says 87 then I dont know what going on with my E.

[cburton]

I've been driving my Element a LOT. Bought it in November 03, and just hit the 14K mile mark. Occassionally, I'll get terrible mileage (20 mpg), however, when that's happened, it's usually because I'd been running late and driving like a bat outta' heck! Now that gas is $ooo expen$ive (over $2.00), I tend to have a lighter foot. I am now averaging 25 mpg, which I can live with. I check my tire pressure every other fill-up, and keep the with tire balancing and alignment.
I haven't had the a/c on much yet, but living out here in the California desert, that will change soon. Any comments on how a/c effects mileage? :roll:

[psschmied]

I just got my E and have about 600 miles on it. After the first 200 miles, I did a fill up and took a 300 mile Interstate road trip. Topped off before returning. Same route, same weather same traffic both ways. I varied my speed every 10 minutes (drivers behind me were probably cursing).

The first leg I got 18.2 mpg. The return leg I got 20.4 mpg. I also noticed the longer that I use the car, the smoother and quieter that the engine is, based on how loud I have to crank my mix CD to ride over the humming. Based on past experience with Japanese cars, I expect this to continue for at least the next 3000 miles.

Everything about the car seems to be geting smoother - the brakes, the steering, the ride, and it's not because I'm getting used to the car. Smoother and quieter engine, brake and transmisson operation all translate to increased running efficiency.

[psschmied]

I just finished making a 1200 mile trip and averaged 25.5 MPG. Most of the driving was on the Interstate at 65-70 MPH. I had just finished the 800 mi "break-in", and enjoyed getting the car up to speed.

[rd36mnm]

3500 miles on new "E" since late March. Started out getting 24.5. Am now up to 26.5. 40 mile one way daily commute, mostly highway.

[Esoteric1]

23K on mine. I'm averaging 24.6 in a mixture of driving. Always get over 300 miles per tank and I'd classify my driving style as "reasonable".
If I get the itch I take the 944t for a spin but with 93 octane at near 2.00 it's spent a lot of time posing in the driveway.

[IN MY]

The first topic I'd like to forget. I too have been disapointed with the mpg. I drive mostly short, city driving. I have been trying to keep a sort of log in my head of the average mpg since I took delivery. I now have about 6k, just got my first oil change. I'm now getting about 250 miles per tank. It turns out though, as some have said in the archives, that the amount that you "fill up" while not topping off, is not the 15.9 or so gallons listed in the manual. In other words, I ran out of gas, trying to see how empty, empty really is without running out. I knew I was close and was about to get gas on my return trip. I had the E running for about ten minutes while I was parked, talking with a friend. All of a sudden the E just dies. I didn't think it ran out of gas at first. I called AAA and it turned out that a gas station two blocks away had a gas can. In the past I had tripped the odometer as soon as the warning light lit up. It seemed I can go about fifty miles without running out, after the warning light is on. I don't plan on keeping less than half a tank at any given trip probably at least until the next oil change. I think my mileage has improved a little.

[Anonymous]

Looks like you have almost all the accessories. What are tire pressure indicators?

[Michelle5480]

Tire pressure indicators are little tire caps that change colors to let you know when your tires are low in air. There's different kinds that work differently. I think its pretty helpful.

Yikes when I went to fill up yesterday gas was 1.99 a gallon!

Im now trying to drive slower and I get about 240 miles per tank.

[BLUESKYBASIN]

At 323 miles I did the first fill up and measured 25.3 MPG. I think that this is good MPG for this early in the break-in period and for the type of driving I did.

[psschmied]

It's worth making the effort to find out the amount of reserve that your low fuel indicator represents, by topping it off as soon as the light comes on. If you do this a few times, you'll know what that means in your Element. It varies from car to car of the same model. You never want to get stranded, so initially estimate that you car has a 14 gallon tank, and that you get 20 mpg worst case. Use this to calculate a safe drivng reserve.

In mine, it takes about 12 gallons to top off from the time the indicator lights, so I estimate that I can drive another (14-12)*20= 40 miles with no concern about running out of gas. In practice, as I get a better handle on my actual gas milage, I will adjust the calculation to reflect that.

If you do run out of gas sometime, you might as well make the best out of a bad situation. Establish the usable capacity of your tank and eliminate future guessing. It's probably about a half gallon less than the rated capacity.

Another idea - use the Trip B odometer to track mileage between fill-ups., it makes it easier to calculate gas mileage if you aren't guessing. I've been consistently getting better than 24 mph and over 300 miles between fill-ups. Since 90% of my trips are under 5 miles, I think that is good, but not great.

Especially since the price of gas has risen 25% since I bought the car.

[cburton]

Hey Steverem,
29 MPG??? Who you crappin' :roll: ? What were you smoking on your fantastic voyage. I doubt you have any proof.
Hahahahaha, you're a hoot!

[Anonymous]

Hey Steverem,
29 MPG??? Who you crappin' :roll: ? What were you smoking on your fantastic voyage. I doubt you have any proof.
Hahahahaha, you're a hoot!

Ocer the first 1000 miles MPG has been 25.3 / 24.6 / 27.9 / 22.25 Average 25.54 MPG 29 mpg seems within reach

[cburton]

Guest,
Where are you getting 27.9 mpg? Did you get 22.25 one way and 27.9 mpg on the return trip??
Gas pumps all act a bit differently. I would bet that this has something to do with you mileage variations. I usually go to the same gas station and use the same pump.
Good luck on your quest for 29 mpg.....

[BLUESKYBASIN]

Guest,
Where are you getting 27.9 mpg? Did you get 22.25 one way and 27.9 mpg on the return trip??
Gas pumps all act a bit differently. I would bet that this has something to do with you mileage variations. I usually go to the same gas station and use the same pump.
Good luck on your quest for 29 mpg.....

The 22.25 was my daughter driving her new car for the first time, and her route was:

= bumper to bumper trafific in Denver for 15 miles,

=80 more miles of city driving,

= driving up to Vail like the first tank of 25.3 mpg

=driving on dirt roads in the mountains

SO, my guess was it was partially the type of driving and partially the new driver and her driving style.

Average over 4 tanks is 25.5 MPG.

Different gas stations , and each time I've tried to fill it as much as possible ... not to the first pump shutoff [which may be better for other reasons]

[IN MY]

I think that is an issue. I'd like to get to the "bottom" of this. If you top off you should be adding extra gas not included in your 15.9 or whatever tank. I was also wondering since the tank is under the driver seat, did they include that extra length into the 15.9? The sensor is in the tank I thought so what happens to the gas between the rear of the tank and the line to the gas cap? That line is a lot longer than most I would guess. Anyone have any insight on this? I already mentioned how I ran out of gas once and I'm not proud of it happening or mentioning it for that matter, yet I'm determined to figure out why the guage is off, why people are getting different mileage than others and the amount left in the tank before you fill up. I really don't have time for this investigation. You can tell how consumed I am by it though. "Tanks" a lot!

[psschmied]

Since the typical gas line has an inside diameter well under a 1/2", it's doubtful that ten feet of it would make a big difference.

You can change the useable tank capacity by changing the body position. Increased weight at the rear or on one side can cause the vehicle to "lean" in that direction, and the gas intake to be higher than the surface of the gas in the tank. Load up the rear cargo area, add sidesteps, and the rear of the car is lower. Put a 200# driver in the seat, and the body leans in his direction. This isn't a lot, but it does make a difference.

When you run the tank "dry, there is ususally some left in it, because the fuel outlet is not at the lowest point in the bottom of the tank.

Tank capacity has no effect on miles traveled per gallon, which is mileage.

Fuel gauges are seldom accurate, but at a consistent temperature, fairly consistent. If the fuel gauge float, sender and gauge were all off, the gas station pump is required by law to be accurate, precise and calibrated. There was a TSB on fuel guages for the 2003.

The most reliable way to determine capacity of a given fuel system is to measure it. Purposely run it to empty, add a gallon of emergency gas (that you are carrying for the duration of the test), drive to the nearest fuel station and refill. Do this once and you will know for sure, no more guessing required.

As far as mileage goes, the main variables are temperature, altitude, your average trip length, how hard you press the accelerator, and how much you vary your speed in traffic. Even if you compare your mileage to someone who lives in the same geographic region, they are unlikely to have the same driving patterns. The only comparisoion that makes any sense is for the same driver in the same location over a period of time in multiple vehicles.

[psschmied]

Since the typical gas line has an inside diameter well under a 1/2", it's doubtful that ten feet of it would make a big difference.

There are a tot of other things that can change the capacity of a fuel system.

These included changing the body position. Increased weight at the rear or on one side can cause the vehicle to "lean" in that direction, and the gas intake to be higher than the surface of the gas in the tank. Load up the rear cargo area, add sidesteps, and the rear of the car is lower. Put a 200# driver in the seat, and the body leans in his direction. This isn't a lot, but it does make a difference. Hitting an obstacle with the side or bottom of your tank can deform it, reducing its capacity. Filling technique can vary the amount of gas put into a tank by a half gallon or more, depending on how fast the pump runs. Foaming during filling can trip the automatic shutoff earlier.

When you run the tank "dry", there is usually some left in it, because the fuel outlet is not at the lowest point in the bottom of the tank.

The most reliable way to determine capacity of a given fuel system is to measure it. Purposely run it to empty, add a gallon of emergency gas (that you are carrying for the duration of the test), drive to the nearest fuel station and refill. Do this once and you will know for sure, no more guessing required.

Tank capacity has no effect on miles traveled per gallon, which is mileage.

Fuel gauges are seldom accurate, but at a consistent temperature, fairly consistent. If the fuel gauge float, sender and gauge were all off, the gas station pump is required by law to be accurate, precise and calibrated. There was a TSB on fuel gauges for the 2003, if yours is 'way off or doesn't give an advance low fuel indication, you should contact your dealer.

As far as mileage goes, the main variables are temperature, altitude, your average trip length, how hard you press the accelerator, and how much you vary your speed in traffic. Even if you compare your mileage to someone who lives in the same geographic region, they are unlikely to have the same driving patterns. The only comparision that makes any sense is for the same driver in the same location over a period of time in multiple vehicles.

[BLUESKYBASIN]

Guest,
Where are you getting 27.9 mpg? Did you get 22.25 one way and 27.9 mpg on the return trip??
Gas pumps all act a bit differently. I would bet that this has something to do with you mileage variations. I usually go to the same gas station and use the same pump.
Good luck on your quest for 29 mpg.....

4th fillup was 26.3 MPG so the average over 1286 miles has been 25.2804 miles per gallon

I think I'll switch to Mobil1 0W-20 at the 5K oil change and see if that improves mileage another mile or two.