Mileage and Rattles

[Willow]

I'm a newbie, both here and with the Pilot (2003 LX, Nighthawk - in July) Visiting here I've been surprised to have found virtually no mention of mileage - though I may just be bad at making my way around the forums. I'd be very interested to know what others are accomplishing, because mine is nowhere near the EPA estimates. I didn't expect to do THAT well, but I also didn't expect to be doing this badly. Thus far the dealer has twice told me their diagnostics show nothing unusual, and that's where they start and stop.

I've also had a constant rattle/thunk coming from the passenger side, something that SEEMS to be coming from the rear right door. The dealler's mech. hears it, but three visits have not solved it. But I guess they're getting close, because after the panels were removed/reattached on the front pass door and the rear door, whenI left the shop the rattle was much louder.

Anyone have a similar experience and better luck so I can make my fourth visit for a fix the last one?

[PatrickC1026]

As far as the gas mileage is concerned, I got 15 to 16 mpg on 90% local street driving. It's pretty close to EPA estimate 17 mpg.

I don't have the rattle problem as you do. It sounds like you already got a hint where the rattle comes from. Maybe just a loose door panel screw?

[redn22]

Hello Willow and welcome to the site!

Actaully, there has been lots of talks in regards to the Pilot's milage in these forums, but it was on the old site (this site has just recently been upgraded so the majority of the posts were in the ARCHEIVED section. To access this, go to the top of the page and go to the PILOT menu... go to ARCHEIVED DISCUSSIONS)... Here's a link to one of the discussions in regards to gas milage...

http://www.hondasuv.com/forum_pilot/viewtopic.php?t=67

Yes, alot of owners are saying that the Pilot doesn't meet the EPA estimates and that goes true with my Pilot... If I remember correctly, I was getting about 15MPG... But the last time I checked that was about 3 months ago and you also have to consider my "warm-up" time because living here in Winnipeg, you have to warm up your cars due to the sub zero temps (it got as cold as -59F... And I still had to go to work! - damn government!)...

In regards to the thunk sound, it may be associated to the gas tank... When the gas inside the tank moves around, it may cause a thud sound... This is normal... Why does it do that? Probably because Honda didn't add any or enough "baffles" to help absorb the movement of the gas in the tank... This is a very popular sound with Pilot owners as it happens to probably all of the Pilots... Oh yeah, from what the majority says and I'm one of them, it usually occurs when the tanks is 3/4 full...

Try this... go to an empty parkade where it's very quiet... From a complete stop, accelerate then brake immediately... Hear that "thud" sound? that's the one I'm talking about... If you listen more carefully, you can actually hear the "sloshing around" of the gas in the tank!

If this is not the problem, I hope you can solve it.... When you do, please make sure you let everyone in this forum know...

Welcome to the family!!!!

[desertpilot]

Welcome to the site Willow.

My gas milage around town are usually between 16 and 17 mpg. My highway milage when I took a 800 mile trip a few weeks ago was only 19 mpg. I'm not too surprised because I was mostly going faster than most people.

There is a procedure that the dealers are doing when ever they totally disconnect the battery, it's called PCM Idle learn procedure. When it's performed, all the settings of the engine and all it's systems are reset back to the factory settings. Most people gain gas milage after doing this procedure.

Quoted from Honda electronic accessories Installation Instructions:

PCM Idle learn procedure:

- Make sure all electrical items are turned off.

- Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 RPM with no load (in Park or Neutral) until the radiator fan comes on.

- Let the engine idle for about 5 minutes with the throttle fully closed and with all electrical items off.

NOTE: If the radiator comes on during this step, the time it is operating must not be included in the 5 minutes.

End of quote.

Don't forget to enter your anti-theft radio code. Also reset your power window by opening it fully, then close it and hold the button for 2 or 3 seconds. Other systems like NAV and others might also be initiated.

I will try this procedure after my first oil change at the dealer tomorrow. I will post my milage here after my next gas fillup.

There are a lot of conditions that could cause the noise in the rear. When the dealer tried to fix it and it got worst, you're right, something changed and they're getting closer to the problem.

[redn22]

wow... that's a pretty intense procedure on just how to reset the CPU... Let us know how it goes desertpilot!....

Red

[Willow]

Thanks all. I WISH I could count on 19 mpg. I took a trip up I-5 in California, from LA to Sacramento. For those who don't know, it's about the straightest, flattest (most boring) 350+ miles you'll find outside of Wyoming, and I was getting 14-15 mpg. Around town I get 11-12. I've visited one dealer twice and another dealer once, and each time got the story about diagnostics showing everything is at spec.

Also picked up an '04 CR-V this past weekend for the wife, and hers is doing double the Pilot. (They're both Nighthawk, and so they look like a mother/daughter - father/son pair in the driveway.)

[Willow]

[quote="redn22"]Hello Willow and welcome to the site!


In regards to the thunk sound, it may be associated to the gas tank... When the gas inside the tank moves around, it may cause a thud sound... This is normal... [quote]

As for the noise, yes, I've noticed the gas tank thud/slosh. In fact, during each visit in searching for the source of mine, the mech's have given me copies of service advisories detailing various sounds and their causes, hoping one of them would explain my problem.

It has bothered me that a couple - rear suspension squeak, for example - bare no resemblance to my complaint, and come from a completely different area. But I confess I've also been surprised to learn of how many known clunks, thunks, rattles there are that are described as "normal." Noises that can't be "fixed."

I guess maybe I'm a fussy old fart, but I just don't remember having had to deal with this in the past with new vehicles. Road noise, sure - always dependent on the car one selected. And it was also the same with wind noise, and perhaps with some accessory making more noise while operating than one might have wished. But this array of sloshes, thunks and rattles that are effectively built-in are new to me. And I certainly expect better of Honda.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I understand your point Willow in regards to the various "built in, can't fix" noises... But you learn to live with it and trust me... within time you'll get so used to the sounds that eventually you won't even notice it anymore... I'm at that stage...

Hopefully, Honda will send a recall to address these concerns, but in the meantime... Happy Piloting!

Red

[redn22]

Yeah, I understand your point Willow in regards to the various "built in, can't fix" noises... But you learn to live with it and trust me... within time you'll get so used to the sounds that eventually you won't even notice it anymore... I'm at that stage...

Hopefully, Honda will send a recall to address these concerns, but in the meantime... Happy Piloting!

Red

Oops... the quoted post was from me... I'm not at home so I don't have that luxury of the auto login...

:oops:

[bobbyg53]

My '04 EX built in 11/2003 also has an undiagnosed chronic right rear door or lower "C" pillar rattle. Rattle disappears when adult is seated/belted in RR seat, so it may be RR shoulder belt retractor in base of "C" pillar, RR door latch, or RR door trim. Very annoying because it does not stop . . . if it is "normal", this rattle should be coming from other doors or pillars. It does not.

[PatrickC1026]

My '04 EX built in 11/2003 also has an undiagnosed chronic right rear door or lower "C" pillar rattle. Rattle disappears when adult is seated/belted in RR seat, so it may be RR shoulder belt retractor in base of "C" pillar, RR door latch, or RR door trim. Very annoying because it does not stop . . . if it is "normal", this rattle should be coming from other doors or pillars. It does not.
I personally hate rattles too especially something that you hear most of the time. However, the "normal" noise we usually refer to comes from gas tank sloshing or brake thud which you only hear at certain times (low speed or sudden braking). Like Red said, they are annoying but our ears have been trained (automatically!) to ignore those noises and we don't pay attention any more. For door and panel rattles, I would suggest to take your car back to the dealer and have them fix until you're satisfied.

[chucki42]

on the gas milage side i put 227 miles with 10.7 gallons of regular. i am real anal on keeping tabs of the milage. i did the grounding system and K&N air filter. this is city driving also. i am patiently waiting for bosch to release the +4 spark plug for this vehicle.

[PatrickC1026]

^^^ That's 21.21 miles/gallon. Was it city or highway driving? If it was highway driving, you're in the ballpark.

[redn22]

Has any of you guys who are only getting about 15 - 16 MPG in the City bring their concerns up to the dealer? Did they run any diagnostics? Did they find anything?

I'd like to know if there's is a way to increase my milage...

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have Pilot for more than a year and since very first day my mileage has been 11/16. Visit to service didn't clear anything, mech said everything was normal on diagnostics. Since it's not a Hummer I don't believe that BS, obviously some problem with fuel sensor or gas pressure regulator.

[chucki42]

there is a product out there called HYPER GROUND. since i was in the aircraft industry i figured out how to make a system cheaper using 4 guage wire and amp type electrical connectors. your basically regrounding the engine and transmission for better electrical flow. i had alot of doubters until i did their vehicles. e-mail me for a scenario and if your interested i can make you a set. chucki42@aol.com

[kristfr]

I've had mine for 7 months. The best hi-way mileage I've had is 22, but normally is closer to 19, with about 16 in town. I'll chime in on the rattles, though. Most of mine are coming from the radio and instrument panel inserts. Dealer had it once for a week and never heard anything. I wrote to Am Honda with complaint and haven't heard a word. Guess I'm a bit disappointed at this juncture. Didn't expect this of a new vehicle, much less a Honda.