Another Gas Mileage Thread

I'm curious what other owners are seeing for gas mileage with their Ridgelines. ROC owners are certainly not shy about their trucks and experiences. I've seen posts in this forum reporting 21-22 mpg and I've seen posts reporting 13-14 mpg. In general, the Honda experts seem to agree that mileage numbers aren't representative until your truck gets fully broken in at around 10,000 miles. My own Ridgeline is fast approaching that mileage and I have seen my average mpg go up recently (15-16) but I'd like to know what to expect. I thought I'd take a poll to seen what others are getting from their trucks.

I am in the 15-20 catergory like most all should be. I have seen less than 15 one time with the crappy winter fuel. I have had many tanks over 20. Most all trips I have taken have been 20-22 and once 24. I have 24K miles.

I would like to see a truly comprehensive poll with the ranges broke down into smaller units, within 3 driving conditions (mostly city, mostly highway & mixed) and then also by year (I have a reason to believe that there is a difference in qc of the engines from the factory for a range of trucks). Probably something more than the forum polling feature can do.

At 20k miles, that's 14k miles AFTER I installed the lift, my mileage started to go progressively down, with slight spikes up that seem to correspond with the end of winter gas. It is all posted on this thread: http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/miscellaneous-general-honda-ridgeline-discussions/13834-gas-mileage-my-numbers.html

Yes, I carry weight and have a lift and I don't expect 20mpg, but I did not expect my mileage to be 18mpg for thousands of miles after the installation of the lift and bull bar and then start a long steady slide down without any other modifications that supposedly rob fuel economy. As the slide progessed, the more conservatively I drove, changed filters more often, checked tires weekly, etc.

This issue is THE issue. The proof is the number of threads about fuel economy. :eek: (a quarter of million or so at the last count ;) )

Your speed and driving location makes a great difference.

I have a Scangage II unit so I get real MPG data.

I drove the same route 4 times fixing my mother in laws dryer the temperature was 60 degrees +- 2 degrees ( to get parts, etc) the exact same tank of gas too ( all but 2 miles interstate on Ozark Hills and 3 red lights which I caught every time )

60 miles at 55 mph = 24.8 MPG
60 miles at 60 mph = 20.9 MPG
60 miles at 65 mph = 19.1 MPG
60 miles at 70 mph = 17.9 MPG

Driving to my place of employment 5 miles (8) red lights and (2) 4 way stops and 2 big hills ( down 150 ft and back up 150 ft (2) times - the scangage show 9999 mpg downhill and 5.2 mpg uphill averages to 13.7 mpg ) top speed is 40 mph - 3 miles at 30mph .5 miles at 40mph the rest at 25mph.

18.1 mpg at 02:00 no traffic all green lights
16.5 mpg at 05:00 some traffic some red lights
14.8 mpg at 06:45 more traffic some school buses some red lights
11.8 mpg at 07:30 lots of traffic school buses and almost every red light

this works out to you loose .1 mpg for every 10 sec at a redlight and .4 mpg resuming you speed on a 5 mile commute.

these are the exact same routes so you mileage will depend on traffic .

the interstate only MPG at 55 was 25.7 for 56 miles that meas you could go over 500 miles on a tank.

for a short distance I drove 50 mph and got 27.6 MPG but you don't want to go that slow.

I drafted a Swift (18 wheeler) truck doing 55 for a couple of miles on the only flat section of interstate and the MPG showed 34.2 but I did not like being 15 ft from the truck.

In perspective - the city mileage is still 2 mpg better than the 2003 6.3L Chevy Silverado I had. The 70 mph is less than the Chevy - the 65 mph is the same. The ride is sure a lot better. And the Ridgeline handles so much better in bad weather.

Your speed and driving location makes a great difference.

I have a Scangage II unit so I get real MPG data.

I drove the same route 4 times fixing my mother in laws dryer the temperature was 60 degrees +- 2 degrees ( to get parts, etc) the exact same tank of gas too ( all but 2 miles interstate on Ozark Hills and 3 red lights which I caught every time )

60 miles at 55 mph = 24.8 MPG
60 miles at 60 mph = 20.9 MPG
60 miles at 65 mph = 19.1 MPG
60 miles at 70 mph = 17.9 MPG

Driving to my place of employment 5 miles (8) red lights and (2) 4 way stops and 2 big hills ( down 150 ft and back up 150 ft (2) times - the scangage show 9999 mpg downhill and 5.2 mpg uphill averages to 13.7 mpg ) top speed is 40 mph - 3 miles at 30mph .5 miles at 40mph the rest at 25mph.

18.1 mpg at 02:00 no traffic all green lights
16.5 mpg at 05:00 some traffic some red lights
14.8 mpg at 06:45 more traffic some school buses some red lights
11.8 mpg at 07:30 lots of traffic school buses and almost every red light

this works out to you loose .1 mpg for every 10 sec at a redlight and .4 mpg resuming you speed on a 5 mile commute.

these are the exact same routes so you mileage will depend on traffic .

the interstate only MPG at 55 was 25.7 for 56 miles that meas you could go over 500 miles on a tank.

for a short distance I drove 50 mph and got 27.6 MPG but you don't want to go that slow.

I drafted a Swift (18 wheeler) truck doing 55 for a couple of miles on the only flat section of interstate and the MPG showed 34.2 but I did not like being 15 ft from the truck.

In perspective - the city mileage is still 2 mpg better than the 2003 6.3L Chevy Silverado I had. The 70 mph is less than the Chevy - the 65 mph is the same. The ride is sure a lot better. And the Ridgeline handles so much better in bad weather.


34.2 mpg! That’s awesome, but obviously not practical...:D

My preference would have been to set up a poll with multiple conditional questions - around town, highway, and mixed - because these are different conditions that most folks would agree result in different gas mileage results. Either that's beyond the polling feature of this forum or my capabilities. Hence, the "average" mileage question.

I now have 12,500 miles on my 2007 RTL (with rack and fender flares). I'm averaging 17.93 mpg. My mpg did not gradually increase when I passed 10,000 miles, it has remained fairly consistant since it was purchased new. The lowest milage I got was 15.41 mpg with 100% city driving. The best milage I got was 19.39 mpg with 80% highway driving. Interestingly, the only tank I had 100% highway miles on, I only got 17.55 mpg. I typically drive between 70 and 75 on the highway. I almost always have the climate control set on "auto" from 76 to 78 degrees.

My preference would have been to set up a poll with multiple conditional questions - around town, highway, and mixed - because these are different conditions that most folks would agree result in different gas mileage results. Either that's beyond the polling feature of this forum or my capabilities. Hence, the "average" mileage question.

Most of these are addressed in the True Delta website. The person who runs this site is a ROC member. Just become a member and you can view the data for free and post your own data to help others compare.
I have no affiliation with this site other than being a member.
I've been posting my info monthly (gas mileage/repairs/maintenance) and I get to compare to others info.

TrueDelta — Reliable Research. Relevant Results. (http://www.truedelta.com)

After I get and change my air filter, I hope my RL's mpg goes back up towards 15-17mpg instead of the 13-15mpg (average/tank) it's been lately. :(
I've got ~14,000 miles on my 2006 RTL.
I use the scangauge, too, to monitor the mpg, and found that it is very accurate over a tank of gas.
Short term "real time" readings (on the "gauge readout" display) are interesting in that it allows me to see what all the hills around here do to my RL's mpg. Coupling this with the actual feedback from the gas pedal has helped me to optimize (when I wish to ;) ) the mpg.
The "trip" feature's "Current mpg" display tells me the average I get each trip to and from work (only 6 miles w/two stopsigns mostly @ ~51mph). I've found that if I reach the RL's "sweet spot" early and keep it below 2000rpm, it gets it's best mpg... easier said than done, with all the hills, curves, and bends. Normally going to work (mostly uphill), I get ~ 12-13 mpg. Coming home from work (mostly downhill), I get ~18-19mpg.

larryr's "-.1 mpg/10sec@idle" is spot on. It's disconcerting watching this realtime, BTW. As a result, I consciously don't allow the truck to idle for long periods (at extended drive-thru visits and while picking-up passengers, for example). I guess that's a "good routine" I've developed since having the gauge, but I've yet to monitor whether I lose that savings by having to re-start the truck. :rolleyes:
The "tank mpg" display reflects the longterm average that takes idle times into account, which is the average I used for this poll's sake.
Most of my other driving is stop and go (signs, lights, and traffic) which further decreases my RL's numbers, so I don't expect the higher figures that all the others' poll choices reflect.

I picked up my 08 RTL with about 9300 miles. I live in the mountains of NC with a 12.x mile commute with one down hill mountain and one up hill mountain each way (obviously).

I initially started looking at an 06 with 29K on it but the local Honda dealer here in Boone sold it out from under me. They were saying that it got 20 combined and better "some approaching 26 MPG on the highway." I had a 2007 CR-v that I loved but couldn't haul trees and mulch and stuff in it...just not a practical farm truck.

The CR-V had a trip computer and gas mileage calculator that I LOVED. I averaged 21.5 combined here in the mountains. It is so tough to get a simple accurate MPG reading using "fill up to first click...." I think Honda needs to incorporate this calculator feature in the 09.

Anyway, I have been trying to run a 100 mile distance and see how much it takes to hit the first click. I am very disappointed at staying around 15.6 mpg. Now I know you all are gonna beat me up saying that I should be OK with that based on the utility, comfort, and versatility of the truck. "You shoulda known what you was getting..."

But at $3.29 a gallon here and moving up all the time, I see hard times coming for the vehicle. Having had it for a week or so I am thinking seriously about giving up and trading for another Element with a trailer (I had a 2003).

Several hundred a month on gas on top of $30K worth of payments Insurance, etc just makes it a tough sell. I just expected the mileage to be more near the 20 mark which is only 1.5 (give or take) less than my CR-V.

I suppose I am being a baby about it, but the versatility off this vehicle may just versatility me right into the poor house. The CR-V at 22 and 28 was under target by a little. I suppose I will wait a bit then see how it flat lines. With 10,000ish miles now it should be broken in.

The only thing left for me to do is change the cabin and engine air filters (thanks to some great posts here) and make sure it's breathing the best it can. The mountains here in western North Carolina are admittedly a tough place to operate a truck. Snow, salt, and all the bad drivers make for crappy driving conditions and heavy stop and go depending on the time of day.

I have been reading gas mileage trips here and trying to implement them. By the way, my 47 mph shift point seems to hover more around 50 than 45, but I digress...

I would like to see Honda and the others develop fuel cell technology. The diesel is just not practical now. It is so expensive here and I hope the reliability beats the ones I have had to deal with.

In any event, thanks for letting me rant. I was one of the 2 people that answered yes to the poll about regretting the purchase. Perhaps I will become more excited later. If I can afford it.

Dave

I initially started looking at an 06 with 29K on it but the local Honda dealer here in Boone sold it out from under me. They were saying that it got 20 combined and better "some approaching 26 MPG on the highway."

The CR-V at 22 and 28 was under target by a little.

1)Your first clue should have been that dealer and his selling your unit out from under you.

2)Your second clue should have been that the Ridgeline would never get as good of mileage as your CR-V; and THAT was under your target @ 28mpg.

Don't mean to be harsh, but believing salesmen and their snake oil will get you into trouble every time. Hopefully your mods and the over 10,000 mile break in will improve your mpg figures.

Cheer up, mine is just now showing an improvement as I recently passed the 12k mileage marker......:)

I would have to respectfully question the 28 mpg you obtained in the CRV. I just traded a 2003 CRV for my RL and over a 5 year period averaged slightly over 20 mpg 90% city driving. I also currently have a 2007 CRV and with the beafier engine, is slightly lower than the 2003 but it still has under 10,000 miles on it.

My RL has just under 3,000 miles on it y-t-d and the mpgs has steadily gotten better. New out of the show room, my first 3 fill ups were around 14.5 mpg and I just surpassed 16 (woooohoooo) on the last fillup.

At $3.30 per gallon and a little over 1200 miles per month, my Ridge is costing me about $55 more a month in fuel costs to drive it. Although the CRVs are like driving go-karts and fun to drive, I really appreciate my Ridge.

Actually the CR-V is advertised at 22/28. My running average was 22.3 for 18 months. Tank to tank it was about 21.3-5 something like that. I suppose that's why I was so dissapointed with that first combined reading on the Ridge. The trip back from buying it in Charlotte was I-77 and I-40 and I got a respectable 20. The v-tec is a great motor. I loved it in my Element and the CR-V.

I assume there isn't much of a range on gas mileage. It's pretty much 15-20 and one will just have to deal with it. Actually, the cost of these things scared me. This fully loaded Ridgeline is the most expensive thing I have ever purchased outside of a house. Probably a touch of buyers remorse.

In defense of myself, I know that this truck was not going to get 25 MPG. To tell the truth I was a little distressed with the CR-V's 21-22. My drive in is all highway, but the rolling hills combined with the altitude (3500 feet) must play hell with the mileage. Now I had 2 vehicles a Sport-Trac and a Dodge Dakota 318. Those rascals can teach this Ridge a thing or two about gas guzzeling. I appreciate decent gas mileage and don't think I am being overly optimistic. Course I may be too close to the problem.

Good luck with the mountains and your RL. In Indiana, we only have hills by your standards. One thing I have learned from this site is there is a difference commuting at 47-50 mph vs 42-45. I try and get there as quickly as I can! By the way, you live in a beautiful state.

Good luck with the mountains and your RL. In Indiana, we only have hills by your standards. One thing I have learned from this site is there is a difference commuting at 47-50 mph vs 42-45. I try and get there as quickly as I can! By the way, you live in a beautiful state.

I think I have flown over Indiana a few times. My ex (well one of them) lived in Ohio. Is Indiana as flat as that place? The only thing that alters the horizon in Ohio is the curvature of the earth....
Dave

I think I have flown over Indiana a few times. My ex (well one of them) lived in Ohio. Is Indiana as flat as that place? The only thing that alters the horizon in Ohio is the curvature of the earth....
Dave

LOL!....Central and northern Indiana are pretty flat. Southern Indiana can get "hilly".

Wow, I see I am the first to vote "more than 20 mpg." At 10,359 miles, I am averaging 20.494 mpg (505.464 gallons consumed so far). I think larryr's observations are spot on. My driving habits would definitely annoy many: seldom rev over 2,500; abundant use of cruise control between 60 and 65 and have not yet come close to being run over; avoid up-hill acceleration, etc.. (I do contribute to the happiness of motoring senior citizens in that I provide someone they can pass:) ). I installed the oem tonneau in January which some think helps mpg. I feel the 70+lbs weight offsets the decreased drag.

One item I don't see many people commenting much on is the effect of headwind and tailwind. One tank with a five hour interstate trip with a tailwind netted me 434 miles for a 23.09 mpg at mostly 65-70 mph.

Probably too soon to post with only 800 miles, but I just did a 380 mile hwy run on 18.9 gallons. That boils down to 19ish...almost 20mpg.

I was all excited before filling up because I thought she only had an 18 gallon tank which would have put me at 21-22mpg :(

For those who are answering the poll with better than 20 mpg, are you primarily logging highway miles? I know my RL registered 21 mpg (without the bed cover) but only when it's almost exclusively highway running. Around town, it drops off quickly to around 15-16 mpg. Good tips on cruising speeds and the use of cruise control.

For those who are answering the poll with better than 20 mpg, are you primarily logging highway miles? I know my RL registered 21 mpg (without the bed cover) but only when it's almost exclusively highway running. Around town, it drops off quickly to around 15-16 mpg. Good tips on cruising speeds and the use of cruise control.

So far, I think I'm the only one who has responded "over 20," although I've read other threads indicating there are others out there beside me. I estimate I drive between 60 to 70% highway. And most of my trips are long enough to get the RL good and warm.

yes, i get under 15mpg...only becoz i'm a sitting duck in traffic in Orange County or LA County. however, i still love my ridgeline! :D

My 20 mpg is due to ideal driving conditions.....I average around 45 mph, no commute traffic, and most 2 lane roads here are 55 mph. My Garmin informs me that I'm stopped anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours (idle time) for the entire tank. Love to see how I would do without traffic lights on a trip. I do drive fast on interstates though, 75-80.

In any event, thanks for letting me rant. I was one of the 2 people that answered yes to the poll about regretting the purchase. Perhaps I will become more excited later. If I can afford it. Dave

This is a truck!! Much heavier than the CRV. You cannot punch the pedal like you do on the 4 cyls. Ease off and press on the accelerator and let the tranny shift when it wants to!! I have 24K miles, filled up Saturday and had 18.5 MPG and had not even been close to a major highway!! Hope you have better results soon. BTW, welcome to the ROC!!:)

I'm still getting around 16.5 in the city. I got my highest, 21, this past Saturday while driving the 100 miles or so up to Sedona for the Ridgeline meet.

(I do contribute to the happiness of motoring senior citizens in that I provide someone they can pass ).

I'd rather be dead then have to drive like that.:D I had my first ever over $70 fill up in my life in any personal use vehicle just the other day and no end in sight. I am at around 16 mpg over the last 50,000 mile of RL driving and cannot discern any break in enhancement during this time. I am slightly better performing cost wise versus my wife's Volvo V8 XC90, but only because her SUV uses Premium grade. We both drive about 90% rural 40 mph type roads with frequent stop lights and signs. Absolutely dead flat terrain around these parts and I would not even want to think about what the numbers would be if it was hilly.

I've been towing a 12 unit kayak trailer all over Michigan this summer with a total weight including trailer of only about 1600 lbs (all alum trailer) and getting 17.5 mpg. While the trailer and load is light it's not that aero-dynamic since it's an open trailer-not covered. And I always have a kayak or two on the roof rack. BUT I drive around 60 on the highways! If I go 70 the mileage plummets to 15 real fast. With no trailer and the roof racks empty-I get about 20 mpg driving 62-63 on highway and pull about 16 with straight city driving. Not great but the trade off for me is that in 13,000 miles I haven't had a single problem with the truck-just start it and go. The dealer scheduled service has been reasonable and downright pleasurable at Art Moehn in Jackson where I live. Yup-there's days when I am not carrying anything other than a laptop and yearn for a Prius but you can't beat this Ridgeline when there is work to be done.

what is the best cover i should get from my ridge line. i like the looks of the pace edwards Jack rabbit any opinions???

what is the best cover i should get from my ridge line. i like the looks of the pace edwards Jack rabbit any opinions???

Welcome to the ROC. This post seems to be in the wrong place as a cover won't help your mpg.

My overall average is pretty consistently 18.5 mpg. I also calculate moving averages for the past 10 tanks (currently a fuzz over 19 mpg) as well as the mpg on each fill-up. My all-time highest was 21.8 mpg (mainly 55 mph two-lane cruising) and my all-time lowest was 14.9 mpg.

I cannot complain. These figures are almost exactly what I got in my 1999 (6 cyl) GMC Sierra 1500 2WD single cab. (My 2003 GMC Sierra 2WD single cab with V8 got about 1 mpg better.)