For those of you getting 20 MPG [Archive] - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums

captmiddy

12-06-2005, 10:20 AM

I think I posted a long thing about this once before. There are several key factors to gas mileage:

Region - This has to do with terrain, gas formulation (winter/summer), fuel additives, traffic patterns. All of this will have significant impact on your mileage, and there is nothing you can do about any of them.
Acceleration - If you keep your RPMs low while you accelerate you will get better gas mileage in your region than others in your region.
Speed - If you drive closer to 60 than 80 you will get better mileage because the drag on the vehicle increases as the square of your speed.
Distance Per Trip - This may not seem significant but if you don't warm up the engine you will get horrible gas mileage. This doesn't mean leave the engine to idle, it means actually driving. If your trip is less than 10 miles in the summer and 20 in the winter, your mileage will be impacted because the car will not get fully warmed up. This is probably the biggest problem for most people. Also remember for the first 10 to 15 miles you aren't getting peak performance because this is the warmup period.
Foot Weight - Okay this may sound odd, but in almost every vehicle you can get the same speed with your foot resting heavy or light on the pedal. Light weight on the pedal means you are burning less fuel and getting better gas mileage. You may not think you are putting a lot of pressure on the pedal but this is a drive by wire system, you will not get the same tactile feedback you do in other vehicles, try pulling your foot back until you start to lose speed, then press down again just a little bit.

Some people say you will get the best mileage with Cruise. This is true for many people because they can't make the transition to light pedal weight and dealing with road changes ahead of them early. The cruise won't either but it definitely tends to have a light pedal.

None of this means driving like a grandma. I drove from MA to FL doing an average of 70 MPH through most states. I got over 20 mpg most of the way. As was mentioned it isn't all about how fast you are going, but how fast you got going.

ninefive0

12-07-2005, 05:56 AM

25 Year Honda Owner
Drive with your tach. Watch your shift range, try to shift around 2,500. Anticipate hills and grades to prevent down shifting. No jack rabbit starts! I am running around 18/22 depending on the type driving. I have never used anything put low octane.

shingle
Brand does not matter; it's all in your driving habits
You cannot accelerate aggressively... you have to be gentle with the throttle.

These two guys know what's up and how to get the milage. Give it a try for the next few tanks and let us know the outcome.

Thats no fun :p

Drive it how you want to drive it. If you are worried about MPG's by an electro/gas plug in car, otherwise just drive.

I knew before I purchased the truck that it would suck gas, who cares... if you can afford the truck, you should offord the gas. I don't care what MPG's I get as long as the truck stays running like it should and I have fun driving it.

This is just my opinion.:p

ahp6585

12-07-2005, 07:55 AM

I have been getting 18 to 19 with normal driving (1100 miles on truck) which was a lot more than I expected, but I still have to fill it up when it gets empty!!

swampler

12-07-2005, 08:36 AM

I knew before I purchased the truck that it would suck gas, who cares...
How far do you drive every day? I'm running over $240 a month in gas through my truck. It does make a difference; however, babying it for 1 or 2 mpg doesn't.

flymuck

12-07-2005, 08:47 AM

I'm just wondering how many people with this great gas mileage have been doing the math by using the "hash marks" on the fuel gauge... LOL :D

I'm still pre-first oil change, so my mileage has not been impressive (16-17). I'm hoping after the first oil change I'll see some improvement, but then again, I live in a very hilly area (Topanga is in the Santa Monica mountains). I get great gas mileage in the Insight on the way to work (all downhill), and suxx0rz on the way home! :D The change in elevation from where I live to where I work is so significant that if I don't open my water bottle on the way in, it's all compressed from the change in elevation. Funny!

ninefive0

12-07-2005, 10:09 AM

How far do you drive every day? I'm running over $240 a month in gas through my truck. It does make a difference; however, babying it for 1 or 2 mpg doesn't.

I drive very little each day.

My point is, if I had to drive a great distance everyday, I would have accepted the fact that this truck will suck gas or I would have looked for something that gets better MPG

swampler

12-07-2005, 10:11 AM

I drive very little each day.

My point is, if I had to drive a great distance everyday, I would have accepted the fact that this truck will suck gas or I would have looked for something that gets better MPG
I get about the same or slightly better than I did on my V8 F150, so I did expect to get better mileage on the V6. However, the RL is faster and much better than the F150, so I can live with the mileage. Still a little dissappointing though.

mayfielh

12-07-2005, 10:28 AM

I never expect high milage in my RL. So, when I get get it I'm happy.

I tend to be more patient on my longer trips and set the cruise around 70ish and this generally gives me the 20+ MPG. :)

Around town I am much less patient with stupid drivers and do everything I can to get away from them. This generally mean quicker starts from stop lights as well as more frequent lane change (always careful not to be excessive in the speed department). My impatience usually produces 15 - 16 MPG. :(

UglyTruckling

12-07-2005, 10:59 AM

I drive very little each day.

My point is, if I had to drive a great distance everyday, I would have accepted the fact that this truck will suck gas or I would have looked for something that gets better MPG

I drive about 40 miles to work one way every day (mix of surface streets, two lane highway, and freeway), and I've had an average of just over 20 MPG since June. And I don't drive like anyone's Grandma! (In fact, I've never driven to church.)

HEY RIDGELINE!

12-07-2005, 12:14 PM

I am just curious for those of you getting the EASY 20-22 highway numbers if you could post what BRAND of gas you use. Maybe I am using some cheap stuff but it is frustrating to hear such high numbers when I am stuck in the 16 to 17 range.

If you want more info; go this shortcut. I've gathered all the shortcuts, that I could find onto that post.http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=48873&postcount=107

paguard

12-07-2005, 07:00 PM

Has anyone ever tried the Turbonator or a similar product and found increased mileage?

http://www.turbonator.com/

iROC

12-07-2005, 07:29 PM

I may be wrong, but I think if the Turbonator lived up to its claims they wouldn't be able to build enough of them. :)

I drive "conservatively", and that's okay. It's also okay to "put the pedal to the metal". It's a mater of personal preference. There is no right or wrong.

However you drive your Ridge, I hope you are enjoying it. :D

ninefive0

12-08-2005, 05:54 AM

I get about the same or slightly better than I did on my V8 F150, so I did expect to get better mileage on the V6. However, the RL is faster and much better than the F150, so I can live with the mileage. Still a little dissappointing though.

I came from a 2002 Z71 with a 5.3L that was getting around 14-15mpg and my Ridgeline (the last time I checked) is getting 16-17mpg. Not a big increase and I blame (parts) of this on the fact that it is allways (or most of the time) in 4WD

Nevertheless, I love the Ridgeline much better than the Chevy no matter what MPG it's getting.

25 Year Honda Owner

12-08-2005, 06:29 AM

[QUOTE=ninefive0]I came from a 2002 Z71 with a 5.3L that was getting around 14-15mpg and my Ridgeline (the last time I checked) is getting 16-17mpg. Not a big increase and I blame (parts) of this on the fact that it is allways (or most of the time) in 4WD

If Honda had given us the option to chose front wheel drive or AWD, I would have opted for front wheel drive only. After having front wheel drive vehicles since 1981 I have never had the need for AWD or 4 X 4. I have been in lots of snow and ice situations and the 2 wheel front wheel drive performed great. I would think a front wheel drive only Ridgeline would show similiar economy as the Oddessy.

doubledutyemt

12-08-2005, 07:15 AM

Your truck isn't always in 4WD. And believe me, the first time you guys get one of those freak ice storms, you'll be tickled to death that it has AWD. I can't believe how mine behaves on ice..it's like it's on rails!

TheRidgester

12-08-2005, 07:31 AM

I came from a 2002 Z71 with a 5.3L that was getting around 14-15mpg and my Ridgeline (the last time I checked) is getting 16-17mpg. Not a big increase and I blame (parts) of this on the fact that it is allways (or most of the time) in 4WD

Nevertheless, I love the Ridgeline much better than the Chevy no matter what MPG it's getting.
I hear what your saying, but ask friends that still have the big blocks. The gas companies have weakened the gas for winter blend, and I believe that they tossed in more of a "cut" factor to make prices low so we feel good about paying ONLY :eek: $2.15 a gallon instead of the $2.60
That in mind, my wife's car went from upper 20's mpg to lower 20's and my RL went from 18 to 13 mpg.
I have a buddy with an F250... 10mpg to 6.
Just my 2 cents but its the gas companies we can all pay homage to thank them along with other non accountable government agencies that make our gas mileage suck.

jaiden

12-08-2005, 11:42 AM

Drive with your tach. Watch your shift range, try to shift around 2,500. Anticipate hills and grades to prevent down shifting. No jack rabbit starts! I am running around 18/22 depending on the type driving. I have never used anything put low octane.

OK. Forgive my ignorance, but the Ridge's only come automatic, so how do you control the shift at 2500??

swampler

12-08-2005, 12:43 PM

OK. Forgive my ignorance, but the Ridge's only come automatic, so how do you control the shift at 2500??
Accelerate slower so it will shift at a lower RPM.

basils

12-08-2005, 12:59 PM

flymuck

12-08-2005, 01:23 PM

basils

12-08-2005, 01:32 PM

My other car is an Insight, and my SO and I drive about the same number of miles to work (I get to drive the RL, of course), so the way I look at it is that we get an average of 35 mpg.
Fly,
You sound like a good average American! Save a bit on one hand and splurge a bit on the other to make up for it.....:D I'll bet the Insight is a cool little car....but it's no Ridgeline!

25 Year Honda Owner

12-08-2005, 01:50 PM

OK. Forgive my ignorance, but the Ridge's only come automatic, so how do you control the shift at 2500??

With your foot!!

dboz

12-08-2005, 06:58 PM

Forgive me folks, but didn't we all buy a truck here? I think it gets great MPG for what we have. Why buy a five passenger, 4x4, towing capable, 250hp pickup, and then want much more than 16-20mpg? Did anybody read the window sticker? I'm not trying to be a jerk but this mileage thread always confuses me. All vehicles will vary in MPG....it's normal. Especially when new. If you want to save on gas cost, purchase a Civic. Just drive easy, drive less, don't speed, keep your tires at maximum psi, use synthetic oil (minimal increase), buy quality gas, and then just let the vehicle's MPG do whatever it does. Anything more than that would be foolish. Perhaps a trade-in for a moped is in order?

If I did not care about the gas mileage I would have bought the Dodge Maga Cab and had tons more of everything. I had a Toyota. The point is that at 16 MPG it is just another truck. One of the cross comparos was the MPG. If it can't get it then it was a bust since these things aren't cheap. Sure the ride is great but then again if you want a great ride go buy the ACURA TL or something. I mean lets get real. You buy a vehicle based on many factors then way the pros and cons and make a decision. I bought for room/ ride/ practicality/ fuel efficiency. WIth the fuel efficiency being what sold me over some other brands. THe TITAN is a beast but you give up some ride. More than enough room. Bigger so maybe not as practical. A CIVIC? I need a truck. If it does not deliver on the MPG it is just like every other truck except with a 6 cylinder it has less cargo capacity, less towing capacity, is less heavy duty. So if you don;t get the better mileage, what good is the engine unless you just bought a big luxury type vehicle. Then I would have picked an Escalade.

subee

12-08-2005, 07:12 PM

well said dboz!!!

iROC

12-08-2005, 07:13 PM

I care about gas mileage, but I needed a 5 passenger vehicle that had at least 40 inches of headroom (the Ridge met this--barely--no moonroof). I felt lucky to find the Ridge as I really didn't want an F-150 or Dodge Ram. I drove the Silverado and was unimpressed. I liked the Titan, but when I drove it I was looking through that strip at the top of the windshield. I liked the Element, but it only seated 4. I wish the Ridge had a little more headroom, but I can live with it. I know I cannot find the perfect vehicle, but the Ridge, overall, meets my needs.

basils

12-08-2005, 08:38 PM

dboz,
Cool, but on the EPA MPG ESTIMATED window sticker, doesn't it say plus or minus as much as 5 MPG or something? If the mileage bugs you so much I would suggest getting rid of it or just drive it one day less a week....that will more than makeup for the less-than-expected MPG. What real difference is a few less MPG anyway for a truck?

dboz

12-08-2005, 09:08 PM

valleyridgeline

12-09-2005, 08:16 AM

I get any where from 13mpg around town. :) To the best I get is 20.5 to around 22mg exclusively on Hway running 75 -90 mph. I do have a retrax cover. Does it make a dif. who knows. I have put over 9800 miles on truck thus far, no noise or problems of any kind. Any non hwy miles on tank while checking mileage will drasticly reduce your mpg.:)

shovelhd

12-09-2005, 08:19 AM

I have not seen any marketing message from Honda that features gas mileage.

flymuck

12-09-2005, 09:02 AM

True. But if it is plus 5 then I should be able to possibly get 26 MPG which is even worse news for what I am currently averaging. I think you are missing the point. One of the big selling points is MPG. If it is only marginally better than I should have gotten a bigger truck. This is still a "tweener" size vehicle. I have owned a truck for 20 years. So MPG is not that important but it would help to offset the cost of ownership compared to a big rig type. It rides great and overall I am very pleased. The point of this thread is to try to figure out how some get "20-22 easy" and i find it hard to get more than 17 on the average. WHile it does not seem like much 3 MPG does add up. For me it is not a big deal financially but I like to get what I paid for. So far the MPG is underperforming in my opinion.

Actually, the EPA MPG estimates are *for comparison only*. That means if you were to drive another truck that got lower EPA MPG than the RL, you'd probably end up coming in lower than those estimates as well, just because of where you drive, how you drive, etc.

Have you had your first oil change yet? I've heard several people here on the ROC state that their MPG went up after the first oil change...

flymuck

12-09-2005, 09:07 AM

Fly,
You sound like a good average American! Save a bit on one hand and splurge a bit on the other to make up for it.....:D I'll bet the Insight is a cool little car....but it's no Ridgeline!

I'm insulted! I'm no "average" American! I'm brilliant -- you have no idea. :D :p

The Insight is fun -- it's low to the ground, great for racing around curves in Topanga (and by racing I mean 40 mph or less, not like 80 or anything nutty like that). But you're right, it's no Ridgeline... for long trips, the RL is far more comfortable, and obviously has more storage/passenger room.

It's actually a very good combination of cars to have, since there's only two of us; we rarely need to have more than two people in the car, and when we do, we take the Ridgeline. My SO drives the Insight to work and is always getting compliments (and jealousy) from other people... "What kind of gas mileage does it get? Do you have to charge it up?" (~50 mpg, and, um, NO.) I have to remind him that he has to pass on all these compliments to me, since I was the genius that bought the car... LOL :D

basils

12-09-2005, 09:40 AM

dboz,
If all you are really getting is 16MPG on the open highway, I would be disapointed as well. But if your just talking about this being your average mileage per tankful, I think it sounds right. And also, I never noticed Honda or any of their advertising promoting that the Ridgeline gets 'super' mileage. While it is an 'in-between' pickup as you say, this is the reason most folks purchase it. It's not advertised as a heavy-duty F250 kind of vehicle anyway. You get superb qualities like a fantastice ride and beautiful handling, while still being able to perform the USUAL duties of the average truck. Honda knows that a large percentage of folks rarely use a full size pickup at it's maximum capabilities, and the Ridge fills this need very well.
I hope you end up getting better MPG in the future.

Fly,
Well brilliant, I would have to say that I'm a bit jealous about the Insight. I wish I could have one. But alas, at least I get to drive the Ridge. My wife drives the CR-V. She likes her vehicle and I love mine! But it would be cool to have an Insight.

Merry Christmas.

Chiasma

12-09-2005, 03:57 PM

I regularly average almost 24 mpg driving from Asheville to Dallas - mountains to the flats, without a heavy load (just me and the dog and a bit of gear).

Returning from Dallas to Asheville, I am usually very heavily loaded (moving furniture, appliances and other belongings every trip), and my average drops minimally, perhaps to 22-23.

I usually drive with some windows down a bit (increasing drag), almost always about 5 mph over the speed limit (i.e. 70-75 with bump ups occasionally to 80+ for passing), and don't use cruise control much.

My rpm usually sits (and stays) at around 2000 or a bit higher. 2500 is max for starts and acceleration for me.

I tend to 'coast' into stops and to let downshifting happen as naturally as possible. This is my first automatic vehicle but I have been a Honda owner for over 30 years now so perhaps I am used to how they 'feel' and act.

Around town, I think I probably get more like 18-19 mpg. Not that I think it matters that much but I use all kinds of regular gas (since I travel quite a bit, it is hard to find a specific gas station on the highway) usually from major chains but few on that list someone posted (will have to look for those from now on if they are better for the engine), and I have synthetic oil.

The truck now has 20k on it and has been performing like this since it was new. I really think it is HOW you drive that makes the difference - and of course terrain and traffic conditions do make an impact as well.

My husband's gas mileage on the Ridge is probably a bit lower than mine (but luckily I drive it more). I notice he drives more 'erratically' than I do (jerkily in some sense - not sure how to describe it), but also uses cruise more than I do. My foot is lighter but I don't drive like a granny either (even though I am!).

25 Year Honda Owner

12-09-2005, 04:56 PM

[QUOTE=Chiasma]I regularly average almost 24 mpg driving from Asheville to Dallas - mountains to the flats, without a heavy load (just me and the dog and a bit of gear).

Returning from Dallas to Asheville, I am usually very heavily loaded (moving furniture, appliances and other belongings every trip), and my average drops minimally, perhaps to 22-23.

I have seen above 20 more than below. I think we both have the same idea, only you apparently have better gas pedal control.

Tex's Ridge

12-09-2005, 05:41 PM

I agree. Ironically, I think Tex's Ridge did both of these things -- got a moped, then traded his RL for a Civic. Too funny.

My other car is an Insight, and my SO and I drive about the same number of miles to work (I get to drive the RL, of course), so the way I look at it is that we get an average of 35 mpg. :D
not funny. practical.:)

flymuck

12-10-2005, 11:11 AM

not funny. practical.:)

Allow me to clarify -- funny that it would be suggested as the smart thing to do if you're concerned about getting good MPG -- practical that you actually did it! :D

dboz

12-12-2006, 05:52 PM

After nearly a year of driving the mileage has come up. I would say I average around 19 and sometimes 20 but never 24. Took it from Ohio to South Carolina this summer packed to the hilt and still got about 20-21 so I am happy with that. I have never averaged 21 or above even on level ground and on entire highway trips.

mrlizzzard

12-12-2006, 08:06 PM

My Ridge gets some 19mpg. on the highway with no load.My Ridge gets 15 to 16 city driving.My Ridge got under 10 mpg pulling a single axle 12' enclosed with a weight of under 4000 #.I resented that and still do.Imagine, my neighbors diesel motor home(40') towing a ford f-150 came from Mn. to Tx. for less money than I spent from Oh to TX.

He did that with diesel fuel costing 30 cents more per gallon.Now look before you jump on me this is A TRUCK.Trucks pull and haul things,that's what they do.Trucks are modern pack mules and engineering brings that out in a good truck.My Ridge needs a soccer field to turn around in.Trucks should be nimble and able to get from a corral to a barn door without alot of trouble.

There is a lot to like about this rig.The cabin is roomy,the trunk a big plus.Honda gives quality you can see and feel. It should get 15mpg pulling a small trailer,should have DRL's and heated mirrors and rear defog,it's a truck for cryin out loud.

I've talked to some owners at the pumps they like the truck but don't like the milage period.

jddens

12-12-2006, 08:37 PM

First let me say that I love my RL.........Now for some facts....I have never heard of the wide range of mpg numbers as reported by RL owners. We all have the same motor; some have added intakes and exhausts.....as I have with every car or truck I've ever owned (except the RL) and still our mileage varies by 10 plus mpg!!!! What's going on??? If I was getting 13-15 mpg on a regular basis with the small V6 in my RL, it would be gone. As for driving habits, we should'nt have to think about the egg and throttle pedal all the time to get 16-20 mpg. I average 16-18 as am OK with that ( I have a lead foot used to V-8's), the RL is a big vehicle for it's small V-6. For those of you that get better than 20 mpg regulaly.............In think you need a new calculator, or try taking your mileage going back up that 300 mile down hill.............

fredridge

12-12-2006, 09:14 PM

If I was getting 13-15 mpg on a regular basis with the small V6 in my RL, it would be gone.

I guess if that was your only reason for getting the RL, but if your whole purpose was great gas mileage then there were a lot better choices out there.

But I bought the truck because I liked it because it is very comfortable for 5 people, had a great ride, a great lease, has a trunk and like it more and more as I drive it.

However, going from a v8f150 that got better mileage and considering that I am getting worse gas mileage than posted on the sticker I am dissapointed. Even though I am not happy with my mpg, since it was not a primary factor I will be keeping my truck.

dboz

12-12-2006, 09:59 PM

I think the point is that some guys claim mid twenties. I don't care much about the mileage as I think it is in line with my Tacoma but the Ridge is a much larger vehicle. More luxurious also. I just find it irritating when people claim mid twenties regularly. One other thing. I usually get around 400 miles if I really push it on a tank. So around 20 is real good for me. Usually 18-19 and I drive hard all the time. A lot of stop and go and on/off ramp accelerating.

MikeT

12-12-2006, 11:24 PM

The only time I see above 20 mpg highway on a regular basis is when I am in Colorado. On Texas gas (DFW area = 10% Ethanol) I am averaging 18 to 19 mpg depending on how I drive it. Best milage ever on the highway was 24 mpg, the worst is 15 mpg. The best was on a drive from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO and back to Durango. The worst happend in Arlington, TX with me driving like I my wife :p Some of us do see mid-twenties, but I think it is rare. I certainly do believe that 22mpg is common for folks that do not have to contend with winter and / or ethanol blends.

Cajun Country Ridgeline

12-13-2006, 03:35 AM

I USE SHELL AND EXON MOSTLY.
HWY DRIVING ESPECIALLY, I KEEP MY ENGINE AROUND 2,000RPM'S
I RARELY GO OVER 75MPH.
STATE HWY'S WHERE SPEED LIMIT IS 55-60MPH, I DRIVE CLOSE TO 60MPH.

OUR LAST TWO LONG TRIPS OF 200 MILES OR MORE HAVE BEEN 22-23MPH.

IN TOWN A DIFFERENT STORY, I GET AS LOW AS 14. AND AS HIGH AS 16MPG.

I HAVE OVER 22,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I USE SYNTHETIC OIL, HAVE SINCE 4,000 MILES. CASTROL SYNTEX 5W-20W PURCHASED AT WALMART.

xridgelinex

12-13-2006, 04:27 PM

The one thing those with bad gas mileage keep forgetting to do............................................

Check your TIRE PRESSURE...................

doubledutyemt

12-13-2006, 08:43 PM

You said it Bro...I've run 40-44 PSI in my tires since day one. I have over 65k on my Ridge now and don't forsee needing tires til' maybe next fall. And I too regularly get 20MPG plus!

Mark McIntosh

12-14-2006, 04:58 AM

What is the tire pressure everyone has been running?

csimo

12-14-2006, 06:44 AM

You can find the Top Tier Gasoline providers at http://www.toptiergas.com/

For the record I don't believe that using any brand, including Top Tier, will have much of an effect on mileage... with the exception that dirty gasoline, whatever the brand (even if it's Top Tier), will eventually cause problems which include poor mileage.

Unfortunately the cleanliness of gasoline has more to do with how it's transported and stored at the local station than it does with how it's manufactured. There are only a certain number of refineries (not a single new major refinery has been built in the USA in over 30 years) and those refineries process ALL brands.

Even a very advanced testing laboratory has difficulty distinguising between different brands of gasoline. What we call gasoline is very complex, but unfortunately is a far inferior product, in terms of BTU's per gallon, than what we called gasoline in the 40's, 50's and 60's.

You want better MPG's? Treat the accelerator like there's an egg between your foot and the pedal, keep your air and fuel filters clean. That will have a much greater benefit than what brand of gasoline you buy.

roadstar01

12-14-2006, 07:12 AM

I have had some issues with my RTS, most have been taken care of. The one big issue is the mileage. I cannot get more than 17 MPG going 70 miles roundtrip to work on mostly highway. I have had the tranny TBS done. Currently with the winter gas I am getting 16 MPG. When I towed a 6x12 V-Nosed trailer with 1 bike in it to GA over the summer I got less than 10 MPG (this was prior to the tranny TSB). If I wanted that kind of mileage I would have purchased a truck with a V-8. For the size and weight of the truck I think the V-6 is underpowered and should get much better gas mileage! I did not buy this truck to drive it like I was out for a Sunday siteseeing cruise!! :eek:

chisoxjim

12-14-2006, 07:42 AM

53,000 miles on the RL this year...

On my 120 mile round trip daily commute.. I hit speeds from 30 mph on city streets to 95 mph+ on the Interstate. I usually set the cruise on the interstate @ 85 mph, which has the rpm's @ approx 2,400. Also I jam the accelerator on most starts, (over 3,500 rpm).. Gas mileage took a small dip once the weather broke, but still getting around 19-20 mpg. I see only about a 20 miles per tankfull difference between winter driving, and the summer. To me the A/C and the winter blends seem to almost offset each other.

Havent had the Tranny TSB(my tranny has always shifted like butter..:) ) I dont check the tire pressure, only when the TPMS light came on earlier this fall when the temps fell below 32.

As for gas I prefer BP/Amoco Regular unleaded, but I sometimes use Shell if I have to. Always 87 octane. I dont like no-name gas, I dont trust it.

For oil I use dino oil, changed every 7,000 miles or so, or as instructed by the MM on my RL, never less than 7,000 miles, never more than 7,500 miles. . ..

MikeT

12-14-2006, 08:08 AM

What is the tire pressure everyone has been running?

32 psi as the specs call for.

SinisteR1

12-14-2006, 09:22 AM

I just did my first fill up last weekend. I had about 265miles with a 1/4 tank left over. If I kept driving until empty, I think I would've atleast got around 350miles on empty. So thats around the 16-17.5mpg range. Not too bad for the first full tank. That was more higway driving so we'll see.

Fast forward to today, I have almost 150miles from last fill up and its just over the half way mark. Seems to me gas mileage has gone down BUT the big difference is I've been driving more on the streets with a heavier foot. Trying to break her in varying speed on streets and higways so I expected mileage to go down. I have only about 410 miles on the ODO.

I'm not too concerned with mileage right now since I'm still breaking her in. I'm having too much fun just driving her. Later, I may be a little more concerned since we all know gas prices will rise and living in SoCal really hits the pocket a little more.:o

xridgelinex

12-14-2006, 02:52 PM

The cold tire pressure is rated for 35 psi... Honda recommends 32psi. I run them at 34 cold.... I also check them depending on the weather..... The tires only need to be checked once per month. These past couple months we have had many 40-50's degree F days.... When the temp drops to the teens for a while, I will check the pressure again... but I will know that they will still be around 30-31 psi…

brandont

12-14-2006, 02:58 PM

After reading this thread, I went home and back watching the tach carefully. If any of you claiming 20+mpg are actually keeping the tach under 2500rpm, you are driving like grandma. Great-grandma, who can't see over the steering wheel in her Buick doing 10mph under. I estimate that I can't use more than 10% of the throttle without exceeding 2500rpm before the next gear. Someone with one of those Scangauge things needs to try this to confirm.

At 50mph I almost cannot accelerate at all - if I press the gas to speed up, the tranny downshifts and I go over 2500. I'd guess somwhere around 20sec 0-60. I might believe 3-3500rpm shifts but 2500 just isn't real world. That little test was WAY beyond an egg under my foot... more like, just rest your pinky toe on it. I get the jist, and I try to use as little RPMS as I can, but 2500 just isn't a real world limit.

kermit777

12-14-2006, 03:56 PM

I get about 18-20 mpg on average highway with mixed rush hour congestion and speeds from stop and go to 85mph. Sometimes, if I'm bored, I will use the accelerator to shift at around 2500-3000rpm and other times (most) I just hit the gas and go with traffic, and yet again on other other times I push it to the floor as far as it will go down because it makes me happy (that's when I get closer to 18mpg). At least with drive by wire there's no throttle cable to snap when testing how far the pedal will go down :D (or is there?)

25 Year Honda Owner

12-14-2006, 05:02 PM

Mark McIntosh

12-14-2006, 05:36 PM

I figured it out! My RTX doesn't have power seats, but I jacked the seat up higher with the handle and got 316 miles out of this tank. Sitting up higher must create some adverse drag coefficient that allowed me to get my second highest mileage out of this tank of gas. Well, driving 60 miles on the highway instead of my usual 5 minute trips around town MIGHT have had something to do with it, but I'm sticking with the higher seat theory. I only have 2,000 miles on my RL, so I know it's still breaking in.

RidgeOwner3

12-14-2006, 05:37 PM

Reading through this thread is interesting, at the least, for a variety of reasons, especially since everyone wants to know if there could be something wrong with their truck. But it seems that the most common MPG experience here is an avg. of 16 city, 18 mixed, and 20 hwy. This is exactly what I experience, also. Of course, there are those few extremes (14's and 22's), but overall it seems that our MPG's are pretty darn close to the posted estimates.

Can we do a poll to see if this is true?

It also looks like tire pressure plays a good part in MPG, but it also plays a big part in safety, so I'm not sure I would play with this variable too much, maybe from 32-35. Then again, I don't know much about the consequences of running too high, like in the 40's, besides having a more sensitive ride.

I also wonder if the high variance on the (2006) odometers effect some of the higher MPG variances. Maybe some are way off and you don't really know how far you've gone.

ps. Oh, and to the original question...I only put Chevron 87 Octane in. It's the only one I trust. But that's a personal preference, and follows Honda's minimum suggestion. (BTW, have you seen Chevron's stock lately? It's up 25% in the last 3 months! They must be doing something right.)

moyockredrock

12-14-2006, 07:56 PM

I get just over 22 if I am doing alot of highwaydriving, but usualy when I am doing a mix of city and highway driving I get about 18 - 19 mpg. I have now had my RL since April 2006 (7 months) and have 13,000 miles on it. I usualy use 87 octane

brandont

12-15-2006, 07:30 AM

I also wonder if the high variance on the (2006) odometers effect some of the higher MPG variances. Maybe some are way off and you don't really know how far you've gone.

You know, that is a VERY good point. I had forgotten about this. I used GPS to watch my wife's car on one trip (2006 RAV4) and her odometer was off by around 3%. I have read that some vehicles may be even more. I'll have to see what the GPS says about the RL. Find a straight and level stretch of road, zero both GPS and and then drive for 10 miles. The GPS is always 100% accurate in this scenario.

Red Rock 777

12-15-2006, 08:16 AM

I consistently get 16 - 21 mpg. I always check the air in my tires to make sure they are at least at 32 and I do drive with care. As far as the rpm's go I was coming home from the Bear game a couple of weeks on I-90 and was easily doing 80-85 mph with the tach at right around 2000 & 2200. Was it sucking gas? You betcha. Ya gotta love that winter blend gasoline. :mad:

boxsky

12-15-2006, 08:24 AM

You all suck

Highway 16.5, City 14.0 This truck has horrible gas mileage and I can not figure out why. Especially compared to others. I should have just bought the Ford but I do love this truck and deal with the horrible mpg.:mad:

Webwader

12-15-2006, 10:21 AM

You all suck
Because you get lousy gas mileage, we all suck? :confused: :mad:

fredridge

12-15-2006, 10:21 AM

fredridge

12-15-2006, 10:24 AM

Because you get lousy gas mileage, we all suck? :confused: :mad:

WEB, I think that was his point, but cheer up, since he gets better mileage than me, that means he sucks;) :D

boxsky

12-15-2006, 01:12 PM

WEB, I think that was his point, but cheer up, since he gets better mileage than me, that means he sucks;) :D

yeah but I only suck by a little bit!:D

RidgeOwner3

12-15-2006, 01:15 PM

yeah but I only suck by a little bit!:D

Do you guys hear a big sucking sound going on around here lately?

I read that a huge black hole swallowed a star the other day!

fredridge

12-15-2006, 01:21 PM

Do you guys hear a big sucking sound going on around here lately?

I read that a huge black hole swallowed a star the other day!

HUH???? not sure what you mean

RidgeOwner3

12-15-2006, 01:27 PM

HUH???? not sure what you mean

That's OK. Maybe my jokes are creating that big sucking sound! :rolleyes:

fredridge

12-15-2006, 01:29 PM

That's OK. Maybe my jokes are creating that big sucking sound! :rolleyes:

has happened to me way too many times here. My sarcasm doesn't come across at times. Especially before I started using the emoticons

RidgeOwner3

12-15-2006, 01:31 PM

Yeah, online humor is difficult. (Especially for someone like me who's a little off the wall anyway!)

Anyway, there really was a report about a huge black hole swallowing a star the other day, in case you were interested in that sort of thing.

weatherman

12-25-2006, 06:40 PM

I do find it amazing that there are those of you regularly getting > 20 mpg. I recently bought an '06 RTS with 16K miles on it, so it should be broken in fairly well. Anyway, I took my first road trip (a relatively short one) in it yesterday, and cruising along at 70 mph on the interstate, the A/C compressor manually turned off, and on relatively level ground, the best I could get was 20 mpg. We did have four people in the vehicle, so I don't know how much difference that makes. Oh, I also run 35 lbs of air in each tire, so they should not have been an underinflation issue. It is a shame that in order to have a little fun with the 255 HP, so much mileage has to be sacrificed. I like to punch it occasionally just like the next guy (don't want too much carbon buildup :) ), but most of the time I do drive like a granny. I guess a few of our fellow club members out in California will be doing some research soon on cold air intakes, so it will interesting to see how much of an improvement they make on both HP and mpg.

ProfessorTomoe

12-25-2006, 10:11 PM

Anyone here have any problems running Valero gasoline? I used that brand in my pre-Ridgeline pickup and was wondering if there would be any issues running it in the 2007 RTS I bought last week. It's not on the "top tier" list, which is why I ask.

HoosierDaddy

12-26-2006, 01:36 AM

“Long time ROC forum reader, first time poster” I think this thread is lengthy because gas mileage is one area Ridgelines do not stand out as better performers than other vehicles, but I will trade it for the combination of everything else they are. I purchased my 2007 RL a few months ago and my gas mileage experience the first few thousand miles had been 16 in the city and 19 on the highway. I had tried desperately to hit the 20mpg mark on highway trips of about 250 miles, but to no avail. I installed a bed cover and changed the oil in my Ridge for the first time at around 4,500 miles, with 40% oil life still showing on my dash. I had the Honda dealership install full synthetic oil. My daily driving city mileage has increased to 18mpg. Last weekend I drove from Indy to almost Georgia at 5mph over the speed limit with the cruise control on and averaged 22 mpg. The cruise control downshifted often to fourth and occasionally to third gear. Driving through the mountains from Knoxville to Ashville with the cruise control off was incredibly fun and the highlight of the trip. Being used to good handling cars, I never thought a truck with a higher center of gravity would handle so well. I am very impressed with the stability system and stock tires. I am not advocating the use bed covers or full synthetic oil to increase gas mileage, just chronicling my experience.

Hawk

12-26-2006, 04:51 AM

at 5mph over the speed limit with the cruise control on and averaged 22 mpg.

After Thanksgiving, got back from a New England trip. Best mileage did reach 23 mpg on one leg of the trip. Worse was 14 (in some mountains).

No bed cover, nor synthetic oil (unless that's what my dealership uses). I too, am pretty satisfied in the MPG considering all the other great useful benefits of the vehicle. :cool:

ChrisM

12-26-2006, 06:37 AM

I just experienced some of the worst gas mileage out of my RL I have ever gotten. I thought it was a fluke at first but I got the same thing during the second tank I used during my recent trip. I think I have a hypothesis as to why I just got 16 mpg on the highway for the first time. These factors may or may not have contributed to my cruddy gas milage but here is what was different than what usually happens on my regular 22 mpg tanks.

- The wife drove part of the way. I tend to use cruise control a lot. Some would even say too much. She doesn't use it until she turns on the "back seat driver" function.

-Out of state gas. I didn't use the brands of gas I traditionally use.

- Hammertime. We drove a little faster than we ususally do. Errr... make that slightly more than a little faster than we usually do. The RL does not like 75 mph+ driving when it comes to the gas mileage consideration.

- No other cars/suv's to draft off of. Please do not confuse this with tailgating. On the tanks that I got cruddy gas mileage I was on many roads that I shared with no one. I have come to the conclusion that the RL is about as aerodynamic as a brick. It needs whatever help surrounding SUV's & trucks provide to help it to cut the wind.

- We were loaded down. We had the trunk and the bed totally full of crap. Way too much crap for where we were going.

Hopefully when I get back to normal my mileage will go back up

Cajun Country Ridgeline

12-26-2006, 01:17 PM

I NOW HAVE OVER 22,000 MILES AND USE THE TRUCK FOR DAILY TRIPS AS WELL AS 200+ MILE TRIPS TO RELATIVES.

I HAVE BEEN USING CASTROL SYSTEX 5W-30W SINCE 4,000 MILES AND USE 87 OCTANE SHELL OR MOBIL GAS.

MILAGE HAS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE WITH MILAGE. OVER ALL I AVERAGE ABOUT 15-16.5 IN TOWN DRIVING. MOST INTERSTATE HWY TRIPS ARE AT 21-23MPG. I TRY TO KEEP THE TACH AT OR UNDER 2,000RPM'S

I DO NOTICE THAT IF YOU DONOT GET INTO 5TH GEAR BECAUSE OF SPEEDS UNDER 47MPH YOU WILL BURN MORE GAS IN TOWN WHEN IT STAYS IN 4TH OR 5TH GREAR.

I QUIT WORRYING ABOUT GAS MILAGE SOME TIME AGO. I ENJOY DRIVING THE RIDGELINE TOO MUCH, IT IS THE SAFEST VEHICLE ON THE ROAD.
IT SERVES US WELL ALL OF THE TIME AND IN ITS CLASS, IT IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST MPG AVAILABLE.

THE OTHER DAY A YOUNG MAN JUMPED OUT OF HIS CAR AND RAN UP TO OUR TRUCK AND ASKED IF WE HAD ANY REGRETS OWNING THE RIDGELINE, HE WANTS TO BUY ONE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

I SEE MORE RIDGELINES ON THE ROAD EVERY DAY, WE MAY NOT HAVE 400,000+ TRUCKS ON THE ROAD TODAY, BUT WE HAVE THE HAPPIEST DRIVERS ON THE ROAD TODAY.:) :)

denvrfan

12-28-2006, 10:25 AM

I have no problems hitting and exceeding 20MPG on the highway. I think I've achieved as high as 22. Just shy of 20000 miles and Mobil 1 in the crankcase. It's the lower number that's a struggle. Typically, I get about 15-16 on 80/20 city/highway travel. I have a short <7 mile commute so that doesn't help.

Fastang

12-28-2006, 03:12 PM

I too struggle with mpg... average 16.6 mpg last tank... 311 / 18.7gal.
I too envy those that get over 20... with little effort
I have a long commute... 52 miles, 3300 ft drop in evevation...
Then back again to get home.
I run the gauntlet... 2 lane windy highway, major interstate, rush hour traffic, then some city driving.
I believe some of "our" issues is with the Honda name... which is know for fuel economy... among other things. A Honda that gets under 20mpg is hard to swallow. Step back and look at the big picture.
I also believe that rpm's play a big roll in yer mpg. If you constantly jumping into the 3500 rpm range... that 1000 more squirts of fuel... per cylinder... per minute... than if you were to keep it at 2500 rpm.
Which is hard to do... I know, with a name like Fastang... I know.
In conclusion... If you hadn't gotten the RL... what kinda gas mileage would you be getting with your "runner up" vehicle? In weighing all the pros and cons... it would seem that we all chose the Ridgeline. Good call guys. I know I made the right choice.:D :D :D

Fastang

12-29-2006, 02:31 AM

Let me correct my previous post before someone else does...
If you run at 1000 more rpm... its only 500 more "squirts" of fuel per 1000 rpm.
The other 500 is the exhaust stroke.
So the trick is.... to keep the rpm's as low as possible.
Correct me if I'm wrong...
Is more fuel added to each combustion stroke @ 3500 rpm than @ 2500 rpm?
I think yes.

ChrisM

12-29-2006, 08:07 AM

brandont

12-29-2006, 02:05 PM

Jhawker23

12-29-2006, 04:32 PM

Also, a quick chart - At 2.30 for 87, 2.40 for 89, and 2.50 for 93 - You need a 4.3% and 8.7% increase in milage to make the $/mile work out.

Cost % MPG $/Mile
2.3 16 0.14375
2.4 1.043478 16.69565 0.14375
2.5 1.086957 17.3913 0.14375

The required MPG improvement goes down as the relative cost goes up:

Cost % MPG $/Mile
3 16 0.1875
3.1 1.033333 16.53333 0.1875
3.2 1.066667 17.06667 0.1875

Wow. That's a quality post.

Unlike this one. I am providing nothing to this conversation. But, really, wow. That's good info!

shingles

12-29-2006, 08:08 PM

I am one of those that can easily get over 20mpg on freeway trips if I choose to. The thing about this truck (in terms of mpg) is that it is VERY sensitive to throttle inputs. If I want to get 21+ on the freeway, when trying to pickup speed, the key is to try so you don't drop out of 5th gear. Obviously this means that you won't gain speed that fast, but it does help in the mpg department. My last trip to Dallas from Houston, I was faced with VERY stiff headwind.. 15-20mph. With my wife, 4 dogs, and a bunch of xmas present, I still managed just a hair under 20mpg.

Remember, it is VERY sensitive to how much throttle input you give it. I communit in houston rush hour traffic and easily get 18+ every tank.

FWIW - I don't exactly drive slow, but I accelerate slowly to maximize mpg.

shingles

12-29-2006, 08:39 PM

While watching the Houston Rockets, I thought I'd load in my fill up info since July... (yes I have every fill up but one since I bought the truck... I know, it's nerdy) BTW - I did notice a slight drop in average mpg since they switched from MTBE to Ethenol.

The 20+ are highway mpg (houston to dallas and back) the rest are communiting in houston rush hour traffic.

date brand gallons price trip odo MPG
12/29 Chevron 19.928 2.219 419.3 38851 21.04074669
12/24 Exxon 20.443 2.219 402.2 38432 19.67421611
12/22 Chevron 20.885 2.219 399.2 38030 19.11419679
12/17 Exxon 19.501 2.199 355.4 37631 18.22470643
12/12 Chevron 19.737 2.159 361.7 37275 18.32598673
12/4 Chevron 19.361 2.129 363.3 36913 18.76452663
11/26 Exxon 17.664 2.099 374.5 36550 21.20131341
11/25 Shell 20.053 2.099 449.7 36175 22.42557223
11/22 Exxon 15.115 2.169 315.7 35726 20.88653655
11/18 Exxon 18.121 2.299 336.6 35410 18.57513382
11/13 Chevron 18.728 2.089 361.1 35073 19.28129005
11/6 Exxon 18.773 2.039 347.3 34712 18.49997337
10/30 Exxon 19.002 2.029 361.6 34365 19.02957583
10/23 Chevron 20.29 2.039 414.9 34003 20.4484968
10/16 Exxon 16.946 2.099 314.2 33588 18.54124867
10/6 Exxon 18.786 2.139 363.3 33274 19.33886937
9/30 Shell 18.02 2.079 338.8 32910 18.80133185
9/22 Exxon 19.975 2.229 402.5 32571 20.15018773
9/17 Exxon 20.394 2.399 376.7 32168 18.47111896
9/11 Chevron 20.019 2.499 411.9 31791 20.57545332
9/4 Exxon 9.528 2.529 194.9 31380 20.45549958
9/4 Exxon 13.682 2.639 273 31185 19.95322321
8/28 Shell 19.982 2.689 367.6 30912 18.3965569
8/21 Exxon 19.435 2.819 379 30544 19.50090044
8/13 Exxon 19.837 2.949 388.5 30165 19.58461461
8/7 Chevron 17.763 3.159 359.2 29776 20.22180938
7/31 Chevron 21.005 2.959 387 29417 18.42418472
7/17 Exxon 18.25 2.919 383.3 29030 21.00273973

dboz

12-29-2006, 10:10 PM

shingles

12-30-2006, 06:51 AM

Good info. It looks like you do get pretty good averages overall. I think I just get on it too much and don't care about the MPG anymore as I have just gotten used to it and gotten over my buyers remorse!! The truck is excellent in all other catagories but to me the fit and finish is a little below the typical HONDA standard (dash creaks and rattles especially when cold). I still say it looks weird even after a year but from the drivers seat I love it.

There are two places that rattle in my dash (doesn't do it all the time, but when it does, it is always from these places): 1) the speaker grills... since it doesn't do ti that offen, I just ignore it. 2) the nav screen... it did this for about 2 weeks but has since stopped.

Over all, this is still a very well constructed truck... but the competition is catching up. I will say this though - I still wouldn't buy another truck out there because this one is PERFECT for my needs. Other trucks either ride too rough, not stable enough, too big, too loud, or I just don't like them.

brandont

12-30-2006, 07:34 AM

shingles

12-30-2006, 08:51 AM

By the way, Car and Driver just did a piece on the new MDX. Rated at 17/22 mpg, weight is 4,600, 5 speed auto, 300hp/275ft-lbs 3.7L V6 - but C&D observed was 13mpg! I guess I'm lucky to be getting 16 on my RL.
Those guys (magazine testers) have lead foot... espcially on a vehicle that can actually move a little.

tuff_kuffs

12-30-2006, 09:05 AM

jayllinium

01-08-2007, 07:56 PM

brand does not matter, it's all in your driving habits
I average 19.5 in houston traffic commute (40 miles a day). Going to and from dallas to see the in-laws, I do 22-23mpg.

You cannot accelerate aggresively... you have to be gentle with the throttle.

It was a hard transition for me. I am used to driving my S2000 and my wife's RSX-S at the track. But once adjusted I am getting "good" MPG.

I sort of disagree and agree with this statement. Brand does matter, but so does driving habits. They both are very important in the mileage that you get. Sure, the gas truck that refills the EXXON station might drive next door and fill up the SHELL station as well, it is alot of the times the same gas, but what makes the gas different is the additives that those two stations place in the gas once it is in their reserve tanks. Some companies like SHELL have that special cleaning additive that they place in their gas and it runs through my RL like water. I now EXCLUSIVELY use EXXON and nothing else. Yeah, it might be more expensive, but I get 22-24mpg on it where in my experiments SHELL and CITGO have given me about 16mpg. It's not the gas per say, it is the additives of the company you get gas at.

Cheers,
Jay

brandont

01-09-2007, 06:40 AM

Makes sense to me. The RL is the only vehicle I know of that advises using premium under heavier loading for better gas mileage. So if you tend to use more throttle, loading the engine more, then perhaps you would see an increase. I will test this next tank and report back. I have been getting 15.8-16.0mpg, very consistent.
Also, a quick chart - At 2.30 for 87, 2.40 for 89, and 2.50 for 93 - You need a 4.3% and 8.7% increase in milage to make the $/mile work out.

Cost % MPG $/Mile
2.3 16 0.14375
2.4 1.043478 16.69565 0.14375
2.5 1.086957 17.3913 0.14375

Ok, time to report back. I ran my tank dry and filled up with 93. Unfortunately when I filled up I calculated 17 mpg (on the 87) - much higher than ever before. Then I drove for half a tank on the 93 and got 17.4mpg. Every other tank had been 15.8-16.

So, I need to do a double-blind. IOW - I have to run THIS tank dry (2 weeks) then fill up with 87 again and see how that does. So it will be 3 weeks before I have convincing numbers. I am almost certainly getting better mileage, but it may not be worth it from a cost standpoint.

I also did the GPS / ODO test and my odometer is within 1%. That's on my car, you mileage may vary. (Get it?)

grizzfan

01-09-2007, 08:48 AM

During the summer months I get 21-22 on the interstate and near 18 in town.

But from November through February we have a mandatory 10% addition of ethanol to our gas to prevent smog (!).

Gas mileage suffers horribly; last fill-up was 14.48 mpg for in town driving only. I'm pretty light footed too.

Do any of you high-mileagers have the curse of mandatory ethanol during some months of the year?

Tom

MikeT

01-09-2007, 08:50 AM

Do any of you high-mileagers have the curse of mandatory ethanol during some months of the year?

Tom

Yep, we have it year round here in the DFW.

grizzfan

01-09-2007, 08:54 AM

Yep, we have it year round here in the DFW.

Are you getting the 20-22 mpg or am I just one of those right-wing reactionaries??!! :D

Tom

MikeT

01-09-2007, 08:59 AM

Are you getting the 20-22 mpg or am I just one of those right-wing reactionaries??!! :D

Tom

I am averaging just under 22mpg on trips longer than 300 miles using cruise control with the AC set to auto. Not using CC for the same distances, I average in the high teens.

bulldogGolf

01-09-2007, 10:03 AM

This MPG thread is interesting. I think that I've been brainwashed by 10 years of driving an Accord and getting about 28 mpg. Going from 28 to 16 is quite a shock, but I knew the deal going into this so I can't be too upset.
The things I gain by upgrading to this truck are amazing compared to the 1996 Accord. My new Accord cost $18,000 and my used Ridgeline RTL loaded (14k) cost me 26,750. I think the upgrade is well worth the price.

dboz

01-10-2007, 08:17 PM

I no longer care about the gas mileage as my truck is over a year old and I just drive it now and don't worry. I think on average now it is 18-20. I have never really averaged above that number. That was the original purpose of this thread as many stated they were getting 22-24 on average. I thought the spread in those numbers was ridiculous. I live in OHIO and it is pretty flat. So unless we use different air, our roads have more friction, or we just get the cruddy gas, it does not make sense to me. Yes, some people may get a super engine in their truck. I mean every once in a while the tolerance gods line up and everything snugs up with perfect specs. I guess the way I feel after this length of time is that if I continue to get on it, which I do constantly now, over the course of a year it costs me about $300 for my FUN for the EXTRA gas I blow through. So I have come to realize extra money spent is the cost of my entertainment and I am fine with it. I do think for a truck these things feel quick. Overall, I love this truck. IMO, I just wished it looked a little better.

shingles

02-05-2007, 07:19 AM

geotech

02-05-2007, 07:40 AM

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/01/king_of_the_hypermilers.html

The person is a "hyper miler" and gets 50+ in an accord... after reading the article I decided to try a few things... I did not go to any extreme like mentioned in the article.

I simply did two things: 1) coast more often and 2) accelerate slowly off of a deal stop. Actually, I did do a third thing - anticipate traffic. As for coasting, all I simply do is let off of the gas earlier when I am coming up for a turn, light, or stop sign. I think for most people, we stay on the gas till it's about time to stop, than we hit the brakes. But instead of doing that, I might now let off of the gas 1/4 to 1/2 mile before I would normally start braking. I also anticipate the traffic a bit more - if I see a lot of brake lights ahead, I'll let off the gas to slow down vs riding up to the traffic and than braking. The other one thing I do is off of a dead stop, I accelerate slow(er). Doing these things hasn't really "crimped my style". But I noticed when I am doing these things, I am picking up anywhere from 1/2 to 1 mpg... same driving routes. I've noticed this for 2 tanks... the last tank, I wasn't doing it and I am back to my normal mpg.

So for those that are interested in better mpg... might be worth a try.
I refuse to do some of those things if it is an inconvenience to those around me. The world has enough inconsiderate drivers without me being so pius as to cause those behind me to suffer, i.e., coasting for blocks in anticipation of a street light change on a two lane road with traffic behind me. Even my Accord gets poor mileage idling! ;)

However, ever since my mileage has been in steady decline (referenced in this and other threads), I have been driving very different (like above) in an effort to bring the mpg back up to the initial 18-20. Nothing has worked. Better driving habits have had no affect. New air filters and oil changes. Nothing helps. You could say "well, just think how bad your mpg would be if you hadn't changed your habits." My response would be "well, if it drops another 3 mpg it would match my Silverado 4x4 and try to guess which one of the two I choose to drive!" ;)

CBRidgeJockey

02-05-2007, 07:55 AM

My driving habits have changed....even my wife and kids say I drive like a Grampa....:D :D :D Just to keep her at 18 - 20 mpg's.

shingles

02-05-2007, 11:18 AM

I refuse to do some of those things if it is an inconvenience to those around me. The world has enough inconsiderate drivers without me being so pius as to cause those behind me to suffer, i.e., coasting for blocks in anticipation of a street light change on a two lane road with traffic behind me. Even my Accord gets poor mileage idling! ;)

However, ever since my mileage has been in steady decline (referenced in this and other threads), I have been driving very different (like above) in an effort to bring the mpg back up to the initial 18-20. Nothing has worked. Better driving habits have had no affect. New air filters and oil changes. Nothing helps. You could say "well, just think how bad your mpg would be if you hadn't changed your habits." My response would be "well, if it drops another 3 mpg it would match my Silverado 4x4 and try to guess which one of the two I choose to drive!" ;)

Is the MPG drop before or after the mods on the truck? I noticed the bullbars and the 2" lift... I can't imagine either one being good for mpg.

I agree with you on being inconsiderate... however, coasting 1/4 mile where you lose speed slowly when coming to a red light I don't believe is inconsiderate. Now I won't do any of the other more extreme stuff in that article.. but I believe simple things can help.

VT RAIDER

02-05-2007, 11:21 AM

I am just curious for those of you getting the EASY 20-22 highway numbers if you could post what BRAND of gas you use. Maybe I am using some cheap stuff but it is frustrating to hear such high numbers when I am stuck in the 16 to 17 range.

I am not getting the 20-22 highway; and let us not talk about the city estimate (which, I understand because I am in stop and go traffic during my commute)...

geotech

02-05-2007, 11:33 AM

Is the MPG drop before or after the mods on the truck? I noticed the bullbars and the 2" lift... I can't imagine either one being good for mpg.

No. The bull bar (50lbs) and the lift were very early. Both way before the second oil change (11k)! I also changed the air filter too. It needed it as I operate in fairly dusty conditions (gravel roads, cultivated fields and dry pastures). Air Filter was from H & A. Steady decline ever since.
The only variable I haven't tried is synthetic oil. That's next!

FLA-Vyk

02-05-2007, 01:41 PM

shingles

02-06-2007, 10:23 AM

This has been an interesting read. I drive 23 miles one way on the Interstate at between 70-75mph for work. I do good to get 18mpg. I just figured that was was it was going to be for MPG with the Ridgeline. Seeing folks saying that there gettin 20mpg, I going to talk to the dealership and have this checked out.

I am not sure the dealership can do much to help you out. They only thing they'll do is probably steal more of your money by telling you to change x, y, z.

I know often times, we think we are driving slow or conservative, but in reality we aren't (as far as max mpg is concerned). This truck is EXTREMELY sensitive to throttle input when it comes to MPG. Some things to consider on your commute: do you change speeds often in your drive? Remember anytime you have to lift off of the gas or apply brakes, you have to give it gas to get back up to your 70-75. When you get back on the gas, do you try to keep the truck in 5th gear? Or do you give it enough gas to down shift to 4th. (It doesn't take too much throttle input to get it to down shift.) I've learned that to get max mpg on the freeway, it's ok to cruise at 70-75... but HOW you get there and how you stay at that speed is key. If you are having to slow down a lot and down shift to 4th to getback to speed, it will effect mpg greatly.

Rontopia

02-06-2007, 12:57 PM

Ridgeline Options:
Tonneau Cover, silver side steps, front & moon roof wind screen, window drip shields, tow bar package, door and dash trim kit, tail light accent, roof rack, front/rear chrome trim kit, and bed flip over bed extender. STEEL BLUE RULES.

I beleive some of these options cause drag and will effect your MPG. roofrack, sidestep and wind screens. I have also read that because of the unusual shape of this truck that the Tonneau Cover actually takes away MPG rather then adding.. 18mpg with all these options is about right I would think.

MikeT

02-11-2007, 08:01 AM

Yesterday I completed two identical 400 mile drives. I filled up at a gas station that is at the intersection of Matlock and I20 for both trips. All I had in the truck besides myself was about 80 pounds of gear and full size spare in the trunk.

For the first trip, I used 87 octane and drive 70mph using the cruise / speed control the entire way.
I averaged just over 21mpg.

For the second trip, I filled up with 93octane and used cruise / speed control the entire way.
I averaged just under 22mpg.

Octane did not appear to make that much of a difference in milage. During accelleration portion to get on the highway was done keeping the revs at close to 3k each trip. I was also lucky in that I did not run into much traffic that required alot of speed changes. There was also about fifteen miles of city driving for each trip. During the city driving, my shifts were sometimes around 4k, but most of the shifts occured aroung the 3k level.

After these two trips, I made an 80 mile trip (From home to work and back) driving as close to 75 mph as I could maintain in traffic with numerous speed changes.
I averaged 16.5mpg for this trip.

geotech

02-11-2007, 08:38 AM

Yesterday I completed a second roundtrip, this time in the Accord because I wasn't going to be hauling anything back that couldn't be placed in the trunk. Three weeks ago I took the RL in anticipation on bring back some funiture. Didn't happen. Both trips to the same place and back under nearly identical conditions, i.e., 80% Interstate/Turnpike at 75mph, 10% highway at 60mph & 10% local/city. Same gas station & even same pump. Here's why I took the Accord:

In my RTL: 253 miles @ 16.1 gallons = 15.7 mpg (better ride)
In my Accord: 249 MILES @ 8.5 gallons = 29.3 mpg (more power)

Now I'm not whinning so much as I am confused. :confused: Why, Why, Why??? I need to understand. I have seriously done all those things to increase mileage: tire pressure, filters, cruise control. As I have previously posted, this same truck doing the same trip/conditions used to get over 19mpg before I have 10k on it. A marked and steady decline in mileage. This runs contrary to common sense and personal experience. Bad computer? Bad sensors? Maybe my SM will have some ideas. There have none forthcoming from the forum.

MikeT

02-11-2007, 10:33 AM

Geo,

Have you checked to see if your truck has any hung break caliper issues? Long shot, but if the milage is getting worse over time, you should try looking for increasing drag (Brakes, transmission, rearend diff, ect.). Doublecheck the transmission fluid level and condition. Check the rear differential fluids level and condition. Also have your alignment checked. I do not know why your milage would fall off if the truck is in good running order unless the drag increases. The best I ever saw (So it could have been a fluke) was 24mpg in Colorado. This was followed by a tank of gas from Texas that yielded 21mpg. Good luck in finding the culprit.

geotech

02-11-2007, 01:20 PM

Thanks, MikeT.
It makes sense that drag could be a factor (like underinflated tires). I had the VTM service done when indicated by the service minder by a Honda Dealer. It seems as peppy as ever though. I tried a higher octane fuel too. Little more power (or so I thought) but no real quantifiable change in mileage.
I have to bring it up to the dealer very soon to have other items addressed under warranty and I'll express the concerns you raised with him. I had the strut problem that, when replaced, resulted in the steering wheel a little off center. The truck also has a slight pull to the right and will be realigned when the steering wheel is straightened. All fluids will be checked also. Maybe some computer diagnostics are in order! :eek:

shingles

02-12-2007, 07:33 AM

geotech

02-12-2007, 12:31 PM

Geotech - what part of the country do you live in? Do you guys get oxygenated winter gas? I am in Texas so the gas is the same year round... But a few years back, when we went to denver, that winter gas did a number on my mpg. Did you get the 19.x in the summer time?
We do get that winter gas out here in frozen Kansas.
No, the steady decline was in the summer too.
BTW, I took the truck up to Topeka for some other warranty work and I spoke with SM Greg about my mileage concerns and MikeT's suggestions. Sharp Honda will do some checking into it. They will have it 3 days! :( Major withdrawl.

ProfessorTomoe

02-12-2007, 10:12 PM

I filled up at a gas station that is at the intersection of Matlock and I20 for both trips.
What brand of gas did you use? Also, how much mileage is on your Ridgeline? I've been using Valero regular unleaded and have just over 3000 miles on my RTS.

I'm starting to see 17.5 on my daily commute on I-635 (from I-30 in Garland over to the Bush Turnpike in Irving, working night shift with very light traffic both ways). My wife got 17.9 on a round-trip to Austin a couple of weeks ago. This is up from the 16 mpg we were getting when it was new.

MikeT

02-13-2007, 01:12 AM

What brand of gas did you use? Also, how much mileage is on your Ridgeline? I've been using Valero regular unleaded and have just over 3000 miles on my RTS.

I'm starting to see 17.5 on my daily commute on I-635 (from I-30 in Garland over to the Bush Turnpike in Irving, working night shift with very light traffic both ways). My wife got 17.9 on a round-trip to Austin a couple of weeks ago. This is up from the 16 mpg we were getting when it was new.

I believe the station on the southeast corner is a Shell station and I just passed 20,000 on the odometer.

MontanaFred

02-13-2007, 07:40 AM

An interesting article lists the Ridgeline in the "BEST" category as far as mpg. It measured the Ridgeline at 15 mpg. I get 20.5 because my commute is almost all highway miles.

SUVs That Stretch Fuel Dollars
(http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/02/cr_suv_mileage.html)
Pickups

• Best: Toyota Tacoma (V6), 17 mpg; Chevrolet Colorado LS (5-cyl.), 16 mpg; Honda Ridgeline RTS, 15 mpg; Nissan Frontier LE (V6), 15mpg.
• Worst: Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (5.7, V8), 11 mpg; Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (4.7, V8), 12 mpg; Nissan Titan SE (5.6, V8), 13 mpg; Chevrolet Avalanche LT (5.3, V8), 13 mpg.

Consumer Reports' overall fuel economy results are calculated by an equally weighted average of city, highway and one-day trip mpg ratings. CR's city mpg tests are stop-and-go driving simulations, which have 18 stops, a total of 4 minutes of idle time, and speeds up to 40 mph. Highway mpg tests are run on a section of highway near CR's testing facility.

Two testers make eight 5-mile runs at a constant 65 mph. The tests are run in both directions to limit the effects of wind and grade differences. CR's one-day trip test represents a mixed driving cycle. Five different engineers drive vehicles back-to-back on the same day over a 31-mile route (155 miles total) that includes 26 percent freeway, 11 percent two-lane highway, and 63 percent varied rural roads with corners and mild elevation changes

id demon loose

02-13-2007, 08:57 AM

Face it Ridge Riders. The Ridge is a fairly big vehicle with a VTech engine. I just love how she kicks of her shoes and picks up her skirt whenever asked. The real issue is why are we paying so much for gas with oil companies making record profits. Maybe Chavez is not so crazy after all.:)

jboy08

02-13-2007, 09:15 AM

I just love how she kicks off her shoes and picks up her skirt whenever asked.
haha, great statement.

topgum1

02-14-2007, 05:05 PM

Has anyone tried the Vortex type air intakes available after market which are touted to improve the milage? Would like feed back and reference to source. thanks topgum

MikeT

02-14-2007, 05:12 PM

Has anyone tried the Vortex type air intakes available after market which are touted to improve the milage? Would like feed back and reference to source. thanks topgum

Save your money, it does not work. You will be adding another restriction into a path that you want the least restriction in.

boxsky

02-14-2007, 05:41 PM

Save your money, it does not work. You will be adding another restriction into a path that you want the least restriction in.

+1 They don't work at ALL! I still can't figure how they get away with making those claims when they have been proven false.

RidgeMaster02

02-19-2007, 07:11 PM

I drive mine like an old man and I still only get about 18 mpg highway!
I have varied my habits to see if I can better the mpg and I still get about 18 both highway and city. The best I have ever gotten was 20 and that was once, with the wind at my back going from Dallas to Houston. And per Honda's recommendation to use name brand gas, that doesn't apply to everyone. I get worse mpg when I use Exxon, Texaco, Chevron and Shell. My RTS likes its gas like I like my ladies, dirty and cheap!!

Daniel M.

02-23-2007, 01:33 PM

This is only my second posting, but gotta jump in on this one!

My RL is an 2006 RTS that I got at the end of the year and only have 3,000 on it so far. Right after it rolled over 700 miles we fully loaded the trunk and the bed with as much as we could pack in, put our 5 year old grandaughter and all her "necessary" stuff in the back seat with the dog and headded for Yuma, Az. from Santa Rosa, Ca. The trip is 722 miles down I-5, over the grapevine, through LA. Total overall milage for that trip was 23MPG. Coming back, nothing much in the trunk/bed, still had the grandaughter and dog, and pulled a 1800lb empty utility trailer back. Overall gas milage was 16MPG for the return trip.

regular driving, I get aout 22MPG freeway, 16MPG city.

I use whatever gas is the cheapest (mostly from Costco). Consumer Reports Mag. recently did a report on gasoline and stated no difference in the quality of gas out of the refineries, but additives, which vary from state to state do make a difference.

Our other car is a Toyota Prius (we have averaged 50MPG over 35,000 miles) and I drive the RL like the Prius. Anticipate traffic, coast to intersections/lights (not to interfere with other drivers), watch tire pressure, accelerate very slowly, keep the car clean (toyota says it makes a difference) and use the cruise control to the maximum extent possible.

One thing I have noticed is using the resume feature of the cruise control can adversly affect milage. If I am doing 70 with the cruise control and get stuck behind a truck with traffic in the left lane, I have to disengage the cruise control. When I can get out from behind the truck, and if I use the "resume" on the cruise control, it accelerates very fast to get up to the set speed. This of couse sucks up more gas. If I baby it and slowly build my speed back up, then press either the "set" or "resume" button, it really helps.

Regardless, I think the RL is a great truck! I have had a Dodge, Chev. and a Ford truck and this one is the best!;)

c_duncan_pe

02-23-2007, 04:01 PM

Our other car is a Toyota Prius

Maybe you could put the Prius in the bed of your RL and use is as an escape pod.:D

Sorry, I could not resist.

Welcome to ROC.

CD

geotech

02-23-2007, 05:25 PM

Maybe you could put the Prius in the bed of your RL and use is as an escape pod.:D
CD
We've actually given this some thought! ;) Not as an escape pod but as a "town car" as it gets better mileage in city driving than highway.
BTW, she has gotten about 40 mpg for over 4 years. It was taken to the dealer for some scheduled work. The Toyota SM said "oh by the way, there was a software flash for your car and we did it while it was in." Her mileage instantly went to 48 mph. That's a 20% increase!! Can't wait for the Honda dealer to tell me the same, then I'd be getting 19 mpg!

c_duncan_pe

02-23-2007, 07:17 PM

kermit777

02-24-2007, 08:03 AM

two weeks ago got my worst mileage in a while with an average of 17.4 mpg for the tank due to the snow we had giving me a 2 hour 55 mile commute for 3 days in a row (couple accidents as well as plow convoys and the snow all helped slow me and double my commute time). filled up friday though and the average mpg for this tank was right at 20 even though I was pounding the snot out of the throttle and rpms were up near the redline at times. have been using same gas station for all fill ups as well.

gonzo's rt

02-25-2007, 07:28 AM

geotech

02-25-2007, 08:22 AM

GEOTECH...comparing the mileage of your Ridgeling to your Accord is like comparing apples to oranges.
The Ridgeline total weight is close to 4,500 pounds, the Accord maybe 3,000 pounds.
Ridgeline drag coeficient (because of being less aerodinamic), will cause more drag and will require more horsepower to push through the air. Thereby, lower mileage. Simple equation: more weight and drag = lower gas mileage.
My Winnebago motorhome would get about 6 mpg and that was with a strong back wind going downhill!
Couldn't agree any more! :)
The entire point was that as the 3.5 V6 Accord aged the mileage got better while the reverse has been true for the Ridge. Other than the fact that they are both Hondas, this was the extent of the comparison.
Please forgive me for not making that more obvious. You would have to read my prior posts to this thread to understand. Sorry.

zinger084

02-26-2007, 06:36 AM

Actually, I drive a my old 1990 Accord to work and around town driving for the gas mileage it gets (~31 mpg with 229,000 miles on it, still runs well). I drive my RL on weekends and family trips and to haul stuff. I understand wanting a more economical vehicle. Regards, CD

I still drive my 91 Accord with 156,000 on it to work and school and it gets around 32-35 in the summer on the highway. I love this thing too much to get rid of it...

djeaux

02-26-2007, 07:21 AM

To Geotech: My RL's mpg has been improving pretty steadily over time, so I've got to wonder if you don't have some sort of parasitic drag happening, maybe related to the lift kit. (I'm wondering if you have CV joints or some other point that is not acting as smooth as it should.) I turned 10K miles this weekend & the mpg has improved rather consistently from right at 17 mpg at purchase to just under 20 mpg now, on average.

On board computer: I have read that the ECU "learns" your driving pattern over time. I am wondering if the really low mpg's reported by some folks reflect driving the overall driving pattern (e.g., if a person mainly drives urban/suburban, the mpg locks in a little lower than if the person makes frequent highway runs with the cruise set for several hours at a stretch).

Odometer error: With the widely publicized class action about Honda odos being up to 5% off, I have wondered if some of the folks with relatively early build dates are reporting 22-23 mpg readings based on an inaccurate odometer reading. (A 5% correction on a 22 mpg calculation puts us back around 20 mpg.)

Crappy winter gas & sloppy pump calibration: Not a big problem here in Upper Margaritaville, but I have noticed that some pumps seem to give me better mpg. I attribute this to calibration & the variability is right on the cusp of being statistically significant in some cases. Maybe we should quit complaining about the Ridgeline & file complaints against the gas stations!

geotech

02-26-2007, 08:19 AM

To Geotech: My RL's mpg has been improving pretty steadily over time, so I've got to wonder if you don't have some sort of parasitic drag happening, maybe related to the lift kit. (I'm wondering if you have CV joints or some other point that is not acting as smooth as it should.) I turned 10K miles this weekend & the mpg has improved rather consistently from right at 17 mpg at purchase to just under 20 mpg now, on average.

On board computer: I have read that the ECU "learns" your driving pattern over time. I am wondering if the really low mpg's reported by some folks reflect driving the overall driving pattern (e.g., if a person mainly drives urban/suburban, the mpg locks in a little lower than if the person makes frequent highway runs with the cruise set for several hours at a stretch).
djeaux,
On the first one: Makes me wonder. I had new tires put on last week. When the truck was lifted, the front wheels voluntarily rotated to lock to the left. I just got the vehicle back from the Honda dealer the week before. They straightned the steering wheel that was off center due to the front struts that were replaced under warranty last summer (da boing sound). The front end was aligned at both times and it tracks perfectly. I need to talk to the SM about the front voluntarily rotating to lock. Common sense, you, personal experience and the SM all agree that mileage should increase after breakin. :confused:
Second one: When it was in two weeks ago, I discussed the decreasing mileage with the SM. He ran tests and said they found nothing unusual. He said he had seen something similar once in a 3.5 '06 Pilot. It finally spit out a code. I don't recall what he said it was. My normal driving is 10-50 miles on cruise followed by 2-5 miles extreme stop and go.

Certainly winter gas out here in corn country is heavily ethanol'ed and even when it's not winter, ethanol is still everywhere. I have tried a couple of tanks of high grade without seeing any real difference.

dboz

06-08-2007, 08:33 PM

After 24000 miles I still average 19-20. It does not matter how I drive I always get the same. No better, sometimes worse. 23 is amazing to me. Maybe there are a few perfect motors or setups that come down the line once in a while but I did not get one of them.

4WDave

07-02-2007, 10:26 PM

I drive 100 miles/day from 5400 feet elevation up in the Sierra down to 300 feet, and back up. I get 20 mpg in the summer and 19 mpg in the winter -- all on Costco gas. I keep track of every gallon and mile driven on an SPC x-bar and r chart, and the overall average mpg keeps kreeping upward -- even as I approach 59000 miles.

I can't say that I baby it, but I don't floor it very often.

Anyone else have a mystery rattle in the dashboard area? Hard to describe the sound.

MikeT

07-02-2007, 10:30 PM

Anyone else have a mystery rattle in the dashboard area? Hard to describe the sound.

Check the speaker covers up by the a pillars, the sunvisor clips (Mine rattled with the sun visor down), the glove box dampener (Items inside included), anything loose in any of the cubbies (Above the glovebox, sunglasses holder, Not-an-Ashtray, ect) :eek:

Sorry there is so much listed, but if you take the time you should be finished in about twenty minutes or so ;)

Ridgefly

07-10-2007, 05:41 PM

All brand new honda's under 3000 miles will have horrible milage.. When I first started driving highway I got about 16 with about 1100 miles on the dash.. Now I have 5500 miles and I am getting about 21 Hwy and 18 city..

dboz

07-10-2007, 05:49 PM

I average 19-20 MPG now. 26,000 miles. It does not matter how I drive. I floor it as often as I want and I may dip to 18-19. I just do not care anymore. Got used to it and now just enjoy the smooth ride. A little too much wind noise though.

jackbluecolorado

07-16-2007, 11:32 PM

I would like the same info. I am mired in the 16-17 rut also. Frankly is 20 MPG really possible?

MikeT

07-17-2007, 02:00 AM

I would like the same info. I am mired in the 16-17 rut also. Frankly is 20 MPG really possible?

In city driving, I am averaging anywhere between 15mpg to 17mpg. On the highway I am averaging 19mpg to 21mpg. My milage is directly dependant on the driving style I am using for that tank of gas (Hard starts and stops or shifting at or under 3300rpms). Also, I only use 87 octane gas from whatever station I stop at.

Webwader

07-17-2007, 08:15 AM

Frankly is 20 MPG really possible?
Yes it is. On a road trip in April I averaged 23.05 mpg over 6,109 miles.

Cajun Country Ridgeline

07-17-2007, 08:49 AM

I have not been on a long trip since last December. A couple of months before
that, I went to the Gulf Coast ROC meet in Abita Springs, La.
That weekend we made 23 miles per gallon.

I now have almost 26,000 miles and in town which is unbelieable traffic jams,
you cant get away from them.
I make as low as 15mpg, the best I have done in town is 17mpg.

Looking forward to our trip to St. Louis Got fresh oil, new air filter, new pollen filter, etc.

We use Shell gas and Circle K 87octane.

We will do about 3500 miles at the end of this month and we will see how it all
turns out. Going to the Ozarks, on to St. Louis. From there up to Northern IL.
and on up into WS.

xridgelinex

07-17-2007, 08:58 AM

I would like the same info. I am mired in the 16-17 rut also. Frankly is 20 MPG really possible?

Welcome to the ROC.... Yes it is possible. Watch the tach and learn the shift points. If you find yourself with most of the driving above 2000 rpm you will not get 20 mpg. Also you will not receive 20mpg with out a lot of highway driving...

JOZ RIDG

07-17-2007, 11:15 AM

Welcome to the ROC.... Yes it is possible. Watch the tach and learn the shift points. If you find yourself with most of the driving above 2000 rpm you will not get 20 mpg. Also you will not receive 20mpg with out a lot of highway driving...

I agree.

On my recent 4,650 mile trip I got the best mpg cruising at 2000 rpm.

I experimented quite a bit between fill ups and 4hr driving intervals.

BTW - After 3 days of driving I found this bit of trivia but, it makes a difference.

In your normal driving position your head is directly in front of the speedometer and I was keeping it right on 75 mph and 2000 rpm's, - I thought.

But, tilt your head to the left of the steering wheel and check the real rpm's.

In photo #1 I'm right on 75 mph with respect to my head posistion, not the camera's.

I started tilting my head to the left of the steering wheel and looking squarely at the tachometer at various speeds.

In photos #2 & #3 is what my true rpm's were at 75 mph.

It was always around 2250 to 2350 rpms.
Not significant, you would think, but it makes a difference driving all day long.

No matter what speed driven, the tachometer was always 250 to 350 rpms higher than what I observed with my head in the normal driving position.

I found my best mpg at 2000 rpm @ around 70 to 73 mph.

PS. Forget about using cruise control and getting good mileage except on fairly level roads.

Everytime I came apon a moderate grade the cruise control would hammer down the throttle to try and keep up the speed.
The rpm's would usually jump up by 500 or more.

I learned to cancel cruise control at the begining of any significant grade and feather the throttle to keep the rpms constant until the trans would have to downshift only at the crest of some grades.
Doing that correctly I found that I could make most grades without downshifting.
.
.
.
.

chisoxjim

07-17-2007, 11:19 AM

typically 2,500 rpm's for my RL is with the cruise control set at 85 mph.

I am still consistantly getting an overall average of 19 mpg as I near breaking the 80,000 mile mark maybe on this afternoons commute home.

zeeflogist

07-17-2007, 12:14 PM

Usually on the highway I go between 75 and 80 with the a/c on (not carrying much) and get about 19.5 mpg. Has anyone figured out the mpg difference between going 65/70/75/80/85?

just ducky

07-28-2007, 10:30 PM

ChrisM

07-28-2007, 10:43 PM

are the people with ridgelines that are getting overd i only get 15-17 20 mpg equiped with or without the solid bed cover???

im new here, and i will work on my profile and all that but im in las vegas, and i drive agressivly and i only get 15-17 MPG, has anybody tried cold air induction? tornados? or anything like that???

thanks guys
Mike
06 RL
las vegas

There are a ton of threads on the questions you asked. I think the key to your mileage dilemma is with your "aggressive" driving. Good gas mileage comes with light to moderate use of the gas pedal during acceleration. I can still eek out 21 mpg on the freeway with all of the crap I have mounted on my truck during the summertime and get right at 18 mpg in the winter. I have a grille guard, a bug deflector and tail light guards which all generate a lot of aerodynamic drag. I think my tonneau helps to equalize the whole mess. :)

3FOOT

08-07-2007, 09:13 AM

I am just curious for those of you getting the EASY 20-22 highway numbers if you could post what BRAND of gas you use. Maybe I am using some cheap stuff but it is frustrating to hear such high numbers when I am stuck in the 16 to 17 range.

I wish I could get even 16-17. I get 14-15 with a K&N Air Intake, Irridium Spark Plugs, and synthetic oil. I am at 25k miles and it is not getting any better. Tires always at correct psi, cared for meticulously. I find that the RTL's get worse mileage than the cheaper ones for some reason. Even though they are the same engine.

bigred1

08-07-2007, 09:38 AM

Just filled up myself. 12.5 mpg :( my worst yet.

xridgelinex

08-07-2007, 09:41 AM

I wish I could get even 16-17. I get 14-15 with a K&N Air Intake, Irridium Spark Plugs, and synthetic oil. I am at 25k miles and it is not getting any better. Tires always at correct psi, cared for meticulously. I find that the RTL's get worse mileage than the cheaper ones for some reason. Even though they are the same engine.

Get rid of your K& N and put back your OEM spark plugs. Both have been designed for the RL to achieve optimal performance...

Ahab

08-07-2007, 10:12 AM

Get rid of your K& N and put back your OEM spark plugs. Both have been designed for the RL to achieve optimal performance...

How very true. The stock intake is a better cold air design than the aftermarkets and the plugs have been mentioned elsewhere here. When I switched to synthetic, my mileage didn't change one iota. It is a truck and needs to be driven like one. Mine has 40k and does 20+mpg on the highway, a bit more if I don't need the air. I don't drive like gramp's either. Head winds, crappy gas like the Texans use, serious uphills at higher elevations, all will bring down the mpg.:rolleyes:

xridgelinex

08-07-2007, 10:32 AM

I agree.

Everytime I came apon a moderate grade the cruise control would hammer down the throttle to try and keep up the speed. The rpm's would usually jump up by 500 or more.

I learned to cancel cruise control at the begining of any significant grade and feather the throttle to keep the rpms constant until the trans would have to downshift only at the crest of some grades.
Doing that correctly I found that I could make most grades without downshifting.

With I do is as I approach the base of the hill I will tap the up button on cruise up 3 times and as I am ascending the hill, I will tap back 3 to 4 time through out... This usually gives me a 5 mph decline as I approach the apex, keeping my RL in 5th... It takes a little practice but I cannot say it will work for you because I keep my highway speed at 69-70.

@ 69 mph it is directly on 2000 rpms.

Hawk

08-07-2007, 10:35 AM

I am just curious for those of you getting the EASY 20-22 highway numbers if you could post what BRAND of gas you use.

It isn't the brand of fuel as I use numerous stations. My truck is all stock, and still getting oil changes done at the dealership. To reach 21-23 mpg (at freeway speeds of 70-75 mph), I turn off the environmental control system, and use the cruise control. Most of my travel is along the eastern shore so the roads are mostly flat. And, it's just usually me and my dog as occupants. No heavy loading or anything......... :cool:

MikeT

08-07-2007, 11:23 AM

Just got back from the National Meet in Saint Louis, MO. I drove to Saint Louis, MO from Arlington, TX and averaged 23mpg driving between 70-75 mph with AC set to auto and the cruise control activated. The drive was in calm conditions with heavy fog from Plano, TX into the very northern part of Oklahoma. I filled up with super unleaded for the trip up (Two fill ups, one a little over half way, the other after being there one day). One the way home, I was driving in 20-25mph crosswinds and headwinds cruising between 70-75mph and filled up twice (Again half way and at home with super) and averaged 17mpg. If you doubt the numbers on the way up, I drove up with Argen and he stated that he was seeing 18-19mpg on the way up in his truck.

My truck had just over 30k on it at the start of the trip and I use Mobile1 synthetic products in my truck and have a K&N drop in airfilter in the stock airbox.

boxsky

08-07-2007, 11:57 AM

I got 14.9mpg yesterday on a 90% freeway trip. Kept it around 82mph on hilly terrain.

When I head to the shore and keep it at 80mph I'll get around 17mpg. I think the guys telling me they do 80mph and get 22mpg are full of it, IMO

My best ever was 19mpg when brand new, doing 75mph on 50% level level terrain.

Ever since I passed around 20k it has gotten worse and leveled off to about 15mpg. City, Highway, 65mph or 90mph, doesn't matter I keep getting around 15mpg. Tried different grades of gas, different brands, no 1/2 to full throttle starts, tach around 2.5 to 3k. Nothing seems to make a difference so now I just beat the pizz out of it and I get the same mpg.:D

xridgelinex

08-07-2007, 01:13 PM

boxsky

08-07-2007, 01:16 PM

Really, who told you that?

Take it down to 69 and I bet you will see above 20.... That's what I am telling you...

I glad to see you are enjoying your RL... Because in the end that's what counts...

I have done the 65,70mph and it doesn't make a difference. I don't get it but it is what I have been getting. The truck now has 43k miles on it.

I read that BS on the forum by a few that say they get 22-25mpg at x and whne asked about 80 they give the 20mpg bit.

xridgelinex

08-07-2007, 01:27 PM

I have done the 65,70mph and it doesn't make a difference. I don't get it but it is what I have been getting. The truck now has 43k miles on it.

I take it you have had service done on it as the RL asks... Have you had a chance to make sure that the "air" pathway is clear including the air filter? That tends to be the culprit...

boxsky

08-07-2007, 01:31 PM

I take it you have had service done on it as the RL asks... Have you had a chance to make sure that the "air" pathway is clear including the air filter? That tends to be the culprit...

I swapped out the stock and put a K&N that I clean every 10k, no difference. Had all the services done by dealer, no difference, had the tranny TSB done, no difference. Put on a Gibson exhaust, no difference. Checked all plugs, no difference.

Only thing left is the O2 sensor. The vehicle does pass emissions though.

Cajun Country Ridgeline

08-07-2007, 01:43 PM

xridgelinex

08-07-2007, 01:48 PM

I swapped out the stock and put a K&N that I clean every 10k, no difference. Had all the services done by dealer, no difference, had the tranny TSB done, no difference. Put on a Gibson exhaust, no difference. Checked all plugs, no difference.

Only thing left is the O2 sensor. The vehicle does pass emissions though.

The only thing I know about the K&N filter is if it gets oiled incorrectly it gets clogged... and not clogged where you can judge it by eye. It seems you are cleaning it too often, unless you are riding in dust for most of the travels... Also if you over oil it, it will gunk up your intake...

You could always get a paper filter and replace the K&N to make sure the K&N filter is not the culprit itself. You may also want to take off the duct and take a look at the intro to the manifold and also run your fingers in the duct to see if it's greasy from the K&N filter oil...

25 Year Honda Owner

08-07-2007, 01:51 PM

I am in N. IL. with my grandson and wanted to see if anyone had posted any pics on the Nat. Ridge Run.

I have gotten great gas milage on this trip. on interstate I set cruise control at 69-70mpg. The rmps are just under 2,000rpm and I have gotten 21-22mpg gallon on three straight tank fill ups. I am going to wait until I get home and check my milage for the whole trip..................total miles and total gallons and see the true mpg for the 2 week trip.:) :)

Lots of pics posted http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16453 mostly of beer and ice in the pool.:rolleyes: BTW, the wife and I really enjoyed meeting you and Robin. Hope to see you again soon. I also averaged a little over 20 for the whole trip and that included the running around in St Louis and some high speed interstate driving.

Duncan

ronelm77

08-07-2007, 08:27 PM

I live in Colorado. I drive probably 65-80% highway and I use whatever 85 octane gas is cheapest when I fill up. As long as I'm not using 4WD I average 19-21 mpg consistently. It took a few thousand miles to get there but that's what it's been for the last year or so. Good luck. My Ridge is an 06 RTL.

Around town it really drops off to 16-18 mpg. I drive easy, too.

Joeyo

08-08-2007, 01:21 PM

I just hit 19,000 miles. Overall average (from new) MPG is 15.9 (mostly city driving). Best mileage so far was around 20MPG on a 300 mile trip.

I wish Honda would come out with a diesel version soon – I’m hopeful in two years… just in time for a new Ridgeline.:D

JoeyO

Webwader

08-08-2007, 04:41 PM

85 octane :eek: . Didnt think their was such a thing. Might want to try at least 87 I think thats what the book says to run.

Pretty common in the Midwest. We ran across lots of it on our trip. In some places if you wanted a higher octane rating, you had to get an ethanol blend.

rtsdave

08-10-2007, 07:16 AM

Latest my reserve light has illumintaed: 373.4

Latest fill-up (same tank): 20.308 gallons

best mpg ever (same tank): 20.7

woo hoo!

biggest fill-up ever: IIRC, 21.5 gallons

currently at 33700 miles

MontanaFred

08-11-2007, 11:52 AM

I have a somewhat ideal commute meaning I have one stoplight and one stop sign in 35 miles so If I'm lucky I stop once before I pull into the parking lot at work. I take it easy on the gas and go about 70 mph for 80% of the way. My truck has 35,000 miles on it and I use synthetic oil.

My last 8 tanks averaged 22.6 mpg. I should also add that I don't use the air conditioning much. I have an RT with those heavy steel wheels and my spare is a full size. Don't have any racks or bug shields, etc.

Don't worry that the tranny upgrade will effect your mpg because, at least for me, it made no difference or even might have improved my mpg. Last summer I average about 1 mpg lower but the improvement might just be the continual break-in that you get with more miles. I don't know.

I'm glad I don't drive in the city. I bought my truck in Houston Texas and If I remember correctly, my first few tanks there were 17 mpg.

I should also note that I have taken into account that my odometer is off a little. When it says I've gone 61 miles I've really only gone 60 miles. So when I calculate 23.00 miles per gallon I know it is really about 22.6 so that is what I reported here.

Webwader

08-23-2007, 10:58 AM

From the July issue of Car and Driver magazine in very positive long term test on the Ridgeline:
"Towing takes a toll on fuel economy, so we were mildly (but pleasantly) surprised when the Ridgeline's overall performance in this category scored 19 mpg, just a couple mpg short of its EPA highway rating."

It was also interesting to note that overall performance figures were better in all catergories at 40,000 miles than when the truck was new. It's nice to know that the RL just gets better with age.

bliss53

08-23-2007, 12:40 PM

Here is history if anyone is interested. There are some missing entries. Most of the gas in Exxon/Mobil

date odometer gallons price trip mileage
4/14/2005 1433 18.167 2.119 319 17.56
4/15/2005 1752 16.748 2.119 319 19.05
4/16/2005 2030 15.337 2.119 278 18.13
4/21/2005 2366 18.701 2.175 336 17.97
4/24/2005 2643 15.446 2.169 277 17.93
4/28/2005 2992 18.326 2.169 349 19.04
4/30/2005 3350 19.359 2.259 358 18.49
5/3/2005 3681 16.603 2.319 331 19.94
5/7/2005 4035 18.821 2.229 354 18.81
5/11/2005 4340 16.127 2.139 305 18.91
5/13/2005 4588 16.626 2.119 248 14.92
5/15/2005 4905 17.648 2.139 317 17.96
5/17/2005 5218 17.105 2.119 313 18.30
5/20/2005 5523 16.515 2.119 305 18.47
5/23/2005 5915 21.539 2.159 392 18.20
5/26/2005 6303 20.218 2.139 388 19.19
5/30/2005 6628 18.670 2.089 325 17.41
6/2/2005 7003 19.582 1.979 375 19.15
6/6/2005 7329 19.149 2.089 326 17.02
6/8/2005 7692 19.468 2.119 363 18.65
6/13/2005 8064 20.380 2.159 372 18.25
6/15/2005 8382 17.151 2.099 318 18.54
6/20/2005 8730 18.759 2.159 348 18.55
6/21/2005 8852 6.953 2.229 122 17.55
6/24/2005 9233 18.731 2.229 381 20.34
6/28/2005 9585 21.380 2.339 352 16.46
6/30/2005 9961 19.432 2.239 376 19.35
7/5/2005 10295 20.325 2.239 334 16.43
7/9/2005 10636 18.383 2.339 341 18.55
7/14/2005 11020 19.568 2.389 384 19.62
7/17/2005 11234 12.031 2.329 214 17.79
7/21/2005 11597 19.110 2.329 363 19.00
7/26/2005 12328 20.110 2.439 731
7/30/2005 12675 20.246 2.359 347 17.14
8/2/2005 13051 19.799 2.399 376 18.99
8/6/2005 13343 17.925 2.399 292 16.29
8/20/2005 14491 17.128 2.569 1148
8/24/2005 14822 18.683 2.569 331 17.72
8/26/2005 15127 18.685 2.569 305 16.35
8/29/2005 15418 17.766 2.589 290 16.35
9/1/2005 15757 18.715 3.099 339 18.11
9/7/2005 16087 17.431 3.099 330 18.93
9/20/2005 17047 17.047 3.939 960
9/23/2005 17369 16.346 2.799 322 19.70
10/1/2005 18088 21.730 2.899 719
10/4/2005 18458 19.072 2.779 370 19.40
10/7/2005 18788 16.914 2.749 330 19.51
10/12/2004 19117 17.609 2.669 329 18.68
10/16/2005 19482 18.709 2.699 365 19.51
10/17/2005 19807 18.082 2.699 325 17.97
10/20/2005 20157 17.946 2.599 350 19.50
10/27/2005 20851 19.498 2.359 694
11/3/2005 21531 16.185 2.379 680
11/7/2005 21798 14.790 2.299 267 18.05
11/10/2005 22157 19.034 2.259 359 18.86
11/13/2005 22628 16.897 2.249 471
11/17/2005 23034 19.818 2.099 406 20.49
11/22/2005 23385 18.884 2.099 351 18.59
11/28/2005 24064 16.592 2.049 679
12/16/2005 25761 18.531 2.199 1697
12/20/2005 26112 19.168 2.139 351 18.31
12/28/2005 26944 17.297 2.139 832
12/30/2005 27314 19.280 2.179 370 19.19
1/2/2006 27579 14.639 2.349 265 18.14
1/4/2006 27891 17.173 2.329 311 18.14
1/10/2006 28892 10.749 2.349 1001
1/28/2006 29211 19.177 2.399 319 16.63
2/2/2006 29597 19.255 2.389 386 20.05
2/5/2006 29934 17.809 2.479 337 18.92
2/8/2006 30280 19.145 2.259 346 18.07
2/11/2006 30633 20.188 2.279 353 17.49
2/15/2006 31023 19.594 2.169 390 19.90
2/19/2006 31724 19.171 2.269 701
2/24/2006 32126 19.573 2.299 402 20.54
2/28/2006 32831 19.879 2.149 705
3/5/2006 33421 13.776 2.149
3/9/2006 33842 20.321 2.239 421 20.72
3/12/2006 34194 18.988 2.299 352 18.54
3/14/2006 34561 17.690 2.239 367 20.75
3/18/2006 34920 20.143 2.449 359 17.82
3/22/2006 35292 19.539 2.559 372 19.04
3/27/2006 35629 18.340 2.399 337 18.38
4/9/2006 36398 19.539 2.559 769
4/11/2006 36730 18.953 2.679 332 17.52
4/14/2006 37083 17.510 2.599 353 20.16
4/16/2006 17.973 2.859
4/21/2006 37842 18.202 2.879 759 20.98
4/24/2006 38167 17.338 2.999 325 18.74
4/28/2006 38522 17.800 2.879 355 19.94
4/30/2006 38799 14.869 2.959 277 18.63
5/3/2006 39126 15.504 2.999 327 21.09
5/7/2006 39392 14.414 2.879 266 18.45
5/10/2006 39779 19.088 3.039 387 20.27
5/14/2006 39968 10.440 2.969 189 18.10
5/18/2006 40333 18.917 3.119 365 19.29
5/22/2006 19.692 2.969
5/25/2006 41135 17.511 2.919
6/4/2006 42572 13.789 2.919
6/8/2006 42984 19.740 3.039 412 20.87
6/10/2006 43316 17.672 2.999 332 18.79
6/11/2006 43366 3.004 2.969 50 16.64
6/15/2006 43723 18.124 3.159 357 19.70
6/18/2006 44039 16.495 2.929 316 19.16
6/22/2006 44722 18.797 3.129 683
6/25/2006 45065 20.007 2.999 343 17.14
6/29/2006 45396 18.071 3.099 331 18.32
7/7/2006 46092 20.734 3.159
7/24/2006 46923 9.113 3.089
7/28/2006 47294 15.929 3.139 371 23.29
8/3/2006 47870 18.969 3.229 576
8/11/2006 48593 19.118 3.099 723
8/21/2006 48845 13.873 2.929 252 18.16
8/27/2006 49366 9.834 2.949 521
8/29/2006 49759 19.059 2.799 393 20.62
9/4/2006 50103 18.825 2.789 344 18.27
9/8/2006 50493 19.025 2.799 390 20.50
9/9/2006 50621 6.774 2.659 128 18.90
9/13/2005 51014 19.119 3.099 393 20.56
9/16/2006 51389 19.441 2.469 375 19.29
9/20/2006 51780 19.032 2.719 391 20.54
9/24/2006 52288 13.082 2.389 508
9/27/2006 52701 19.459 2.499 413 21.22
9/30/2006 53075 18.758 2.199 374 19.94
10/1/2006 53303 12.770 2.349 228 17.85
10/8/2006 53873 8.955 2.249 570
10/11/2006 54260 18.867 2.279 387 20.51
10/15/2006 54493 13.786 2.249 233 16.90
10/15/2006 54851 19.220 2.41 358 18.63
10/22/2006 55500 12.326 2.499 649
11/6/2006 56053 13.431 2.159 553
11/7/2006 56310 15.831 2.179 257 16.23
11/16/2006 57444 17.495 2.229
11/20/2006 57787 18.106 2.209 343 18.94
11/21/2006 58141 19.325 2.199 354 18.32
11/27/2006 58445 16.532 2.359 304 18.39
11/30/2006 58723 14.573 2.299 278 19.08
12/3/2006 59083 19.265 2.349 360 18.69
12/7/2006 59401 17.978 2.559 318 17.69
12/10/2006 59777 21.026 2.259 376 17.88
12/14/2006 60154 18.911 2.459 377 19.94
12/17/2006 60527 19.298 2.319 373 19.33
12/21/2006 60947 19.240 2.339 420 21.83
12/30/2006 61627 18.387 2.339
1/1/2007 61861 12.100 2.479 234 19.34
1/8/2007 62229 18.169 2.339 368 20.25
1/15/2007 62823 13.762 2.349 594
1/18/2007 63178 18.966 2.399 355 18.72
1/22/2007 63518 18.434 2.319 340 18.44
1/29/2006 64048 11.208 2.259 530
2/5/2007 64653 16.673 2.279 605
2/8/2007 64971 18.104 2.099 318 17.57
2/19/2007 65680 12.983 2.249 709
2/19/2007 65836 9.324 2.359 156 16.73
3/1/2007 65996 9.409 2.159 160 17.00
3/2/2007 66297 15.049 2.259 301 20.00
3/4/2007 66669 18.759 2.399 372 19.83
3/8/2007 67018 19.268 2.699 349 18.11
3/12/2007 67339 17.784 2.699 321 18.05
3/16/2007 67689 18.706 2.459 350 18.71
3/19/2007 67930 13.916 2.839 241 17.32
3/23/2007 68227 15.544 2.599 297 19.11
3/25/2007 68397 10.809 2.519 170 15.73
3/28/2007 68744 18.352 2.779 347 18.91
4/1/2007 69023 15.693 2.699 279 17.78
4/5/2007 69385 18.341 2.979 362 19.74
4/7/2007 69735 19.268 2.699 350 18.16
4/9/2007 69937 11.307 2.919 202 17.87
4/15/2007 70506 19.973 2.929 569
4/19/2007 70768 14.044 2.779 262 18.66
4/22/2007 70973 10.498 2.729 205 19.53
4/27/2007 71336 18.717 3.019 363 19.39
4/29/2007 71563 12.067 2.859 227 18.81
5/3/2007 71897 16.728 3.139 334 19.97
5/6/2007 72165 14.292 2.899 268 18.75
5/7/2007 72355 9.180 3.159 190 20.70
5/11/2007 72708 17.947 2.979 353 19.67
5/17/2007 73300 2.919 592
5/21/2007 73634 18.526 3.239 334 18.03
5/25/2007 74003 20.308 2.979 369 18.17
5/29/2007 74164 9.588 2.999 161 16.79
6/1/2007 74555 19.497 3.039 391 20.05
6/6/2007 74783 13.506 2.999 228 16.88
6/10/2007 75016 14.170 2.999 233 16.44
6/14/2007 75346 17.192 3.199 330 19.19
6/17/2007 75639 15.967 2.959 293 18.35
6/20/2007 75973 18.758 3.199 334 17.81
6/25/2007 76297 16.897 2.959 324 19.18
6/28/2007 76655 19.608 3.149 358 18.26
7/2/2007 76859 10.647 2.959 204 19.16
7/5/2007 77208 18.216 3.129 349 19.16
7/8/2007 77535 16.777 3.189 327 19.49
7/13/2007 77908 19.600 2.959 373 19.03
7/19/2007 78406 19.090 2.999 498
7/26/2007 78770 19.624 2.879 364 18.55
7/28/2007 79013 12.677 2.879 243 19.17
7/30/2007 79352 18.346 2.889 339 18.48
8/2/2007 79762 20.463 2.859 410 20.04
8/5/2007 80125 18.401 2.799 363 19.73
8/7/2007 80445 17.880 2.839 320 17.90
8/14/2007 81188 19.715 2.739 743
8/16/2007 81583 20.275 2.639 395 19.48
8/20/2007 81954 17.904 2.569 371 20.72
8/22/2007 82353 19.637 2.699 399 20.32

bliss53

08-23-2007, 08:10 PM

There were two mistakes. You missed one.

Mr.Opportunity

08-24-2007, 05:30 PM

^^ somebody has too much time on their hands...:rolleyes:

dboz

12-21-2007, 05:20 PM

2 years and 31k. Holding up well. Mileage is still the same. Overall a great vehicle. Still a little iffy on the style but there is no mistaking it. The bed material seems a little weak to me.

Cajun Country Ridgeline

12-21-2007, 09:39 PM

Keeping the rpm's at 2,000 or less on interstate gives up to 23mpg.
a lot of hills will cut it to 21.9mpg.
Driving just under 70mph gets me there about 5-7 minutes later than you doing
80+mph and making 2-3mpg less.

WORKS FOR ME!!!!:D

kblsky

12-22-2007, 07:47 PM

My 2006 Ridgeline averaged 21.4 mpg over 22,000 miles

My 98 F150 ,4.6 auto, 2WD averaged 19.4 mpg over 110,000 miles

I expected more mpg from the Ridgeline

dboz

12-22-2007, 09:44 PM

I think that is why I am disappointed. Any truck in comparable but when you only have a 6 cylinder you expect better.

geotech

12-23-2007, 06:11 AM

My 2006 Ridgeline averaged 21.4 mpg over 22,000 miles

My 98 F150 ,4.6 auto, 2WD averaged 19.4 mpg over 110,000 miles

I expected more mpg from the Ridgeline
Since your 21.4 is 25% better than my 16.8, I think you should be ecstatic. As they say out here, "Are ya braggin' or complainin'?";)

I, on the other hand, reserve the right to be disappointed and have lowered expectations. :(

BTW, my 2002 F150 4.6 auto, 2WD got a consistent 17mpg only by using a gentle peddle. All of my AWD or 4WD vehicles have gotten consistently less mileage than our 2WD's. That's common sense.
I think that is why I am disappointed. Any truck in comparable but when you only have a 6 cylinder you expect better.
Perhaps the six has work extra hard just to keep up.

w.vano

12-23-2007, 01:04 PM

best i ever did was 17.5 miles per gallon lowest was 15.5-traffic on garden state parkway in nj.i never really gone on a long drive,i know i could :) get to 20-22 miles per gallon

Webwader

12-23-2007, 02:03 PM

My 2006 Ridgeline averaged 21.4 mpg over 22,000 miles

My 98 F150 ,4.6 auto, 2WD averaged 19.4 mpg over 110,000 miles

I expected more mpg from the Ridgeline
You are averaging a little over 10% better mileage, which considering that about half the miles on the RL were breakin miles, is pretty decent.
If you had a reg. cab, short bed Ford, your RL weighs about 500 lb more.
You now have 4WD instead of 2WD. Athough it does not work full time, it does affect mpg.
The RL produces about 25 more HP than your Ford did.
Perhaps you expected too much.

My '99 Ford Ranger Super Cab 4.0L V6 weighed about 1,000 lb less than the RL and got worse mileage.

brandont

12-24-2007, 06:25 AM

My 2006 Ridgeline averaged 21.4 mpg over 22,000 miles

My 98 F150 ,4.6 auto, 2WD averaged 19.4 mpg over 110,000 miles

I expected more mpg from the Ridgeline

Considering that with the new EPA guidelines, the Ridgline is rated at 15 / 20 - I'd say that 21.4 is pretty darn good. NOTE: There have been no changes to the Ridgeline, but the EPA revised their MPG ratings (which are only estimates) to be more 'realistic'.

Personally, I drive about 10 miles to work - mostly highway. I get 16-17, which I guess is all I can expect with that short of a drive.

dboz

12-24-2007, 06:39 AM

That makes me feel better. They used to say 24 on the high end and I never get close to that. 21 is about the best ever with all conditions and driving habits optimized. I get 18-19 with 50/50 city/highway so I guess that is correct. THose new guidelines are going to help.

Gaterzfan

12-24-2007, 06:40 AM

BP most of the time, but stick with majors - BP, Shell, Exxon, or Mobil if at all possible. But I'm in Florida ... mostly flat terrain!!

dboz

12-24-2007, 06:40 AM

I think the 6 does have to work extra hard as this is a big vehicle. It is geared well and is sporty empty. With a full load it does get sluggish and struggle some.

IFLY Ridge

12-25-2007, 04:04 AM

I am just curious for those of you getting the EASY 20-22 highway numbers if you could post what BRAND of gas you use. Maybe I am using some cheap stuff but it is frustrating to hear such high numbers when I am stuck in the 16 to 17 range.

I share your frustation. My '06 RL got 20 to 22 all the time. My '07 Ridge will not get above 16 to 18. I have tried everything. Hoping that the magic 10K mileage thing that some on this board have spoke of will be the magic trick, but I am doubtful. :(

geotech

12-25-2007, 06:55 AM

I share your frustation. My '06 RL got 20 to 22 all the time. My '07 Ridge will not get above 16 to 18. I have tried everything. Hoping that the magic 10K mileage thing that some on this board have spoke of will be the magic trick, but I am doubtful. :(
As has been posted in this and other threads, I'm convinced that some win the mileage lottery and some lose the mileage lottery. There are others that say there is no such thing as a mileage lottery. So if there are significant differences between machines, where within the engine and/or computer system is/are the variable(s)??? I bet Honda engineers know.:o

BTW, I have a neighbor that has a 2005 Silverado 2WD. Before I got the RL he said he got "around" 20mpg. After I got the RL, his mileage miraculously jumped to "around" 25mpg! Wow, what "breakin" (or is that "braggin") can do to mileage! ;) :D

ToyTruck

12-25-2007, 08:04 AM

93 octane appears to make a significant gain in my RL. I consistently hit the half tank mark at 195-205 miles whereas with 87 "El Cheapo" octane, I am at the half by 170 miles.

Biggest thing with slurping the fuel is hi revs and idling in traffic. My GPS reports that I spend almost 2 hours per tank "stopped"!

Six Rails

12-25-2007, 08:30 AM

geotech

12-25-2007, 08:51 AM

17 mpg right now,easy on the gas running regular and using the cruise control faithfully. Only 2200 miles on the Ridgeline and I have been told that the computer will reset the gas mixture between 7 to 10 thousand miles. I hope they are right.

ROC on Kevin
"Hope springs eternal in the human breast." Alexander Pope Essay on Man

Don't check out this link, no matter what:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=261496&postcount=48 :(

Put if you do, remember "to err is human, to forgive, divine." ;)

MikeT

12-25-2007, 09:33 AM

"Hope springs eternal in the human breast." Alexander Pope Essay on Man

Don't check out this link, no matter what:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=261496&postcount=48 :(

Put if you do, remember "to err is human, to forgive, divine." ;)

SixRails,

Don't sweat the gas milage right now. I average 18 to 19mpg highway for trips under 50 miles and 22 to 24mpg highway for trips over 300 miles. I use the cruise control whenever I can and I set to 70mph where legal and 65mph where required.

deepdrop

01-04-2008, 05:14 PM

MikeT

01-04-2008, 05:19 PM

I have about 3000 miles on my "07. I've tried everything and can't do better than 15 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. My tires are 35 psi, I accelerate slowly, etc.
I'm planning to switch to synthetic oil after my first oil change but I doubt that will make much difference. Overall, I love the truck but the mileage is really disappointing.

Mixed city driving will get you at best 17mpg. My 98 Dodge Dakota averaged 12mpg city and 16mpg highway. Before giving up, take a long trip (In excess of 200 miles), set the climate control on "auto", set the cruise on 65, 70, or 75 whichever is legal, and check the milage after. I average 15mpg city and 21 to 22mpg highway.

jimmychoi

01-04-2008, 07:34 PM

Mixed city driving will get you at best 17mpg. My 98 Dodge Dakota averaged 12mpg city and 16mpg highway. Before giving up, take a long trip (In excess of 200 miles), set the climate control on "auto", set the cruise on 65, 70, or 75 whichever is legal, and check the milage after. I average 15mpg city and 21 to 22mpg highway.

I'm convinced that different gas brands affect my RL. Although I don't have many miles on my truck, my best was 19 and my worst, on gulf gas, is 13-14 mpg ...:eek:

MikeT

01-04-2008, 07:36 PM

I'm convinced that different gas brands affect my RL. Although I don't have many miles on my truck, my best was 19 and my worst, on gulf gas, is 13-14 mpg ...:eek:

I fill up anywhere (Mostly Citgo).

jimmychoi

01-05-2008, 05:07 AM

I fill up anywhere (Mostly Citgo).

I know there are a ton variables...and I have to take into account that my RL is new....but I certainly didn't expect 13.46 mpg(80% city) last week(driven conservatively)...but I'll give the motor some more time to break in. The week prior I got 19 (85% HW)

dboz

11-05-2008, 08:18 PM

Coming up on 50,000 miles. I drive this truck hard. Still in the 18-20 regardless of how I drive. Still pretty happy with that considering the size and my lead foot. Only 5 months left on my lease. Still have the original tires.

jtchambliss

11-06-2008, 12:19 PM

One month into my 09 RTL and I've gotten 21.8 and 21.2. The MM for the current tank shows 21.7.

I'm tracking this with a program 'GasHog' on my iPhone that gives you some neats stats.

zroger73

11-06-2008, 03:02 PM

On a recent, 400-mile trip to and from Houston for work, I achieved 17+ on my way down and 21+ on my way back. Going down, I was carrying a wooden crate containing a couple of 90° pieces of industrial burn-off oven exhaust stack that weighed about 300 lbs., filled most of the bed with the tailgate down, and extended above the cab a few inches. Highway speeds averaged 70-75 MPH using regular gas without ethanol. A couple other trips in the past have yielded similar results. The trip back included a few full-throttle passes and starts without trying very hard for fuel economy.

Cajun Country Ridgeline

11-06-2008, 04:16 PM

Our trip to No. AR. two weeks ago we drove a total of 1405 miles. We got as high as 22.9mpg and as low as 20.7mpg. We used Shell 87octane gas the whole trip.
I drive by tach more than speedo. I try to keep the tach below 2100 rpm. I donot drive over 70mph unless I am passing someone.

ChrisM

11-06-2008, 06:00 PM

Gas is below $2/gallon in my area. I now figure I'm getting about 42-43 mpg or so at the old $4/gallon sticker price. :)

So does anyone feel like gas mileage is a little less important that the pain at the pump has subsided a bit or are folks still trying to eek out every mpg?

MikeT

11-06-2008, 06:28 PM

Nope, cause it is soon to start going back up again:(

djeaux

11-06-2008, 06:45 PM

So does anyone feel like gas mileage is a little less important that the pain at the pump has subsided a bit or are folks still trying to eek out every mpg?

I have always tried to get the best fuel economy out of my vehicles. I believe it is an indicator of mechanical and driver efficiency.

jimmychoi

11-06-2008, 06:56 PM

Nope, cause it is soon to start going back up again:(

agreed....I am still a little snake bitten....I have tried to make a lasting change in my driving habits...

Bevski333

11-06-2008, 07:04 PM

A gas mileage observation, last weekend I drove 421 miles :D on 19 gallons of straight unleaded canadian gas until gas light came on then I filled up in NJ. with 10% ethanol gas and saw an immediate difference in gas mileage, 200 miles later:(

zroger73

11-06-2008, 09:22 PM

I have always tried to get the best fuel economy out of my vehicles. I believe it is an indicator of mechanical and driver efficiency.

While I agree that >MPG = >efficiency, I, like others, knew good and well I was not buying a Prius, so fuel economy was a low priority - particularly with the relatively low mileage I put on a vehicle.

Whether I purchase and economy car or a land yacht, I typically shoot for maximum fuel economy for a few tanks just to see what me and my vehicle are capable of doing, then I stop paying attention to fuel economy.

I don't feel guilty about driving a vehicle with fuel economy on the lower end since I know it's my choice how efficiently I drive and what type of vehicle I purchase. I prefer the secure feeling of drive a larger vehicle and the flexibility afforded by the larger size.

As long as I still have disposable income, I will continue to drive comfortably, not efficiently. I'd much rather idle with the A/C on for 10 minutes in a drive-thru than to sweat it out and save the dollar that it costs to idle that long. That's one of my freedoms as an American!

When you compare fuel costs as a percentage of total expenses, the difference between getting where you're going in comfort and trying to use every gallon of fuel as efficiently as possible is extremely small.

p7m8hk

12-26-2008, 12:55 PM

Yup..exactly what I was going to say.

Yeah, But you don't get to hear the "purr" of the Vtec until around 4 ~ 5 K... I love that sound.

waders

01-23-2009, 12:22 PM

Recently returned from Las Vegas to Tucson area. Second time I've made it on one tank (416 miles). Using 87 Shell which got down to $1.47 at my local station here in Oro Valley. It took 19.3 gallons to fill. That's about 21.5 MPG. The Ridgie now has 52,000 miles and the fuel economy keeps improving. The Retrax probably helps a skosh as well. Incidentally, I have over 40% tread remaining on the Michilin LTX tires. Pretty cool! As an aside, speeds of 75 MPH or so were used frequently. We had luggage, gifts and two sets of golf clubs as well. Happy owner!:rolleyes:

FLA-Vyk

01-23-2009, 01:11 PM

I get 20-22mpg when doing straight driving on the interstate. It is where I have a lot of stop and go the seems to use the gas.

tapd

01-23-2009, 11:32 PM

I purchased my '08 RL in August. 5 mos later and 16K miles, I've only seen 20 mpg once. Mostly it is 16-18 mpg. Of course, driving 70 mph is driving like grandma in CA on Hyw 99. Mostly running 78-80.

My biggest problem besides pushing so much air is the tranny downshifts for just slight inclines.

Those of you getting 20+ DO drive like grandma or my Dad.:D

hopingforahonda

01-24-2009, 07:09 AM

On my most recent 126 mile trip I got 21.9 mpg, and that was with slowing down through some small towns, and an occasional grandma getting in front of me. so I'm pretty satisfied so far. Interested to see how it does on a long highway trip.

speedlever

01-24-2009, 07:13 AM

snip

Those of you getting 20+ DO drive like grandma or my Dad.:D

Heh! Given time... so will you! ;)

auditude

01-24-2009, 09:23 AM

Heh! Given time... so will you! ;)

I can tell I must be getting older. :p Ever since the gas prices spiked I've been more conscious of my driving style. I no longer am on the gas if I can coast to the next stop. It's hilarious how many people will pass me and accelerate to the next stop light, only to have me roll up to them in time to catch the green. It's just like that old Popeye cartoon, if you remember that one.

Sometimes I am even faster through the next green because I'm still moving when it changes and they have to start from a stop. I wonder if people even get what they are doing. To me they don't seem to be looking ahead at where they are driving. Even when getting close to the intersection, people seem to be going full steam ahead only to brake later and harder. :rolleyes:

Conversely, I don't take off nearly as fast as I used to. I slowly accelerate as if I had less available power, but I build up to the same speed or higher as traffic and find that I typically pull away from the pack if I'm not blocked. I try to get to 47mph to upshift to bring the rpms down to ~1.5k even if I'll be driving 45mph.

I used to get more than my share of speeding tickets, and I would put a lot of attention watching for cops while driving. Now it's a totally different, relaxing, experience to just drive within the limits and paying attention to giving it just enough gas to get to the next braking point, and to avoid braking by not overaccelerating.

I must admit that in my other cars I only do this most of the time, but not always. I have a turbo Audi that I take a bit more enjoyment out of at the expense of fuel mileage, meaning that when starting from a stop I'll let the turbo boost higher just to feel the torque. But turbos only sip gas when you're not in boost so it all balances out. :D

I suppose I should comment on my mileage. In my Ridgeline driving as I do, I ocassionally do get 20mpg. Typically it's 18-something, which is acceptable to me. I think the gas formulation my area affects the mileage I'm able to get.