Gas mileage Increase after Break In..

One from the other side.

I have 12,000 miles on my RL since Jan 2nd, and after about 3,000 miles my gas mileage increased, as well as the power, and responsiveness of the motor. I get 19 mpg, up slightly from before the motor was broken in. I am a driver that likes to drive fast, and other than when I have the cruise control set @ 65 @ 2,000 rpm, I am constantly getting the rpm over 4,000 on pretty much every start.. In my opinion, the motor is strong, and the gas mileage is adequete for a 4,000 + lb vehicle. For reference my Liberty was over 4,000 lbs amd got 15 mpg doing the same driving. Sure it was a true 4wd tank, but the RL beats it hands down..

Well done Honda..

I have 12,900 miles on my truck.

This weekend we went to Duluth MN. I got just over 21 mpg on the trip. A good part of it was on country roads, hilly (from 500ft to 1600ft) up and down, curvy (only able to drive about 35-40 because of the road conditions). So I was VERY pleased.

I am also very impressed ! Miles are around 4K and the last tank was 20.5 MPG.
175 mile road trip, 70+ mph. It was our first road trip and ride was smooth and quiet.
The first car ride for our GSD puppy and no cars sickness !

Chi, sounds like you drive the same way I do. You get 20, I get 16. That is 20% difference and I sure wish I had the real answer why this is so. You are in the north and so am I so fuel mix should not be a factor. I have a bit less miles than you but not by much. One day, the technical reason for Ridgeline mileage disparity will be apparent, but for now, we are all guessing.

Chi, sounds like you drive the same way I do. You get 20, I get 16. That is 20% difference and I sure wish I had the real answer why this is so. You are in the north and so am I so fuel mix should not be a factor. I have a bit less miles than you but not by much. One day, the technical reason for Ridgeline mileage disparity will be apparent, but for now, we are all guessing.
BillB, I live in Jersey and typically get 16 MPG, doing mostly short trips (eg: 90% city driving). Pretty much the same as you - maybe NY and Chicago have different fuel mixes?

Had my first long trip out to Harrisburg (highway), I hit 21 MPG. I have a little over 4000 miles.

I think it has more to do with a persons commute, or traffic around where they live. I am able to put my crusie control on for a 26 mile stretch each way to and from work where I can set the crusie @ 65, and only hit one stop sign for that span. Round trip total each way is approx 75 miles. The bulk of the other driving is on the Tollway where you can go 75, or 5 depending on traffic, and time of day. Like I said, the RL is a huge improvement ove the 15 mpg I was getting on my Jeep Liberty...That was one of the reason I had to sell my Jeep, the other being it had 90,000 + miles, and had been in an accident in the fall, i figured I was on borrowed time before the little things started failing..

I think it has more to do with a persons commute, or traffic around where they live...

I think it has more to do with the "playtime in the driveway factor" while we're breakin'em in!
Ya'know..."I'd really hate for my battery to go dead while I'm sittin' here playin' with the NAV, so I'll just start'er up and let'er run awhile..." :rolleyes:

I'm thinkin' of startin' a poll... hmmmm... let's see... "Do those of us with NAV get worse gas mileage, and why?" ;)

I think as the novelty wears-off, my mileage will skyrocket from the 12.8-13.9mpg I'm gettin' now to at least 17-19mpg! :)

But whadda I know!? I've yet to break my RL's "recommended 600mi cherry"!
:p

just an update, I am near 14,000 miles, due for oil change # 2 on Saturday @ the dealer.

My last tank of gas I had 393 miles on my trip odometer I reset after each fill-up, and I filled the tank with 20.3 gallons of gas. I dont drive conservitavely at all. I run the rpms up to 3500-4000 on many starts from a stop. I love the exaust note... Also I set my crusie control for long stretches of my commute (20+ mile intervals) @ 65-75 mph depending if it the interstate, or a rural highway.

I am curious how the a/c will effect mileage once I have to use it. I have yet to turn in on here in Chicago.

I'm a little over 3500 miles now and do mostly city driving. I noticed a jump in my mileage at about 3200 miles - I'm getting between 17-18 (80% city) - use to be 15-16. I don't drive much, so it's taking a long time to break-in (I've had it a year). First oil change will be at about 4000 miles (HAL says I'm at 30% oil life).

milehigh,

my 1st oil change was @ 7,000 miles oil life reading <15%. I am now @ 13,600 miles, Oil life reading 20%.

If I had another vehicle and followed the "reccomended" 3,000 miles interval I would be getting the oil changed ever 3 weeks. The RL is amazing.

Cruise must be a major factor in your good mileage. I have a lead foot on starts also, but I never get to go into cruise, ever. I got 16 mpg at 600 odometer miles and 16 at 8000 odometer miles. No difference at all. I broke it in as gently as I could up to 600 and then drove like I normally do, which is not any more then moderately aggressive.

I am at 50% oil monitor now at 8200 miles and my first oil change was at 5280 and read <15% on monitor when I did first oil change and I went to Mobil 1 full synthetic. My analysis shows me getting about same oil monitor reading of <15% at about 10,000, so I sense no mileage improvement after brakin or after going to synthetic and I am either disappointed or perplexed at how so many seem to be saying their mileage improves after either of these actions.

Bill,

I think the cruise control, with the engines computer deciding the ideal acceleration, shifting may be a key.

I dont use synthetic oil either, just what the dealership put in on the 1st change..

Also after clearing the Western Burbs of Chicago, and the traffic, I am able to have very few stops, including a 26 mile stretch of rural highway where there is only one stop sign, I set the cruise @ 65 for a 55 mph zone.

With the freedy OPEc countries at it again I welcome good mileage.. If we went to war for oil like some think, where is my cheap gas .???!

Stop and go driving will kill you especially if you have a lead foot like me and like you...

I am curious how the a/c will effect mileage once I have to use it. I have yet to turn in on here in Chicago.

I learned from the manual and a thread by T-mac that my AC was being used automatically by the climate control to regulate the humidity in the cabin - even during the winter months.
I've since learned to run the climate control with the AC off most of the time and this has, I believe, contributed to an increase in my mpg.

I pretty much drive like you Chi and for that exaxt reason as you. I got my license in Chicago and have had the bad habit ever since. I pretty much try to roll at 70+ and hardly any of it on the highway. I pretty much have gotten crappy 16+ mpg. But, my daily commute is a couple dozen light intersections. I also found riding with all the windows down (because of the awesome spring weather) contributes to my low milage.

I just returned from a 1800 mile trip from Northern California up to Oregon over to Idaho and back through Oregon to California. We added up all the fuel last night and we averaged 21mpg for the entire trip. I traveled 382 mile the one time before refueling and only took on 17 gallons. So far I am real impressed with the milege that I am getting. We now have 4500 miles on the vehicle and the oil life indicator reads 50%. I will of course have the oil changed at 5000 miles reguardless.

I broke 500 miles today.

1st tank measured 13.5 mpg, assuming the dealer truly topped off the tank at purchase. 1st tank mileage was mostly trips of less than 2 miles, that would be back and forth to work.

2nd tank measured 18.5 mpg. The 2nd tank included a 200 mile trip traveling at turnpike speeds and about another 100 miles worth of work driving.

So far, I'm happy.

My biggest fear of getting my new RL soon is that it will suffer like my Element has in the last 15 mo. of ownership. I've owned my Element for 15 months and only have 6,200 miles on it and 1200 of those came from a business trip for work. (i don't drive to work. My commute is only 3 blocks away)

I broke 500 miles today.

1st tank measured 13.5 mpg, assuming the dealer truly topped off the tank at purchase. 1st tank mileage was mostly trips of less than 2 miles, that would be back and forth to work.

2nd tank measured 18.5 mpg. The 2nd tank included a 200 mile trip traveling at turnpike speeds and about another 100 miles worth of work driving.

So far, I'm happy.
I'm finding the same thing - I think the dealer did not top off the tank for some reason because 1st 1/2 tank 14 MPG, 2nd 1/2 tank 17 mpg, now have 3/4 tank left & have traveled 120 miles....... won't have a chance to see though doing dealer swap @ lunch tomorrow so will bring home new RTL - maybe it will get better mileage than the RTS

Well, after first trip and entire trip of 1500 miles, consistate 20mpg. :)

Good morning everyone,

I was just going through the posts, after being tardy for a few weeks, and ran across this thread. This is mainly for the newer owners. I've had my Ridge for 1 year and 1 month and now have 38,560 miles. I get approximately 21 mpg on the open road and 16 or so in the city. As you can see I travel a lot across my little state. I have elevation changes and a lot of stop and go, but also mainly freeway driving (65%). I've had 8 oil and filter changes, the last was last week and use what the factory recommends. The oil is actually clean when drained and so far I've had no mechanical problems. I've had some small things, but none of the more serious problems some members have. Just a little note to ease the minds of those who wonder what they're truck will be like after thousands of miles and over a year of service.:)

Woohoo! 7,000 miles on my 10 month old RL. Had a 1500 mile round trip which included alot of driving around Tampa looking at real estate. Often, we parked it with the in-laws in the truck with it running so we could keep them air conditioned while we looked at a property. A/C was on constantly. Overall fuel economy was 20.5. Kept it at 80 - 85 mph the whole way down and up except, of course, in construction zones. I rarely used cruise; instead I watched the RPM's and kept them low as much as possible. Got 24 MPG on one tank on the way home. Pardon me while I gloat.

At home, we average 16 - 18 mpg. Commuting to work kills the fuel economy. It's 13 mpg then.

I just got a 23.2 mpg tank of gas. I'm at about 11,000 miles so I can believe all the posters here that say the mpg gets better and better as the engine breaks in!!! :p

As long as you don't abuse the engine. I sometimes wonder if the people who are getting really bad mpg didn't break their engine in properly. Or maybe it is that noisy wind blown roof rack they installed. ;)

Well I guess the break in is the trick as far as gas mileage. Up until now I was getting 16-17.5 mpg. Last tank of gas 18.94 mpg at 2700 miles. I can't wait to hit the 20 mpg mark. It may take a while because if you ever drove I684 in NY you will know the average speed is 65-85 mph. And it doesen't help that I have a heavy foot.:D

Has anyone noticed a mpg increase after installing a Tonneau Cover? How about a decrease with a roof rack?

I think it has more to do with a persons commute, or traffic around where they live. I am able to put my crusie control on for a 26 mile stretch each way to and from work where I can set the crusie @ 65, and only hit one stop sign for that span. Round trip total each way is approx 75 miles. The bulk of the other driving is on the Tollway where you can go 75, or 5 depending on traffic, and time of day. Like I said, the RL is a huge improvement ove the 15 mpg I was getting on my Jeep Liberty...That was one of the reason I had to sell my Jeep, the other being it had 90,000 + miles, and had been in an accident in the fall, i figured I was on borrowed time before the little things started failing..
Have an RTS with 4500 miles. Consistently getting 19mpg in mixed driving since first tank of gas. 18 lowest, 20.3 highest

Has anyone noticed a mpg increase after installing a Tonneau Cover? How about a decrease with a roof rack?

I did notice an increase in mileage after the installation of my tonneau cover but it was very small. I'm only at the 4.5K mile mark right now. I'm curious if I will realize even better gas mileage after another couple thousand miles. I calculated 23.5 mpg running the A/C the entire time on my last tank with 20 city/80 highway driving when I filled up yesterday. My city driving habits preclude me from getting what others are getting in a 50/50 driving mix. My right foot weighs too much.

My city mileage has gotten a little better lately though. I attribute it to 2 factors. The first is that I had the dealership correctly charge my A/C. It came from the factory overcharged. The second is that I changed my method of cooling off the RL when running the A/C. I used to just set my A/C on auto at 75 degrees and let it cool off the way the manual states it should. In my experience, this method is not the best way to properly cool of the RL and get good gas mileage. Now I crank it all the way down to low for the first few minutes and then adjust to the temperature back up to 75. The system runs in recycle for far less time and the A/C compressor seems to work a lot less hard using this method. I would be curious if someone who is experiencing less than desireable gas mileage could confirm my findings by trying my method of cooling the RL down.

Has anyone noticed a mpg increase after installing a Tonneau Cover? How about a decrease with a roof rack?

We have the roof rack since the second week of ownership and the tonneau since the installed at three months. Does that mean they cancel each other out?

You would seriously have to do a deliberate study under identical conditions to decide if there was any loss or gain of mpg from these add ons. It sounds like one for the MythBusters.

I just installed a BAKFlip tonneau cover and have started a somewhat scientific mpg analysis. I use my RL about the same way, filled tank to filled tank and was getting right around 17 mpg pre-cover. Almost all my driving is stop and go at around 40 mph top speed so I cannot expect much better than that and I am not bothered by this mpg number over the last year of driving. I will report after a couple of fill ups (about 1 per week) and we will see if the cover does anything. I would take a 1/2 mile per as a positive.

i have 550 miles....yes.....550.....my last fill was 12 mpg. of course that was all city driving. I get around 17 when it's all highway. I'm hoping i see a increase in milage as well as the engine breaks in.

My RL has been at its mileage "sweet spot" for the last few months now. I am @ almost 29,000 miles, and am getting 400 + miles per tank of gas like clockwork. I usually fill up 21 gallons & that comes out to 19 mpg. I run 87 octane, and dyno oil in my motor, also no mods. Just a silver RT from the factory....

I definately could get more mpg.., I eat a sandwich, and read the paper in my RL for lunch with the A/C running 4 x a week for 15 mins each time. I bet I could get close to 460 per tank without that down time.

I can't get more than 300 miles on my tank...I have 2200 miles/ no mods....normal????

I can't get more than 300 miles on my tank...I have 2200 miles/ no mods....normal????

Depends on whether you are doing city driving or highway. My last 8 tanks averaged 22 mpg but I that was all highway. Some people get low mileage and I still haven't figured ouit why. I wish the Honda engineers would take a high mileage Ridgeline and a high mileage Ridgeline, study them, and tell us why each one is the way it is. Maybe the low mileage Ridgelines were abused during the breakin period. I don't know. Maybe it will turn out that the low mileage Ridgeline simply need a wheel alignment. Wouldn't that be an easy solution?

I can't get more than 300 miles on my tank...I have 2200 miles/ no mods....normal????

Unfortunately yes. In 98% city driving, I average about 280 Miles per tank at roughly 14.4 miles per gallon.

80 city/20 highway, and at 10,100 miles, I average 15.5-16.0mpg.....my new ScanGuage II tells me so :p

At 3300 miles I registered 19.2 on a tank.I've gotten 15mpg or less on the last two tanks same fuel,same load, same driving.I am going to watch this tank very closley.

I think that's the reason the trip puter is not of use in the Ridge.I was thinking that milage varies by 15 or 20% on the same model and to keep complaints down Honda unplugs the puter.

I'm still in the break-in state as only have 1,800 miles on the truck and with a/c and c/c running get 20.5 at about 72 mph in mountainous terrain. I usually cancel the c/c if going up very steep grades like on I-90 passes. But am very pleased so far. Haven't really done much city driving yet as there aren't any cities in Montana!! :D

Tom

I'm sad to hear that the MPG decreases that much in city driving. I'm doing about 20 city/80 highway right now, but will soon be the reverse. I'm getting a fairly solid 20mpg, sometimes a little less, but I've never gotten more than that, but I still think that even with the 20mpg, it's very good for the size of the truck. :)

Oh, I'm at 2.6k, so the MPG might increase a little....

I have 900 miles on my RTL and have been averaging about 13.5city and 17/18hwy :( The strange thing is I came from a VERY heavily modified Acura RSX Type S that I beat the crap out of constantly. With the ridgeline, I drive like grandma moses and yet, come out w/ crummy mileage :( HOpefully once the engine seals and whatnot are fully broken in, that number will increase significantly. I did have the a/c on for most of those miles and my work commute is only 2 miles, all stop and go which I'm sure is playing a huge roll in these dismal numbers. Oh well, at least I don't have to run premium or race gas anymore:)

@ 34,500 miles I am not knocking out the 400 mile tanks of gas anymore, iusing the a/c alot now, but I am still getting about 380 miles per tank of 87 octane. Kepp in mind I also eat lunch ( a sandwich, nothing messy ever...) 4 days a week in the back of the RL idling with the a/c running for about 30 mins each time...


Myself i drive this vehicle hard. way over 3,000 rpm on the starts, and speeds on my commute from 65-100 mph. All depending on how many cars(keepers of the speed) I have to pass on the country roads/expressways, and how heavy traffic is. This truck is a joy to drive.

Well, I have been averaging between 17.5 & 19.5 MPG (not running air though) and mixed driving.

Had the first oil change on the truck today @ 3300.00 miles so lets see if my mileage actually increases....

Had warranty service done for steering wheel creak and after 3.5 hours of waiting I get informed they don't have part

Kinda ticked.. have to go back tomorrow or monday.

that would make it 10 warranty item trips in the last 4 months.

Finally saw the new Red - too brown for me.

ugly duck,


that is terrible about the steering wheel fix.

I had that, the dealer ordered the parts when I brough it in for my every month and a half oil change(they said they had never done the repair before, and had to order the torque bolts, and felt). They had me return and gave me a rental for the day it took them to fix it.

other thanthat no issues.

I definately could get more mpg.., I eat a sandwich, and read the paper in my RL for lunch with the A/C running 4 x a week for 15 mins each time. I bet I could get close to 460 per tank without that down time.

Hi Jim,
When I'm sitting at a stoplight, or sitting in the driveway with my RL's engine running, I watch the MPG "tick away" at a rate of .1mpg/10 seconds on my scangauge when it's in the TRIP > CURRENT MPG mode. :eek:
It's gotta be doing some sort of "averaging thing", but it sure is disconcerting watching the mpg go down like that.
For example, I've watched it decrease from 19.8 to 15.6 just in the time it took "When the Levee Breaks" (Led Zep) to play as I backed into my drive. :cool:
I've got the CD, but couldn't turn the XM off 'til the song had ended. :rolleyes:
I've still got less than 4000 miles on my Ridge, so maybe after my stock sound system gets broken-in (or "broken-down"), and I don't find it as pleasing to listen to, I'll get better gas mileage... ;)

Anyone else using the scangauge notice the "mpg countdown" at idle?

Pug

1st Tank Of Gas In My New '07 Rtl.... Got 20.6 Mpg (mixed Highway/city-mostly Highway) ! :)

Here's one I wouldn't have noticed in the beginning, before accumulating break-in mileage... and laugh if you must, but this actually worked:

I moved the driver's seat back about 3" so less of my foot contacts the gas pedal.

I've gauged a 2-3 mpg increase with this simple "maneuver" over just one fill-up, so it's still in the "unscientific stage". You might think I'm joking, but by forcing myself to use a lighter touch on the pedal, the logic is close to being proven!

But I guess all you guys over 6' already have the seat back as far as it will go, so this one will only work for those of us who are "vertically challenged".
:rolleyes:

Mostly in my mixed driving I get 19.0-19.5mpg consistantly... Before and after break in...

hope you folks are right.. Brand bew 2007 RTL/NAVI. 2100 miles and "just" getting 16.5MPG. [/FONT]

hope you folks are right.. Brand bew 2007 RTL/NAVI. 2100 miles and "just" getting 16.5MPG.

If it gets better, consider yourself lucky. If it stays at that, be prepared to not be so unhappy or you will accumulate many postings commiserating with guys like me who got 16.5 MPG for the first 2100 miles also, and for every 2100 after that up until the current 17,000. Its all in how you drive. Live on the highway and drive 65 and get around 20 to 21. Live on rural roads, stop and go, and get around 16.5 like me. I'm dealing with it the best I can and posting like this every month or so keeps me quiet for another month.

Normal Work trip 5 miles all under 35 mph 8 stop signs and 4 red light - gets 17 mpg

vacation trip - mostly interstate at 70 mph - some stop and go in daytona and raleigh
1st tank 22.2
2nd tank 21.3
3rd tank 22.0 ( sanford fl ridgeline meeting )
4th tank 22.1
5th tank 20.7

ain't home yet 3 tanks to get home.

all over 20 mpg and running air at full blast too.

I really want a Ridgeline, but damn. I have heard that they get much better after 10 thousand miles or so, though. I drive a Trailblazer now that gets about 20mpg mixed- 23 on the highway, but that drops off after about 70mph. The Trailblazer has a similar weight to the Ridge, and similar areodynamic characteristics. I imagine the 5 speed Honda has an advantage in the city, though.

The Colorado is the class leader (if you consider the Ridge to be compact- I don't) now, but it has a much smaller interior than the Honda, and an old school GM interior.

Glad you guys are getting more efficient with the mileage.