2014 G1 First Tank MPG & Range

6117 Views 49 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Carsmak, May 14, 2017

ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · Mar 4, 2017

So I've owned my 2014 G1 RTL for two weeks now. It came to me with a full tank from the dealership. (Presumably they filled it with regular unleaded, but technically I have no absolute confirmation of this.)

The fuel light finally came on at 385 miles on the trip odometer. So yesterday I did my first fill-up. I filled it with Hi-Test because I will be using this vehicle for towing our boat.

MPG:

I estimate that the proportion of city/highway driving for this tank was 20% city/ 80% highway.

Trip computer said 22.7 mpg for the tank. Hand calculated said 22.5 mpg for the tank.

RANGE:

I did the fill-up at 386.5 miles (so within 1.5 miles of the fuel light coming on.) I was only able to squeeze 17.2 gallons into it, by "topping off" the tank.

Does this thing really have a 5 gallon reserve when the light comes on? If so, I could have gone another 100 miles on the highway. Or a range of 485 miles! That is pretty darn good range, in my opinion.

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Evets F

· #2 · Mar 4, 2017

ISO,

The sounds encouraging, I am on my second tank, mixed driving with a climb of about 1200 feet on my way home each day.i was in the 16-18 range on my 06 ridge on this run with the best I saw on road trips was 21, 72 mph on cruise control. I know they stepped up the gearing on the later G2's my read out is showing 18.5 on this tank. Last one showed 17.9 but calculated out to 17.4 using a pencil, the.4 dif may just be topping off at different levels. My byway mileage may see a penalty from the OEM rack on my new truck.

I am surprised how much leaving the average MPG up on display effects my driving, I keep an eye on it and it has an effect on my right foot that was not there when driving my old truck. Is this making me Green?

ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 4, 2017

Evets F said:
ISO,

The sounds encouraging, I am on my second tank, mixed driving with a climb of about 1200 feet on my way home each day.i was in the 16-18 range on my 06 ridge on this run with the best I saw on road trips was 21, 72 mph on cruise control. I know they stepped up the gearing on the later G2's my read out is showing 18.5 on this tank. Last one showed 17.9 but calculated out to 17.4 using a pencil, the.4 dif may just be topping off at different levels. My byway mileage may see a penalty from the OEM rack on my new truck.

I am surprised how much leaving the average MPG up on display effects my driving, I keep an eye on it and it has an effect on my right foot that was not there when driving my old truck. Is this making me Green?

The driving I was doing with this tankful was lightly loaded, and primarily along the coastal plain. I'm sure that makes a huge difference compared to driving in mountains at elevation or with a load. But it's still encouraging -- if I can get 11-13 mpg while towing I'll be thrilled.

Yeah, that AVG MPG indicator is a reality check. Combined with the instantaneous fuel economy graph, it certainly keeps fuel usage front and center. But I don't have a lead foot either, so I think my driving habits are about the same. Still, I'm not sure anyone driving a truck qualifies as "Green." :grin:

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McChizzle

· #4 · Mar 4, 2017 (Edited)

You should get better MPG than I. I look forward to reading the results of your analysis. After nine years, I can tell you what my average numbers are so you have something to compare it with; granted they're not documented via something like Fuelly, so …

City= 16 MPG (best 18.7, worst 14.2)
Highway= 21 MPG (best 22.6, worst 20.2)
Towing= 10 MPG pulling 5,200-5,700 lbs (best 12.1, worst 8.7)

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ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 5, 2017

McChizzle said:
You should get better MPG than I. I look forward to reading the results of your analysis. After nine years, I can tell you what my average numbers are so you have something to compare it with; granted they're not documented via something like Fuelly, so …

City= 16 MPG (best 18.7, worst 14.2)

Highway= 21 MPG (best 22.6, worst 20.2)

Towing= 10 MPG pulling 5,200-5,700 lbs (best 12.1, worst 7.8)

McC, thanks for those mpgs. Very interesting to read those, especially the towing stats.

Yeah, I don't expect to continue averaging the sort of numbers I saw on this first tank. I was lightly loaded and predominantly highway driving in non-mountainous conditions.

My tow load will be about 4K lbs, and will be a boat (more aerodynamic than a camper.) So I am REALLY encouraged to see your towing mpgs. If I could get 12 mpgs towing I'd be thrilled -- that would be an almost 33% improvement over the Pilot.

Very curiously, after filling up with hi-test, it seemed to me that my mileage declined!! I will report back when I run this tank out.

And the fuel needle has dropped much more quickly than it peviously had. This makes me wonder if I did not get the tank all the way filled? I was hoping to hear some feedback from long-time owners about when their fuel light comes on? Is there really a 5-gallon reserve? On our '07 Pilot, the light very consistently comes on with about 2-2.5 gallons remaining.

Also poking around the ROC, I have found numerous owners claiming they have added more than 22 gallons to their Ridgeline tanks. One guy said he added 24 gallons on one occason when he had run it to empty. How big is this tank really?

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McChizzle

· #6 · Mar 5, 2017 (Edited)

The manual states that the fuel tank is 22.01 gallons in size. Once when I was really stretching a tank while towing where I was curtain I was "running on fumes," I could only put in 21.6 gallons and I really overfilled the tank.

By the way, don't overfilled the tank for it makes the ascending unit freak out and could damage it over time.

According to the manual, the fuel light is designed to come on when you have 3.3 gallons left in the tank. However, I've been quite annoyed by this feature on our RL for when it tells me I have 0 range left, I can comfortably do another 20 miles and even then I can only squeeze about 20 gallons into the tank (i.e. the light comes on too early for my liking).

Sorry, I mixed up my towing MPG numbers; my worst was actually 8.7 MPG. I too tow a boat (a 2005 Sea Ray 220 Sundeck with a wakeboard tower). Strangely enough, my worst MPG towing that boat was on a trip from Southern Maryland to Woodbridge, VA at the beginning of Winter a few years back. I've pulled that load on that trip numerous times and never got that bad of MPG except that one time and it was a calm day.

Also, although I always notice an increase in towing performance with 92/93 octane, I don't always get better MPG. Sometimes I get the same as I would towing with 87 octane and sometimes it's better, but it's never worse.

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McChizzle

· #7 · Mar 5, 2017 (Edited)

Something else I've noticed, which some ROC members strongly disagree with, is that you will not see or feel the benefits of high-octane fuel until your second tank. My butt-odometer has noticed this for I drive on 87 octane and when I know I'm going to tow I'll fill up with 92/93 octane, but I won't notice any difference until I empty that tank and I'm starting on my second 92/93 tank of gas. Other ROC members have said the same thing and others have angrily disagreed explaining the engineering behind there opinion. The naysayers appear to be technically correct about not needing a second tank before benefiting from high octane, but my butt-odometer and my towing MPG numbers keeps telling me different.

However, the opposite is not true, according to my butt-odometer. On one of my long tow trips where I only had another 100 miles to go, I decided I would fill up my last tank of gas with 87 octane and WOW, what a difference! All of the sudden, my RL was struggling more to maintain speed (shifting like crazy), would not accelerate as well, and became sluggish. If you're interested, you can read more about that towing trip here: http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...back-forum/62922-my-trip-lake-cumberland.html

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ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 5, 2017 (Edited)

Great feedback. That's right -- I forgot you tow the boat too in addition to the camper. So you've got some very relevant (to me) towing experience there.

Maybe that was a bad tank of gas coming back from SoMD? It does happen sometimes.

Your report about not feeling the full effect of the hi-test until the second tank is fascinating. That makes me think the tank is larger than reported in the spec, so the hi-test is more diluted than we realize. If that guy was right about putting 24+ gallons in his tank, then adding 16 gallons of hi-test would only get us 66% hi-test fuel.

I don't pretend to understand the engineering, but it does make sense to me that the mpg/power benefits of hi-test fuel would only be noticed under hi-load conditions. Otherwise, you would think Honda would spec hi-test so they could improve their epa mpg ratings. It seems manufacturers do everything they possibly can nowadays to boost those ratings.

I know in our Pilot, the only time I notice the difference is when towing. Without a heavy tow-load, there does not seem to be any benefit.

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McChizzle

· #9 · Mar 5, 2017 (Edited)

I'm pretty certain my fuel tank is not 24 gallons in size; it's about 22 gallons according to my ownership experience. That other member that was able to put 24 gallons in their RL could have had a fuel pump that was miss-calibrated. It's not unheard of for it's how scammers get more of your money at the pump and give you less fuel in return.

gene r

· #10 · Mar 5, 2017

I have found it difficult to get a fix on RL mileage. My first RL was an 06 which I bought new. The photo I have posted is not a gimmick. Look at the miles on tripometer A then look at the gas gauge. This was on one of my many trips from LI to NC. It was not uncommon for me to get 24 MPG on those trips average speeds of 70+ taking Rt81 to 77. I traded that truck in with 135,000 miles on it and almost every single fill up was topped off. This gave me an additional 3+ gallons per tank. I never had a single problem doing this. I experimented with 87 octane gas on 1 of my trips and swore I would never do it again. There were far fewer downshifts with 93 and substantially better mileage. I missed the RL so much that after a year and a half I bought an 07 with 96,000 miles on it. I did all the required maintenance a seasoned RL owner would do (radiator, belt, plugs) even put on the same Bridgestones and cannot get the same mileage I did with the 06. The ironic part is the 07 feels stronger then my 06 did. I top this one of too and have for the 15,000 miles I have driven it without a problem. The best I have gotten with it is around 21. I did tow a trailer weighing around 5000lbs, maybe a touch more and actually averaged 12mpg with it. I won't do it again though. It was more then adequate on the flats but I had to really put my foot into it in the mountains. I can't explain the difference in mileage due to anything mechanical. Daily commuting yields 15 to 15.5. I am not suggesting anyone else top off their tanks (it is a pia to do) I'm simply saying I have always done it without a problem and it affords me an additional 60 miles per tank. Also I don't rely on equations to determine the benefit of 93 octane. If you are towing or driving through the mountains 93 will beat 87 every time.

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McChizzle

· #11 · Mar 5, 2017 (Edited)

ISO Truck said:
... My tow load will be about 4K lbs, and will be a boat (more aerodynamic than a camper.) So I am REALLY encouraged to see your towing mpgs. If I could get 12 mpgs towing I'd be thrilled -- that would be an almost 33% improvement over the Pilot. ...

I've been keeping an eye on the ROC for towing MPG numbers of those that tow heavy trailers and it looks like the average for Gen1 is 10.5 MPG and the average, so far, for Gen2 is 12.1. Of course, these are not scientific numbers and I could have missed quite a few posts. I just wanted you to know that because I would hate for you to be disappointed in your RL's towing ability for the Gen1 was rated worst in its class (mid-size trucks) for towing. All-in-all, the Gen1 RL was never known for having good MPG, but it was better than its mid-size truck competition back in 2005/2006, so...

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ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 5, 2017

gene r said:
I have found it difficult to get a fix on RL mileage. My first RL was an 06 which I bought new. The photo I have posted is not a gimmick. Look at the miles on tripometer A then look at the gas gauge. This was on one of my many trips from LI to NC. It was not uncommon for me to get 24 MPG on those trips average speeds of 70+ taking Rt81 to 77. I traded that truck in with 135,000 miles on it and almost every single fill up was topped off. This gave me an additional 3+ gallons per tank. I never had a single problem doing this. I experimented with 87 octane gas on 1 of my trips and swore I would never do it again. There were far fewer downshifts with 93 and substantially better mileage. I missed the RL so much that after a year and a half I bought an 07 with 96,000 miles on it. I did all the required maintenance a seasoned RL owner would do (radiator, belt, plugs) even put on the same Bridgestones and cannot get the same mileage I did with the 06. The ironic part is the 07 feels stronger then my 06 did. I top this one of too and have for the 15,000 miles I have driven it without a problem. The best I have gotten with it is around 21. I did tow a trailer weighing around 5000lbs, maybe a touch more and actually averaged 12mpg with it. I won't do it again though. It was more then adequate on the flats but I had to really put my foot into it in the mountains. I can't explain the difference in mileage due to anything mechanical. Daily commuting yields 15 to 15.5. I am not suggesting anyone else top off their tanks (it is a pia to do) I'm simply saying I have always done it without a problem and it affords me an additional 60 miles per tank. Also I don't rely on equations to determine the benefit of 93 octane. If you are towing or driving through the mountains 93 will beat 87 every time.

That is some great feedback, gene r. Very curious about the difference between your '06 and '07 -- it really makes you wonder how they could be so different.

And I for one don't doubt your photo -- if I had run the tank out I should have hit those numbers too. Although -- it looks to like your fuel light wasn't even on -- amazing!

Tell me about your "topping off" method. I was not able to add any more to my tank than the 17 or so gallons.

ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 5, 2017

McChizzle said:
I've been keeping an eye on the ROC for towing MPG numbers of those that tow heavy trailers and it looks like the average for Gen1 is 10.5 MPG and the average, so far, for Gen2 is 12.1. Of course, these are not scientific numbers and I could have missed quite a few posts. I just wanted to tell you thing for I would hate for you to be disappointed in your RL's towing abilities for the Gen1 was rated as worst in its class for towing. All-in-all, the Gen1 RL was never known for having good MPG, but it was better than its mid-size truck competition back in 2005/2006, so....

Good data.

Like I said, if I can get even an extra 1-2 better mpg than the Pilot, I know I will have a better over-all towing experience due to the larger tank, larger brakes, better transmission gearing, and greater hp/torque.

I will certainly be reporting on the towing experience. If I have the time, I may even do a direct comparison between the '07 Pilot and the '14 Ridgeline on an identical route....

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Heli ATP

· #14 · Mar 5, 2017 (Edited)

I am happy to average 18mpg where I live, and that's with no towing to date on my SE. Checkout the Ridgeline on Fuelly. You will get an idea of what others are getting. Sign up and put the Fuelly banner on your posts...

Honda Ridgeline MPG - Actual MPG from 862 Honda Ridgeline owners

ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 5, 2017

Heli ATP said:
I am happy to average 18mpg where I live, and that's with no towing to date on my SE. Checkout the Ridgeline on Fuelly. You will get an idea of what others are getting. Sign up and put Fuelly the banner on your posts...

Honda Ridgeline MPG - Actual MPG from 862 Honda Ridgeline owners

Thanks Heli.

I actually put that app on my phone last week, but haven't fiddled with it yet. I'm not even sure I got the right one. It's called "GasTracker+" by Fuelly. It was free. Is this the right one?

gene r

· #16 · Mar 5, 2017

ISO Truck said:
That is some great feedback, gene r. Very curious about the difference between your '06 and '07 -- it really makes you wonder how they could be so different.

And I for one don't doubt your photo -- if I had run the tank out I should have hit those numbers too. Although -- it looks to like your fuel light wasn't even on -- amazing!

Tell me about your "topping off" method. I was not able to add any more to my tank than the 17 or so gallons.

As a rule around town I will always fill up at the same station at the same pump. You have to have a nozzle that enables you to slow the flow down. I will fill it at full stream until it shuts off then slow the flow down till the tank is topped off. It is a slow process. I can tell by looking at that gas gauge that the pump will stop at around 17 gallons or so. It will then take on another 3+. I will fill it right to the brim. Off course on the road you can't pick your pump so that becomes a problem but in my opinion worth it. My 07 would be around 400 at that mark which makes sense given 3mpg over 20 gallons. The home I had on LI which I sold last July was not far from the Northville tank farm. I would see gas trucks from all the major brands and contract haulers fill up their tanks there and then deliver that gas to whomever so I don't put much faith in one brand of gas over another. Some members have suggested that maybe the O2 sensors are accounting for the difference. I would explore the possibilities except for the fact that it runs so damn well. Some members have experienced the same variation in mileage with different RL's they have owned. I forgot to add that neither one of my trucks burned a drop of oil.

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Heli ATP

· #17 · Mar 5, 2017

ISO Truck said:
Thanks Heli.
I actually put that app on my phone last week, It's called "GasTracker+" by Fuelly. It was free. Is this the right one?

I just use Fuelly.com on my PC. Not much for apps.

If you have had a hard time adding Fuelly to your signature try this...

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...te-issues-website-help/61322-fuelly-sigs.html

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Evets F

· #18 · Mar 10, 2017

Not sure what to think about average MPG read out, third fill up last time it was off by .4 mpg on the pessimistic side. This fill it stated 18.5 average, penciled out to 22.8 MPG mixed driving. I must assume topping can weight number considerably. If you can milk in another couple gallons at fill up this can through the number off nearly 10%. I think not topping off and going with the number used when nozzle trips may be more accurate assuming flow rate is equal at pump. If I continue to see 22+ MPG mixed driving, I will be dancing in the street.

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Evets F

· #19 · Mar 11, 2017

I know the truck needs about a tank full of data to set computer to your driving habits. Had shown 18.5 Mpg on computer last fill and hand calced to 22.5 mixed. 1/4 tank in this time showering 19.5 in mixed driving on computer. That is about what we get on our 2000 Accord V6 in mixed driving. Hope this turns out to be a real number. About 3-4 MPG better than what I saw on my 06 Ridge, not sure if it is improvements or focus on MPG read out.

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ISO Truck

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 11, 2017

Evets, good intel there. Just for the record, you're driving a '13 RTL/Navi, correct?

I'm about 2/3 of the way into the second tank of fuel (Hi-test), and don't seem to be getting as good of mileage as the previous tankful. The computer is indicating 19.8 right now.

On this tankful, I am closer to 50-50 city/highway. What I am noticing is that idling in traffic REALLY kills the mpg of this engine. Yeah, I know, no kidding! But this engine seems worse than othes we have when idling. Or possibly it's the fact the computer is showing the instantaneous mpg!

Another aspect I'm noticing is that the mpgs seem to be very weight sensitive. Just me, and I seem to do darn well. Add a few passengers and a bit of luggage, and there is an immediate and noticeable decline in mpg.

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