Abysmal MPG - RTL-E
61 - 77 of 77 Posts
Joined
·
128 Posts
I have averaged 16.9 mpg on my trip computer over my first 1000kms. However on highway I got 28 mpg on a 65km round trip.
I however do mainly city driving and I use remote start for like 15+ minutes per day as its been quite hot but even when it's not I still use it lol.
I however do mainly city driving and I use remote start for like 15+ minutes per day as its been quite hot but even when it's not I still use it lol.
Joined
·
90 Posts
Out of the 4 full tanks I've recorded, I've gotten 14.5, 14.7, 19.1, 18. The 19.1 was about 80-90% highway miles. I still haven't gotten my chance to do a 100% highway test, but no matter how you split it, those numbers are pretty depressing. It's a good thing gas is cheap right now. :surprise:
Joined
·
90 Posts
That's an excellent idea. I'll give that a check when I do my highway test.
Joined
·
90 Posts
I finally got my chance to do the run down south and back, with some surprising results! (Incidentally, the last tank of 6 gallons went 19 MPG with about 30/70 city/hwy driving.)
- Fueled up at Chevron on Crown Valley in Mission Viejo
- Headed south toward Oceanside
- Apple Maps GPS reports the trip is exactly 72 miles, so it would appear that the odometer works fine.
So! It would appear that my RTL-E does NOT, in fact, have abysmal MPG! At least when it has a chance to stretch its legs on a mostly flat highway cruising at ~65-70mph. This test now makes me wonder:
- How much impact does the AC have on mileage? (Must be a bunch.)
- Does anyone know if the EPA ratings are done with AC or without?
- Are the hills around my home really messing with my mileage? (The hills are aliiiiive with the sound of gaaaaas puuuuumps.)
- Do I live in an area that is nowhere near the conditions of an EPA rating test? (Almost certainly.)
- Do I need to take some occasional long-stretch trips to be sure my RL isn't suffering from short-trip-itis? (Probably, and that's fine with me!)
- Why is the computer reported MPG so inaccurate? (2.5 MPG error on this trip)
I guess the main lesson learned here is that my typical driving conditions must be pretty demanding compared to those used for the EPA ratings. Yet another reason living in Orange County is too damned expensive! But I'm very glad to have finally gotten this test out of the way. It helps me to relax and fully enjoy my sweet new ride.
I'll check in with the service manager at my dealer (Norm Reeves in Irvine, CA) to let her know that things aren't as bad as I'd initially suspected.
BTW, I'll update the original post in this thread to reflect these findings. Thanks to everyone who has participated in the discussion. We can keep it going, if you like, but I think I'm satisfied for now with my RL's performance.
- Fueled up at Chevron on Crown Valley in Mission Viejo
- Headed south toward Oceanside
- NO AIR CONDITIONING
- Cruise control set to 69mph (because I'm a child)
- Tire pressure: 38 PSI
- Stopped in Carlsbad (since the traffic was light) at the 7-11 on Carlsbad Villiage Dr to use the restroom- Tire pressure: 38 PSI
- Miles at the half point: 36
- Computer reported MPG: 27.6
- Headed back north- Computer reported MPG: 27.6
- NO AIR CONDITIONING
- Cuising at 69mph (still a child)
- Fueled up at the same pump at Chevron- Cuising at 69mph (still a child)
- Total miles: 72.1
- Computer reported MPG (this leg): 27.7
- Computer reported MPG (total trip): 27.8
- Tire pressure: 39 PSI
- Actual calculated mileage- Computer reported MPG (this leg): 27.7
- Computer reported MPG (total trip): 27.8
- Tire pressure: 39 PSI
- Miles: 72.1
- Gallons: 2.851
- MPG: 25.29
- Gallons: 2.851
- MPG: 25.29
- Apple Maps GPS reports the trip is exactly 72 miles, so it would appear that the odometer works fine.
So! It would appear that my RTL-E does NOT, in fact, have abysmal MPG! At least when it has a chance to stretch its legs on a mostly flat highway cruising at ~65-70mph. This test now makes me wonder:
- How much impact does the AC have on mileage? (Must be a bunch.)
- Does anyone know if the EPA ratings are done with AC or without?
- Are the hills around my home really messing with my mileage? (The hills are aliiiiive with the sound of gaaaaas puuuuumps.)
- Do I live in an area that is nowhere near the conditions of an EPA rating test? (Almost certainly.)
- Do I need to take some occasional long-stretch trips to be sure my RL isn't suffering from short-trip-itis? (Probably, and that's fine with me!)
- Why is the computer reported MPG so inaccurate? (2.5 MPG error on this trip)
I guess the main lesson learned here is that my typical driving conditions must be pretty demanding compared to those used for the EPA ratings. Yet another reason living in Orange County is too damned expensive! But I'm very glad to have finally gotten this test out of the way. It helps me to relax and fully enjoy my sweet new ride.
I'll check in with the service manager at my dealer (Norm Reeves in Irvine, CA) to let her know that things aren't as bad as I'd initially suspected.
BTW, I'll update the original post in this thread to reflect these findings. Thanks to everyone who has participated in the discussion. We can keep it going, if you like, but I think I'm satisfied for now with my RL's performance.
Joined
·
2,264 Posts
glad to hear that you got good mileage. Now, take the ski boots off when you drive.
My experience thus far, with over 5000 miles on my BE, is the truck gets outstanding mileage on the interstate or steady driving. 25+ mpg is obtained on the interstate. Around town and stop and go driving is mid to high teens depending on conditions. Towing my boat at 55-65 mph gets around 12 mpg.
Joined
·
90 Posts
:grin:
You'd think from my previous tanks that I'm normally a lead-foot driver, but I've been trying since I got the RL to keep the instantaneous mileage bars as high as possible while I drive. When the glowing green brackets on my dash fade, I usually try to ease up. So I have to conclude that I must make too many short trips, and that the heat and hills of my local area are really nasty on efficiency.
Joined
·
46 Posts
Hills, remote start and stop & go driving kill MPG. Our '07 5.7L Tundra used to get 14 city 21 hwy in TX. Moved to Oregon on a 550 ft hill and city MPG dropped to 12.
Thanks for cataloging this MPG angle and for being so thorough. Very helpful for us new / soon-to-be Ridgie owners. Best of luck with the vehicle. :smile:
Thanks for cataloging this MPG angle and for being so thorough. Very helpful for us new / soon-to-be Ridgie owners. Best of luck with the vehicle. :smile:
Joined
·
90 Posts
Excellent resource, thanks! Also, it would appear that even my test this morning was likely over-taxing compared to the EPA test, considering I ran at 65-70 mph almost the whole trip. Good to know.
Joined
·
90 Posts
My pleasure, stantaur... I'm glad it's been useful!
And if anyone likes advice from strangers on the internet, you can have my recommendation on the new Ridgeline. Love this truck! :wink:
Joined
·
353 Posts
I can hardly wait to see your car pool karaoke video on YouTube -- Julie Andrews would be so proud!
>
BTW, did you check the RL's odometer against the mile posts?
Joined
·
90 Posts
Careful what you wish for... My buddies call me the human jukebox. Damn near any phrase triggers me to start singing a song with related lyrics. LOLI can hardly wait to see your car pool karaoke video on YouTube -- Julie Andrews would be so proud!
>
BTW, did you check the RL's odometer against the mile posts?
The GPS/Apple Maps plots that trip at exactly 72 miles round trip, so it would appear to support the odometer's reading. Thanks for the reminder! Updated my summary post.
61 - 77 of 77 Posts
