[Diveroger]

I've read other posts, but am not sure how to best proceed. On the highway I do get around 20-21 mpg, as advertised. However, when I fill up and then run errands and just commute to and from work, which is only a few miles, my mileage is absolutely horrible. I'm not gunning it at every light and I'm not stopped for long periods of time. My last fill up had an average 13 mpg calculated (it said 13.5 on the dash). 2013 RTL with 103k miles. I can't imagine it should be this bad? I'm not sure I have averaged over 15mpg other than an all highway trip. Is there something that could be killing my mileage at idle or lower speeds? When I fill up and only have 10-15 miles on it, I can watch the calculated mpg drop multiple points while I sit at a light. That just doesn't seem right?

I've had my 2009 since new, get the same results as you. Ridgeline have never been noted for good milage

 

[AtTheMurph]

I had a Gen1 that got 16mpg in the city and 22mpg hwy. I thought that was a hell of a good vehicle.

Now have a Gen2 and get 18-20mpg city and 24-26MPG hwy running 70-85mph. If A/C is running full then about 8-10% less for all. My computer in the truck is really close to my manual calculations. Within .2mpg. I track all my mileage and gas for work.

 

[wjfyfe]

I've had my 2009 since new, get the same results as you. Ridgeline have never been noted for good milage

2019 where most of our driving is highway where we are typically seeing 25-28 MPG, we're tickled with that. Oh, and on the trip we were pulling our 1300 pound folding trailer we made 22 MPG, we're happy!

Bill

 

[RMarkL]

I've read other posts, but am not sure how to best proceed. On the highway I do get around 20-21 mpg, as advertised. However, when I fill up and then run errands and just commute to and from work, which is only a few miles, my mileage is absolutely horrible. I'm not gunning it at every light and I'm not stopped for long periods of time. My last fill up had an average 13 mpg calculated (it said 13.5 on the dash). 2013 RTL with 103k miles. I can't imagine it should be this bad? I'm not sure I have averaged over 15mpg other than an all highway trip. Is there something that could be killing my mileage at idle or lower speeds? When I fill up and only have 10-15 miles on it, I can watch the calculated mpg drop multiple points while I sit at a light. That just doesn't seem right?

My 2006 (7?) has always gotten 15 city /17 Hwy... It's the ONLY thing I don't like about my truck, but, even though I pay $1 per gallon more than most of you (California), the rest of the truck makes it well worth the cost... Love my 1st Gen, God help the 2nd Genners...

 

[tmz]

13 m.p.g for driving just a few miles seems normal--starting a cold engine an driving that first mile or two uses a lot of gas. I got about 15.5-16 around town in m G1 but my commute was 12 miles and the traffic wasn't real bad. Got about 19.5 on the highway, but that was driving 72-78 mph and going over the Sierras. Occasionally got as good as 22 on the highway. In my G2 I get around 24-25 under those conditions, and I've got as good as around 27 with a bit slower speeds or fewer mountians. Those are calculated miles as my G2 get the typical 1.5 - 2 mpg less than the lies the computer tells me.

 

[RidgeRTL06]

I've read other posts, but am not sure how to best proceed. On the highway I do get around 20-21 mpg, as advertised. However, when I fill up and then run errands and just commute to and from work, which is only a few miles, my mileage is absolutely horrible. I'm not gunning it at every light and I'm not stopped for long periods of time. My last fill up had an average 13 mpg calculated (it said 13.5 on the dash). 2013 RTL with 103k miles. I can't imagine it should be this bad? I'm not sure I have averaged over 15mpg other than an all highway trip. Is there something that could be killing my mileage at idle or lower speeds? When I fill up and only have 10-15 miles on it, I can watch the calculated mpg drop multiple points while I sit at a light. That just doesn't seem right?

I typically get between 11 and 13 pulling a 4,800 lb travel trailer with a 2006 RTL.

 

[vsantoro]

2011 RT - consistently get 17 around town, 21 highway if I keep it at 65. Once I hit 70-75 it drops to 19/20. Thats during summer.
Upstate NY during winter all of that drops by 2 or 3 mpg.

 

[feetdry]

Fuelly has been tracking mine now for about 275,000 miles. I recently dropped to about 13 because I towed a tandem axle Uhaul for 600 miles.

 

[IanRTL]

Using the G1 for shorter trips and commuting, you'll never get above 15mpg or so. It's heavy and relatively underpowered with weak torque in the lower RPMs. It takes some heavy air and fuel to get these things moving. Over my nearly 10 years of ownership of my 07, my fuel mileage has been very steady in general, but there are a few factors that I've found that affect it:
1. Tires - if you have heavy AT tires with higher rolling resistance, you're going to hurt your mileage. Highway tires or LRR tires do help a bit.
2. Fuel octane - many will say they never notice any difference between 87 and 93, but I am not one of them. I do notice smoother and stronger power when using higher octane fuel over 87 and a 0.5-1mpg increase in fuel mileage depending on the type of driving I'm doing. The G1 has a 10.5:1 compression ratio, which is a little higher than normal, so it does benefit from some timing advance with higher octane fuels. That's why the owners manual calls for using premium fuel when towing.
3. Age of fluids and filters - if my engine oil, trans fluid, rear diff fluid, or filters get towards the end of their change cycle, I notice a very slight sluggishness and possibly a drop in fuel mileage.
4. Climate/location - when the weather gets colder and winter gas blends make their ugly appearance, my fuel mileage drops 1-1.5mpg. There's not much one can do about it.
5. Elevation changes - my area is not flat to say the least. Going up hills and having the truck get over 3500RPM to maintain speed certainly doesn't help mpg. My best mileage ever was when I was on a completely flat stretch of highway for 400 miles through Tennessee in the summer with highway tires and 93 octane fuel. I saw 23.5mpg.

I fill up my truck about once every 3 weeks or so as I don't drive much - about 4500-5000 miles per year. My commute is 4 miles to work and back. Most of my driving is shorter trips like this with stop signs, stop lights and sub 35mph driving. I do get out on the highway a few times a week for 4-5 miles at a time, and longer highway trips are very rare. My usual fuel mileage ranges from 12.5 in the winter to 15.5 in the summer with the most common mileage being about 14mpg. A recent all highway trip to my sister's in Ohio yielded 20.5mpg, so I know that my 172k mile 07 is still as steady as it's always been.

 

[fresnoridgeline]

2. Fuel octane - many will say they never notice any difference between 87 and 93, but I am not one of them. I do notice smoother and stronger power when using higher octane fuel over 87 and a 0.5-1mpg increase in fuel mileage depending on the type of driving I'm doing. The G1 has a 10.5:1 compression ratio, which is a little higher than normal, so it does benefit from some timing advance with higher octane fuels. That's why the owners manual calls for using premium fuel when towing.

How does the truck know what octane is being used and how does it advance the timing?

 

[IanRTL]

Here's a post from the designer of the G1 RL (Gary Flint), explaining the merits of using premium fuel:

Cold Air Intake Systems and Low-Restriction Air Filters...

From the Honda Service News, provided to us by csimo. Cold air intake systems and low-restriction air filters are hot aftermarket accessories. Popular among the import tuner crowd, these items may improve engine performance by letting the engine breathe more deeply, reducing the intake air...

www.ridgelineownersclub.com

Premium fuel has a bit of a higher ignition point than regular, so the truck's ECU receives information from a myriad of sensors related to the timing of the spark and makes small adjustments to maximize engine performance. The biggest benefit, from what Gary says, is when the engine is under higher loads. I've noticed this when on highway runs going up inclines when I'm over 3000RPM. With 87, the torque margin is narrow, so the transmission and converter almost get confused and shift between 4th and 5th and locked/unlocked frequently. With the broader torque margin using premium, I can tackle inclines in 5th gear with the TC locked up and no shifting. For me, I do notice the truck is more eager to accelerate with premium in regular driving than it is with 87. So, being that my fuel cost is lower due to lower yearly mileage, I just use 93 year round.

 

[Jack]

The Ridgeline is a lot of things, but it's not a commuter vehicle. I get about 20+ on the highway and 13-14 around town on my 2008 with 200k. Been that way since new and likely not change.

Things that can help are not driving over 60 on the highway. The ridgeline is just not streamlined enough and my gas mileage drops off drastically if I run anything over 60. Also watch the tachometer and keep your acceleration under 2500rpm whenever possible.

 

[IanRTL]

Strictly from a gas mileage perspective, no, the RL is a terrible commuter vehicle. If gas mileage is of little to no concern for the owner, I'd contend the RL is a fantastic commuter vehicle. It's large enough to yield comfortable space, yet small enough to maneuver well (although the turning radius leaves quite a bit to be desired). It rides and handles smoothly and capably while still being able to carry four average-sized adults when necessary. Personally, I love being in my RL and look forward to driving it nearly every time. I open the sunroof and rear window, crank up the tunes from my upgraded audio system, put on the shades and just drive. On the flip side in the winter, it's extremely capable and solid in snow and ice - better than any other vehicle I've ever owned. It also warms up extremely fast, which makes those cold winter mornings not feel so frigid.

Nonetheless, being that this is a mpg discussion, one does need to factor that into the decision of whether to have the RL as a daily driver. In my situation, keeping my fully paid off and ultra reliable truck for weekend/hauling duties and driving an Insight or Prius to work would be the most logical if I were only concerned about fuel mileage. However, the insurance/maintenance/upkeep on two vehicles is certainly more than maintaining just one. There are pros and cons to just about any situation, but I'm more than fine getting 14mpg and filling up once every three weeks in my truck.

 

[CASD57]

I'm getting 15.5mpg Stop and Go very little over the sweet spot of 46-47 mph(Shifts to 5th)
When I have more suburb driving a lot of over the sweet spot I get 16-16.5 mpg
And I have a slight dead spot off the line so it probably needs a tune-up
Oh this is having the A/C on 50% or more of the time... I leave it on Auto 72 degrees and it's been in the 90's here with some over a 100 degrees

2006 RTL 72,000 miles

 

[wjfyfe]

A difference of some getting less than 20 MPG to others getting nearly 30 MPG on the highway, different driving styles?

(Currently our 2019 is at about 7,000 miles, on the highway typically cruise control is set at 70 MPH, AC on, hilly/mountainous terrain, fuel mileage high 20s, 21 MPG pulling our 1300 pound folding camper.

Bill

 

[eurban]

A difference of some getting less than 20 MPG to others getting nearly 30 MPG on the highway, different driving styles?

(Currently our 2019 is at about 7,000 miles, on the highway typically cruise control is set at 70 MPH, AC on, hilly/mountainous terrain, fuel mileage high 20s, 21 MPG pulling our 1300 pound folding camper.

Bill

His is a 13 so its a GenI. No one with a GenI is claiming nearly 30mpg. Also keep in mind that the GenII's trip computer is significantly optimistic and will read close to 2mpg high. That may help to explain why some report close to the 30mpg.

Still, here's a bit more data from a recent trip in my 2014 Sport (GenI). I drove to Chestertown Md from the DC area last week. The trip is about 90 miles each way and is mostly level. On the way down I zeroed my trip computer once I was on the highway and drove in light traffic with speeds below 65 and most around 55. It was about 78 degrees out and I ran with my windows up but the AC off and just the fan blowing. By the time I reached Chestertown I had stopped just a few times at traffic lights. My MPG gauge was actually reading over 26.5 MPG which is around 26 actual as the gauge is just a bit optimistic in my experience. The next day I drove about 15 miles on low speed roads with stop signs and traffic lights in Chestertown. On the trip home there was a bit more traffic, speeds were a bit higher and I used the AC. Final MPG when I rolled home (including about 3miles of in town stop and go) was 23.3 indicated so maybe just a hair under 23 MPG total. Total distance was indicated at 190 miles. I would guess that a GenII in similar conditions would get between 2-3 MPG better so reaching 30 MPG for pure mostly flat highway with speeds close to 55 seems possible.

By the same token, my truck averages around 14mpg in town traffic. I'm sure if I made really short trips exclusively, this number would be even lower. Again the GenII might better the GenI here by about 2 MPG.

 

[wjfyfe]

I was not aware of the difference in fuel mileage between the Gen 1 and 2. Our fuel calculations above were done the old-fashioned-way, manually, but the computerized calculations have been pretty close, close enough to serve our purposes actually, we have no need to calculate down to the tenths!

Bill

 

[eurban]

I was not aware of the difference in fuel mileage between the Gen 1 and 2. Our fuel calculations above were done the old-fashioned-way, manually, but the computerized calculations have been pretty close, close enough to serve our purposes actually, we have no need to calculate down to the tenths!

Bill

You are in the minority if your gauge is accurate. Most GenII owners report the gauge to be between 1 and 2 mpg off . . .

 

[wjfyfe]

You are in the minority if your gauge is accurate. Most GenII owners report the gauge to be between 1 and 2 mpg off . . .

Our older 70's era pickups make 10-12 MPG, around 8 MPG when towing, so 26 MPG +- 2 for the Ridgeline sounds pretty darn good in our book and a gudenuff comparison for us!

As well as the car-like comfort ride, air conditioning, having a tailgate that actually locks on it's own, well, these are just a part of the luxuries that we are getting used to by purchasing the Ridgeline!

Bill

 

[IanRTL]

+1 on what eurban said. Pretty big difference in mpg capability between the G1 and G2. The engine/trans combo in the G1, whereas VERY stout and long-lasting, was designed in a time when fuel mileage wasn't the most important of design characteristics. Gas was cheap, so it wasn't a big deal to get 13mpg in the city. Then oil went to $100+ a barrel and gas was $4.00+ per gallon. Some have stated seeing upwards of 24-25mpg on the highway with G1's, but it's usually around 20-22. The G2, engine and transmission design, along with its aerodynamics, are much more efficient. On my last fill up a few days ago, I had about half a tank with all highway miles (70-75mph) and the other half of my normal work commute. I got right at 17.5mpg on that tank.