[nicktastic]

I wanted to hear some suggestions that others have tried to increase their MPG. I have done a good amount of research but I still feel I am missing something as far as improving gas mileage.

I understand this has probably been covered a million times, and it's a truck, you don't buy a truck for good MPG. Which I wasn't expecting good gas mileage anyhow. Just curious really.

Right now I average about 13-15 MPG maybe closer to 16 on highway. Only hit 17 once. Here is a bit of info on the truck & what I've tried:

2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL
I am NOT the original owner, I bought it at 127k
133,xxx Miles currently.

Oil change @ 128k. (Mobile 1 synthetic 5W-30, Honda OEM filter)
Transmission Fluid changed @ 128k. (OEM Honda Fluid)
NGK IZFR5K-11 spark plugs 3 weeks ago.
K&N 33-2323 Air Filter 3 weeks ago.
Tires at 36-38 PSI at all times.
87 Octane regular gas.

Minimal weight inside of the truck other than me, my girlfriend occasionally, spare tire, and maybe 60 lbs in some spare tools, etc.

I have tried both driving slowly, trying to keep the trans to shift at or before 2500 rpms, or driving heavy and to be honest I don't really see much of a crazy difference, maybe .5-1 mpg difference. I live in the northeast corner of PA, so hills are not uncommon but it's not a daily occurrence.

I'm just looking for suggestions that I could try next. The bad gas mileage really don't bother me too much, I didn't buy this truck for good gas mileage, i bought it to haul my quad, reliable in all weathers, and tow my civic back & forth to the track.

But I do drive it daily, so a few extra miles wouldn't hurt! So with that being said, lets hear your suggestions that I could try next!

Thanks mucho~:act035:
I'll leave yall with some pics!

 

[nicktastic]

Ideas:
Turn off the AC (I believe the AC is always on in the Auto mode)
Get rid of the roof rack if you have one. (I see from you pic that you don't have one)
Get low rolling resistance tires that are the correct stock size
Align the truck
Get rid of a lift kit if you have one (Doesn't look like you have one)
Replace your O2 sensors.
Adjust your valves
Get rid of unneeded weight
Use the correct 5-20 or 0-20 engine oil
Make sure the plastic under engine / wheel well covers aren't flapping in the breeze

Thank you for your suggestions!
No roof rack.
I'll look into tires when I'm ready to replace these!
Just got an alignment done within the last 3 months.
No lift.
I will look into the o2 sensors!
I will look into a valve adjustment!
I believe I used 5w20, I might have made a mistake when I made the post. I will double check when I am home.
I do have to replace the passenger front cover, it is broken.

PS:Make sure your KN isn't over oiled.

This is a brand new K&N Filter, I'll assume it's correct. Didn't seem over oiled when I put it in.

1) switch to 0W20 Mobil 1.
2) do not use the cruise control, or try to maintain a steady speed. Instead, maintain a steady throttle level - let the speed drop off a bit on uphills, and run high a little going down. The goal is to avoid downshifting.
3) optimum highway goal speed is 68 where I drive - keeps you from downshifting as much compared to holding right at 65. Or you could drive way slower, but that's annoying.
4) check tire pressure often, and when your tires are cold.
5) lose the K&N - it's doing nothing for you.
6) change your cabin air filter - better airflow keeps you from having to turn the AC on as much.

Thank you for your suggestions!
I often use cruise control on most highways.
I will be more consistent with my tire PSI in the mornings.
The next step after this K&N filter will be an aftermarket intake.
I just replaced the cabin air filter, definitely needed it!

Unplug your battery to do a throttle logic reset. This will clear the old "habits" and let the truck learn your driving style. There are some threads if you search and I might have the wrong term. But that's the gist of it.

I have never looked into this, I did however replace the battery shortly after I purchased the truck. I would assume replacing the battery would have cleared the throttle logic?

How long are the trips that you have used to compute highway efficiency? The reason for asking is that, if the engine isn't fully warmed up, you should expect no better than city mileage even when on the highway.

It can take up to 10 minutes on the road to be fully warmed up. Thus, only much longer trips should be considered "highway", where that warm-up time becomes insignificant.

Most of my highway trips are easily 2-4 hours. I don't count anything less than 15 minutes as a highway as I take a "highway" to work but i'm only on it for 7-10 minutes.

I found that going downhill consistently helps my mpg.

I've tracked mine now for over 175,000 miles. You can see Fuelly doesn't lie.

I enjoy your sarcasm, the ride home is all downhill so that helps!

 

[nicktastic]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and if anyone else has any please post. I take all into account!

 

[nicktastic]

Better yet get rid of it, never been proven to gain anything! Except maybe a hole in your wallet...

A little late now, the filter needed to be changed and I got a pretty decent deal on it. No big deal!

 

[nicktastic]

Since this post, I haven't changed anything and believe it or not I've been able to get 2 tanks of fuel. (1 was strictly highway) at 17.0-17.5 MPG!

I'm pretty excited, I don't know if it has to do with the weather changing and it being colder so more horses. None the less, the only thing I changed was I drove like normal, not beating on the throttle but not taking it easy either.

I will continue logging MPG, and trying little things until I find the best mixture. I do appreciate all of the suggestions though!