paulfmeyer
03-07-2007, 01:48 PM
Hi folks,
I just joined the forum today. I'm from the greater Boston area, and currently drive an '06 Accord (4 cyl AT). Previous car was a '91 Corolla 5spd. I like the Accord, especially as I have two boys, and my car is the "family outing car". Both the Accord and I are heavier than our 1991 counterparts.
I've been somewhat dissapointed with the FE of the Accord however. My old Corolla got a consistent 31mpg, and I drove it pretty aggressively (I beat the crap out of it, actually). I got rid of it due to rust-through in a few areas. With family in the car, though, I drive like Ward Cleaver.
My wife has an '01 Camry 4cyl, and I can manage low to mid 30's mpg on a decent highway trip. The New Accord is generally turning in around 24 mpg in mixed use driving. A recent family trip using the cruise control got 28 mpg. My best ever was a 37mpg from Boston to Princeton NJ when the car only had about 1000 miles on it. BTW, since that trip, I haven't gotten close to that mileage.
I suspect driving behavior is a major contributor. As a lifelong stick driver, this is my first Auto trans. in many years. I went with the Auto as my wife may need to drive the car on occasion. The clincher in deciding on the Auto trans was the EPA ratings vs the stick - they were pretty close. I love the slickness of the Accord's 5 spd. auto, but I admit to a certain bias toward higher revs. I get annoyed by the upshift in traffic. I step on the gas consiously hard enough to downshift in traffic when acceleration is needed.
Boston Interstate driving can be a bit intense, and many of the FE techniques advocated here could conceivably get you into a bit of trouble with your neighbors on the roadways. Still, I have chilled out considerably on my speeds.
I own the car through my business, and keep good records of each fillup and mpg per tank.
Since finding the site, I've looked over a few of the articles on advanced FE techniques, and checked out the mileage logs. Good gravy! have some of you installed pedals?
I've seen that a few folks here drive Accords also, but they are getting near twice the mileage I am. Would any of you folks consider pointing me to links in the archives for improving the FE of non-hybrid cars?
I also have a '78 Triumph Spitfire that's a hobby car. It's in good shape and a real pleasure to drive. Mpg ranges from 22 to 24 in it's current state of tune (bigger carb.). Prior to upgrading, she could get close to 30 mpg when babied. I keep an eye out on EV technologies as I think the Spitfire would make a great EV, but what I've seen so far for swaps leaves me wanting more power/range/value for the money.
Thanks, and I look forward to any replies.
I just joined the forum today. I'm from the greater Boston area, and currently drive an '06 Accord (4 cyl AT). Previous car was a '91 Corolla 5spd. I like the Accord, especially as I have two boys, and my car is the "family outing car". Both the Accord and I are heavier than our 1991 counterparts.
I've been somewhat dissapointed with the FE of the Accord however. My old Corolla got a consistent 31mpg, and I drove it pretty aggressively (I beat the crap out of it, actually). I got rid of it due to rust-through in a few areas. With family in the car, though, I drive like Ward Cleaver.
My wife has an '01 Camry 4cyl, and I can manage low to mid 30's mpg on a decent highway trip. The New Accord is generally turning in around 24 mpg in mixed use driving. A recent family trip using the cruise control got 28 mpg. My best ever was a 37mpg from Boston to Princeton NJ when the car only had about 1000 miles on it. BTW, since that trip, I haven't gotten close to that mileage.
I suspect driving behavior is a major contributor. As a lifelong stick driver, this is my first Auto trans. in many years. I went with the Auto as my wife may need to drive the car on occasion. The clincher in deciding on the Auto trans was the EPA ratings vs the stick - they were pretty close. I love the slickness of the Accord's 5 spd. auto, but I admit to a certain bias toward higher revs. I get annoyed by the upshift in traffic. I step on the gas consiously hard enough to downshift in traffic when acceleration is needed.
Boston Interstate driving can be a bit intense, and many of the FE techniques advocated here could conceivably get you into a bit of trouble with your neighbors on the roadways. Still, I have chilled out considerably on my speeds.
I own the car through my business, and keep good records of each fillup and mpg per tank.
Since finding the site, I've looked over a few of the articles on advanced FE techniques, and checked out the mileage logs. Good gravy! have some of you installed pedals?
I've seen that a few folks here drive Accords also, but they are getting near twice the mileage I am. Would any of you folks consider pointing me to links in the archives for improving the FE of non-hybrid cars?
I also have a '78 Triumph Spitfire that's a hobby car. It's in good shape and a real pleasure to drive. Mpg ranges from 22 to 24 in it's current state of tune (bigger carb.). Prior to upgrading, she could get close to 30 mpg when babied. I keep an eye out on EV technologies as I think the Spitfire would make a great EV, but what I've seen so far for swaps leaves me wanting more power/range/value for the money.
Thanks, and I look forward to any replies.