MPG on a 2005 Accord with 60k miles

[buster]

I'm averaging 31.34 mpg with Havoline 5w-20 DS which I just put in this past weekend.

I went 420 miles on one tank which used 13.4 gallons of gas. I average 78 mph (cruise control) for about 70 miles a day. I often see 80 + mph.

What speed to they use to come up with the figure you are supposed to get?

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Most likely 55, downhill with a tailwind.

 

[Titan]

I ALWAYS get better mpg than the EPA posted numbers. Even with automatics...unless I am pushing the vehicle harder than usual. I think you have to be in really hilly terrain, really bad traffic, have a vehicular problem, or not really know how to drive in an efficient manner if you aren't able to get the sticker values at reasonable speeds...by reasonable, I mean less than the mid-70 mph range...unless you're in a very boxy vehicle...they'd have a harder time with the speed in that range.

I recall someone showing the highway mileage is figured at something like 48 mph...but, not at a constant speed. I would imagine 48 mph constant speed on relatively flat ground would yield MUCH better mpg than what is posted on the sticker.

OTOH, I have NO DOUBT that the majority of drivers fail to get the EPA sticker ratings...because the majority either don't care, don't try, don't know what makes a vehicle more or less efficient, or have a poor running vehicle.

 

[Titan]

OOPS! I meant to also add: operate in conditions that are much worse than conditions that the figures are derived from: such as sitting in traffic. 100% stop and go, etc.

 

[surfstar]

If you kept your top speed at 75, it will make a difference. Remember drag increases exponentially. Bigger difference between 75-80mph than 70-75.

At those speeds with that size car, its not too shabby.

 

[badtlc]

The EPA HWY number was pulled from a test that involves a lot of speeding up and slowing down with a few stops included. I think for the HWY MPG test the average speed was 45mph with a top speed of 60mph.

 

[Jim 5]

is this the 4 cyl or v6?

 

[buster]

Thanks. It's the 2.4L 4cyl.

 

[lindermant]

badtlc nailed it...

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/420f06009.htm#background

The city and highway tests are currently performed under mild climate conditions (75 degrees F) and use acceleration rates and driving speeds that EPA believes are generally lower than those experienced by drivers in the real world. Neither test is run with the use of accessories, such as air conditioning. The highway test has a top speed of 60 miles per hour, and an average speed of only 48 miles per hour.

 

[rpn453]

That's good mileage for those speeds!

 

[benjamming]

Quote:

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Remember drag increases exponentially.

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If you double the velocity, you quadruple the drag, not exponential.

D = Cd * density * velocity squared * area * 0.5

Sorry, that may be a little too anal.

 

[Hermann]

Quote:

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D = Cd * density * velocity squared * area * 0.5

Sorry, that may be a little too anal.

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Just a touch for most, but for one who understands how the Richter scale works, and logrythims work it makes sense.

 

[jmac]

I shouldn't have to explain this but,
Actually velocity squared is an exponential, hence is called an exponential function, and increases exponentially. Say velocity is 2, then 2*2 is 4. then velocity increases to 3, 3*3 is 9, and so on for increasing V, 4*4 is 16, 5*5 is 25 ......

 

[rpn453]

Yep, it's exponential!

 

[mechtech2]

Exponential is a correct term, in this case.

 

[The Critic]

buster,

OLD EPA: 24/34
NEW EPA: 21/31

Those are for the four-cylinder Accord. If you slowed down to 70, I think you can hit 34.

 

[Titan]

Quote:

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buster,

OLD EPA: 24/34
NEW EPA: 21/31

Those are for the four-cylinder Accord. If you slowed down to 70, I think you can hit 34.

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No doubt! Heck, I had a 2005 Odyssey with the Variable cylinder technology, and I could squeeze out 30 mpg with it by staying at the speed limit on flat ground.

 

[Cutehumor]

those epa numbers are tricky to get. my 06 vibe said 34mpg highway. previous year it said 36mpg hwy. the car didn't change besides an increase in oil sump/different dipstick

 

[Autodarken]

Quote:

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buster,

OLD EPA: 24/34
NEW EPA: 21/31

Those are for the four-cylinder Accord. If you slowed down to 70, I think you can hit 34.

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The "new" EPA testing is not yet in effect last I read.

24/34 have been hwy/cty MPG specs since 2003, they are unchanged for 2007. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

 

[Autodarken]

Quote:

EPA is revising its methods for estimating vehicle fuel economy to
better represent current real-world driving conditions. In addition,
the fuel economy label on the window sticker is being redesigned
to better convey fuel ecomony information to users. EPA plans
to implement the new methods and label with 2008 models. Visit
www.epa.gov/fueleconomy for more details.