Hi Elementarians.

Hey this is my first post, and I regret that it has to be about a problem. Decided on the E when I first saw the Model X in 8-02, put in my order 12-02, and drove away in my SOP EX AWD March of '03; 'twas love at first sight-I mean, we all know what makes the E special.

Now I'm having problems. Since late November '03, I have been averaging 15 MPG. (was in the expected 21 MPG range up until this time). Took it to the dealer - they told me the computer says it's operating normally. Gave me a cute piece of paper instructing me on how to keep my gas milage up - inflate the tires, don't leadfoot, etc. I drive fairly moderately, 65 on the highways (a habit I started when gas was $2.20 a gallon), havn't changed a thing about my driving. I'm pretty confident that it's not me, it's the E.

I sure didn't buy the E to get only 15 MPG, and following some of the other posts I see that this is pretty unusual (although my E is kind of an old timer at 9 months...) Perhaps I got the proverbial bad apple. Speaking of fruit, is anyone aware of lemon protections for gross fuel efficiency issues? I'm looking, but not finding much to be hopeful for. I really don't think Honda is going to do much to help me, except suggest I inflate my tires.

So if you have any ideas, please let me know. Maybe E is just being tempermental, and this is a "phase" it'll grow out of (I'll let you know.) Or maybe this will be the end of the line for us. Prior problems - from the ubiquous rattles to nerve-wracking vibrations coming out of the steering column ("nothing wrong", says honda) were things I could live with, 15 MPG is something I can not. If I wanted a gas hog, there's lots of other choices in SUVs.

On a lighter note, we've had good times with family road trips, camping, and snowboarding, so I have a fondness for the E. It's just been wearing thin recently.

Thanks y'all, and happy trails.
8)

I am sure someone will correct me but maybe do a simple thing like disconnect the neg terminal on the battery so as to "reset" the computer. Also change the oil to 0w-30 or 5w-30 and maybe replace the air filter and or smog filters. Every time after I disconnect the battery there is a change in fuel economy until the computer figures out how I drive I think. Seems likt the first 1/2 tank goes away fast and then the computer starts working better to max out MPG. Also the filters smog and air can cut up to 40% of mpg if clogged or obstructed.

There have been those who have found out their mileage was not what they assumed it was, because they are not calculating it correctly. How are you calculating your mpg? Just a thought. :cry:

Thanks for responding! Actually, I have a calculator in my car every since I did a mental division and got 13.5 MPG, my first indication of the problem. Step one is fill up the tank until the initial click off (fairly consistent approx 12 gallons from the fuel light). Take however many gallons I filled the tank with and divide this into the number of miles I drove since last fill up, on 'ol tripometer A. Groan at the results. Reset tripometer A and cross my fingers that the next trip works out better. Sound like an ok procedure? Last time I got 189 miles at fuel light, which turned out to around 16 MPG. Until last month I got 230-250 miles at light, which is consistent with what I read others getting.

In the next few days I am going on a long trip that will be 100% highway, so I will be interested to see how it does. If it's still dogging, I will try the reset thing, at least I can give the computer a piece of my mind.

Happy New Year everybody!

Something I've seen in situations of "sudden loss of fuel economy" has been where somebody hit a bump too hard and smacked the catalytic converter or the pipe near the converter, causing the catalyst matrix to collapse and constrict the exhaust flow.

Not at all saying that this is your problem, but it's usually very hard to diagnose and not something that shows-up in OBD-II codes nor on conventional shop engine test procedures. I'd say take your road trip. If you don't start seeing >20 MPG or get a more solid indication of something else amiss, push your service writer to check the cat(s).

This happened to me at the end of the summer....and I took my E straight to the dealer as my mpg dropped off by 6 mpg (from 21 to 15) another member had their fuel line crack and said that the first warning signal was the drop off in fuel economy....so paranoid me headed straight for the dealer.

They gave my E the once over....no crack in the fuel line, no problems that they could see at all. I think I got some skunky gas or something.....I started just going to the same gas station whenever possible and only buying one brand of gas....when my mpg dropped off I was mixing Shell, BP, and Phillips 66.....I now just stick to Shell and haven't had a problem.

Also, what about your AC and Heat? have you changed usage? Do you warm your car up for 5-10 mins in the morning? Just throwing some ideas out there!

Hope you get it all cleared up!