Hi,recently purchased '07 Element EX. Love the vehicle,however,so far I am only getting 14mpg around town. only 33,000 miles and i don't drive it hard. Is this indicative of a problem, or is this the normal type of city fuel mileage? By the way, it's auto trans w/awd.
I have the exact same year/trim/drivetrain as you and I typically get about 18-21 mpg in the city. Definitely check all the fluids and do all the basic maintenance if it hasn't been done yet. I largely doubt an oil change and new air filter won't get you another 5 mpg, but it doesn't hurt. All of that plus checking the tire pressures could get you close though. I have noticed that my mileage dropped about 2-3 mpg (from 21-18) recently, which might be due to the winter gas, or that my cat was stolen and now the CEL is on and i need to replace the oxygen sensor.
I'd check those out first, then let us know how it looks.
I was able to consistently achieve 20-25 mpg average for every tank of fuel for the first 55,000 miles with my 2006 EX 2WD automatic. I then changed tires from the stock Goodyear Wranglers to a slightly oversize set of Michelin LTX tires. Wonderful ride, feel, quiet new tires - but immediately terrible fuel economy - 20% reduction over 10,000 of use. Tire Size Matters for an element.
tire pressures are at spec. air filter and oil are new.i'm going to experiment with tire pressures and switch to 5w-20 synthetic at next service. i'll keep you posted and thanks for your input.
Something else that uses fuel.. The A/C is on anytime you move the switch to the defrost position and STAYS on even tho you move it to the front vents and the light is off. Unless you do this: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17192
According to my figures, stock diameter for DX, EX, and LX trim (P215/70R16) is 707.4 mm / 27.85"; for SC (P225/55R18), 704.7 mm / 27.74". Expect some variation among models and brands.
According to my figures, stock diameter for DX, EX, and LX trim (P215/70R16) is 707.4 mm / 27.85"; for SC (P225/55R18), 704.7 mm / 27.74". Expect some variation among models and brands.
So based on those numbers, Screw Aero only increased tire diameter by about 2.5% (his new tires are about 28.5" dia.). This is nowhere near enough of a change in wheel diameter to cause a 20% error in fuel mileage calculation. Clearly something else is going on.
My '06 EX 4WD averaged approx. 14.5 in inner city driving this summer. A/C on max much of the time. I drive it gently. Many trips approx. 1 mile; "commute" to work is 2.4 miles. The E does much better when I actually go somewhere.
The previous owner put on wide tires (18" rims) and the "mud" tire pattern doesn't help either. I blame the tires.
For whatever it's worth, the E has averaged 25.5, 26, 27.1, and 27.4 on trips through a Nat'l Forrest where I can accelerate very gradually and didn't need to run the A/C.
I'm curious whether you identified any root causes and, if so, what you learned.
my element recently had it's first anniversary with me. fuel mileage is now at an acceptable 18 mpg combined. happy to report no problems whatsoever! have to attribute earlier poor mileage to frequent short trips and lots of stop and go driving.
I have the Michelin LTX 225x70x16 on my 08 EX AWD, the speedometer and my GPS show the same speed. If you don't have a GPS borrow one from a friend and check it.
You can also drive 60mph on an Interstate and time yourself between milemarkers, 1 minute per mile or 10 minutes in 10 miles. This won't be as accurate as a GPS but will be close.
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