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More Mileage Stories

Created February 23, 2005, at 12:12 am by Anonymous

I just visited the "Mileage Stories" on this web site, and I thought I'd start a thread with some of our other stories.

I see a lot of posts regarding folks who are having trouble getting the mileage numbers they expect. While I understand and feel for those folks, I thought I'd post my experience, which is about the same as the EPA numbers, without having to make any real significant driving style changes.

I have a 2005 HCH with CVT. I live in northern California, where the temperatures are relatively moderate. I tend to drive within 5 mph over the posted speed limit. I also by nature don't tend to zip in and out of traffic a lot, except when passing is desirable.

My city mileage on my short 6 mile commute is around 42-44 mpg, which is lower than the EPA number, most likely due to the shortness of the trip, and the fact that I basically start the car, go through about ten traffic lights, and arrive at work.

My highway mileage on three significant trips, at about 65-70 mph, has averaged 49-52 mpg, which is greater than the EPA number.

I have two friends who have since purchased HCH's after my glowing reviews of my own car :-) . One of these friends, with the manual transmission, has taken a couple long trips. On one trip from LA to Sacramento, due to traffic, he had to travel around 60 mph, and he got over 55 mpg. On a couple other trips to San Luis Obispo, traveling between 66 and 70 mph, he got 53 and 52 mpg.

I relate these stories for two reasons:

+ So those of you who have to endure harsh winters will have hope for better mileage in spring, summer, and fall.
+ So those of you who are here investigating hybrids will hear from a few of us who aren't posting because of issues, but who are getting mileage approximately equal -- in some cases better -- than the EPA estimates.

Anonymous

6 years ago

I'm getting 53 mpg in city at 100 miles with a 03 HCH CVT. I just had a oil change, but I'm missing my oil change cover. I may be able to beat that. I'll tell you what, I drive like a turtle. My finance has started taking note and I don't think she's too happy with it.

Anonymous

6 years ago

Chuck,

I also live in northern California. I recently bought a used 2003 Civic Hybrid with CVT, and my mileage figures are very consistent with yours. My first road trip was from Oakland to Sacramento and back, and I averaged 50 mpg. That was mostly cruising around 70, using cruise control, but including the usual congestion getting out of the Bay Area, and a bit of city driving at both ends. My daily city commuting has been ranging in the mid-40s. I’m quite satisfied with these mileage numbers.

I’m also very impressed with the overall quality of the HCH. The smooth, quiet operation of this car often gives it the feel of a larger sedan. Of course I may be easily impressed, since the car this one replaces was my trusty 1987 Civic. That car gave me over 209,000 miles of dependable service. I expect that my Hybrid will similarly give me years of good solid performance.

Anonymous

6 years ago

I've also been very pleased with the mileage I'm getting--it's just as promised. I have a '05 Civic Hybrid with CVT with 7,000 miles on it. I've logged every tank and my lifetime mpg is just under 47 (46.8 to be exact). That's for a wide range of driving conditions and speeds.

This car has been everything I hoped for and more. My wife's car is due to be replaced soon, and she plans on getting a hybrid too. Saving gas and polluting less is just too cool.

Anonymous

6 years ago

Bird posted:
"My trusty 1987 Civic. That car gave me over 209,000 miles of dependable service"
That's re-assuring since I try to keep my cars for 10 years. I'm doing 30K a year, so after 10 years I'll have about 300K.

My MPG have been more than I could ever hope for or imagine. I've refined my driving and averaged almost 60MPG over the last 13 months. My last car got 16-18MPG and have saved about $5,000 in fuel savings alone. My wife just drives "plain normal" and still gets 45-50MPG. My SUV driving friends just say "Shuuuuut - uuuuup!"

Our other is a 2001 Grand Caravan 19MPG pig. We'll likely toss it early in exchange for a hybrid the moment we're not upside down in the loan.
Or escavate the back yard, bury it for a storm shelter!

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