James asks…
Acura RDX gas mileage?
I just bought a new Acura RDX...I've had it for about 3 months now, and I love it. Great handling, accelaration, the Technology Package is ridiculous, so far, I have no complainst except one. The gas mileage. I'm averaging about 17-18 MPG, which is a lot less than the 21-24 MPG it's supposed to be getting. What kind of gas mileage do you guys get on yours? Any tips increasing the fuel efficiency?
admin answers:
That sounds about right. The 21 - 24 mileage is for freeway driving. You will never hit that by driving in stop and go city street/combo highways. Ever. Go on a long road trip on cruise control at 65 miles per hour and you will probably get 24mpg.
Tips to increase fuel efficiency include not running the a/c, keeping your tires properly in flated and buying the proper gasoline.
I get slightly better mpg in my 2004 tl when i buy premium gas. My TL is rated at 18 city/26 highway and 21 combined. I average 23 mpg driving around town and such, but get close to 31mpg on the freeway on long trips.
Sandy asks…
Why does my turbo car have v6 consumption?
I have a 2007 AWD Acura rdx with 2.3L turbo. I'm very happy powerwise, it has lots of torque and I get 1/4mi of about 15s flat with 4000lbs curbweight. This car has more Torque than my 3.2L v6 Audi and I can feel it too. The Audi has More hp and is much Lighter (<500lbs) but delivers only slightly better speed. I have pulled 14.8s 1/4mi. However highway fuel economy is much better on Audi: 28mpg vs 22 on rdx. Both cars are stock.
My question is why the turbo rdx with smaller engine deliver poor MPG? Do turbochargers actually increase consumption?
admin answers:
There's the old saying, nothing's for free.
You know how you are supposed to get performance mufflers and headers and big exhaust pipes to get more power and increase fuel economy? 90% of the time, a turbo is doing the exact opposite.
Whenever the boost gauge is on the vacuum side, all your turbo is doing is loafing along, restricting your exhaust and perhaps even restricting your intake (especially with all the extra plumbing required).
Next is the weight. Even though the engine is smaller and it pulls great, it still has to work harder getting more weight up to speed. It does this with more revs and higher manifold pressure (boost) than your Audi's V6. This makes the average mass airflow into the smaller engine higher, and since fuel must be mixed at 1 part per 15, fuel flow goes up too.
Finally, drag. All other things being equal (speed, air density), drag is dependent on two things. Frontal area, and the shape of the vehicle (coefficient of drag). You didn't say what kind of Audi you have, but given that it is lighter it is probably something like an A6. Smaller frontal area, slipperier shape.
Daniel asks…
What happening to honda?
Whats up with honda, they used to make the best cars, and were my favorite brand, now they just make econo boxes . They used to make the nsx, then intrgra type r, s2000, even acura rsx-s, and acura tl-s, now what, they're all gone!!! Even the new si is crap and looks like a prius, all dorky and ugly, all of hondas and acuras cars are boring and the new crz is considered a sports car? My friend had one and I drove it, its crap!!! No torque at all, my bicycle at the dyno with me on it produces more torque than any honda current"sports car" does.lol the crz is so week, you floor it and it slower than any other car, I bet even a prius can beat it, at least the prius gets 50 mpg and the crz is like 30+, whats with honda? Their cars dont have the fun and soul in them anymore, just ugly looking econo boxes. The 2010 si was the best last honda, and even that wasnt great, no torque, looks ugly inside, and funny outside(like a dorky prius.lol) with its small hood and trunk, its numb steering and no power. Why does a company who had the most powerful and efficient engines, now have slow and week engines when compared with competition, I mean even hyundai, HYUNDAI has more sport in its brand, a genesis coupe that has a 3.8 v6 or a 2.0 turbo, and is supposed to come out with like a 500 hp version next year, thats what the hyundai dealer told me. And the genesis has rwd, brembos, lsd, and a sexy body style(even though it looks like a g35, it still looks nice, honda with its originality has gone to making cars that look like bathroom stalls, although I guess it is original.lol). Why cant honda make a decent car, a rwd or awd, powerful v6 or turbo 4, and make it look nice, and have good performance. Even take the 06 si, put a k23(acura rdx engine, turbo 4) becaue at least that 4 banger has some torque, and make it awd, honda CAN make all wheel drive and HAS a good 4 banger and add all that up and u get a car that can compete with an sti or evo. Why cant they make a decent car? Thx
admin answers:
No, you're wrong.
Honda makes decent cars, but they learned that they don't have to make anything better than "decent" to sell them. They know they can get by on their name alone. However, they nearly got burned by almost bring out a half baked Honda Civic a couple years ago. They delayed the Civic a year just to revamp it and make it more competitive.
So now they are trying to appear a little more aggressive but they know if they get too aggressive they will lose their base customers. What do you get when you don't want to cross that line? The CRX.
Sandra asks…
What kind of car should I get...please all opinions?
I am in the market to buy a new 2008 car within the next 2 weeks. I am looking for the following:
-Safe for my kids (one is 3 and I am pregnant so the other will be a newborn in August)
-following that is ease of access of getting the kids in and out of the car.
-price range is $20,000 to $35,000
-Preferrable a SUV of sometype
-and of course it comes fully loaded (power everthing, cruise control, etc...)
I've looked at the Nissan Rogue, Acura RDX, and Honda CR-V. I absolutely love my Honda that I have now and I swore I would remain with Honda's but I don't really like the way the CR-V looks or any of the Honda's SUV's. What I really, really do love is the Honda Ridgeline but the mpg on that thing is just ridiculous...if the mpg weren't so low on it I wouldn't even ask this question and most likely go for that but it would cost me $80 dollars to fill up my tank and I just can't afford that.
All opinions are welcome, especially those from experience..thxs..
admin answers:
Drive a Honda CR-V
it drives a lot better than it looks.
The 4 cyl is good on mpg but powerful enough when you put your foot in it.
The seats fold forward an flat for tons of room, get the awd and sunroof for fun.
For low price options check out the Kia Rondo & Pontiac Vibe
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