mileage woes

[mikemalone]

First time post, bought 2012 pilot 4 whl dr in June, now have about 10,000 miles, am disappointed with mileage. The most careful I can drive 20 mpg is the best I can do on interstate with any hills its worse. On 2 lane country roads its 19 at 55mph.

I like the vehicle in all the other departments even though Honda like all car companies cover the rear cargo areas with a type of carpet that every piece of lint or litter sticks to it like glue. Would be interested to know others thoughts and cures for both these issues.

[TheBluePearl]

This is a common topic in here, lots of threads about it. I'm in the same boat as you - I like my Pilot a lot, but the mileage has been a disappointment. I'm getting about 18 on average, 19 and change is the best tank I've had, and I've had some in the 16's. And I am not a leadfoot, nor do I live near any mountains. Driving is probably equal balance of city/highway. So I'd expect more like 20-21 on average, based on the EPA estimates. Not so much.

[dw0095]

I feel your pain but let's be honest, did you buy the vehicle for the gas mileage or the actual utility the vehicle offers. I was in the showroom and sat in a CRV for quite sometime lurred in by the MPG's but did I really want that small of a small car? I went with the Pilot for the space, safety and towing capability. My First tank was at 16mpg, didn't exactly make me feel like I made the best decision but the smiles per gallon are unliminted. To put it in perspective, you're only spending $2.79 more per day to drive an all-wheel drive Pilot vs a fwd honda civic. Not bad in my book for all you get in the vehicle

[mclasser]

I bought a 2013 EX-L 2 weeks ago and have put about 400 miles on it with mixed driving. I get around 19 mpg which really isn't that impressive. I'm hoping as the truck gets broken in, that'll improve. I really like the car, but you would think with the whole VCM shutting off cylinders, there would be a much more noticeable increase in gas mileage. Like I said, I really like the car but worry about the long term reliability of the whole VCM system.

[rjackal]

Regarding MPG, Boromir said it best:
Boromir - one does not simply get 22 mpg in a honda pilot

[Brolan]

Odd in what you guys are getting. I have a 2012 EX 4WD with 19K on it. I get 22 MPG on my commute (a mix of rural highway and city driving with some stop-n-go) and 24-25 MPG on the highway (65-70 MPH). I have seen as high as 27 MPG on the highway if I have to drive near 55 MPH. This is Summer mileage, Winter has knocked 1-2 MPG off.

[65Strad]

Just got my EX 4WD 220 miles. Wifes car essentially since the Explorer's trans died on us a week ago. The trip computer says 13 MPG, 15mph avg. Yikes! Going to the lower Fla Keys early Feb with my Hobie kayak on top with a Thule Hullavator lift system. My expectation is that it'll get a lot better fuel economy despite the load. Love the ride, spacious cabin and utility. It feels like lot of vehicle for the money, possibly as roomy or more so than a Range Rover I suppose.

To be honest, we alost got a Nissan Xterra Pro. Less of a comfort ride, not as roomy, but great performance, still good utility, more versatility and a way cool factor. What was the decision factor? Pilot is supposed to get better fuel economy. 21 gallon tank on the highway, Pilot is supposed to get about 108 more miles to the tank than the Xterra. Reading these comments makes me wonder. We'll see.... sure hope so.

I'll post the results afterwards if anyone is interested. Hard to get used to the controls for trip computer radio sounds etc. Not a very intuitive dash control panel but it's really a nice truck.

[Im2c0oL]

Originally Posted by 65Strad

Just got my EX 4WD 220 miles. Wifes car essentially since the Explorer's trans died on us a week ago. The trip computer says 13 MPG, 15mph avg. Yikes! Going to the lower Fla Keys early Feb with my Hobie kayak on top with a Thule Hullavator lift system. My expectation is that it'll get a lot better fuel economy despite the load. Love the ride, spacious cabin and utility. It feels like lot of vehicle for the money, possibly as roomy or more so than a Range Rover I suppose.

To be honest, we alost got a Nissan Xterra Pro. Less of a comfort ride, not as roomy, but great performance, still good utility, more versatility and a way cool factor. What was the decision factor? Pilot is supposed to get better fuel economy. 21 gallon tank on the highway, Pilot is supposed to get about 108 more miles to the tank than the Xterra. Reading these comments makes me wonder. We'll see.... sure hope so.

I'll post the results afterwards if anyone is interested. Hard to get used to the controls for trip computer radio sounds etc. Not a very intuitive dash control panel but it's really a nice truck.

You should go for a road trip with the new car to celebrates and a good break in for a better gas milleage!

[65Strad]

Originally Posted by Im2c0oL

You should go for a road trip with the new car to celebrates and a good break in for a better gas milleage!

We are really excited to get out of NJ and to the Fla Keys. We are really enjoying the 2013 Pilot EX. As I said, great ride and very surprising roominess.

I used too think Honda Pilots were nice little vans. This thing is anything but little. Really substantial feel and couldn't be happier. I'm sure the mileage will improve as it breaks in, and this trip will be a very good test.

My kayak is 14'6" and the rack system will cause drag so the mileage figures will be lower than they normally would be due to the equipment that will on the roof.

I'll take and post some pics after we are loaded up for the road. Below is the kayak and the Thule rack and Thule Hullavator that will going on the Pilot. Only difference will be the fit kit that holds it to the roof, and we will be to stretch out just a little bit more in the Pilot.

Can't wait to get out on the road to enjoy some 75-80ish degree weather!

[Duncan76]

I get 19.5-20 mpg in my 12 Touring FWD which I'm fine with. Previously drove a full-size truck getting 13 overall so this is a noticeable step up for me. The Eco and trip computer both really help me keep my throttle/brake inputs in check. On mostly highway trips I've gotten up to 26. I think you just have to accept that a 4200 lb machine is not going to achieve mid-20s overall unless Honda offers a hybrid drivetrain or even just a stop/start option at intersections. The EPA's 21 overall number is under optimal conditions.

[beachin99]

We bought a 2013 4WD in Dec. Just finished up our 2nd trip to the beach and averaged 21.9MPG. Was averaging almost 23MPG until wife got behind the wheel. Really paid attention to the MPG indicator during the trip and noticed a few things.

1. Semi-hard starts immediately affected MPG. I could see it drop 2-3 tenths and it would never recover.

2. Cruise control affected MPG. While it is certainly more convenient, it was harder on the car mpg given it's weight. We're in NC so there are rolling hills everywhere.

3. There seems to be a minimum threshold for speed vs mpg in town. Couldn't nail it down completely, but it seemed that once you got above 40MPH the mpg seemed to improve.

Again, I am sure everyone has a different driving style but for me I pay attention to the MPG meter on this car since that is the default on my display. I know the car is heavy and will not get good gas mileage if I drive it like my Accord.

BTW, I set Trip B to zero when I picked up the car new and plan to keep it as my long term mpg log. So far overall average is 21.8mpg.

[GuineusMaximus]

Originally Posted by rjackal

Regarding MPG, Boromir said it best:
Boromir - one does not simply get 22 mpg in a honda pilot

I lol'ed.

[pilot2013]

just a note, MPG indicator on the Pilot is always higher by a mile or two then
its real world mileage. To get the exact mileage, calculate the miles driven, based on a tank full of Gas.

[EmptyTank]

Originally Posted by pilot2013

just a note, MPG indicator on the Pilot is always higher by a mile or two then
its real world mileage. To get the exact mileage, calculate the miles driven, based on a tank full of Gas.

You're probably right but the gas pumps at the gas stations can be out of calibration as well. Gas stations have an incentive to overstate your fuel consumption, while Honda has an incentive to understate your fuel consumption. Makes me wonder if the average of the two is closest to the truth...

[bdozer1965]

Yep my 12 EXL 4WD I can honestly say does NOT seem to get any better mileage than my 98 GMC Jimmy 4WD, though the pilot can seat 8, the Jimmy only 5. The pilot is a 4600lb Japanese urban tank. No worries though, with the new CAFE standards and the junk they are going to have to build to meet those requirements I'm keeping my thirsty Pilot as long as possible.