Howdy all -

I've just gotten a new 2014 Accord Hybrid EX-L, and I'm worried that it's not producing the mpg that it should be. My average is quite a bit lower than what I'm seeing online and on the forums: 37mpg in 100% city driving, and sometimes individual drives clock in in the high 20s. From what i understand this number should be quite a bit higher. There are about 800 miles on it at the moment, and only one fillup, so it might be that it's simply not completely broken in yet. I've tried driving in a variety of ways (light sustained braking, heavy braking, gas launching, gentle electric launching, ECO on, ECO off, AC on, AC off, and combinations of these.) Most driving styles put me in the mid 30s. Nothing seems to get me past 45mpg in the city, and that 45mpg only happened once.

The problem is simple: I don't know if there's a problem with the car, or just with the way I'm driving it. Can anyone tell me if the following behaviors are normal, or are experiencing similar issues?

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The battery health indicator stays primarily at 3 bars, regardless of the type of driving I do. I've never gotten it higher than 5 (halfway), and even then only for a few seconds.

EV mode only lasts a few seconds before cancelling, and can sometimes cause the battery indicator to drop from 5 to 3 bars right away (without going through 4). Not sure how long it's supposed to last for basic scooting around the parking lot under 20mph, but it's not long in my case.

Regenerative braking seems to be unable to power the battery in regular driving mode. Only 3-4 green bars show at the best of times during braking, regardless whether I mash, gently press, or grandma-coast to a stop.

Noticeable improvement in gas mileage when driving in B.
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I am hoping to avoid a trip to the dealer, only for them to tell me that "everything's normal." Thanks!

 

Before going to the dealer, try unplugging the negative of the 12V battery for 30 minutes to reset all the computers and systems.

The car may just need a good reset.

Also check the tire pressure. I would make sure there is 38 to 40PSI in each tire.

Go to a different gas station next time also.. maybe you got some extra ethanol which is a mileage killer.

 

1st tank 43, second is going to be around 44.5.

I get full batt bars consistently, but I do shift to B at appropriate times to help regen faster.

I found Eco made no impact to MPG back to back same drive 30miles distance.
I found driving moderately aggressively with eco off and ac on medium, no impact.
I found driving very hard, eco off, no ac, killed mpg by 10 full points.

FWIW.

 

I was told it would take a few tanks till MPG is optimal, also use "B" mode to charge battery after sitting may help, That said I got 40 MPG on drive home from dealer that was 90% highway at 70-75 MPH. Went up to 44 MPG when I did 75% highway 25% city on second drive after bringing it home so a reset or dealer check may be in order. Lastly I was told when the engine is running to charge battery (I leave the steering display on the motor battery wheel diagram) accelerate briskly and then coast brake till the charge comes up and then hold speed. This is a bit opposite to most hybrids and gas driving techniques to improve milage.

 

Any luck getting your MPG higher? I just ran through my first tank and I can't seem to get over 36-37 MPGs no matter how I drive.