A couple of weeks ago I lowered the tire pressure from 44 to 35 psi for a softer ride, and I really didn't see any significant impact on mileage. Current tank MPG since lowering pressure is at 51 MPG. One of the car magazines tested MPG vs. tire pressure, and they only got a couple of percent better mileage with a 5% increase in tire pressure. If a couple of percent is important to you, that's fine, I take the better ride.
37 MPG is not bad, when you learn to glide as described in above referenced information, you'll easily exceed 40, unless you are a lead foot!

 

Also keep in mind that the display is a bit pessimistic, at least on the 2006 model it use to show about 4% worse FE than actual. So 37 mpg displayed is close to 39 mpg in reality.

And to comment on the tire pressure, getting several percent better FE by adding 5% tire pressure seems great to me. 5%, that's like increasing from 2.2 to 2.3 bar?

 

Well, it wasn't several percent, it was a couple of percent-like about 1.8%!

 

Let me add my two cents: how fast and where you drive will also have a big effect on milage. Fast (70-80) freeway driving will cut into your milage as will lots of stop and go local driving. If you can drive on the freeway at a steady 65 you will eventually, after the first few thousand miles of breakin, see 47-50 MPG. Good luck.

 

Yes, 37 MPG does seem too low for a new Honda Civic Hybrid. I'd complain to the dealer and have them check to see that all systems are working OK. I'd be very disappointed with 37 MPG. My 2008 HCH is giving me about 42 MPG in mixed highway, suburban and city driving.

You might want to check your MPG the old fashioned way: dividing miles by gallons every time you fill-up--even though "FULL" varies a little. When I calculate it manually, I seem to get a better average than the onboard computer indicates. Maybe the computer is not too accurate.

Tire pressure, terrain and driving habits affect MPG, of course. Maybe other folks will chime in on this topic. Good luck!

>Johnny Mileagemaker, Oregon, USA

 

My wife and I had somewhat of a lead foot when we first got our HCHII, but we were still pulling mid to upper 40's. 37 seems way too low for this car. However, there are so many variables at play, you truly need to go through a few tanks before deciding that something is wrong.

Jess

 

melzzz, where'bouts in the country are you? Maybe there's a veteran around to help give your car a quick test drive.

 

melzzz is long gone. She hasn't posted since 11-25. Maybe she went back to the 25mpg of her Highlander.

FWIW, I believe 37 mpg is typical for a first tank. There were prob other test drives on it, it prob ran in the shop, who knows how topped off the tank was, and you have no idea how to drive the car yet.

My first tank was 37. Not that I am stellar now...

nf

 

Aww, c'mon flash. Even my first tank was a 41, and that was in March!

 

Wassamatta m&m?

My first tank in the '07 was 42mpg (also in March), but our first tank in the '06 was 37mpg (summer).

All I'm saying is you can't judge the car by the first tank, b/c you don't know what's it's been through b/f you got it.

nf

P.S. Topics are too light around here; I'm gonna hafta post some snow shoe pics tonight....