Gotta Love It

[Waterbug]

Ok, so I'm tired of hearing complaints of the Ridge's milage. I took a 500 mile trip from Michigan to West Virginia and back this week end (1000+ round trip) and my experiences are nothing but positive. I had it on cruise at 75 mph the majority of the time and averaged 21 mpg+ for the entire trip. West Virginia and Eastern Ohio aren't exactly flat and I had anticipated paying a price for the terrain but it tended to average out.
At one point on US-50 in WV we encountered three overturned vehicles in a two mile stretch of highway but the Ridge never faltered. It's traction and response were so rock solid that I found it difficult to rationalize slowing down, but my wife who wasn't driving questioned my sanity for not pulling over and convinced me to slow down to 50 mph.

[Ridgeline2006]

That's great news since I'll be taking mine on a 3,000+ mile trip next month.

[stinger]

I am very impressed by Ridgeline's handling in winter conditions too.after all IT IS the safest pickup truck on the planet :D I still drive with common sense though for those dreaded black ice patches. :wink:

[bigdave269]

I DO love it!!! But my mileage just doesn't match yours. California is a lot different from Michigan. Our emissions laws are more strict, and therefore we have different smog equipment. We also have different formulations on gasoline, and of course we have the dreaded 405. Some call it a freeway, but it is really a parking lot that will eventually get you home. Driving really carefully, I can get 18 on the Ridge, but the usual is about 15 combined. But I'm not complaining too much, because I love driving this truck, and I know there are many trucks out there that don't even get 15.

It is finally starting to get to winter here, we might actually get some snow in the next month or so. It was down to 40 last night, but that's usually the bottom for Santa Clarita. But that usually means snow in the mountains not far from me, so I'll get the chance to try out the Ridge in snow very soon. ;)

[Waterbug]

I know alllll about California. Lived in Northern California for over 25 years. Moved to the Santa Clara Valley in 1956 before it became Silicone and asphalt. Last place I lived was in the hills overlooking Monterey Bay. Toooo many people has made it pretty much unbearable. :(

EDIT: This is way off topic, but I have never been able to understand California's pollution policies. How can a regulation that causes you to burn MORE gas cause LESS pollution? You might cause less pollution per gallon, but you're using more gallons. Exactly where do those extra hydro-carbons go ??

[bigdave269]

That's funny, I came to California from Michigan when you were going the other way....

I'm no chemist, and even after studying mechanics in my youngrer years, I could never really figure it out myself. But I think the hydrocarbons are actually taken out in the refining process and in the catalytic converter. All I know is that even with all the smog controls, Los Angeles is back on top as the smoggiest city ion America. What can you do?

[IFLY Ridge]

Other than the gasoline formulation and the dreaded 405, I don't understand all of the California debate. All Ridgelines are built to the same emission standards regardless of where they are ultimately being sold. On my first long trip (Fla to S.C, then to N.C and return to Fla) I too got over 21 MPG. This mileage was achieved cruising I-95, I-26, and I-20 with the cruise set @ 80 MPH. I currently have 4000 mi on the truck and love it. I wish that the in town mileage was better but what the hell, after all, it is a 4wd truck with a V-6 and so far I have found nothing that it won't do, including towing 3K lbs manlift without any problems.

[bigdave269]

I think you're right, Honda has 50-state emissions now. But you can still check the CA emissions box when ordering (no extra charge). I don't know what the difference is.

There are other things that keep the mileage low. Running boards and roof rack create extra drag. Typical driving in SoCal is stop and stop, so that is something that kills the mileage, too. But the worst culprit is the gasoline formulation. Even if I get out on the open highway, the best I can do is about 18 mpg in California. But again, I'm not complaining, because there are a lot of vehicles out there that get less.

I am getting close to 16,000 miles now, so it is well broken in. And you're absolutely right about this truck being able to do anything I want it to. Gotta love it! :lol: