Ridgeline...BEST gas mileage for this truck size????

[Pizza Man]

Damn Big Dave, you seem to be pretty much resigned to the fact that lousy gas mileage is the way of life out West. I must admit most of my driving is on flat ground. That is, except for the trip to the Altoona Meet back in early May. I was still able to get 20.1 average for the entire trip. I assume the mountains were fewer and easier to climb.

I filled up today at $2.999 for middle grade. The tank included a single trip of 212 miles with the rest of the miles in 1 1/2 mile increments. (I live very close to work) and still managed 16.9 mpg.

I feel for you guys out West. The prices you pay are outrageous! :shock:

[Waterbug]

Dave;
Your commute brings back memories. Twenty plus years ago before I left California, I use to commute 60 miles one way from Pleasanton in the East Bay through San Jose and over the hill to Santa Cruz. (sea level to 3,500' and back). That was when I leased my first Honda. It was a 1500cc Civic with a 5 speed manual transmission and it leased for $0 down and $69.95 a month. Car & Driver had just road tested the car and summed it up by saying "Buy a set of Pirellis and race Porsches down hill". Being younger and foolish, that's pretty much what I did.

[bigdave269]

Yes, Pizza Man, everything is a lot more expensive out here. I only have to point to half-million dollar 1300 square-foot "mansion," and that's the cheap side of Santa Clarita. What could a half a million buy you? The upside is that I earn about twice as much as I would in my same job anywhere else in the county. I wish I could make what I make living in Michigan; houses twice as big were half as much in beautiful suburbs there.

Waterbug, I drove on that highway in a loaded rental Expedition going from Oakland to Sacramento. It is twisty going up and outright hairy coming back down in a vehicle that size! :shock: Be glad you had the Honda! :wink:

[Webwader]

Pizza Man, while the mountains certainly don't help gas mileage, I think Big Dave's biggest problem is the traffic. The RL hates stop and go traffice, mpg wise. Remember, every time you stop, you restart in 4WD.

[Waterbug]

bigdave269 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
I wish I could make what I make living in Michigan; houses twice as big were half as much in beautiful suburbs there.


Dave is right about Michigan. Right now we have a 7+% unemployment rate, due to cuts at the auto manufacturers. Those WERE the good paying jobs. When you're unemployed or have accepted a lower paying job, it's time to find cheaper housing. As a result, the Michigan market is swamped with high end housing. Ex-white collar auto workers are dropping their keys through the mail slot and walking away. The lower end of the housing market is fairly stable because people downsizing maintains the market but 3,000 sqft houses are a dime a dozen.

[Pizza Man]

Although my mpg is usually below the EPA estimates because of my driving habits, I feel fortunate that I can go close to two weeks on a tank of gas. My RL is used daily, but for very short trips at a time. My commute to work only takes 4 minutes. In the winter, the RL barely reaches operating temperature!

On the other hand, I'm more than satisfied with my highway mileage. I feel for everyone that needs to put up with commuter congestion.

[RL Fan]

I can't complain about the MPG, but is should be better considering the weight to HP ratio. I normally am in the 17/20 MPG range and on extended interstate trips have done 22 MPG several times. On the other hand, my last 3 pickups have done fair also: '94 Ranger 4 x 4 with 4.0 V6 same as the RL, '98 F-150 4.6 V8 4 x 4 15/18 MPG, and '03 F-150 5.4 V8 4 x 4 16/19 MPG. If the RL did not have the aerodynamics of a shoe box and was a true 4 wheel drive instead of the AWD it might do some better.

[Ridgeline2006]

Dave, gas here in South Florida is high too -- just filled up at $3.09 the other day. Sure wish we could find some of that $2.27 gas around here!

I'm driving to Wisco next week, might take the Acura to save some money -- can get over 30mpg with the TSX if I take it easy.

[bigdave269]

Hey, 2006, long time no see! I don't blame you for wanting to park the truck with these prices, but it sure would be a better ride. I thought about driving to Michigan this March, but airfare both ways was cheaper than gas one way. And ges went up .25 while I was gone! Oh, well, I saved the miles. I have been running my Camry and my Mustang a bit more than my truck, these days. And I still have that good old vanpool (unless I have to leave early for some reason!).

Good to see you out and about and not just lurking behind your keyboard! Hope to see you more....

[Ridgeline2006]

Thanks Dave! This place is the same great place it's always been. I'll try to get back more often -- been busy with my 57 chevy and the websites for that hobby!

[bigdave269]

I know what you mean! I've been a bit more busy these days, too, but you know me, I have to stop in here every once in a while!

Have fun on your trip!

[Rodek]

I normally fall below the EPA estimate in my Ridge. On the contrary evry other vehicle I've owned (Mostly Hondas), have gotten above the rating. The Ridge drives the same route too. I'm disappointed in Honda for the Ridge's fuel economy. It's the only Honda I've owned (out of 12) that's gotten worse than what the sticker on the window indicates. I love the truck but, don't enjoy pulling up to the pump.

Still, I'll take the Ridge with it's crew cab/ 4wd mileage over my Dad's Silverado, In Law's F-150, and my co-workers Ram. When we get together to go somewhere, we always want to ride in the Ridge. Go figure ;)

Just don't think there will be a new one in my garage when this one wears out. A bad buying decision on my part as I expected the normal Honda conservative MPG rating 9at least with my driving style). Kinda damaged my view of Honda as well. I beleive I'll stick to thier cars and borrow a truck when I need it.

[bigdave269]

Rodek, being out in the flats of Florida, you should be getting a bit better mileage. But everyone knows EPA estimates are unrealistic. Overall, I am a bit disappointed in the mileage, but it hasn't really stopped me from driving it. I just turned it over the 50K mark this weekend, halfway to my warranty running out in just a little over two years. It still drives like brand new, and it is the favorite when my family has to pile in drive somewhere.

But you hit on the big question, and it may be worthy of a poll: Now that you have owned your Ridgeline for a while, would you replace it with another one when the time comes?

At this point, I am not too sure. But of course, I plan on keeping my Ridge about ten years, up to about 250K (unless there's some disaster with it!). It's hard to say what will happen eight years from now.

[Zcuda]

Well this is an old post I am responding to but, what the heck.
I think I am around 45K & my MPG are averaging about 18-19. My long trips ( Washington state & Arizona ) Mostly on the freeway & AC on, about 75 mph netted me about 23-24 MPG. I even drove a full tank set on the cruise control at 70 mph & still only managed 24 mpg in northern California on the eastern side. Acceptable!!
I was amazed to read that some of you were getting in the 14-15 mpg average?!?!?! :shock: :shock: :shock: Oh yeah and for the readers of this post ( if it is read a year from now or more ) GAS IS AT $3.75 A GAL for PETES SAKE!!! & still rising!!!! :( :( :(

[wb1dby]

I just returned from a 830 mile 5 day round trip with the boy scouts to Gettysburg, PA. For the trip down, I got an amazing 22 mpg! We pretty much averaged 65mph for the whole trip. That was with me and 4 boy scouts and the bed full of "stuff" and the tonneau cover closed. I haven't figured the return trip mpg yet. Around town, since I have been driving slower and less lead footing it, I have been averaging around 17 mpg. Driving slower = better fuel economy.