My wife drives an 05 element lx with 4wd. She drives all city miles, mostly in the hills to the west of cincinnati.

Every time I measure her mileage, she gets no better than 21 mpg.

I know she is not a speed demon. Can anyone suggest ways (besides buying a civic) that she can get some better mileage?

 

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymake/Honda2005.shtml

She is getting better than the EPA estimates of 19/23. 19 on city surfaces, 23 on freeway.

Factor in that you say she drives all city, and mostly hills, I think those are fantastic mileage. Did you think because of the engine size, you'd get near 30's? The Element is larger, weighs more, and has more wind resistance than other cars where the 2.4 is found.

From the website, here are a few more tips, although there are plenty of things you can do. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml

 

My wife had the same issue with here element

we added in a KN Filter changed to Amsoil's full synthetic oil ... and shes keeping her foot out and shes averaging 23-24 mpg city

and main thing ... air pressure on the tires

 

21 city is damn good. I don't baby my 08 or anything but mixed driving I get around 20-22.
So 21 all city is damn good.

 

I get about 21-22 MPG on my 05 AWD LX and that's halfway highway and halfway city to work. Mind you the highway is a lot of stop and go and below 35 miles per hour due to congestion. All in all it's about a 12 mile trip one way.As others have said, with the weight, wind resistance ETC, I'm happy with the gas mileage and I'd say that's good for your wife to ONLY be doing city driving.

 

DANG!

Baller on a budget.

I was considering of picking an 05 Element up for snowboarding season....the prices aren't so bad either.

 

21 in the city, on hills, in a vehicle that has the areodynamics of a brick is excellent...

 

BG sells this fuel system cleaner called 44k, its sick ****. cost like 20 bucks a bottle but does wonders.

 

My E has 4,000 miles on it. I don't need any cleaner yet.