Tips for 2001 Honda Odyssey?

[MechEngVT]

littledog: sounds like you have the automatic climate control. I'm not sure why, but its preference is to run the compressor all the time in full auto mode. I guess it's because dry air is easier to change to the correct temperature, plus on cold starts the extra load of the compressor causes the engine to warm up a bit faster because of the extra fuel burned and the condenser will deliver warm air to the radiator.


If you push the "AC" button it will toggle between AC ON and AC OFF. The AC OFF position will stop the compressor from running. Then you can change the temperature setting and/or vent position as you desire without it kicking on the compressor. If you still have it automatically seek a temperature and vent position on its own the display will read "AUTO" instead of "FULL AUTO" as it would if you hadn't engaged AC OFF.

[Bill in Houston]

Originally Posted by MechEngVT

If you push the "AC" button it will toggle between AC ON and AC OFF. The AC OFF position will stop the compressor from running.

One thing to check - when you do this, make sure that the A/C is really going off. Elements and CR-Vs will tell you that the compressor is off, but it still cycles unless you do the hack. Our manual control Ody DOES shut off, however... Just something worth confirming.

[PaleMelanesian]

We have the 2004 with 5-speed auto. My wife averages ~22 mpg with ~10 mile trips.

- Higher tire pressure helps a lot. It also adds noise, so pick your poison.
- Keep the rpm low. 2000 is my target maximum.
- Shift to N a lot. If you leave it in D it gives you engine braking. That steals the momentum you just gained and you have to burn more gas to make it back up.
- The new Goodyear FuelMax tires added about 5% to our mileage. That's worth the full purchase price of the tires over their lifetime.
- it won't go into top gear until 45 mph, unless you do a quick D-N-D shift and then it pops right in as low as 40 mph.
- keep it rolling. Look far ahead, anticipate traffic and stops. Rolling through a fresh green light at 5 mph is MUCH better than stopping at the red for 5 seconds and then starting again.

[beatr911]

PaleMalenesian, Thanks for the report of the FuelMax tires. I have had my eyes on those come this fall. That 5% alone is about the difference between your 22 and our 21 mpg.

One could also try upper grille block, from the inside. Extend the undertray. Ensure the valves are adjusted correctly and plugs are in good shape. Keep the inside from getting filled like an overstuffed purse to keep the weight down.

[PaleMelanesian]

I've got the materials for an outer upper block out of plexiglass. I tested on a hot day with packing tape. The AC was running. FWT never even reached 200, so there's no hazard to blocking the upper.