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Old 03-07-2013, 03:34 AM   #32 (permalink)
redpoint5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
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Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - CBR600 - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - Dodge/Cummins - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)

Model Y - '24 Tesla Y LR AWD

Pacifica Hybrid - '21 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
90 day: 85.85 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayliu1984 View Post
I have a short youtube clip showing how "hard" it is to turn my front wheel.

...However, I still can't stop thinking how much money I would have saved if I have gotten a different car. I had no idea this accord uses this much fuel. The EPA rating is 21MPG city, and I am only getting 18.6, while being laughed at by my coworkers the way I drive (too granny).

...If I can be SURE that this car is all good and this IS how much gas Honda Accord drinks, it helps me to make decision if I want to sell the car when the lease is up or keep it. There is nothing I would complaint about the car except the fuel comsuption.
Your video doesn't show anything that looks abnormal about the effort required to spin a single wheel.

You are already saving a ton of money by having only a 6 km commute. How much money do you really believe can be saved? I'll do a little math below in units I am most familiar with.

Your commute is 4 miles one way, or 8 miles round trip. Assuming a 5 day work week, you might commute 235 days per year.

8 miles * 235 days = 1880 miles
1880 miles / 18.6 mpg (your mpg) = 101 gal
1880 miles / 21 mpg (EPA mpg) = 90 gal

Assuming $5/gal for petrol, the annual difference is $55 USD, or $0.23 cents per day. You are spending way more money than this just by choosing to lease instead of purchasing a used vehicle from a private seller.

Have you driven this route in other cars before while comparing your mpg with the EPA for that car? You will find that all of them perform below EPA because the distance traveled isn't enough to warm up and run efficiently.

If you want to save money, then ride a bicycle instead. Or purchase a good used vehicle from a private seller. Or install a grill block on your existing vehicle.

Why not jack the other side of your car off the ground and try spinning that wheel? I bet it takes just as much effort to turn. This would mean the brakes and wheel bearings are likely just fine.
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