06' Sonata Hiway Trip MPG

I just took my LX on a 2000 mile round trip with 98% being interstate
driving. I averaged 27.3 mpg for the trip, with the cruise set on 79mph.
Computer had my average speed at 66mph.
Not great MPG but I was completely happy with the car. I loved the trip. ( I
went alone, No wife and kids) It performed outstanding. Plenty of power and
nice and quiet. LOVED it.

Rob

 

The LX is rated 20/30 by the EPA, right? If so, that isn't too bad
given the speed you were driving. I'd guess if you'd have driven closer
to 60 you would have been close to the 30 highway rating.

I've yet to take my GL on a long trip, but I'm running 27.5 or so
commuting to work. I really doubt I will break 30 on a trip, but it'll
be fun to find out. Since my commute is 70% or so highway, I was really
hoping to be closer to the 70% point between the 24/34 EPA ratings which
would be 31. I'd even be happy to break 30! So, I'm not real pleased
with the mileage thus far.

Overall, the Sonata is a pretty good car and a good value, but it does
have some serious nits that I hope Hyundai will address and fuel economy
is one of them. But this isn't nearly as bothersome as that )(#*$)@
electronic throttle!!


Matt

 

Matt, I know the general area you live in, but I am not sure if you had
the same warm weather we had a week or two ago, but we were in the 60's
and 70's for a few days. I just happened to fill my tank right before
the warm weather hit. My mileage increased 3.6 MPG, to just shy of 26
MPG, for that tank. And I didn't change my driving one bit.

I think the warm weather is going to make some big changes to our
mileage.

Eric

 

Yes, we had that short spell also, but I didn't see any change in my
mileage. And now winter is back...

I'm still hoping for that as well.

Matt

 

what's this "electronic throttle" stuff??? Something else for me to worry
about?

 

Aye, it'll cause cancer of the foot it will.

I think just about all new cars have "throttle by wire" now, but I may be
wrong.

 

The throttle has no mechanical connection to the fuel injection system
as in the old days with cables and/or linkages. The throttle position
is measured electronically and this is read by the engine control
computer which then controls the throttle plate position via a motor and
the fuel injector via PWM, at least this is what I believe is the case.
I just got my service manuals a couple of days ago and haven't studied
this in gory detail yet.

I'm not worried about mine in the sense of it going bad, although I do
trust a cable more than rheostats and motors. My complaint is that the
throttle is overly sensitive and lacks the tactile feedback present in
mechanical throttles.


Matt

 

I think so too Eric. The first trip I took of any length (125 m) with
temperature above 60 F , my mileage went up by 2+ mpg (28.5)

 

Temps and fuel economy... and tire pressure. I'm starting to think
tire pressure is a significant part of the cold weather equation (tire
pressure can drop with the temperature). Winter average on my 06 was
down which was not a big surprise. On a day in the 30s I checked tire
pressure and found the tires down about 3 or 4 psi. After returning
the tires to 30psi I noticed my fuel economy is back to averaging above
21 mpg on two recent tanks.