Fuelly Forums - '04 Tsx

Hey guys. A few months ago I traded a V6 Oldsmobile Alero with horrible gas mileage (about 22mpg combined) for an '04 Acura TSX. I wanted something fun to drive, but it needed to get good gas mileage. I have always heard that Honda products get great gas mileage, so I decided to get one.

The revised EPA ratings are 20/29/23 for the 5AT. My commute is about 60% hwy and 40% city (not stop and go). I started off getting almost 26mpg and was a little dissapointed, but then I started researching practical ways to get better mileage. I started by trying to keep the RPMs under 2500 around town and keeping my highway speed under 70mph. This gave me a slight increase. Next, I decided to limit my highway speed to 60-65mph and I started leaving work at 5:30 instead of 5:00 so I would spend less time in traffic. Also, I started using an alternate route to and from work that avoided congestion in the busier parts of town. I averaged about 28mpg doing that. I was very impressed, because I didn't have to mod the car or do anything dangerous. Knowing that I could get better mileage, I decided to see what kind of mileage I could really get. There is a road called the Natchez Trace Parkway that connects Natchez, MS (southwest MS) to Nashville, TN. The speed limit is 50mph and I figured it was the best road to test the upper limits of my car's mileage. There is very minimal traffic and the road is very flat. I set my cruise control on 50 and that was it. I filled up my car before I left and then stopped at the same station (even used the same pump) when I got back. I got almost 43mpg. I was not expecting that at all.

I don't plan to do any mods. I think changing the way I drive has been effective enough. I want to try getting 45mpg, but this time I will make sure to check my tire inflation. I will let you know how that goes.