Man, this mileage sux...
Senior Member
Joined: 01-24-2008
Posts: 725
From: USA
Summary of all of the above
I know I'm going to regret this, but I gotta say something.... Randy the Hack has been getting hit on hard for his post. I think that the purpose of this group is to teach one another, and above all show a little patience.
That being said, Randy set himself up when he started out by basically calling his HHR a piece of crap (I said basically, not literally). Let's remember this is an HHR forum, where we love our cars. What he did was the equivilant of saying to someone "your mother's ugly" or "I notice your sister has nice breasts - may I date her?". Of course everyone's going to get up in arms and he's going to get smacked- we love our HHRs!
On the other hand, he received some brutal comments. He truly was looking for some information. The post two above mine (along with some others) did a nice job at helping solve the problem.
Now, from my perspective, I bought my HHR first and foremost because I think it is one of the neatest (can I say "cool") cars on the market today. It is one of the few cars that can be truly customized like the cars of the '50s and give you your own identity.
My point is that mileage is nice, but we're not talking a ton of money here. For instance, if you drive 12,000 miles a year and average 20 mpg, it's going to use 600 gallons and at $3.00 a gallon, that's $1800 a yr. Change that to 25 mpg, and you've got 480 gallons or $1440 a year. You've save $360. Guess what - I blow that on McDonalds, dinner with my wife, WalMart, etc. Yes, I too want to save money, but first and foremost, I deserve a car that I like, and I'm not going to buy some dam Aveo that makes me look like a 82 year old lady driving home from the library.
Finally, I have said all along that I think it is a joke that people buy some of these tiny cars based upon mileage claims, when you can come dam close with a full-size car and have the power when you need it. I again mention my '01 Aurora with a 4.0 V8 that consistantly averages 22 mpg all around.
I do think that everyone needs to be a little patient and more welcoming with new members. Yes, the instruction book is in the glovebox, yes something has been posted before, yes, people are stupid, but if we don't have repeat questions, I suspect there will be little to write about.
I also wonder if they make a lowering kit for a Prius, or if it would look good with a hood scoop? (just kidding - no fights here:))
That being said, Randy set himself up when he started out by basically calling his HHR a piece of crap (I said basically, not literally). Let's remember this is an HHR forum, where we love our cars. What he did was the equivilant of saying to someone "your mother's ugly" or "I notice your sister has nice breasts - may I date her?". Of course everyone's going to get up in arms and he's going to get smacked- we love our HHRs!
On the other hand, he received some brutal comments. He truly was looking for some information. The post two above mine (along with some others) did a nice job at helping solve the problem.
Now, from my perspective, I bought my HHR first and foremost because I think it is one of the neatest (can I say "cool") cars on the market today. It is one of the few cars that can be truly customized like the cars of the '50s and give you your own identity.
My point is that mileage is nice, but we're not talking a ton of money here. For instance, if you drive 12,000 miles a year and average 20 mpg, it's going to use 600 gallons and at $3.00 a gallon, that's $1800 a yr. Change that to 25 mpg, and you've got 480 gallons or $1440 a year. You've save $360. Guess what - I blow that on McDonalds, dinner with my wife, WalMart, etc. Yes, I too want to save money, but first and foremost, I deserve a car that I like, and I'm not going to buy some dam Aveo that makes me look like a 82 year old lady driving home from the library.
Finally, I have said all along that I think it is a joke that people buy some of these tiny cars based upon mileage claims, when you can come dam close with a full-size car and have the power when you need it. I again mention my '01 Aurora with a 4.0 V8 that consistantly averages 22 mpg all around.
I do think that everyone needs to be a little patient and more welcoming with new members. Yes, the instruction book is in the glovebox, yes something has been posted before, yes, people are stupid, but if we don't have repeat questions, I suspect there will be little to write about.
I also wonder if they make a lowering kit for a Prius, or if it would look good with a hood scoop? (just kidding - no fights here:))
New Member
Joined: 12-17-2007
Posts: 14
From: SW Michigan
Give him a break
I don't know why on this forum when somebody asks for help, some people think they are lying or stupid. These kind of forums are supposed to be for getting help from people. I also don't get good mileage from my HHR and was hoping for some good Ideas from this tread, and there are some people here that are willing to help but there are others that take it personally when someones HHR isn't up to snuff. Randys mileage on both his vehicles don't seem unbelievable to me, I also own a Duramax Diesel truck and thou I don't get the mileage he is getting on his, I do know there are guys getting that kind of mileage with them. That being said, getting the kind of mileage on his HHR is not unbelievable and if he is upset with his mileage I don't think it is unreasonable, being the rated mileage is allot higher. I am new here and I am almost afraid to post because of the personal attacks put on people because "my HHr would never be that bad so yours must not be" kind of attitudes. The diesel forum that both myself and randy belong to has some people like this but there is more good information than I have seen on this site. Just my observation. All I'm saying is if you have some good information to help people out then post a reply, if not please don't make it that new members don't want to post by bashing them. Sorry for the rant and getting off topic.
Jack
Jack
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
In my honest opinion....
The previous 2 posters need to relax a little. After reading both of their posts I went back and re-read every post. Only 2, what could be called, negative comments in the entire thread. And both of those posts were from the same person.
While arguements and sarcastic remarks do occurr (and I'm guilty sometime), I think the criticism extended by those 2 members is unwarranted. Afterall, this is an OPEN FORUM and ANYONE can express an opinion (as I am doing now). But also remember this is a group of people interested in one thing, the HHR, and they are diverse, geographically influenced/spaced. To me, there just is no evidence to support those statements, FOR THIS POST. However, if you feel, IN GENERAL, your comments need discussion, I suggest you start a new thread so everyone can discuss it.
Now about Randy.....
I personally don't care what someone "titles" the HHR. That is their opinion. But, because I am an individual who bases many decisions on logic of evidence, I may question WHY THEY DO SO (notice, I have not done so here...but on previous occassions and threads have done so). Randy's comment to me, was just off the cuff and not taken as something of actual validity. We all do that.
Randy initially expressed a concern about his poor mileage and raised a question and concern. All I see are posts to help Randy.....yeah, some are blunt and to the point. But they do address his concern.
To Randy....
Randy sorry for contributing to the "jacking" of your thread.
Your concern is legitimate and I believe everyone that posted had good intentions. And I believe you have 2 basic problems. As mentioned by several people, your problem is either (or a combination of) mechanical, electrical, or operator error. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE you are manually calculating mileage correctly, so......
I would say 2 areas need to be investigated.....the DIC's incorrect calculations and the lower MPG results. The DIC could be faulty software or hardware. The vehicles ability to obtain better mileage could be a multitude of areas and needs to be reviewed and investigated by someone on a personal basis (I doubt, based on responses, you will find an ANSWER here). Possibly a good diagnostician at a dealer.
Good Luck and keep us informed....
The previous 2 posters need to relax a little. After reading both of their posts I went back and re-read every post. Only 2, what could be called, negative comments in the entire thread. And both of those posts were from the same person.
While arguements and sarcastic remarks do occurr (and I'm guilty sometime), I think the criticism extended by those 2 members is unwarranted. Afterall, this is an OPEN FORUM and ANYONE can express an opinion (as I am doing now). But also remember this is a group of people interested in one thing, the HHR, and they are diverse, geographically influenced/spaced. To me, there just is no evidence to support those statements, FOR THIS POST. However, if you feel, IN GENERAL, your comments need discussion, I suggest you start a new thread so everyone can discuss it.
Now about Randy.....
I personally don't care what someone "titles" the HHR. That is their opinion. But, because I am an individual who bases many decisions on logic of evidence, I may question WHY THEY DO SO (notice, I have not done so here...but on previous occassions and threads have done so). Randy's comment to me, was just off the cuff and not taken as something of actual validity. We all do that.
Randy initially expressed a concern about his poor mileage and raised a question and concern. All I see are posts to help Randy.....yeah, some are blunt and to the point. But they do address his concern.
To Randy....
Randy sorry for contributing to the "jacking" of your thread.
Your concern is legitimate and I believe everyone that posted had good intentions. And I believe you have 2 basic problems. As mentioned by several people, your problem is either (or a combination of) mechanical, electrical, or operator error. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE you are manually calculating mileage correctly, so......
I would say 2 areas need to be investigated.....the DIC's incorrect calculations and the lower MPG results. The DIC could be faulty software or hardware. The vehicles ability to obtain better mileage could be a multitude of areas and needs to be reviewed and investigated by someone on a personal basis (I doubt, based on responses, you will find an ANSWER here). Possibly a good diagnostician at a dealer.
Good Luck and keep us informed....
Member
Joined: 01-13-2008
Posts: 81
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I have an 08 2.4 auto 2LT. When I picked it up it had 60 miles on it, now 1220. 99% of my driving is in town and about 10 miles a day. My best mileage so far has been 15.9. I drive it conservatively and mix it up with the "whip effect" and a few banzai runs.
I, too am concerned and mainly because I read all these varying reports of mid 20's MPG. A friend has an 07 2.4 and he drives the piss out it and gets 23 average. The dealer told me to put another 1000 miles on it and monitor it. These cars do not have fire breathing ponies, are rather heavy and have 4.13 gearing. I hope mine goes up. What is the recommended octane?
I, too am concerned and mainly because I read all these varying reports of mid 20's MPG. A friend has an 07 2.4 and he drives the piss out it and gets 23 average. The dealer told me to put another 1000 miles on it and monitor it. These cars do not have fire breathing ponies, are rather heavy and have 4.13 gearing. I hope mine goes up. What is the recommended octane?
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 07-29-2007
Posts: 28
From: Georgetown, KY
Just a thought on process...
One thing that would be most beneficial to all of these discussions would be a fully filled out user signature which contains the specifics of your car. I see no logical reason for touting good or bad mileage in a 2.0L or 2.2L in this thread (since it's under the 2.4L performance tech section), or offering for comparison your 2.4L 5-speed manual tranny car when the point of discussion is a 2.4L auto tranny car (tranny differences are obviously less than the engine displacement differences).
It's tough enough to compare apples to apples in this environment when we all drive differently, have different features on our cars, buy different grades of gas, et al.
In other forums where I participate, a fully filled out signature helps immensely, especially when the specifics of the "device" configuration significantly impacts behavior and/or performance. This is especially true of "The Diesel Place". After spending 8-9 months out there, I can't imagine not having that information prior to discussions.
Just something to consider. I think that would have helped in this conversation (and certainly would have in other discussions I've read out here)...
It's tough enough to compare apples to apples in this environment when we all drive differently, have different features on our cars, buy different grades of gas, et al.
In other forums where I participate, a fully filled out signature helps immensely, especially when the specifics of the "device" configuration significantly impacts behavior and/or performance. This is especially true of "The Diesel Place". After spending 8-9 months out there, I can't imagine not having that information prior to discussions.
Just something to consider. I think that would have helped in this conversation (and certainly would have in other discussions I've read out here)...
Senior Member
Joined: 07-15-2006
Posts: 4,179
From: n/a
I have an 06 2.4 Auto. With 28,784 miles as of this writting.
I use mostly 93% Shell, BP(Amaco), or Chevron.
I drive mostly in the city with a lot of stops and goes due to the traffic light, accidents, and so forth. Some lights you can sit at for almost 2 minutes. The Mileage I get in city is around 26-27, lower if I have to sit at a long red light , train going by, etc.
If I use the lower octane gas YES I do get lower mpg.
When I drive on the open Highway for trips I do get +30 mpg.
Both of these are in accordance of the mileage on my sticker, which I still have from my purchase.
My HHR is not stock, I have had a CGS intake on for over 1 yr, just took it off and put on a K&N intake, had problems with it,,,Now back to a CGS intake.
Exhaust has not been stock for over 1 yr as well, I had an Icmo T-924, now it has been off since Dec,(I think) I now have a Magna Flow Cat Back.
And my mileage is still around the same as it was before. But has not been stock for a long time.
Sorry for your problems, and I will say sorry now if my post is in your thread and it should not be due to the fact I do not have a Stock HHR.
As far as the signature goes, on this Fourm you are limited as to the amount of space for this, if no pic is there, then you are only allowed 7 line spaces, and that is counting the skipped lines as well. Alot of people here like to show off thier HHR, so the opt to have a pic in the proper deminsions.
I use mostly 93% Shell, BP(Amaco), or Chevron.
I drive mostly in the city with a lot of stops and goes due to the traffic light, accidents, and so forth. Some lights you can sit at for almost 2 minutes. The Mileage I get in city is around 26-27, lower if I have to sit at a long red light , train going by, etc.
If I use the lower octane gas YES I do get lower mpg.
When I drive on the open Highway for trips I do get +30 mpg.
Both of these are in accordance of the mileage on my sticker, which I still have from my purchase.
My HHR is not stock, I have had a CGS intake on for over 1 yr, just took it off and put on a K&N intake, had problems with it,,,Now back to a CGS intake.
Exhaust has not been stock for over 1 yr as well, I had an Icmo T-924, now it has been off since Dec,(I think) I now have a Magna Flow Cat Back.
And my mileage is still around the same as it was before. But has not been stock for a long time.
Sorry for your problems, and I will say sorry now if my post is in your thread and it should not be due to the fact I do not have a Stock HHR.
As far as the signature goes, on this Fourm you are limited as to the amount of space for this, if no pic is there, then you are only allowed 7 line spaces, and that is counting the skipped lines as well. Alot of people here like to show off thier HHR, so the opt to have a pic in the proper deminsions.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-28-2008
Posts: 357
From: INDIANA
I have a thought about the original question: Has you dealer done a fuel injector leak test, and or a fuel pressure running pressure test? The reason I ask that is the DIC is calculating fuel economy by taking the fuel injector pulsewidth, RPM, and distance traveled to do its calculation. It does NOT however, know if an injector is leaking extra fuel, or the fuel pressure is higher than spec causing more fuel to flow thru the injector at a specified pulsewidth. If the DIC is calculating good mileage, then it knows that there is no big load on the engine(like towing a boat or sticking brakes) and is doing its calcs based the accuracy of the information its getting. So the engine must be getting more fuel than the DIC knows, and that is where I would start.
For the record, my new 03 Trailblazer I6 engine, 2wd, rated 16 city/22 highway, could only get 10-13 mpg. 6 visits to dealer, they doing their own test and getting 10.3, I finally gave up and got a V8 Rainier and it got 20-21 highway. Go Figure, some cars are just lemons, or some dealers are lemons, not sure which!
Good Luck
For the record, my new 03 Trailblazer I6 engine, 2wd, rated 16 city/22 highway, could only get 10-13 mpg. 6 visits to dealer, they doing their own test and getting 10.3, I finally gave up and got a V8 Rainier and it got 20-21 highway. Go Figure, some cars are just lemons, or some dealers are lemons, not sure which!
Good Luck
Last edited by LT1GMC; Feb 26, 2008 at 12:51 PM. Reason: spl
Senior Member
Joined: 02-14-2007
Posts: 380
From: Luskville, QC, Canada
Yup, that was my exact reasoning when I suggested to have the injectors looked at. I'd expect that the engine would be throwing a code though; one of the exhaust sensors should be detecting the extra fuel. Who knows, it could be off a bit but still within specs ?
I'd really like to know the outcome when it's over.
Yves
I'd really like to know the outcome when it's over.
Yves
