I've long been a Honda Fan (hence the name).

After 3,XXX miles of experience with my '04 TL, I have learned that the TL's fuel gauge compared to older Honda fuel gauges moves at a different rate and it is not a reflection of worse gas mileage.

Example with my mostly HWY driving, on my 91 Accords the needle sits beyond full when tank filled for about 100 miles, then the needle leaves the "F". The half-way mark was hit after 300 miles accumulated. At "E" you were at 400+ miles. This was similar concept to other Hondas of this timeframe, as I've driven and family owned many others.

On TL with mostly HWY, the needle is beyond full when tank filled. Needle leaves "F" quicker and by 3/4 mark it is usually at 100 miles accumulated. Half-way mark indicates 200 miles and 1/4 mark is 300 miles. You hit 400 or 400+ miles at/nearing "E". I do my calculations and look at the trip and it indicates 29-31 MPG depending on how I drive and the percentage of time spend on HWY vs City.

I have an 04 TL 6MT with 70K miles at this time, by the way.

 

Yeah I dont know why people complain about mileage on the TL....for me it is stellar. Just don't be a lead foot all the time and you will get over 22 MPG city. Highway is another story...in a good way.

Go to the TSX forums and see how lame the gas mileage is over there considering they are a 4-banger.

 

for the past 3600 miles i'm at 26mpg combined 60/40 HWY/CITY. I've an 05 WITH 77k

 

Word, I noticed that the fuel gauge did operate a little differently than it did in my 2003 Accord. I second the fact that the TL gets good mileage idk why people complain about it. Driving normally I got a consistent 23-35mpg. I got 35mpg on a trip to the beach this summer I could not believe it! I calculate it myself also, but I find that the trip computer is extraordinary accurate to me own calculations. I spend no more money on gas than I did with my V6 accord, and I was running that thing on regular!!

 

I dont see that he is complaining about mileage, but merely commenting on how the gas tank indicator needle moves differently between the other Honda made cars he has owned.

 

It's just nice to have a fuel gauge that works

 

I own a Honda Pilot and a TL and the Fuel gauges do act different as described. I don't find it a big deal though. The gauges are just calibrated different. I actually prefer the Acura solution a little better for a long trip since I have 100 miles to think about getting gas once the gauge hits 1/4 full.

I think the Acura gauge is conservative for a very good reason: we have road side assistance that covers fuel and Acura doesn't wants to reduce service calls. With the Acura you would have to be seriously out to lunch to ever run out of gas since you have about 3 gallons when the light comes on.

 

I did notice with my TL that immediately the needle moves; it doesn't stay on full for a while like other cars I've had. Also, I have taken the car almost 20 miles past 0 miles range and still had over 2 gallons in the tank. That gets on my nerves. The needle is like below the E. The light comes on way too early I think.

 

Well, it may move different, but when it says "E", it's not. There's around 3 - 4 gallons left.


IOW - some cars "cheat" the guage at "F", the TL "cheats" the guage at "E".


F-061: Miles to Empty, Low Fuel Warning, and Fuel Tank Capacity
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84730
https://acurazine.com/forums/acurazine-clubs-meets-15/location-ideas-next-large-northeast-meet-71425/
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/made-switch-86945/
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107341

 

Could you explain please?

 

By "cheat" he means that the needle moves slower at the E on the TL and most cars do that at the F. I had an accord as well that went about 100 miles before it moved off the F, TL is the opposite. Look at the shape of the gauge too, the E is further from the needle pivot point than the F as well.

 

I'm getting average 20MPG with 20MPH average speed

But yeah, I noticed that it moves almost instantly.

 

Yes. This ^^ .

 

I noticed this as well, and I love this. Especially on long road-trips I can see how this is tremendously useful (and safe). I always keep at least half a tank my car just in case (personal preference), but I'd rather have my car tell me I don't have much left, when "much" means 3-4 gallons and can easily get me to the next gas station without a problem.

And TL's gas mileage is so great that I honestly don't mind paying more for the premium fuel like it requires. Especially on highway driving where I get 33-35 MPG here in Utah, it balances out. In a more urban area I can see how that might be annoying but still.

 

I've noticed this too. The TL's fuel gauge seems to be very consistent and linear from start to finish. Each quarter represents 100 miles for my driving style (not my wife's though). It's also nice knowing there is a 3 gallon reserve after you reach "0 miles remaining" on the trip computer...

My 94 Civic (with Integra swap) will read the 1st 200 miles between F and half, then the last 100 miles is read between half and E. The gauge moves twice as fast in the lower half of the scale.

My 89 CRX Si is a little more linear, but now without it's quirks. The gauge will barely register any usage during a drive. However the next time you start the car, the gauge is lower than when you last turned off the car. This annoys me. At least it still gets over 40mpg at 218k miles (without the AC running)...

 

Whomever previously mentioned that the purpose of this thread was to comment on the fuel gauge movement and not indicating bad gas mileage is correct.

It is reassuring to hear similar testimonials. It confirms that my engine is running appropriately.

I'll be completing my first oil change on this car after work today. I also want to pull a couple spark plugs to check their condition to gauge when to replace. Also, I'm going to replace the MTF, as I do not know when it was replaced previously.

Note: I recently purchase this 04 TL about 4,XXX miles ago, it has about 70,500 miles on it now.

 

I've never seen "Miles to Empty." What is that?

 

It's in your MID. Might say "Range".

Go to the Trip Computer, select it. You should have stuff like avg mph, avg mpg, etc. Now hit the "down arrow" and you'll go to "page 2" and it will have "range" or "miles to empty"

When that says "0", you have ~3 gallons of gas left. usually good for 60+ additional miles.

 

I personally find it annoying that Acura assumes we are irresponsible owners and are prone to run out of gas. I want to know how much gas is in the car when I look at the gauge ( I don't lend much credence to the range calculation). My "empty" light comes on at about 290-330 miles (depending on what kind of driving), and never takes more than about 13 gallons when I fill up. 5 extra gallons at 20-25 mpg should allow me another 100 miles easy. Stupid...

I'm reading that you all go about 400 on a tank. Either my foot is permanently flooring the gas pedal or I need a recalibration, if that's possible.

 

It's due to your driving style. I regularly get 31mpg (even on the city), but mu wife cannot get near that. Her best is around 27mpg. On aside note, I noticed the previous owner of the car had averaged 20mpg over 18k miles. lol

 

None of the 3 CRX's I've had have done that. You might have a weird sensor or a slight fuel tank venting issue. Mine sit on F for about 75 miles and then slowly drop off to 1/4, at which point it drops very quickly toward E. I remember when I bought my first CRX, I grumbled about the fuel gauge's inaccuracy. I much prefer the TL's.