v831

I've had my RDX for 1+ year and I've kept a fuel consumption log for the past 3 tanks (averaging around 13L/100 km with 70% city and 30% hwy). One thing that caught my attention is accuracy (or inaccuracy) of the fuel guage.

I was at or about 250-260 km range when I reached the half a tank measurement and simple arithmetic says my driving range is about 500 km (give or take). However, when I reached close to the bottom of the guage (low fuel light is on) I was only at the 430 km to 440 km range - 100 km short of the anticipated range. Has anyone noticed this on their respective RDX? Any thoughts or remedy?

Please note that my driving distance and habit is practically the same.

scottRDX

One thought I have, is that when you fill the tank, it actually overflows a little bit. On my RDX, when I fill the tank, the needle goes a little above full, so maybe that is why the first half of the tank shows greater range.

-Scott

vrflyer

Doesn't the RDX tank come with a reserve 1.25gal (overfill) though?

Just something to think about as well...

imlou

Fuel gauge inaccuracy seems to be a norm with the newer hondas/acuras. In one trip I can drive the same distance as another honda/acura and the fuel gauge will be way off on both cars, given both cars were filled up at the same station and drove the same distance going same speed.

Here was the scenario:
Cars: Honda Civic, Acura EL
Distance: Kingston to Ottawa (~200km+)
Speed: 110km/hr

Honda civic showed half tank left, while the EL showed more than 3/4 full. I typically just monitor km, litres filled, and driving style to see when to fill up.

vrflyer

Yeah, my '03 Civic is severely plagued by this issue and it has had the fuel sender unit already replaced once (actually replaced the entire fuel pump assy.)

My '92 Civic reads consistent fuel readings, so it makes you think about the quality of newer vehicles nowadays.

mau108

*cough* NA lazy workers and poor QC *cough*

Honestly my made in japan prelude seems to be of better build quality then the RDX.

I wish honda still made all their cars in Japan rather then getting lazy NA folks build em here with mediocre build quality.

Any manufacturer still build in japan and import cars here?

sasair

The RL is built in Japan.

JGard

I know a few Subarus are still made in Japan, although the trend has been to produce more and more in the US.

Funny observation. Toyota's Tundra and Camry were in the top of their class in reliability for quite some time.

Recently they've been designed and built in the US and now they're neither in the top spots. Just goes to show...built in America = built like crap.

vrflyer

Yeah, my '92 Civic was Canadian built...

loulinjai

+1. I think speedo's are a little off too. The gauge says 120km/h, but the portable GPS says 113-114km/h. I don't know who to trust!

lumpulus

The reason I switched to Acura way back in 1990 from Honda is I found out the Civic was made in Ohio.

Back on topic...EVERY fuel gauge in EVERY Honda\Acura vehicle I've owned works the way the original poster describes...the first 1/2 is weighted towards the generous side, while the second 1/2 drops like a stone.

neo1738

seems like just about every car i have owned does that, usually because you can put a little extra gas in the tank and gas filler line. but the needle cant go up past full so if you notice your tank will read full for the first 60-80 miles, then it starts dropping.