2006 iVTEC poor milage

[ArtChee]

Just purchased a beautiful 2006 Touring model (101K miles). Very clean, in great condition... EXCEPT... only got about 23 mpg on the InterState on 600 mile trip back home after purchase. Key in purchasing the Odessey was the iVTEC engine and the reported 20/28 mpg rating. My wife was driving her 8 cylinder '98 Lincoln Town Car that got 25 mpg.

Anyone have any insight on what might be the problem, and how it might be rectified?

Thanks

[sak22]

It's got 100k on it and is due for it's regularly scheduled tune-up.

My 2009 averages 20/21 mpg city/highway driving... on highway alone, I'm only getting about 23/24 mpg. Don't expect much more in yours. Albeit a van, the Odyssey should get better fuel economy from this engine, especially with the VCM technology. I would not mind the harshness of the cylinder changing (as described in my other post) or the lower HP rating compared to other manufacturers if it meant great fuel economy... But this is not the case. The Odyssey, although one of the finest V6 plants built, suffers from rough/harsh (not seemless) cylinder cut-on/cut-off, inferior HP ratings compared to other manufacturers and poor fuel economy. The VCM does nothing to help better mpg and conversley, it lets you know it's there everytime the cylinders turn on and off. This really gives the effect that the transmission has a problem. I've also driven other similar Odyssey's (to include the brand new redesign EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite) and get the same thing. If this is going to continue to be the case, then I would prefer to see Honda up the HP and Torque rating in the Odyssey to the 275-285 range and get rid of the VCM.

On another note... In reference to your reply on my post... The VCM is a little different between 2006 and 2009 models. Yours changes between 3 and 6 cylinders where as the 2009 and up models change between 3, 4 and 6 cylinders and you can sure feel it when it does. If Honda is going to keep this VCM technology, it needs to improve the Active Control Engine Mount System and the Active Noise Cancellation System. Just some thoughts.

[ArtChee]

Changed out SPARK PLUGS, and timing belt. Previously was getting 15+MPG around town; now up to 17 MPG. Still not the rated 20 mpg, but better. I drive super conservatively. Am going to check the gas mileage the "old fashioned way" to see if the digital read-out is accurate.

[dra1]

My 2005 Odyssey with 109k has always gotten22-23mpg mixed city/hiway. On 500 mile trips lpaded at 70-75mph we get around 25mpg.
Changed my spark plugs at 100k and that seemed to improve the milage a little.
I also changed my run flats at 25k to the same wheels and tires the non touring use. Has been much cheaper than using the lower milage PAX system to replace as we drive a lot.

[ArtChee]

Am continuing to learn about all the "Sophistication" of this marvelous vehicle. Drove a '98 Lincoln Town Car for the last 10 years. Lots of electronic development since then.

The 2006 Odyssey Touring came with the PAX wheels/tires. $1300 for new set of these run-flat Michelins - as I understand. The former owner had replaced the 18" wheels with 17" in order to run "regular" tires. I'm good with that EXCEPT... smaller tires/wheels affect the odometer reading, and consequently the MPG figuring. I am traveling further on the smaller tire than the odometer measures as it is calibrated to the larger wheel.

Don't think that the MPG is going to be THAT much different, but will check that out on a 500 mile trip next week. Will pull out my old stand alone GPS.