Lies, lies, & you guessed it...more lies and all from Honda & it's ad campaign claiming 49/50 MPG on their touted 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. We fell for the sales pitch & hype when we plunked down $27,000 in April '06 for our new Honda Civic Hybrid. Turning out to be Truly a bad move, as we have never seen anything over 34 MPG & it's currently 32 MPG. A far cry from their deceitful and misleading claims. After confronting our Dealership (Penske Honda with this information, one of their staff (an obvious trouble shooter) produced a PRODUCT CHARACTERISTIC SHEET ( The Monroney Lable) stating how they arrived at those terrific sounding 49/50 numbers. It basicly stated the car was tested under "LAB CONDITIONS" not in the real world, like the one we live in. Yes, they forgot to mention a few things when we bought the car: In order To get that great mileage advertised..DON'T USE the Air Conditioning, Heater, Radio, GPS, or any other appliances for that matter, no Passengers or Baggage & drive 48 mph with the windows closed. Oh yes,make sure you check all four tires for the correct PSI. Ohter than that you're good to go. For Shame, Honda, that's all the American public needs right now is more DECIET, Half TRUTHS and Out Right LIES. And Mr. Penske How could you endorse and lend your famous name to this Transgression...
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The Following (given to us after we complained) Is, word for word, the "PRODUCT CHARACTERISTIC SHEET:
ACTUAL FUEL MILEAGE VARIES FROM ESTIMATED FIGURES.
Customer's concern: My car doesn't get the same fuel mileage as the figures on the label I took off the car and what I see in the ads for my year & model.
What's happing & why: The "Monroney label" on the side window of new cars shows figures acheived under special driving conditions. The fuel mileage estimates are for comparison shopping purposes only, and the city & highway miles per gallon (MPG) that you experience may vary from those shown on the label & in advertising. The mileage estimates on the label reflect the average MPG attained by similar vehicles in a model line under controlled laboratory conditions and are not the result of an actual road test. Test vehicles are run by professionsl drivers on a treadmill-like device that measures exhaust emissions and fuel usage. During the test, the vehicles headlights, air conditioning, heater, audio unit, and all accessories are turned off.. The city portion of the test, at an average speed of 20 miles per hr. simulates a 7.5 mile stop & go trip that includes idling time to approximate rush hour traffic delays. The Highway portion, at an average speed of 48 mph, simulates a 10 mile rural & interstate drive without idling time. To make the final fuel economy estimates closer to expected real-world fuel consumption, the results of the City mpg are lowered 10% and the Highway mpg results are lowered 22%....What Can Be Done: As the label says, your "actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, & vehicle's condition" So you can do some beneficial things to increase the mpg of your vehicle....*Keep tires inflated to the specifications listed on the doorjamb sticker.*As often as possible accelerate slowly & smoothly, depending on traffic conditions, try to maintain a constant speed, & use cruise control when possible. *Keep your vehicle in top condition by following the maintenance schedule listed in your owner's manual & by using the recommended engine oil." END OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTIC SHEET.
For those interested in a SERIOUS LEGAL ACTION SUIT please contact me at [email protected]