[Markedoc]

My wife's 2001 seems noticably peppier than my 2002. Drove both yesterday and could feel a noticeable difference. I realize my 2002 is not completely broken in (1700 miles) but I wouldn't think that would account for the difference in performance. Any thoughts?

Also - have a heavy rattlilng in the right c-pillar. I'll have the dealer look at it but that's a few months away (first service) - are there any obvious things I should check for?

 

[ifeldman]

Are you both using the same grade of gas, or from the same or different gas stations? How does the gas mileage compare? I know I dont seem to get the same mileage as others have posted (12.5 in town driving, 20 mpg highway). I have just over 4000 miles on mine.

When I first test drove the MDXs, at one dealer, I had driven a new 2001 model, and several weeks later drove a new 2002 at the same dealer, the same test drive (which was about a 15 minute drive each). They both seem to drive just as peppy from what I can remember. You have a better comparison by having both cars there to compare right after each other.

 

[rvehock]

Maybe the 2002 is heavier than the 2001???

 

[davegood]

good ro hear ifeldman

Ifeldman--

I'm glad to hear that someone else get relatively poor mileage. I get about 14.5 or so around town and 20 on the highway. This isn't with jackrabbit starts, or driving like a maniac. I don't think I'll see 17 city without a fair amount of 50mph driving in there.

It has gottem a little better with mileage (now ~3500), but still lower than I had hoped....

 

[rscottf]

Better gas mileage..

I've just recently noticed that my gas mileage is improving after a little over 3K miles. I was thinking that maybe I'd 'broken' in the vehicle at this point... I was close to 23 mpg on the highway..which is the high end of what is advertised. In the city I don't do as well, but it has been within the range now whereas it was below the 17 min. I'm pleased and hope it continues - so maybe yours will get better too.

 

[GatorGreg]

Maybe the 2002 is heavier than the 2001???

Yep, the '02 weighs more than the '01 primarily due to the extra soundproofing and thicker windshield. I'm not exactly sure by how much, but it may account for a fraction of a second difference in acceleration. And before anyone laughs, remember that Chevy made the windshield in the Corvette Z06 thinner than the regular 'Vette in order to decrease its weight and improve performance

 

[pokey]

Merrillcrosbie noted back in September
"I compared the specs here and the MDX has grown 26 lbs for 2002...and the touring model has grown 29 lbs". I am sure the weight would make some difference, but would it be noticeable from just driving.

 

[Markedoc]

Gas pedal force

One difference I'm noting is that it seems like it take more force to push the gas pedal down in my 2002 vs. wife's 2001. That might have something to do with the pereception that hers is "peppier" ...

 

[conradsmith]

Re: good ro hear ifeldman

I'm glad to hear that someone else get relatively poor mileage. I get about 14.5 or so around town and 20 on the highway. This isn't with jackrabbit starts, or driving like a maniac. I don't think I'll see 17 city without a fair amount of 50mph driving in there.

It has gottem a little better with mileage (now ~3500), but still lower than I had hoped....

I don't know whether it is a difference in the car or my wife's light foot, but we are doing considerably better than that. Our last 5 tanks have been almost all local driving*, and the mileage has ranged from 16.4 to 18.8**. (We consistently have gotten about 21MPG on the highway.) These were on 87 and 89 octane gas. No 'challenging' driving; just stop-and-go and twisting country roads.

* "Local driving" = averaging 30-40 MPH (Trip Computer "Elapsed time" divided by actual miles traveled.
** These are actual MPG (elapsed distance per odo / gallons to fill up). The Trip Computer 'Average MPG' is consistently about .5 MPG higher.

- Conrad

 

[wlind]

CONRAD LOCAL DRIVING

Your local driving is not the local city stop & go driving the other people are taking about. If you are averaging 30-40 MPH with time considered, you must be driving atleast 40-50 MPH most of the time considering stop lights and such. You will get much better milage with this type of driving than REAL city driving where one can average maybe 20 MPH w/ time considered.

Your are lucky to be cruising nice country roads in the good handling MDX!!!

Happy MDXing!!!