http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/difference_4WD_awd.html gives some background on 4x4/AWD etc. Assuming your Element has 'Realtime 4WD' as per the CRV it should be 2WD most of the time. If you are only getting 15mpg out of it then something is badly wrong. Do you have the handbrake on perhaps? It's not permanent 4x4 either, for that you need a Subaru f'r example.

I imagine a Cherokee will give 15mpgish too. The only advantage you will have over the Element will be that you'll be able to drive around in it without people questioning your sexual orientation.

Average user is getting 23 mpg. You really suck!

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2001c...f.jsp?id=22510

If the dealer cant find anything, what about taking it up with Honda Canada?


LOL, why didnt I think of that!

lol.

I never use handbrakes, they just freeze in the on position.

The Honda people have looked at the car repeatedly. They've replaced the gas lines twice (due to them breaking, not directly because of the fuel consumption and the tank once when it sprang a leak. The consumption was much worse while the tank was leaking and the gas lines dangling. They've also replaced the windshield though now it's broken again) they say the car is up to spec. As I say, I don't know Hondas and I didn't buy this one. If it was a Ford I'd be livid but, tbh, I think it's wrong to buy Japanese anyway and am not terribly upset that it's junk.

Honda USA. It's a US spec vehicle so we may as well take advantage of their policies on warranty issues.

Ahem, wasn't talking about speed, I was talking about distance! So lighten up!

RWD is much more fun! I do use 4WD but only when I have to, eg steep inclines with deeper snow. Fuel usage in 4WD is really high. When you're paying almost $1 per liter fuel economy is high on the agenda!!

I put these tires (tyres) on to combat the snow:-

..and my, they work a treat.




Little-B.

On what and for where?

That is not a snow tire, its an off road mud and dirt tire. It will be OK in warmish snow cos of the aggressive tread, but once it gets cold its the wrong sort of rubber to grip well and the aggressive tread wont do you much good trying to stop in a hurry.

If it doesn't have this symbol, its not a snow tire



Snow tires generally have lots of tiny serrations or "sipes" in them to provide grip on ice.

...you're quite right, it's not a snow tire.

It's a Superior Traction Tire by Cooper.

They're fitted to a Ford Expedition and the results have been very pleasing in wet snow (-2 to 2) and recent colder conditions (-17 to -5).

Stopping hasn't been a problem - short and predictable.

This is in Simcoe County.

The anticipated noise (drone) due to tread design has been minimal too.

Little-B.

Well I'm glad you are finding them useful but I imagine they will be less good in ice conditions than in deep snow. If you check into snow tire design, 'proper' snow tires have many tread blocks and 'sipes' to carry away the water that forms between the ice/snow and the tire and leads to loss of traction.

Around here all the hard core 4x4'ers who are running super mud buggerers in the summer change to smaller specialist winter tires in the winter.

On a recent trip to NS I was told that if you have a 4x4 there is no need for snow tyres. Is this true ?

It's almost July 1st for gods sake why are we concerned about snow tires.

Let's get summer in first.

I would say no - the reason you need snow tires (or tyres if you prefer) is that in the extreme cold regular tires become extremely hard. If your tires were made out of hard plastic instead of rubber can you imagine how slippery they would be on snow and ice? thats exactly the problem. Winter tires are made out of a special much softer compound of rubber so they are still rubbery in -20. That gives extra grip. However, because they are soft, don't use them in the summer as you will wear them down in no time - get your summer tires put back on.

No - the snow here is often wet and can be very difficult to drive on. We have a Dodge Caravan and a Jeep TJ, we went through our first winter here with all weather tires on the van and managed okay. We were advised to get winter tires this year and it stuck to the road like glue, so much so it was better than the TJ (on new all season tires - TJ was obviously more fun in the snow though). On the other hand we've only had a handful of big falls in each in the last two year...

Talking of winter in June? I can't sleep because my bleeding hay fever has just gone into over drive and I'd love it to be winter again...