Hi to All, just a quick note to express my thanks to all who contribute to this wonderful website. I traded-in my 2003 Ford F-150 Super-Crew with a 5.4L for a 2005 HCH-CVT. The best MPG I could get out of the truck was 16. I bought the truck new in 03 and gas was only $1.29 per gallon. I do live a very active life and will miss the truck. I am looking at getting a rear trunk mount bike rack. If any one has any advice please post a response.

Thanks, Kevin___

 

Keep in mind, your milage will suffer when the mount and bike are attached but not as much as putting a roof rack, so you are on the right track. I never did buy an attachment for my HCH, because I got the sportlink on the Mini. It is actually a clever device that allows for my mtn (2 bikes) bike to be mounted off the rear of the car (link is attached to frame but the whole device is key locked and can come off in seconds. Anyway, my point is the rear setup didn't really impact mpg, compared to others who went with a roof rack mounting system.

 

Welome to the CLUB!

The HCH is a fine car and I know you'll get a lot of good from it.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

Welcome. Yes, transporting bikes seems to be a difficult obstacle in the HCH. The BEST solution (in my opinion) would be to get a lightweight trailer hitch and get that kind of rack for bike(s). Honda frowns upon the hitch, though, as NO towing is recommended in the HCH's. It could be a potential warranty issue if they see evidence of a hitch. Ugh.
There have been several threads about bike mounting options. Some use roof rack systems. Someone found that by removing the wheels, seat, etc, they COULD fit it in the trunk (even had pictures!). That'd be too much trouble for me, plus it'd often be 2 bikes. I'll probably just continue using the Tribute for that task.
Search around, you'll likely find more info about others' choices..

Welcome to hybrid ownership, and to OUR little club!

 

The sportlink is essentially a trailer hitch with a device to bring up a poll to mtn up to 3 bikes hanging off the rear. This way you won't be towing anything. Once you are done, remove the poll device (which I believe they sell this setup) off the hitch. It is a very clean solution.

 

Welcome to the GH forum! I think you'll find the 2005 HCH is a great car- I certainly love mine. There are plenty of posters here who claim the HCH II is superior, but I say the original is the best! Well, maybe I'm a little biased. They're both pretty fantastic cars, though.

I'm thrilled to hear that your hybrid is replacing a gas guzzler - it's a major change in the grand scheme of things to go from 16 mpg to 48, and if everyone in the country acted like you, and made that kind of responsible choice, think what a difference it would make! It makes me think of that slogan- 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' Well, it looks like you are! So, good for you. I don't have any insights on the bike rake question, but I wanted to welcome you, and say that if you do have any questions, this is a great place to ask them.

 

Hello and welcome. I'm a newbie myself. Still breaking in my Prius. Turned 600 miles today. First tank lowered my MPG....I think the dealer sent my off without a topped off tank....I hear MPG will improve after break in, around 3-5K??

 

Welcome to the club!
I've read so many problems with the 'first tank' that I recommend folks just drop them from the database. It might be interesting someday to do a study but I think it is a combination of "cheapest" gas, tank filled enough to look like it is filled and early learning curve. In my first tank, I got only 39 MPG but I was trying to reach Shreveport LA and drove with the Texans on I-20. I briefly thought about turning around and taking it back but then I realized if a civil servant could report EPA numbers of 45 MPG on the highway, I should be able to achieve at least the same (see signature.)

You may want to read over the Prius FAQ in the Prius forum for some 'lesson's learned.' Also, the mileage database is a great way to track your vehicle performance. If you click on my signature you can see my progress.

BTW, after two and a half years of Prius driving, I continue to learn new things about this and other hybrids. So feel free to share your insights and understandings.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

Thanks, to all who have welcomed me to this forum. I found a trailer hitch on e-bay for $75 plus $12 s/h. Then I'd have to buy the rack to attach to it, they cost any where from $50 to $100. Wal-Mart has a trunk mount for two bikes for under $35 that I'm thinking will work.

I did the 30k service on the car last weekend, pretty easy to do. Those plastic button pop rivets that hold the under cover got changed out. I'm a CNC Machinist so I made some stainless 6mmx1 nuts that I pressed into the the holes as a reverse press. Then made some 3/4" Dia black delrin washers to hold the cover on paired up with a 6mmx1 socket head cap screws. Now all I need is a 5mm hex allen wrench to remove the cover. Ordered all the fluids and parts from bernardiparts, there prices are great. I got 4 quarts of CVT fluid, 4 quarts of 00-20W oil, oil filter and washer, air filter, two cabin dust filters, CVT washer, touch up paint for my civic, and touch up paint for the wifes Odyssey all Genuine Honda stuff for $122 after shipping. I put three quarts in the CVT, and 3 1/2 quarts of oil in the engine. Reading my service schedule book they recommend only changing the oil filter every 20k, and the oil every 10k. What do other HCH owners do? I'm thinking changing both at least every 5k. The fluid that came out of the CVT looked very dark brown almost black and the magnet was full of steel slivers. I might change the CVT at 20k next time. Also any one know where the cabin filters go?

I filled her up a couple of weeks ago and was on my way to an 800 mile tank. Then my boss handed me the company gas card and said he owned me some gas for running a couple of errands for him. We'll I couldn't turn it down so I filled her up. I had 420 miles on 8.2 gallons. How big is our gas tanks? The Honda website says 13.2. I was showing a half on my gage when I filled up. Must say I'm very impressed so far. With my gas hog Ford Truck if I had 420 on a full tank I'd have to push it the last 20 or so miles and thats with a 25 gallon tank.

Got to Run, Thanks again for all your input.

 

Welcome!
I am pretty sure the gas tank is 13.2 gallons.
And hopefully this link will lead to some info regarding how to replace the cabin filters, which are located behind your glove box:


https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...ections-12895/

On the HCH I, you have to loosen the clips on each side of your open glove box so that it will swing down and out of the way. There are 2 cabin filters back there, one is positioned straight ahead, and the other is positioned to the side of the other.
Sort of like this (although this pdf refers to an older Civic model, the procedure is the same):

http://linux.ucla.edu/~leiz/cars/cabin_filter.pdf