Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

Why am I losing gas so fast?

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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 08:30 PM
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EvenStar's Avatar
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Default Why am I losing gas so fast?

OK I recorded the date I first filled up a full tank at $20 (October 16) and reset the mileage counter to 0000. It is October 22 today (turns into a week tomorrow) and I'm already down to 1/4 of the gas tank at 141.6 miles! I thought Honda Accords and Preludes and other Honda cars are usually gas savers and get about 350-400mpg on a full tank.. there is no leakage, I checked. I drive a 85 2dr Accord Automatic if that helps and I take freeway to work, school, and home.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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that is a lil low for honda, but maybe it's because it's a 85? The most i've gotten on a tank was 450, and the lowest was 300.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 08:53 PM
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usual culprits for bad mileage: air filter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, throttle body/carb being dirty as *****... etc. Also might wanna check for vacuum leaks.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 10:14 PM
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Default Re: (TOAB)

Hmm...I might have to get mine checked then. For my CD5 I get about 350 on a tank driving at a conservative 65-70, is that normal? It seems I have to work too hard to get good mileage.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 10:17 PM
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Default Re: (TOAB)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TOAB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">usual culprits for bad mileage: air filter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, throttle body/carb being dirty as *****... etc. Also might wanna check for vacuum leaks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Correct............nothing basic tune up should not cure. If that does not work, it more than likely costly.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 11:37 PM
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Default Re: (Marz)

Pardon my ignorance because I've never actually checked, but what's the usual cost for a tune-up, say, stock aside from a cat-back.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 11:55 PM
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Default Re: (KageOokami)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KageOokami &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hmm...I might have to get mine checked then. For my CD5 I get about 350 on a tank driving at a conservative 65-70, is that normal? It seems I have to work too hard to get good mileage.</TD></TR></TABLE>I get about 400 on a tank in my 5th gen that's pushing 200,000 miles now... Alot of it is Highway though. General maintainance before things go downhill is key. If your CD5 is an auto your mileage should be about right. Babying the gas helps alot, whats the point in quickly getting off from a stoplight if you're only going up to 35-40 and have to stop in a block anyway, right?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KageOokami &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pardon my ignorance because I've never actually checked, but what's the usual cost for a tune-up, say, stock aside from a cat-back.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Unless your cat is clogged to the point where your car won't idle, I wouldn't bother changing it... Ive still got the original one on mine.
----

for the OP:

Just do a routine check of your air filter and whatnot next time you change your oil. If the air filter looks dirty, or hasn't been changed in a year, replace it. Don't listen to people who say it's just fine if you can see light through it... I've heard that one enough times to make me wanna stab someone in the mouth.

Pull out a plug to see if its got alot of carbon build up, grab a DVOM and check your wires... if you dont have a multimeter or anything, atleast see if the contact that meets the plug is still clean.

Throttle plates can be cleaned with carb/throttle body cleaner and a swab... I don't know if our plates are coated, and never really bothered to check so I just use a 3m cleaner that's safe for coated throttle plates.

Fuel filters... well on 5th gen's that inline pos is under the master cylinder and will have you screaming and throwing ****. I think on the older accords theyre mounted to the firewall, not sure though. Should only cost about $15-25 though. Not sure what the recommended interval to change it is, but I just replaced mine at about the 155K mark, and at the time I picked up almost 2mpg.

Oh ya, and it might not hurt to put some Lucas injector/carb cleaner into your tank every 5-10K miles.

If you've got any exhaust leaks, that could also hurt your mileage quite a bit.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 09:23 AM
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Default Re: (TOAB)

Does that apply for me? Because I drive a carb engine so it might be different from your guys 5th gen.. oh well, im getting a 5th gen as well anyway.

You recommend me get a stick accord right? I'm trying to save gas like heck.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 11:51 AM
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Default Re: (EvenStar)

YES GET A STICK.

Yeah mine is an auto, that's why I'm doing H22 manual transmission swap. Everything is fine mine just broke 90K like a week and a half ago.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 02:28 PM
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Default Re: (EvenStar)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EvenStar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does that apply for me? Because I drive a carb engine so it might be different from your guys 5th gen.. oh well, im getting a 5th gen as well anyway.

You recommend me get a stick accord right? I'm trying to save gas like heck.</TD></TR></TABLE>MT's typically do get better mileage.

CARB motors maintainance wise, or mileage wise? Not sure if mine is or not seeing as how the car was basically driven and sold in North Dakota since it left the lot... F22B1 with an air/smog pump or whatever you wanna call it.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 03:07 PM
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (EvenStar)

If you are looking to get a honda that saves gas get a crx hf M/T.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 03:12 PM
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (wrsimmons21)

I usually put just about 10 gallons in, and that will get me about 250-280 miles before I am back at the quarter tank mark.
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:01 PM
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (wrsimmons21)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wrsimmons21 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you are looking to get a honda that saves gas get a crx hf M/T.</TD></TR></TABLE>Or he could get a car that isn't a piece of ****, and a good driver.
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 11:44 PM
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (EvenStar)

run some carb cleaner through it and it might be time for a rebuild on the carb if the milage is high.....also bad O2 sensor will cause bad milage. You sure that you do not have a small leak in your gas tank or lines and that someone is not swiping fuel from you.

get a locking gas cap and see if that help.....
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 06:53 AM
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (YeuEmMaiMai)

My gas tank lid has a key lock to it already. I dont know about rebuilding the cars motor... I'm getting a new Accord anyway, so my current 85 Accord will most likely be here sitting at home on cylinder blocks. =P
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 10:41 AM
  #16  
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (EvenStar)

how much would the honda dealer charge you for the tune up.
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 12:59 PM
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You can do a tuneup yourself with only a few hand tools.

A full rebuild isn't usually required to get mileage back when it comes to honda's... atleast in my experience. I've seen old abused D series with bent rods still get decent mileage lol.
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 04:24 PM
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Default Re: Why am I losing gas so fast? (EvenStar)

rebuild the carb, not the motor.......
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