car: 1994 integra ls
miles: 139k
mods: short ram intake

okay, i just filled up the third tank after buying this car. came out to 15.312 mpg (166 miles, 10.841 gallons) and now it is really an issue, not because of fuel bills but because i think there is something wrong with my car.

the first two tanks were almost identical at 18.9 mpg and i just atributed it to my driving, which is spirited, but not redlining every gear. the car sees only short trips (3-5 miles) and mostly on cold starts which doesnt help the problem.

i am off to seafoam my car right now (brake booster and gas tank) and would like more opinions on what i can do to help it. if all there is to it is me altering my driving habit, then i will live with the 15 mpg; however i am certain there is much more to it.


Modified by alexisthemovie at 5:58 PM 12/19/2006

 

well, since u just bought the car, proceed with basic maintence.

oil
spark plugs, cap, rotor
air filter - clean it since its aftermarket
TIRE PRESSURE! do this one first, its free when u fill gas (state law) or 50 cents


maybe do these
O2 sensor
is thermosat working correctly? if it takes mroe then 5 minutes of driving to get the car warm, u may need to replace. do a coolant flush while your at it

I hope u did the above before seafoaming your car. hth

 

oil was changed the day after i bought the car. air filter is about three weeks old. tire pressure is at factory stock settings, and thermostat is working correctly.

i just seafoamed and noticed a smoother idle, but no gains in power via butt dyno. hopefully it will get better mileage because of this.

 

check plugs wires cap and rotor and also i would check the 02 sensor and coolant temp sensor...let me know how u make out... that kind of mileage is definately not normal

 

how can i tell if those parts are good or not?

also, this recently got its big maintenance at 135,000 according to the previous owner. what exactly is done?

 

Number one thing you should do first, reset your ECU.

Also, the short trips don't help.

 

another basic that nobody mention is changing your fuel filter....this should be done roughly every 40,000 miles...and get some good fuel injector clean i.e. Lucas brand....my beater went from 18mpg to 23mpg after adding the cleaner, and it stayed consistent

 

23mpg? What is your beater?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blu99teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">23mpg? What is your beater?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i would guess its the ls

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by teggsr925 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i would guess its the ls</TD></TR></TABLE>

you are correct sir, and i know it could be better i just haven't had time to take care of all the other ****....

 

Oh. Okay.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blu99teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Number one thing you should do first, reset your ECU.

Also, the short trips don't help. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i actually did this when i got new battery ground cables and drove it hard immediately after resetting it. that probably didnt help gas mileage either.

 

Does your CEL turn on before starting the car?


If not bulb could be missing and you are throughing an o2 sensor code.


Long shot but what the hey...