...this one is a bit different though.

Since I bought my car the fuel economy has gone down hill. Unlike what everyone says "the mpg will get better with time"... That doesn't seem to be the case here.

When I first got my car [FG1 EX] I got a best mpg of 34. Today, 22,5XX miles later, I'm at 290miles with 2 bars left. Last week I got 27 mpg. I changed my air filter, oil & filter about 1000 miles ago. I've checked my tire pressure but still my MPG has steadily continued its downward trend.

I drive about 300 miles a week for work. 90% of those miles are on the highway at 60-65mph and when I'm on the highway, I'm ALWAYS using my cruise control. I also shift at 2,500rpm.

I went to the dealer today for some minor things and while I was there the guy asks:

"Is there anything else I can help you with today?" -guy
"Well, my fuel economy has been getting worse and worse since I bought this car" - me
"How bad is it?" - guy
"27mpg at the last fill up, and I drive mostly highway miles" - me
"What's the car rated at?" - guy
"Highway is 38 I believe" - me
"27 still isn't that bad, I don't think there's much we can do about that"- guy

I felt pretty angry. I honestly don't think there IS much they can do about it. I don't know how they could actually fix this problem. I obviously didn't buy this car for it's speed. No, one of the main reasons I bought it for was the incredible mpg rating [over my last car of 23mpg]. I would really like to do something about this, especially after seeing some of you guys saying you're getting mpg numbers in the high 30's.

Anyone got any serious answers?

 

i havent done the math but i got a lil over 300 miles to the full tank...and that was still drivin with vtec and having a little fun on the side.

(I have an FG2)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TRAG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i havent done the math but i got a lil over 300 miles to the full tank...and that was still drivin with vtec and having a little fun on the side.

(I have an FG2)</TD></TR></TABLE>
wow, that HELLA helps

Yeah lately mines been going down. Use to consistantly get 30mpg, now it's creeping down to 29mpg. I cruise control myself @ 70mph a good 90% of the drive (only time i'm "on it" is when I get on the freeway) I try to go as slow as possible or come to a slower stop when getting off the freeway cuz hard braking definately isn't good for your MPGs. I'm @ 33k miles (still on the OEM air filter that I most likely need to change out by now) and have been on point with all oil changes, make sure my tires PSI are where they need to be. the stretch of freeway I drive is probably pretty damn flat, no real turns... in fact. here's a google pic of my freeway stretch (no hills/mountains, it's all valey)



I think even with you shifting so low, it's taking more pressure on the gas to get you going. (which results in using more gas) according to this here


you should be fine shifting @ 3500 rpms

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">"27 still isn't that bad, I don't think there's much we can do about that"- guy
</TD></TR></TABLE>

wow, thats a crazy response, did you even try to argue that?

 

it could be becuase of the weather. typically you will see better MPG in the summer or warmer months vs. colder months. due to air being more dense at colder temps the ecu compensates by adding slightly more fuel. also, i have heard that in certain very cold climates that certain additives are put into the gas during cold months which also descreases mileage. dont know how true that is

one thing for sure is both my cars get lower mileage in the colder months vs. the warmer months. but hey im in cali so cold here is 40 degrees haha

 

I just recently got 365 miles on 1 tank of gas with the SI in cold weather 35-15 degrees variable thats 27 mpg not bad consider the fact i hit redline 4 times during that tank i also have the injen sri def check your filter.

 

not bad at all its not so much that winter will give you horrible mileage or anything just something i have always noticed and thought to be normal. i still knock down 30-32 MPG with my 90 LS integra with 227K on the ticker

i get less MPG in both my integra and 4runner during the colder months. but 27 MPG for an ex seems awfully low

 

Since your in Philly, Id assume your experiencing colder weather and thats definitely going to reduce your fuel economy.

Im experiencing the same thing up here in the Great White North. My avg. MPG has dropped by ~3-4MPG.

Note I drive an FG2 though, but same principles apply.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SeanJohn1802 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


wow, thats a crazy response, did you even try to argue that?</TD></TR></TABLE>

When he said that I felt angry... I took 2 seconds and thought "what can they actually check" then I said "wow, really" and he just nodded his head and gave me the "sorry can't help you look"

 

My LX Auto gets 27-29 as well. I don't lay the pedal down at all, considering my car doesn't kick it up enough to justify the gas waste there. I constantly use cruise control, and my driving is at least 70% highway. I've broken 30 MPG twice, and hit 25 a few times.

Sorry though, I shouldn't complain about my "issues" anymore.

 

It should definantly be somewhat better. My MPG varies quite a bit but I've found that shifting before 4k typically yields the best MPG. Try driving like a grandma for a couple tanks and if you see zero improvement take it back in.

i've heard mixed opinions when i worked at honda and now, but some say that cruise control actually hurts the fuel economy... i've never compared the difference personally but its something to consider.

 

What really drives me nuts is the Si people that come into a R18 thread and say the mileage is good because it's what they get...minus one camshaft, high compression, premium fuel, .2 liters, 60 hp, and 11 torque, they're right

How would you describe your driving habits?

 

i would have to say that cruise control does hurt gas mileage. the car gives itself just enough gas to stay at desired speed, then 3 seconds later when it starts to slow, it gives it more gas. throttle on and off constantly is what kills. try keeping a steady foot instead of cruise control next time


/.o2

 

Actually that makes sense, i've put my car in cruise control before and it picks up things I wouldn't and it will start accelerating, sometimes 10mph beyond where i want, and then it will actually drop it again...totally useless unless you have a very long freeway drive and need to stretch...

 

i would have to agree with nighthawk r18 about cruise control hurting your fuel economy. just keep your foot steady on the throttle and dont mind the speedometer...just keep your foot steady. the mph will obviously go up and down even if your foot is steady due to hills and such but it should be fine.

you should try shifting at 3500 rpm also since your engine works a little easier at 3500 than it would at 2500, and everyone knows that the easier your engine works..the more mpg you will get. i've driven at 5000-6000rpms up hills and mountains and i would get about the same miles per tank as i would if i just drove highway...so i believe the easier you make your engine work..the better your mpg will be. that also means accelerating and deccelerating extremely smoothly and constantly all of the time.

also i did an experiment with 87 , 89, and 91 octane and i discovered that 89 is the best for our cars and value. with 87 i got around 320 miles per tank, 89 i get around 360 per tank, and 91 i get as much as 89 if not a little more. and my daily commute consist of 50% highway and 50% city. so for about a buck extra per tank...you can go an extra 40 miles...at least thats now it is in my case. good luck

 

I've noticed a drop in gas mileage. The best explanation that i've heard is the winter gas quality... I'm going to check my filter soon though, because I've had mine since Nov. 2005 and THAT winter the mileage isn't as bad as it is now... I'm hitting the 300 mile mark when I need to fill up. (R18) when it used to be 350 and fine.

 

i just hit 275 on my tank and it empty which is about 21 mpg that is awful wtf is goin on adn i dotn drive hard at all it been really cold though thats all i can think of

 

I try to go as slow as possible or come to a slower stop when getting off the freeway cuz hard braking definately isn't good for your MPGs??

Really?? Maybe that's why my MPG sucks so bad..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 06 Habanero-NaVi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I try to go as slow as possible or come to a slower stop when getting off the freeway cuz hard braking definately isn't good for your MPGs??

Really?? Maybe that's why my MPG sucks so bad..</TD></TR></TABLE>

I dont think braking has anything to do with your mpg... it's all about the fact that if you come to a complete stop, you have to accelerate all over again. So slowing down instead of coming to a complete stop whenever possible is better for your car. Use that as an excuse next time you "roll" a stop sign

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TRE_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Try driving like a grandma for a couple tanks and if you see zero improvement take it back in.

i've heard mixed opinions when i worked at honda and now, but some say that cruise control actually hurts the fuel economy... i've never compared the difference personally but its something to consider.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've been driving like a grandma for almost a year

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nighthawk R18 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would have to say that cruise control does hurt gas mileage. the car gives itself just enough gas to stay at desired speed, then 3 seconds later when it starts to slow, it gives it more gas. throttle on and off constantly is what kills. try keeping a steady foot instead of cruise control next time


/.o2</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess I'll try the "no cruise control" thing. I use it religiously. That's my only hope.

<FONT COLOR="blue"> Is there anything I could ask them to check on my car that would actually help my mpg? </FONT>

 

I'm assuming it's simply the cold weather and shitty winter gas. Since it's only gone down a lot recently that would make the most sense. You could try a fuel additive if you felt like it, i've used Lucasoil additive in the winter and I usually get an improvement. You should see 1-2 mpg difference

 

Got to remember the manufactures do the ratings under control condition's. In the real world it's always comes out on the short in of the stick! My car has good days and bad days.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
<FONT COLOR="blue">Is there anything I could ask them to check on my car that would actually help my mpg? </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

As a general rule, potential problems would include flow issues, and you already replaced the air filter and changed the oil, so it's not either of those. There could be problems with the cat converter's guts that would interfere with the exhaust flow (which I doubt is the case, b/c the car's so new, this usually will happen when you're over 100k miles, but you never know). There's also the o2 sensor, which again I doubt b/c of the car's age, but you never know.

We also have the ETC setup with the R18 engine, which is one of the reasons why these cars get such good MPG. At low load when you're cruising, the ECU opens the throttle to reduce the intake load. Problems with that aspect would affect your MPG.

None of these points may be the case, but you do own an entirely redesigned model. The engine is brand spanking new and so it uses newly engineered components, and we all know of the quirks that come up with virgin cars. But, of course, you have to convince the dealership of this, so good luck to you

As a reference, I own a 2006 Civic Ex 5-speed coupe. I usually hit around 32-34. My driving is mostly on back roads, to and from work, which is around 40 miles from my house. If I do take the highway, I usually cruise at no more than around 68 MPH, since that equates to 3k RPMs in 5th gear and lets the ETC do its magic. Doing that gives me around 36 MPG.

Matt

 

Boy, what a mouth full

 

Another practice you can take is to warm the car before really driving it. That improves gas mileage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jmaz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Boy, what a mouth full</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, well, at least it's eventually on the point

 

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


I guess I'll try the "no cruise control" thing. I use it religiously. That's my only hope.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

its worth a try.

if that still doesnt work. **** it and get the Si