I've got a 99 EM1, completely stock other than an exhaust. Now it is currently winter time, and I do have a CEL (p0420 for the catalytic converter). I fill the car with 93 octane, and I usually shift between 3000 and 3800 when accelerating and when cruising I try to keep it at around 2500 rpm. Anyways, I'm only getting about 19.5 miles per gallon, calculated by dividing miles driven by amount of gallons taken to top the tank off. Do any if you have experience with this engine (or transmission if that has anything to do with it) and what your mileage is like?

 

Everyone knows what your doing.

 

Dude I don't know what you're talking about

 

Please enlighten me if you think I'm trolling or some ****

Don't know what you think I did but I'm just trying to use the forum

 

I just picked up a 2000 EM1 and I am seeing higher than that. Im over 200,000 miles as well. Mind you the motor has been rebuilt about 20k ago. Most of the driving im doing is in the lower rpm range and in 5th gear so its optimal mpg but I am seeing between 25 and 27 mpg, probably even higher if I would try and be conscious of my lead foot more often!

 

I won't lie, But I'm not the most conservative driver. At what speed do you think I should be in 5th gear? I usually cruise in 4th at 30 and 5th at 40. I feel like since the engine doesn't have much low end power, I'd bog it down by going into 5th at 30.

 

And I am at 174,000 miles, but the engine it self has 60,000 ish

 

Fuel Economy

 

I'm getting 27 on my stock motor

 

How do You drive?

 

Yeah you gotta be, you just copied and pasted your last problem and into a new thread. Or you could just be post whoring.

19mpg on a b16? Sure you dont have a 3.2 turbo diesel?

 

Don't know what any if that means, because I don't have any double posts that I know of. And I don't know why my mileage is so low.

 

Could the exhaust and a combination of my CEL code cause that big of a drop in mileage? I believe I also have a very very minor exhaust leak. I forgot to mention this is almost all city driving as well.

 

I've been driving a 2000 Si with a B20 in it for about three weeks. I haven't calculated my mileage, but I'm pretty sure I'm in the low 20's at best. It's not as good as I expected, but it's better than my truck and it's very fun to drive, so I don't mind.

 

I appreciate the input. It is a great car to drive. I've never driven a b20 em1 though. I don't really mind the mileage because it really isn't terrible for city and the winter which effects mileage, but I am concerned that the epa estimate is 26 city so it makes me feel like there's something wrong with my car.

 

Do you let the car warm up in the driveway or drive short trips as a norm?

Nobody knows your driving habits.

Your catalytic converter CEL may or may not have something to do with your gas mileage. But it's more likely just driving habits.

I used to get like 25mpg if I just drove around town. I got like 28-30 for highway use. I never drive conservatively. But I also don't let my car warm up like some fruitcake...and my trips to/from work were always 15mins or so.

 

I always let my car warm up, every morning and every time I drive my car. Like I said, I usually shift between 3000 and 3800 when accelerating and it's usually around 2500 when cruising. I'm only 17 and I had to teach myself manual. I consulted the owners manual and it tells me when to shift at cruising speed, and it's usually around 3000 rpm and that seems awful high for a cruising rpm.

 

I shift whenever it feels right. Usually between 4-7k just driving around normally with a B16. 3-5K with a B18C. 4-6K with my S2000. And 2-3.5k with my TSX. I usually get better MPG as compared to other people.

I have NEVER driven my EM1, ITR, S2000, etc without flooring it/getting the car up to the rev limiter at least 1 time per day. More like...at least 25,000 times in a day.

On a below-freezing morning, your car might need about 30-60 seconds of idle time before you can drive off slowly.

If you're sitting there for 15 mins per morning letting the car idle before driving a short trip...it should be a no-brainer where your gas is going. And you're doing a lot more harm than good by letting it sit and warm up.

 

I didn't think letting it warm up really wasted that much gas. I usually warm up for 10 minutes in the morning and that's about a 15 minute commute. I floor it maybe once every three days ish. I feel like shifting between 4-7k normally would use a lot more gas than letting it sit and warm up for ten minutes. Is that not true? You've had no problems with not warming up for at least a couple of minutes? I thought letting it run was the right thing to do, but again, I'm a new driver. I'd rather pick up good driving habits than hear about ones that aren't good and stick with them. I want what's best for my car.

 

I just did some research on the necessity of warming car in the morning, and you're absolutely right. Not only does it waste gas, but sometimes, like mentioned, it does more harm than good. I'm gonna try giving my car 60 seconds at most to warm up before driving and keep you updated with the fuel economy. Your input is very much appreciated.

 

No problem. How cold is it where you live?

The best thing to do is to drive the car naturally. Don't worry about your RPM when you shift. Just shift in the RPM range that the car feels good in. Don't bog out. Don't use a lot of throttle angle. Use as much RPM as you need to drive smoothly.

When you start the car:
-Let it idle about 30-60 seconds if you live in a cold environment. If you live in extreme cold, I could see letting it sit 2-3mins when started dead cold.
-Drive off slowly. Try not to use a lot of throttle or RPM while the car is below operating temp.
-Once the car gets to normal temp, drive as you normally would.

Use 5W30 or 0W30 oil. Use Honda MTF or Torco MTF in the trans. Make sure the plugs, wires, and other ignition components are in good shape.

 

The clutch, and entire ignition system is brand new. It isn't terribly cold, I like on lake Erie so it's just an average temperate climate. Not too cold not too hot. The only reason I let it warm up so long is because my mom tells me that the car needs it and blah blah blah. I've never done research because I thought it was true. It makes sense. But I'm glad I did look it up.

 

Define new.

 

Clutch was changed in May of 2014, and the plugs, wires, entire distrubutor and ignition switch were replaced in early January.

 

What plugs and wires did you use? Why is your catalytic efficiency CEL on?

Have you compression tested this engine? Does it burn oil?