driving slow is bad for car!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 813 
driving slow is bad for car!
Hey all,
I've been looking into my problem of low mileage (22mpg) and have found some things out. I finally was able to check my spark plugs, and they all have nearly black electrodes. I found out that this is probably carbon fouling caused by excessive idle and slow city driving. So for all you people driving slow all the time to save gas--you're making your car even slower. Even the service tech at my new dealership says you must drive on the freeway from time to time and open up the throttle. So I think this is my problem and I'll be replacing the plugs soon.
I know the stock plugs are double platinum, but would some cheaper NGK iridiums work as well? I'm not paying for the Denso iridiums-they're way too expensive. Hopefully this will solve all my mpg and engine problems.
I've been looking into my problem of low mileage (22mpg) and have found some things out. I finally was able to check my spark plugs, and they all have nearly black electrodes. I found out that this is probably carbon fouling caused by excessive idle and slow city driving. So for all you people driving slow all the time to save gas--you're making your car even slower. Even the service tech at my new dealership says you must drive on the freeway from time to time and open up the throttle. So I think this is my problem and I'll be replacing the plugs soon.
I know the stock plugs are double platinum, but would some cheaper NGK iridiums work as well? I'm not paying for the Denso iridiums-they're way too expensive. Hopefully this will solve all my mpg and engine problems.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 813 I think what's happening is if you drive short distances or drive slow, the plugs won't have a chance to heat up enough to burn off the carbon. That's why the plugs get messed up and eventually fouled plugs will lead to a slower car and less mpg. I can't believe how black mine were after only 17K miles.
driving slow is gay
ok seriously this time, after i got ride of my resonator box, i tend to floor my car more often to hear the loud sound of the throtel, my problem is that i spend a lot of time in my car while stoped, so i might check my plugs too.
how much is one your car, milege that is.
ok seriously this time, after i got ride of my resonator box, i tend to floor my car more often to hear the loud sound of the throtel, my problem is that i spend a lot of time in my car while stoped, so i might check my plugs too.
how much is one your car, milege that is.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 813 My car only has 17K miles, and the stock plugs are supposed to be good til 100K! There's no way cause mine are all black (carbon) and my engine is running rough. Guess it's all the stop and go driving, even though I use the freeway often.
Originally posted by 7thGenerasianCivic
dude...what bugs me the most is that I got a friend that has a Maxima and he has all these mods on it and he doesn't even go past 4000rpm literally! ARGH! sorry I had to share.
dude...what bugs me the most is that I got a friend that has a Maxima and he has all these mods on it and he doesn't even go past 4000rpm literally! ARGH! sorry I had to share.
That's stupid. Why would you modify your car to make it faster, and not even drive it the way you supposed to drive it? Oh well...
Escaped Convict
iTrader: (30)
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Westminster, California, US
Rep Power: 369 its not that you're driving slow.. but keeping excessive low rpm isn't good for the car..
ie reving up and down low rpm..
or excessive idle.
if u check the manual, you'll find out that those qualify under heavy condition.
so you gotta check ur plugs, ur filter, and keep the maint. schedule of your car more up to date.
if you commute to work a lot, and you're hit with stop and go traffic... there's little you can do about driving slow.
just keep track of your maintenance, check what u gotta check regularly and fequently.. and you should keep the car working fine.
ie reving up and down low rpm..
or excessive idle.
if u check the manual, you'll find out that those qualify under heavy condition.
so you gotta check ur plugs, ur filter, and keep the maint. schedule of your car more up to date.
if you commute to work a lot, and you're hit with stop and go traffic... there's little you can do about driving slow.
just keep track of your maintenance, check what u gotta check regularly and fequently.. and you should keep the car working fine.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 813 Just as a side note, my family helped me move from Nevada to Illinois. We drove close to 2000 miles all highway and when I got here the car was literally beat. The oil was black, plugs I just noticed are black, air filter was severely dirty, tire pressure down by a few psi, and tranny fluid now looks dirty. I guess these cars can't handle long trips. Everything was new before leaving and now I have to replace all of it again.
Jeremy's Iron
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,469
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From: Baytown, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0 Hmm, I recently changed my plugs at 41K and now the car feels a LOT better (i'll start up a thread about that later). I granny shift at about 3 - 3.5K just to save gas, but I guess I'll have to shift a little higher from now on.
Escaped Convict
iTrader: (30)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,450
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From: Westminster, California, US
Rep Power: 369 like I said.
its not about driving slow, its about excessive low rpm.
and Im talking about near idle.. or below 2,000.
shifting at 3,000-3,500 isn't bad for the car.
any shifting isn't bad for the car really.
its just excessive idle and excessive stop and go, and excessive rpm changes puts more wear and tear on the car.
hence u gotta do the maintenance earlier and more frequent. thats all there is to it.
its not about driving slow, its about excessive low rpm.
and Im talking about near idle.. or below 2,000.
shifting at 3,000-3,500 isn't bad for the car.
any shifting isn't bad for the car really.
its just excessive idle and excessive stop and go, and excessive rpm changes puts more wear and tear on the car.
hence u gotta do the maintenance earlier and more frequent. thats all there is to it.
4am.. onramp.. no traffic around. 
yeah nothins more annoyin than people who dont use their car, old guys in vettes drivin 25mph in a 35, my friend has a wrx and shifts at 3500 before the turbo even kicks in, grr stupid people
gearbox "Just as a side note, my family helped me move from Nevada to Illinois. We drove close to 2000 miles all highway and when I got here the car was literally beat. The oil was black, plugs I just noticed are black, air filter was severely dirty, tire pressure down by a few psi, and tranny fluid now looks dirty. I guess these cars can't handle long trips. Everything was new before leaving and now I have to replace all of it again".
I have made 2 trips to San Diego and back, which is about 825miles round trip. And a one way trip to Washington State which is about 950miles. Anyways I havent had to change anything besides my oil every 3500 miles. I run Mobile 1 10w30 for the gear oil, and the same for the engine. As far as the plugs, I really need to check those!!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 813 Great to see I got you guys interested in maintenance. Sometimes it's the best way to regain lost power. Every bit helps! I would recommend an auto tranny flush every 15K. It helps alot.
