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I have an '06 Honda Civic LX sedan. Over the past 6 months I have noticed the gas mileage has been slowly decreasing. Over the last 2-3 months when driving strictly city traffic I have gotten 19 mpg, which is a far cry from the advertised 26.

OK so for the strange part, my highway mileage is about 34, which it has always been since purchasing the car. Why would my city mileage decrease so drastically, but highway remain the same? I can assure you it is not driving style, as it is the same with both my wife and I.

I don't drive fast, I drive like an old lady (ok not really, but you know what I mean). I have gotten oil changes on time since owning the car (purchased new), have relatively new tires, recently balanced and aligned, and air filter was replaced recently as well.

So I am planning on taking it somewhere, and not tot he dealership because they'll rip me off I am sure of it. Just wondering if anyone knew of similar problems. Thanks!!!

Jason

 
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I find that city mileage varies a lot for me too. It depends on how much I let the car idle. My MPG in the winter is abysmal because I allow the car to warm up before I go and drive in it, and it's not so bad in the summer because I hope in it and go. Also, if you are in a high traffic area you will find that your mileage will be less than advertised because you spend less time moving.

So, the question is, have you made any lifestyle changes that affect when you drive. Like switching jobs or shifts or something that are causing you to drive during busier times?

I would not go and assume something is wrong if the car runs okay. How many miles on the car? Cars don't generally get the best gas mileage until they are broken in, I can't remember the mileage number for that but it's higher than most people think.

Hopefully nothing is wrong and this helps you a bit.

 
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~To the original thread. I just bought a 2010 Honda Civic LX. It has 1500 miles on it now (and btw is it true about better gas mileage when its broken in???? Because one freind of mine who is a mechanic says they come broken in Now) I was told the same gas mileage ratings as you were on the sticker and by my salesman. Then again they caulate the gas mileage under the most appealing conditions. They calculate the gas mileage of a car when all the variables that affect it are favorable. They dont ever calculate for the driver, weather, traffic, terrain and/or driving habits. Not to say you ride it rough. The Honda civic is great on gas its just every little thing we do as a driver is going to affect it . There is nothing at all wrong with your car .

 
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I highly doubt cars come broken in unless they have changed it within the last five years. When I bought my civic I was told not to go over 80 for 500 or some odd kms because everything was setting in. But it takes way more than that to actually "Break" it in, gearbox has said the number numerous times I just can't remember it and I'm far too lazy to search for it, but it may have been as high as 40, 000 miles.

 
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wait at least 10K miles before mpg improves....i am getting 30+ mpg on my si...ever since 12 miles on the odometer to today

 
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I bought a 2010 Civic LX-S in January. You do have to break in the car. The manual tells you how many miles to break in the breaks but I broke in the car for about 1,500 miles. I didn't go over 60mph until I reached that number and I drove on roads that had some lights so that I varied my speed. Also, the mpg did improve as the car was broken in. I'm getting about 32 mpg but I actually got 35 mpg on one tank because I did a bit more highway driving during that time. I also found that when I use Citgo gas, I get a slightly better mpg.

 
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I followed what the manual said, and yes you are correct, the 1500 is the "break in" but lets be real, 21MPG on the freeway?? I have tapped into my savings in 8 weeks I have spent over 700.00 in fuel

 
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if i wait till the 10k mark because according to Honda, the 10k wont make a difference, my mother in law has the 2010 FIT and she is ranging 36-38 since day 1,, the 1st tank lasted her if i am not mistaken 303 MPG

 
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The fit has a much smaller motor, its a lighter car, its tuned differently.. thats like comparing apples and oranges.

How fast do you drive on the highway, there is an significant drop in fuel economy if your drive above 60mp/h?

 
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when my civic was new, it only got 25mpg highway, after 20k miles its getting 40+ so idk. maybe depends on the car. every car is made differently. it could also be your driving style. ive had people complain about their mileage, then i drove their car and got nearly double the mpg. how do you drive on the highway? you should not be going faster than 65mph (55mph gives you a ton better mpg), and you should be driving to the road. do not use cruise, you will get lousy mileage. anticipate hills and gain momentum so you are not mashing the gas to keep speed. dont use too many accessories like radio/lights/ac/wipers/windows/etc, they all take power from the motor (using gas). ive gotten 15mpg in my car and also 42mpg and all i varied was driving style. so i know its possible to improve based on driving. also in winter you will be around 10mpg lower than summer. just due to the environmental conditions. ive never been able to get above 32mpg highway in the winter. in the summer i can get 40 easy.

 
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uhn...
ranting is not with us, it's for honda service center... We don't work for honda (or most of us does not)...
please read the posts above and give a feedback on your diriving style?

 
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I just bought a certified 2009 Civic LX-S a little over a month ago, I've been through 5 tanks of gas (albeit not full tanks), anyway I was getting about 26 mpg combined city/hwy. I deciede to test 89 octane fuel, as my BMW and my friends porsche get far worse gas milage when not running 93. 260 miles later, with similar (if not heavier on city) driving I am up to 31 mpg combined.

Say what you will, but it seems that the ECU was able to advance the timing for the higher octane fuel.

This tank I'm trying 93, just to see. I'll try and let you all know the results.

 
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I get 2 MPG more from higher octane too, but it is a D17A2 (7th gen car - 2001)

 
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I have been having the same exact problem!! I noticed it about 4 months ago. And I also have a 2006 Honda Civic LX. I used to 350/tank in city and 380-400 on the highway. Now I barely get 300 on a mix of highway and city. I also changed the filter and did the fuel injector service, which helped but I am still not nearly getting the same mileage as I used to. I always get my oil changes on time since I have bought the car (new). And I just got brand new tires. I have even tried to change the brand of gas since the mechanic said it could be gas. No change. I wanted to take it to Honda but they want to charge $120 just for the diagnosis. And if they can't find anything, then I am just our $120. Have you had any luck figuring out what the problem is?

Sophie

 
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Look, the cause of all these problems is- wait for it- Ethanol. The Ethanol they add to the gas gums up even new engines. Try using a fuel system cleaner every couple of tanks. Might also need a top end cleaning- seafoam or such cleaner.

 
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Hey guys, im having a gas problem as well. Bought my LX-S a month ago. Filled up 5 times already 1st tank 233 miles, 2nd tank 288miles 3rd 240 4th 230miles 5th 245miles. All on regular 87 gas. That around 20 miles per gallon! I have 1153 miles on the car now. Never took it over 4 rpms drove it very gentley and its a combined city and highway. Why arent i getting better? (i heard from a friend its still part of the break it) HELP PLEASE!