Rep Power: 0

I bought a new Civic EX back in August and I've been having some issues with it. First of all it had a problem starting a few times: When I turn the key, the engine sputters but does not kick in, though when I turn the key a second time it starts right up.

Also, my gas mileage is pretty poor, I'm getting around 22-24 mpg, though when I first got the car I was getting in the 30's. I use the car mostly for commuting and I only live 4 miles from work, so not sure if that makes a big difference.

I was wondering if anyone else experienced these problems, or if you think I should take it in and have the dealer look at it.

 
Rep Power: 291

Is it a 8th gen civic? (2006+) ?
Key problem is common with those models

Gas mileage:
Changed oil?
Checked tire pressure?
Changed spark plugs?
Lead foot?

 
Rep Power: 217

Driving shorter distances could affect your gas mileage. Before I started going to school, which is literally less than a mile, I was easily getting 32mpg weekly. Now that I've started school, I'm only getting 28. Yeah, not a big difference, but my MPG was always consistent. Kennykid also brings up good points as well. Although, I don't know if spark plugs would be an issue since you got the car a few months ago. At least I'd hope not. Tire pressure is a biggie though. One of my tires has a slow leak, and I skimped out on checking the pressure and my MPG dropped by like 5. Turns out my psi was down a bit. Make sure when you check the tire pressure, the tires are COLD.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks Guys, I'll check the air pressure in the tires. I'm hoping it's not the spark plugs since my car only has about 1,200 miles on it so far.

I'm concerned with the starting problem too. I don’t think my key is the reason my car isn’t starting because I don’t see any additional lights on the dashboard when my car doesn’t start. (I read a post on here that said an immobilizer indicator should light up if that happens).

 
Rep Power: 291

Turn the key on the on position, leave it for about 30 seconds, then turn on the engine

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok you lucked out. Have 09 with the same starting problems. But I thought about why it started. I had changed the Pennzoil Plantium and the problem appeared. So since I switched to Edge a syn made by Castrol, and had a similar problem with Edge in a Mazda 4 cyl, I put two and two together. Which made me go back to Pennzoil and change the air filter which had 21,000 miles on it. Nobody will ever agree with this being the cause but all I know the starting problem is not there anymore. If you go to a stealer because of the warranty they will not be able to duplicate the problem and you will waste time. No fault codes no duplication. Maybe leaving it at the stealer might get you results. Honda quality might not be the issue. The mileage is pretty normal in a way. Here in NY city mileage is 25 or so, driving up to Boston I get 38 miles per gallon. City or short drives kill the gas mileage

 
Rep Power: 307

Hold the key at II until you hear the fuel pump buzzing noise stops then crank the car. It will start every time if you wait. I started doing it with my 05 and continue with my 2010.

If you live in cold area gas mileage will be lower overall.

 
Rep Power: 811

try 34psi in the tires if its not too bumpy for you. in winter, gas mileage will drop by 10mpg or more compared to summer. colder air has more densly packed oxygen, so the ecu will add more fuel to achieve the ideal air/fuel ratio. do not carry extra weight in the car and try not to make too many short trips in winter. the car uses a ton of gas during warmup period.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the replies. I guess it's good that I'm not the only one with the starting problems. For the past few days I have been turning the key and waiting-no problems starting so far. So, just to make sure, the starting problem does not indicate a larger problem with the car?

Regarding the gas mileage, I guess my low mileage makes sense because I only use my car for city driving.

 
Rep Power: 811

i used to have starting problems that came and went. never really from anything except possibly weather changes (like when a storm moves in and the pressure drops, but the ecu still thinks it is the same as when you turned the car off). nothing you can really control. just turn it off and try to start again til it fires up. city and highway driving are two very different things. on average, ive gotten anywhere between 15mpg-34mpg in the city, with very diffferent driving styles and locations. highway im fairly consistent around 40mpg, sometimes 42 if lucky in the summer. in the winter, highway goes down to 32 in the same conditions. also, you will not start getting the most power or the best gas mileage until the car has around 20k miles on it. that is the usual full breakin period on most newer cars. so report back in a couple years

 
Rep Power: 0

No, definitely not.

I live in South Florida where it is usually very hot outside and we never seem to have a problem starting the cars.

But I have been to cold climates where I had the same problem starting rental cars as you described due to the cold weather.

As they mentioned, letting the fuel pump pressurize is the best solution.