Rep Power: 0

I got my car's 20k mile service done and since then, I can't get more than 26 mpg. I used to get AT LEAST 30 no matter how I drove it. I don't know what's going on. I tried driving it really smoothly for a tank and still made no difference.

I live in San Diego and pay $2.30 for gas and this is killing me. I'm just wondering if Honda jacked with something and screwed it up, or if there's something else wrong. Any ideas?

I drive an EX on 87 octane (normally Chevron) with NO engine mods.

 
Rep Power: 316

when i use 87 ....i get 360 miles per tank
but when i use 89....i get 440 miles per tank


beats me....don't use the A/C

 
Rep Power: 304

Try something other than Chevron. I always got lower mileage since they added Techron. I also have to agree that I get better mileage on higher octane gas. I like Union 76, so far it's been good to the car.
My car runs noticably smoother and stronger on 91 octane, though.
The civics are weird cars. I have had several Honda's but none were as fickle as the 7th gens. I actually miss my 82 accord. That car was a brick. It never broke. I only sold it because it had a quarter million miles on it, and I was getting worried that it would die.

Anyway, I don't know what else to tell you. Check if they ACTUALLY did anything to your car, like the air filter, etc. Sorry, I don't trust the dealers. I have caught them in the past.

 
Rep Power: 0

I would try using higher octane, but like I said earlier, I live in the most expensive gas town in the nation. I replaced my air filter like 8k miles ago, so I should be good. I NEVER use the a/c, but I'll try using different gas next time.

 
Rep Power: 0

Just my opinion, but using anything more expensive than regular gas truly defeats the purpose of owning an economy car like the Civic. I'm just saying this to try and save some members here some money.

Reality check here: Ferraris need preimium gas ... we don't drive Ferraris ... high-performance sports cars need premium gas ... the Civic (with a tiny 115-127 HP, 1.7 L engine) is not a high-performance sports car.

I've tried higher octane gas before just out of curiosity, and it made absolutely no difference in gas mileage. I run exclusively on regular gas now and I get 34-36 mpg week after week (60% hwy, 40% city driving), which is around 460 total miles on a full 13.2 gallon tank.

Like Dustin said, both of us live in the most expensive gas city in the country (more expensive than even Hawaii, if you can believe that), and using Premium gas for our Civics is just absolutely nuts, IMO.

If you want to pay close to $2.60 per gallon here (for Premium in San Diego) to pump up an econobox Civic, that's entirely up to you. If you think that it gives you better performance and mileage, then go for it..... it is your money after all.

 
Rep Power: 0

The premium gas myth (... in fact you may be doing more harm than good by using premium) :


http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_128170400.html

http://www.mydailydriver.com/mdd_content.cfm?ID=27

http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news...mium27-CP.html

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...emiumgas_x.htm

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pb/premium.htm

 
Rep Power: 454

I wish I knew the secrets to getting 460 miles a tank. I get around 300 if I am lucky.

 
Rep Power: 382

^^ depends if you do a lot of Stop and go driving or alot of Freeway driving.

Stop and go Driving will eat gass quicker then Freeway driving....

 
Rep Power: 289

i take it your not thowing n e codes? i know if the rear o2 sensor is unplugged and the car is started, that will ruin your gas milage, but ull throw a code.

 
Rep Power: 0

I dunno what they did...I can't think of anything on a 20k mile service...

Rotate tires(follow pattern on page 233 in your owner's manual).


Replace engine oil.


Check parking brake adjustment.


Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).


Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids and check for leaks.


#Inspect exhaust system.


#Inspect fuel lines and connections.


Replace engine oil filter. (Hope the did this earlier when they changed the oil)


Inspect front and rear brakes.


Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.


Inspect suspension components.


Inspect driveshaft boots.


Hmmm, so the 20k mile service sounds a lot like the 10k mile service...rotate the tires and change the oil...for what $126.00 ? I hate Honda dealers. Anyway...no idea what would have caused your loss in MPG.

 
Rep Power: 0

hey, i get around 300-340 miles before i gas up. and when I gas up, i only purchase around 9 gallons. but i'm in the red or my gas light turns on. anyone else have this issue w/ their civic? i used to have the same issue w/ my 99 ex. thanks guys.

 
Rep Power: 0

Quit going into the red. When you go below 1/4 of a tank you are putting stress on your fuel pump which will make it go bad on you long before it should. Just a suggestion.

 
Rep Power: 304

Hey Ronin, good articles on the gas.

I suspect that my local gas stations may be watering their gas, or something to that effect. I have tried repeatedly changing gas and octane.
I'm stumped by what's going on, but it is the same on my civic AND my nissan truck. I sometimes think that the gas stations are just screwing us in the first place.
Now as to one of the articles: My 82 accord actually DID run worse on super.

 
Rep Power: 0

Glad you found them helpful.

Some people just don't realize that most cars (including ours) are DESIGNED to use regular gas... and buying anything higher just pads the pockets of oil companies, and may actually hurt your car.

 
Rep Power: 382

^^ yup, The Octane needed is dependant on Compression of the engine...

But the Oil Companys have some sneaky marketing... just look at he names "Regular" "Premium" and "Super" Just by the name Super is implied to be the best gas.

 
Rep Power: 0

You see, that's what is weird. I drive this car like a baby. I always fill up at 9 gallons. I take excellent care of it. I don't go around town driving like a nucklehead only to stop at the same light as everyone else. My freeway and city miles are about evenly split per tank.

Does that crap at Kragen/Autozone work that supposedly cleans out your fuel system or whatnot? Should I try that, because I'm a college student and I got better things to pay for than the Shah of Iran's $2.37 gas.

 
Rep Power: 0

I've tried higher octane gas before just out of curiosity, and it made absolutely no difference in gas mileage. I run exclusively on regular gas now and I get 34-36 mpg week after week

Same here - my Civic runs fine on 87 octane , see no reason to use the higher octane fuels.

 
Rep Power: 0

anyone else notice what i said before with their civic??? having to fill up when the light turns on or right before it goes red..and only get 9 gallons?

 
Rep Power: 813

I used to have that problem. I would be driving around on empty with the light on and it only fills 8-9 gallons. Go get the fuel sender replaced under warranty, and tell them not to spill gas all over the back seat like they did with mine. Now when the light comes on, it fills up 10-11 gallons. Plus the fuel gauge isn't accurate to begin with.

 
Rep Power: 337

yeah i had that problem happen once. the light will come on and it fills up 10 gallons. i wait for the light to come on and fill up all the way. i'm gettin 400 miles from the 10 gallons i fill up on. try BP gas. my civic loves BP gas. regular. my dads 95 civic had the same problem of crappy gas mileage for a couple of tanks. heres what happened. apperently the distributor cap had issues with the ecu in the car and it conflicted for like 2 weeks. then after 2 or 3 tank fills it got better. i think the dealership did something to your battery like disconnect it. um...yeah. or hooked up a code reader to your computer and it reset it. give it 2 weeks and a couple of tanks. if it don't get better go to the dealership and bite some heads off. and from now on i suggest do your own services unless you really can't. i mean its a civic. thats why i bought one. you can do it all yourself.

 
Rep Power: 0

check your tire pressure and that nothing is blocking ur intake.

 
Rep Power: 335

-check air filter in airbox
-tires inflated properly?
-motor oil (5w-20. but 0w-20/5w-30/other can be used under certain conditions) still has its addtictives? meaning is it still fresh and not past 5000 miles
-are you driving normal and not like a road racer?
-are spark plugs fine?
-try a different gas station
-maybe carbon has builded up? doubt it since its only been 20k