Not enough mileage per gallon
Hi folks!
I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only available in Canada I believe). I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse over the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep the best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. Any tips or pointers? Thanks! Carl |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
Have your PCV valve checked, if it's stuck your mileage will be worse
than normal, sometimes by quite a bit. I don't know how often Honda recommends replacing it, but it should be done at least every 30k km. Cosmin Carl Mercier wrote: > Hi folks! > > I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only available > in Canada I believe). > > I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse over > the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep the > best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. > > Any tips or pointers? > > Thanks! > > Carl |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
Cosmin,
Thanks for the reply! Forgive me but I'm really dumb when it comes to cars. What's the PCV valve, where is it, how much is it and can I replace it myself? How would I know if it needs to be replaced? Thanks! Carl Cosmin N. wrote: > Have your PCV valve checked, if it's stuck your mileage will be worse > than normal, sometimes by quite a bit. I don't know how often Honda > recommends replacing it, but it should be done at least every 30k km. > > Cosmin > > Carl Mercier wrote: > >> Hi folks! >> >> I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only >> available in Canada I believe). >> >> I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse >> over the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep >> the best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. >> >> Any tips or pointers? >> >> Thanks! >> >> Carl |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
Carl Mercier wrote:
> Hi folks! > > I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only available > in Canada I believe). > > I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse over > the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep the > best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. > > Any tips or pointers? > > Thanks! > > Carl +++++++++++++++++++++ Put 34 psi in all your tires, and set your alarm clock to wake you 25 minutes earlier in the morning. If you've been careful to note your mileage in the 'fuel efficiency chart', what are the ACTUAL statistics? PCV can be a killer if plugged / stuck open. Don't warm up your engine in the driveway. Air filter can also be changed by yourself. Obey the speed limit. A lot of this is in the OWNER'S MANUAL. 'Curly' |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
I concur with Cosmin and Curly re the PCV valve and also especially about
checking the maintenance schedule in your car's owner's manual for what should have been done to the car. A few more basic questions to keep this rolling: How many miles are on your car? When was the last time you changed the: -- spark plugs? -- ignition wires? -- distributor cap? -- distributor rotor? -- air filter? -- fuel filter? (This might not be do-able or recommended on your car.) -- engine oil? -- radiator coolant? And have you checked the level in the coolant reservoir recently? All of the above is very basic, inexpensive maintenance for a young car like yours. "Carl Mercier" <carl@nospamming.carl-mercier.killspam.dot.com> wrote > Hi folks! > > I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only available > in Canada I believe). > > I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse over > the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep the > best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. > > Any tips or pointers? > > Thanks! > > Carl |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
If your PCV valve is clogged this soon, then you have other
and much more serious problems with the car. Replace spark plugs, air filter, etc this early? That was the 1970s when things had to be replaced every 10,000 miles. For example, spark plugs are said to be replaced every 50,000 miles. In reality, plugs at nearly 100,000 should be just fine. If PCV valve is on your list of possibilities, then so is EGR valve, throttle sensor, transmission oil, and antifreeze. You have a mileage drop? One thing lowers mileage by about 10% is discount gasoline that is missing additives found in brand name gas. My experience is that it takes as much as four consecutive tanks to undo the mileage reduction from consecutive visits to discount gas. But then I record every number. I have also seen where something was maybe dumped into the gas causing fuel injectors to be damaged. 31 MPG immediately dropped to 22-25 MPG and car felt sluggish. Honda found and replaced the defective injectors. I could trace damage right back to the gas station because I record and review the numbers. First, what are numbers from consecutive tanks. Second is that new gas station shorting you about 8 to 10% of the fuel they have claimed? I found one that shorted on four separate tanks. Car took more gallons than even gas gauge suggested and mileage was proportionally lower. Something about a little operator switch to set pumps back to normal operation when Weights and Measures took their readings. Just too many things could account for a perceived gas mileage drop. PCV is just the latest hype by some in this newsgroup. First collect facts. What is the number of miles and number of gallons recorded for each consecutive fillup? If PVC valve gets clogged this early, then you have other more serious problems - not just a PCV problem. There is very little maintenance required on cars today. And that maintenance is mostly for long term care. But then your owner's manual has all that information. Read the manual first and record you numbers and gas station so that you are not "feeling" mileage is lower. Carl Mercier wrote: > Hi folks! > > I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only > available in Canada I believe). > > I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten > worse over the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be > done to keep the best gas consumption possible, but don't know > what to do exactly. > > Any tips or pointers? > > Thanks! > > Carl |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
It's a bit different on all Hondas, but on my old 94 Accord it was on
the valve cover on the rear side (close to the windshield side). It had a tube going into it, so it was pretty easy to spot. I haven't looked on my 01 Prelude yet, so I can't say if they changed it. Yours should be in the same general area. If you intend on doing some maintenance yourself, if may be a good ideea to purchase a manual for your car. Haynes and the other cheap ones are helpfull for minor repairs, but the best manuals are the Helm ones (www.helminc.com). The manuals will list recommended intervals for changing fluids and miscelaneous parts that Honda does not. It was my Haynes manual that listed 30k km as the interval for the PCV valve replacement. Cosmin Carl Mercier wrote: > Cosmin, > > Thanks for the reply! > > Forgive me but I'm really dumb when it comes to cars. What's the PCV > valve, where is it, how much is it and can I replace it myself? How > would I know if it needs to be replaced? > > Thanks! > > Carl > > > > Cosmin N. wrote: > >> Have your PCV valve checked, if it's stuck your mileage will be worse >> than normal, sometimes by quite a bit. I don't know how often Honda >> recommends replacing it, but it should be done at least every 30k km. >> >> Cosmin >> >> Carl Mercier wrote: >> >>> Hi folks! >>> >>> I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only >>> available in Canada I believe). >>> >>> I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse >>> over the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep >>> the best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. >>> >>> Any tips or pointers? >>> >>> Thanks! >>> >>> Carl |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
w_tom <w_tom1@hotmail.com> wrote in news:40C9C67A.DB280D2C@hotmail.com:
> If your PCV valve is clogged this soon, then you have other > and much more serious problems with the car. Replace spark > plugs, air filter, etc this early? That was the 1970s when > things had to be replaced every 10,000 miles. For example, > spark plugs are said to be replaced every 50,000 miles. In > reality, plugs at nearly 100,000 should be just fine. > > If PCV valve is on your list of possibilities, then so is > EGR valve, throttle sensor, transmission oil, and antifreeze. > You have a mileage drop? One thing lowers mileage by about > 10% is discount gasoline that is missing additives found in > brand name gas. My experience is that it takes as much as four > consecutive tanks to undo the mileage reduction from > consecutive visits to discount gas. But then I record every > number. I have also seen where something was maybe dumped > into the gas causing fuel injectors to be damaged. 31 MPG > immediately dropped to 22-25 MPG and car felt sluggish. Honda > found and replaced the defective injectors. I could trace > damage right back to the gas station because I record and > review the numbers. > > First, what are numbers from consecutive tanks. Second is > that new gas station shorting you about 8 to 10% of the fuel > they have claimed? I found one that shorted on four separate > tanks. Car took more gallons than even gas gauge suggested and > mileage was proportionally lower. Something about a little > operator switch to set pumps back to normal operation when > Weights and Measures took their readings. > > Just too many things could account for a perceived gas > mileage drop. PCV is just the latest hype by some in this > newsgroup. First collect facts. What is the number of miles > and number of gallons recorded for each consecutive fillup? > If PVC valve gets clogged this early, then you have other more > serious problems - not just a PCV problem. > > There is very little maintenance required on cars today. And > that maintenance is mostly for long term care. But then your > owner's manual has all that information. Read the manual > first and record you numbers and gas station so that you are > not "feeling" mileage is lower. One more item is to watch your driving;see if you are driving more 'city' miles,or unconsciously accellerating then slowing-back and forth,this wastes gas. Keeping tires properly inflated is important,too,just 3-4 psi low affects gas mileage. -- Jim Yanik jyanik-at-kua.net |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
Not to step on Cosmin's toes, but I always like Majestic's online Honda drawings
for giving me clues on where a part is. See http://tinyurl.com/2grb3 item 2, for a 2003 Civic 4-Dr. GX Side SRS. If this isn't exactly your car, then click on "RETURN TO CHOOSING A SYSTEM\COMPONENT FOR" and put in the info that identifies your car. Select "breather cover" or "breather chamber" at the end to bring up a drawing that includes the PCV valve. Helps to have a new PCV valve in hand when looking for the old one. You should be able to do a little test on the PCV valve by running the car at idle and pinching the PCV valve tube (item 5 in the drawings) with a pair of long-nosed pliers. Keep the tube pinched for at least 20 seconds or until you hear a little click. The click is the valve operating. See for example the right column of http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/CivicManual/pdf/11-109.pdf , for 1995-1997 Civics. Google for "PCV valve" for more discussion. It aids in keeping the engine crankcase free of blowby vapors by allowing the vapors to return to the engine's air intake for re-burning. If it is malfunctioning, then among other things the car's computer may not see the correct flow in the air intake. The car's computer may run the engine rich (too much gas; not enough air) as a result. Numerous web sites attest to this. Of course, as has been noted, many other things may cause poor fuel economy. For such a young car, I'd be surprised if the PCV valve were the problem. "Carl Mercier" <carl@nospamming.carl-mercier.killspam.dot.com> wrote > Forgive me but I'm really dumb when it comes to cars. What's the PCV > valve, where is it, how much is it and can I replace it myself? How > would I know if it needs to be replaced? |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
In article <Az9yc.48573$8k4.1048105@news20.bellglobal.com>, Carl Mercier
<carl@nospamming.carl-mercier.killspam.dot.com> wrote: > Hi folks! > > I own an Honda Civic 2003 Sedan (Sport Edition, which was only available > in Canada I believe). > > I am under the impression that the gas consumption has gotten worse over > the last year. I know some maintenance needs to be done to keep the > best gas consumption possible, but don't know what to do exactly. > > Any tips or pointers? > > Thanks! > > Carl Carl, I suggest that you get a complete tune-up and a new PCV valve. -- NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIPERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
> w_tom <w_tom1@hotmail.com> wrote in > news:40C9C67A.DB280D2C@hotmail.com: >> Second is >> that new gas station shorting you about 8 to 10% of the fuel >> they have claimed? I found one that shorted on four separate >> tanks. Car took more gallons than even gas gauge suggested and >> mileage was proportionally lower. Something about a little >> operator switch to set pumps back to normal operation when >> Weights and Measures took their readings. How do they know that Weights and Measures is checking their pumps? Does your state announce their inspections? And how do you know about this "operator switch"? Did you report it to the State? Florida does random,unannounced tests;the operators don't even know they're being tested. and with that bad gas that Shell was pumping,your gas gauge may be off anyways. -- Jim Yanik jyanik-at-kua.net |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
Weights and Measures periodically applies a new test sticker
to the pumps. I am told in some counties, the inspector only announces his arrival and performs the check. But this is only hearsay from other gas station attendants. Each county probably does it differently - a county function; not a state function. How they test is unknown. However after those experiences, a number of stations were suddenly exposed for having that 'secret' switch modification. Was this one? Don't know. But I do know every tank at that one station was taking too many gallons per both my gas gauge and from having recorded every tank. Furthermore, due to the location of this station, I should have been getting even better than average gas mileage. What should have been highest MPG also was suggested by the position of my gas gauge. I have no doubt that the one station was shorting gas. But the bottom line and the point of these posts is that one must record consecutive tanks to really know if gas mileage has dropped. Other factors can cause a mileage drop. What is this 'bad gas from Shell' story? Jim Yanik wrote: > How do they know that Weights and Measures is checking their pumps? > Does your state announce their inspections? And how do you know > about this "operator switch"? Did you report it to the State? > > Florida does random,unannounced tests;the operators don't even > know they're being tested. > > and with that bad gas that Shell was pumping,your gas gauge may > be off anyways. > > -- > Jim Yanik > jyanik-at-kua.net |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
What tuneup? In the 70s when manufacturers refused to
install a 1960s technology called electronic ignition, then tune ups were required every 5,000 miles and less. With electronic ignition and fuel injection, then recommending frequent tuneup is akin to promoting a scam. If car needs a tuneup, then car has a failed part - that should not have failed. But still some mechanics love to get you in for a tuneup. Changing spark plugs is simple labor that pays well. Jason wrote: > Carl, > I suggest that you get a complete tune-up and a new PCV valve. |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
w_tom <w_tom1@hotmail.com> wrote in news:40CB7E1B.2D58587F@hotmail.com:
> Weights and Measures periodically applies a new test sticker > to the pumps. I am told in some counties, the inspector only > announces his arrival and performs the check. But this is > only hearsay from other gas station attendants. Each county > probably does it differently - a county function; not a state > function. Strange,it would seem to be more of a state function than a county one. In Florida,it's done by the state.One of the local TV stations did a segment on it a few months ago. > How they test is unknown. However after those > experiences, a number of stations were suddenly exposed for > having that 'secret' switch modification. Was this one? > Don't know. But I do know every tank at that one station was > taking too many gallons per both my gas gauge and from having > recorded every tank. Furthermore, due to the location of this > station, I should have been getting even better than average > gas mileage. What should have been highest MPG also was > suggested by the position of my gas gauge. > > I have no doubt that the one station was shorting gas. But > the bottom line and the point of these posts is that one must > record consecutive tanks to really know if gas mileage has > dropped. Other factors can cause a mileage drop. > > What is this 'bad gas from Shell' story? Shell distributed some high sulfur gas in some parts of the country,and the high sulfur content ruins the silver elements in the in-tank sender,ruining it. They are paying to have people's senders replaced. A Google search should give more information on it. > > Jim Yanik wrote: >> How do they know that Weights and Measures is checking their pumps? >> Does your state announce their inspections? And how do you know >> about this "operator switch"? Did you report it to the State? >> >> Florida does random,unannounced tests;the operators don't even >> know they're being tested. >> >> and with that bad gas that Shell was pumping,your gas gauge may >> be off anyways. >> >> -- >> Jim Yanik >> jyanik-at-kua.net > -- Jim Yanik jyanik-at-kua.net |
Re: Not enough mileage per gallon
w_tom <w_tom1@hotmail.com> wrote in news:40CB831B.E18C8A03@hotmail.com:
> What tuneup? In the 70s when manufacturers refused to > install a 1960s technology called electronic ignition, then > tune ups were required every 5,000 miles and less. With > electronic ignition and fuel injection, then recommending > frequent tuneup is akin to promoting a scam. If car needs a > tuneup, then car has a failed part - that should not have > failed. But still some mechanics love to get you in for a > tuneup. Changing spark plugs is simple labor that pays well. Spark plug electrodes DO wear,and they are great indicators of any problem with an individual cylinder.The rotor and distributor cap electrodes also wear. -- Jim Yanik jyanik-at-kua.net |
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