2002 Accord V6 only 12 mpg

My daughter's 2002 Accord EX V6 Sedan has suddenly dropped down to 12 mpg.
Dealer said nothing wrong--of course, car had 35,600 miles on it. It's now
over the 36K warranty, but the previous complaint should help keep the issue
alive under warranty. Also, the radio control buttons on the steering wheel
have stopped working. Any ideas as to causes/cures ?

 

As for the sudden decrease in mileage, don't overlook the "not-so-obvious"
things like simple fuel theft or a leak in the tank or fuel lines.
Suggestion, trade cars w/the daughter for a week and see how you do with
it. That drop is significant enough that it could account for suddenly
feeding two tanks instead of just one.

 

As for the sudden decrease in mileage, don't overlook the "not-so-obvious"
things like simple fuel theft or a leak in the tank or fuel lines.
Suggestion, trade cars w/the daughter for a week and see how you do with
it. That drop is significant enough that it could account for suddenly
feeding two tanks instead of just one.

 

A sleeper in low fuel economy is a bad thermostat. It might be hard to get
them to shotgun the thermostat out under warranty, though.

 

A sleeper in low fuel economy is a bad thermostat. It might be hard to get
them to shotgun the thermostat out under warranty, though.

 

An other reason for "sudden thirst" is a malfunction in the injection
electronics. The unit then switches to some emergency-program, resulting in
higher fuel consumption and different (decreased) engine performance.
Your dealer can heck this in no time, hooking the electronics up to their
diagnose-system.

Obviously, there can be lots of reasons. A modern injected engine is a
complex system.
Leaking fuel can be smelled, though, certainly when the car has been parked
in a garage.

K.

 

An other reason for "sudden thirst" is a malfunction in the injection
electronics. The unit then switches to some emergency-program, resulting in
higher fuel consumption and different (decreased) engine performance.
Your dealer can heck this in no time, hooking the electronics up to their
diagnose-system.

Obviously, there can be lots of reasons. A modern injected engine is a
complex system.
Leaking fuel can be smelled, though, certainly when the car has been parked
in a garage.

K.

 

Can that happen without turning on the "check engine" light?

Mike

 

Can that happen without turning on the "check engine" light?

Mike

 

No, as far as my knowledge goes, that engine light has to light up indeed.
If that's not the case, there is probably something else wrong. Really hard
to tell just by reading a post.
Maybe the driver wears heavy shoes? ;-)

Just kiddin'...

K.

 

No, as far as my knowledge goes, that engine light has to light up indeed.
If that's not the case, there is probably something else wrong. Really hard
to tell just by reading a post.
Maybe the driver wears heavy shoes? ;-)

Just kiddin'...

K.

 

MPG dropped to 12 from what? That is the question... My
sister-in-law gets consistant 13 mph from her '01 Accord V6. Of
course this is all in town (greater Los Angeles area) driving.

Inspected the air filter lately?
Winter fuel can have a slight impact too.

 

MPG dropped to 12 from what? That is the question... My
sister-in-law gets consistant 13 mph from her '01 Accord V6. Of
course this is all in town (greater Los Angeles area) driving.

Inspected the air filter lately?
Winter fuel can have a slight impact too.

 

You need to let us know whether you live in a large city or small town or
in the country. For example, if you live in a large city and end up
spending about an hour each morning and each evening in a huge traffic jam
that moves really slow--the 12 mpg is normal. On the other hand, if you
live in the country and never or only rarely encounter a traffic jam--12
mpg is far below normal. I only measure my gas mileage when I go on a long
trip that has no traffic jams. If I encounter a large city, I pull over at
a gas station and fill up before I encounter any traffic jams.

 

You need to let us know whether you live in a large city or small town or
in the country. For example, if you live in a large city and end up
spending about an hour each morning and each evening in a huge traffic jam
that moves really slow--the 12 mpg is normal. On the other hand, if you
live in the country and never or only rarely encounter a traffic jam--12
mpg is far below normal. I only measure my gas mileage when I go on a long
trip that has no traffic jams. If I encounter a large city, I pull over at
a gas station and fill up before I encounter any traffic jams.

 

for the mpg one the accord buy an AEM cold air intake it will add hp and mpg
alot...for the radio controls on the steering wheel maybe a fuse or
something got disconnected

 

for the mpg one the accord buy an AEM cold air intake it will add hp and mpg
alot...for the radio controls on the steering wheel maybe a fuse or
something got disconnected

 

Wow, what a completely useless answer.
Sorry, when a 3-year old car suddenly drops to half of typical MPG, the
answer is NOT to bolt on an aftermarket intake; it would help about as
much as a new air freshener.

When was the last time this vehicle had its air filter changed?
Did you check for spark on all six cylinders?
Did this behavior start with cold weather?
It's an automatic transmission, has the fluid been changed, ever?
Are you sure it's making it into higher gears?
Does it run rough or stumble on acceleration?
Are you sure your daughter's neighbor isn't siphoning gas?

--Gene

 

Wow, what a completely useless answer.
Sorry, when a 3-year old car suddenly drops to half of typical MPG, the
answer is NOT to bolt on an aftermarket intake; it would help about as
much as a new air freshener.

When was the last time this vehicle had its air filter changed?
Did you check for spark on all six cylinders?
Did this behavior start with cold weather?
It's an automatic transmission, has the fluid been changed, ever?
Are you sure it's making it into higher gears?
Does it run rough or stumble on acceleration?
Are you sure your daughter's neighbor isn't siphoning gas?

--Gene