2003 Accord drives sluggish

2003 Accord Sedan EX 4 cyl.

This is difficult to explain properly but I'll try.

I have about 44k miles on this car and it is 95% highway miles. I had
been averaging about 405-415 mpg on a tank of gas (13.5 gallons on
average) before the low fuel light came on. Lately I have been lucky
to get around 375-385 on the same amount of fuel. The car recently
had it's 45k service which has done nothing to fix this issue.

It feels like the car is driving with the emergency brake slightly
engaged (it's not but it feels like it). When going uphill, it feels
like I have to really mash the accelerator to keep the speed up on the
car.

I cannot explain the drop off in mileage. I have had all the required
services. I am not a "car guy" in that I cannot tell you a lot about
the engine or possible causes.

I would like to know what, if any, items I can check. Is it possible
that the brakes can be engaged somehow. My rear brake pads were worn
down to almost the nub at 43k but the front were apparently fine.

I would appreciate some tips, adivice, clues, things to check, etc.

Thanks.

 

30.74mpg... not that bad

28.51mpg... not a huge drop off.

just going by the high side numbers you posted.

winter blend oxygenated fuel alone would cause a dropoff like that. how
are the tire pressures?

another option would be to jack each end of the car, and spin the
wheels. if a brake is dragging, youll hear and feel it.

 

feel for heat differential after driving too. if one is binding, that
wheel will be noticably hotter than the other on the same axle [rears
run cooler than fronts]. be careful not to burn yourself.

 

A 6 percent drop in fuel efficiency is normal for the winter month. My
optimistic fuel consumption has gone from 6.3L/100KM to 6.7L/100KM. I
suspect that the poor fuel consumption is directly related to outside
temperature. Perhaps there is more resistance after an engine cycle from the
colder engine block or the air/fuel mixture is effected by the colder,
dryer, less oxygen rich air...etc. Whatever the reason, from my observation:
winter climate = poor fuel economy (usually by about 6 percent).

In the past, I generally drove V6 and V8 GM engines and those engine tended
to return the same mileage regardless of season. But then those engines were
dunce compared to the modern engine that can take better advantage to
changes in driving conditions.

I recall a 800km trip, back in the 1990, to Grand Ben beach (the beach was
closed because it was too windy and they had 7 foot waves..from a lake!...).
Anyways.. I drove circles around my friend's (literally and it annoyed him)
1990 Si Hatch with my 1990 3.1L Corsica and I still got 20% better fuel
consumption then his teeny Honda engine (which was struggling to maintane my
brisk pace). Honda has definitely improved their engine since then, while GM
has been stagnating.

Pars
98 Civic Hatch

 

Is it for sale? Sounds like a good car