Not enough mileage per gallon

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Carl Mercier, Jun 11, 2004.

  1. Carl Mercier

    Carl Mercier Guest

    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 Mercier, Jun 11, 2004
    #1
  2. Carl Mercier

    Cosmin N. Guest

    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
     
    Cosmin N., Jun 11, 2004
    #2
  3. Carl Mercier

    Carl Mercier Guest

    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
     
    Carl Mercier, Jun 11, 2004
    #3
  4. Carl Mercier

    motsco_ _ Guest

    +++++++++++++++++++++

    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'
     
    motsco_ _, Jun 11, 2004
    #4
  5. Carl Mercier

    Caroline Guest

    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.
     
    Caroline, Jun 11, 2004
    #5
  6. Carl Mercier

    w_tom Guest

    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.
     
    w_tom, Jun 11, 2004
    #6
  7. Carl Mercier

    Cosmin N. Guest

    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
     
    Cosmin N., Jun 11, 2004
    #7
  8. Carl Mercier

    Jim Yanik Guest

    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, Jun 11, 2004
    #8
  9. Carl Mercier

    Caroline Guest

    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.
     
    Caroline, Jun 11, 2004
    #9
  10. Carl Mercier

    Jason Guest

    Carl,
    I suggest that you get a complete tune-up and a new PCV valve.
     
    Jason, Jun 11, 2004
    #10
  11. Carl Mercier

    Jim Yanik Guest

    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, Jun 12, 2004
    #11
  12. Carl Mercier

    w_tom Guest

    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?
     
    w_tom, Jun 12, 2004
    #12
  13. Carl Mercier

    w_tom Guest

    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.
     
    w_tom, Jun 12, 2004
    #13
  14. Carl Mercier

    Jim Yanik Guest

    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.

    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, Jun 13, 2004
    #14
  15. Carl Mercier

    Jim Yanik Guest


    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, Jun 13, 2004
    #15
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