Shifting to Neutral?

I'm interested in getting the best mileage possible from my '04 Civic.
I'm only really into my third tank of gas since buying the car. The car
has not yet delivered 29 MPG. It's only reached about 24 MPG so far.

I seem to recall advice from the 70s during the "energy crisis" that
shifting to neutral at a red light helps conserve gasoline. Is there
any truth to this? I also recall that it's wise to shut the car off if
you're going to be idle for more than a minute. Personally, I can't see
myself shutting the car off at every light -- I don't. But I do turn it
off at RR crossings when the trains come.

I'm just interested in maximizing my gas mileage.

GK

 

Hi,
If you really want to maximize gas mileage, install a dash vacuum gauge.
Keep the vacuum level as high as you can at all times. It'll also help
you learn shifting patterns.
Tony

 

I seem to recall advice from the 70s during the "energy crisis" that

Assuming you have an automatic, yes. When you are standing still with
the car in drive the engine is working against the torque converter,
basically wasting energy heating up the oil. That said, newer Hondas
have torque converters that are very "loose" (even on small inclines
with the car in drive you will roll back unless you step on the brakes).
This means that the fuel you waste by not shifting to neutral is very
limited compared to cars in the 70's.

Fuel economy is why Honda makes the torque converters that loose. During
normal driving a mechanical lock-up clutch bypasses the torque
converter, so you don't loose power in a loose torque converter.

 

Hi,
Same rule applies.
Tony

 

I think he has an automatic transmission.

 

There is a difference, you just can't measure it. bob

 

Chevy Malibus from the 1980's had a "Mileage Meter" on the dash that was
just a vacuum gauge.

 

A new car (or an old one with a new engine) should not be allowed to idle
excessively. I don't have a precise definition of what excessive actually
is, but I wouldn't let it sit at idle for more than about 5 minutes.

Eric

 

I never sit longer than 2 minutes at a light. If at a RR crossing, I
shut the engine off.

I'm still concerned because the car, an '04 Civic, still only gets 22.5
MPG. Granted it only has 640 miles on it, but I'd like better
performance than that. I'm so light on the gas. I know I don't have a
heavy foot when driving.

 

640 miles isn't even close to being broken in. The rings need to seat yet.
Just keep driving it gently, don't idle for more than a few minutes, and
don't hold the engine at one speed for an extended time (i.e. highway
driving).

 

Best mpg I ever got was on a trip from Akron, Ohio to Va. Beach VA. I
must have had a tail wind the whole way. Temp was about 70 degrees, and
humidity was low. '92 Accord LX got 33 miles per gallon. Got the whole
way there on one tank. bob

MPG.

 

Almost the same experience. I went from Norfolk to Oklahoma City, and
in Tennesee I got up to 490 miles on the trip odometer before I pulled
over for gas, but I only put in 10.1 gallons. Of course, mine's a 1994
Civic DX Coupe, but boy was I still impressed!

Nate

 

Don't worry the car is not even broken in yet. My car didn't start getting
optimal gas mileage until 20,000 miles. These engines are very well built
and have great wear characteristics. Give it time and it will improve. By
the way my car is an 94 Acura GS-R that I have raced occasionally and has
125,000 miles original engine and still gets 30 MPG highway. Point is it
takes time to break the motor in and if you take care of it, it will last
forever.