Poor gas mileage (2005 Honda Civic LX AT) ~25 MPG

According to spec the gas consumption is 29 in the city and 38 on the
highway. However, I can drive about 300 MI before the "low fuel" light
comes up (which according to the manual would allow me to drive
additional 25/30 miles). Most of the time (90%) I drive on a highway.
According to the spec the tank size is 13.2 gallons, which gives me
about 25 MPG: 300 + (30 reserve) / 13.2 = 25. This average is even
worst than officially published 29 MPG in the city. What gives? Can the
fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
probably around 75 mph). How good are these advertised 29/38 numbers?
Are they accurate when driving 55/65? Can't test that myself since I
don't have a patience to drive that slow. This is a new car - I've just
bought it (I put almost 3k MI already). Thanks.

In article . com>,
Jerzy > wrote:
>According to spec the gas consumption is 29 in the city and 38 on the
>highway. However, I can drive about 300 MI before the "low fuel" light
>comes up (which according to the manual would allow me to drive
>additional 25/30 miles). Most of the time (90%) I drive on a highway.
>According to the spec the tank size is 13.2 gallons, which gives me
>about 25 MPG: 300 + (30 reserve) / 13.2 = 25.

Instead of assuming how much fuel is in the fuel tank when the light
turns on, go to the fuel station and refuel until the fuel tank is
full. Note the amount of fuel used in refueling and divide that number
into the number of miles since you last filled the fuel tank to full.
That will give you a more accurate estimate.

>Can the
>fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
>there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
>probably around 75 mph).

On the highway, aerodynamic drag increases greatly as you increase speed.
That can greatly worsen fuel economy.

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>That will give you a more accurate estimate.

OK. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

keep an excel spreadsheet with date, mileage, fuel, price, mileage (per
tank), average mileage (last 5 tanks or so, up to you) and also
MAINTENANCE recoards: new tires, new plugs, new brake pads, whatever,
so that you know is something goes wrong. also note driving conditions:
summer, highway, empty car, or winter, hilly, 4 people in the car and
the trunck loaded with sports equipment. That also affects the mileage
a lot!

Jerzy wrote:
> According to spec the gas consumption is 29 in the city and 38 on the
> highway. However, I can drive about 300 MI before the "low fuel" light
> comes up (which according to the manual would allow me to drive
> additional 25/30 miles).

which means basically... nothing. it might, might not. its basically a
"second warning"

> Most of the time (90%) I drive on a highway.
> According to the spec the tank size is 13.2 gallons, which gives me
> about 25 MPG: 300 + (30 reserve) / 13.2 = 25. This average is even

set trip odo to 0
fill tank
drive until you feel the tank should be refilled
refill tank until pump clicks
divide number on trip odometer by number of gallons used to refill
*thats* your true MPG

IOW... dont go by the tank specs and what youre guessing the reserve
should be... use REAL FIGURES.

> worst than officially published 29 MPG in the city. What gives? Can the
> fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
> there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
> probably around 75 mph). How good are these advertised 29/38 numbers?

they pretty much dont apply for 90mph driving. in fact, they only apply
if you do the same test cycle the EPA uses. you should get around 29 in
mixed driving. if youre doing 90mph, then 25 is a reasonable number.

> Are they accurate when driving 55/65? Can't test that myself since I
> don't have a patience to drive that slow. This is a new car - I've just
> bought it (I put almost 3k MI already). Thanks.

it should loosen up more in another 5k miles.

SoCalMike > wrote:
>Jerzy wrote:
>> worst than officially published 29 MPG in the city. What gives? Can the
>> fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
>> there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
>> probably around 75 mph). How good are these advertised 29/38 numbers?
>
>they pretty much dont apply for 90mph driving. in fact, they only apply
>if you do the same test cycle the EPA uses. you should get around 29 in
>mixed driving. if youre doing 90mph, then 25 is a reasonable number.

The EPA test for highway mileage is to run the car on friction rollers
at a constant 48 mph.

Running down the road at 80-90 mph should give you about 30 mpg,
more or less, depending on the direction and speed of the wind and
the severity of the hills. (No road is absolutely flat.)

One time I was driving my '98 Civic EX coupe from Flagstaff, AZ to
Amarillo, TX on I-40 at a constant 85 mph indicated. I got 42 mpg
over 411 miles. I also had a constant 40 mph tail wind. It makes a
huge difference.

Andy

Jerzy wrote:
>
> According to spec the gas consumption is 29 in the city and 38 on the
> highway. However, I can drive about 300 MI before the "low fuel" light
> comes up (which according to the manual would allow me to drive
> additional 25/30 miles). Most of the time (90%) I drive on a highway.
> According to the spec the tank size is 13.2 gallons, which gives me
> about 25 MPG: 300 + (30 reserve) / 13.2 = 25. This average is even
> worst than officially published 29 MPG in the city. What gives? Can the
> fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
> there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
> probably around 75 mph). How good are these advertised 29/38 numbers?
> Are they accurate when driving 55/65? Can't test that myself since I
> don't have a patience to drive that slow. This is a new car - I've just
> bought it (I put almost 3k MI already). Thanks.

I get 34 mpg @ 80+ on my 96 Civic Coupe. ;-)

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Microsoft helps China to censor bloggers
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 The Guardian

Civil liberties groups have condemned an arrangement between Microsoft
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The American company is helping censors remove "freedom" and "democracy"
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Microsoft
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In article . com>,
says...
>
>
>According to spec the gas consumption is 29 in the city and 38 on the
>highway. However, I can drive about 300 MI before the "low fuel" light
>comes up (which according to the manual would allow me to drive
>additional 25/30 miles). Most of the time (90%) I drive on a highway.
>According to the spec the tank size is 13.2 gallons, which gives me
>about 25 MPG: 300 + (30 reserve) / 13.2 = 25. This average is even
>worst than officially published 29 MPG in the city. What gives? Can the
>fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
>there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
>probably around 75 mph). How good are these advertised 29/38 numbers?
>Are they accurate when driving 55/65? Can't test that myself since I
>don't have a patience to drive that slow. This is a new car - I've just
>bought it (I put almost 3k MI already). Thanks.

Something is wrong. I have a T&C minivan and in highway only driving I
get just over 24mpg. I average about somewhere between 70 & 75 mph, so I am
not driving really slow.
------------
Alex

Just a point of reference: I have a 2003 Honda Civic EX,and I routinely
do 80mph on the interstate.I get 29mpg when going that fast.I tend to
get better mileage when approaching lower speeds (like 55-60mph) when
going on state roads with lower speed limits.I think this is a general
observation in any engine no matter what year or engine in the
vehicle.The faster you go,the more the fuel efficiency decreases.

Jerzy wrote:

> According to spec the gas consumption is 29 in the city and 38 on the
> highway. However, I can drive about 300 MI before the "low fuel" light
> comes up (which according to the manual would allow me to drive
> additional 25/30 miles). Most of the time (90%) I drive on a highway.
> According to the spec the tank size is 13.2 gallons, which gives me
> about 25 MPG: 300 + (30 reserve) / 13.2 = 25. This average is even
> worst than officially published 29 MPG in the city. What gives? Can the
> fuel efficiency drop drastically to this level because of my speed? If
> there is no traffic I tend to drive at 80-90 mph (the average is
> probably around 75 mph). How good are these advertised 29/38 numbers?
> Are they accurate when driving 55/65? Can't test that myself since I
> don't have a patience to drive that slow. This is a new car - I've just
> bought it (I put almost 3k MI already). Thanks.

My son's '05 Civic Coupe (A/T) consistently gets 25 MPG, strictly in town
(greater Los Angeles area) driving. When the car does see the freeway
(such as it is around here) the F.E. can get close to 30 MPG

You can read about EPA ESTIMATES on their web site, but here is Honda's
version:

Tech Line fields many questions on fuel economy, including why some
vehicles don't get the fuel mileage estimates shown on the fuel economy
label (part of the Monroney label that's on every new car and truck).
Before you read this Q & A, here's a sample label with an explanation of
its contents.

Question: Why can't I get the City and Highway mpg estimates shown on the
label?

Answer: The mileage estimates on the label reflect the average mpg attained
by similar vehicles in a model line under controlled laboratory conditions
and are not the result of an actual road test. And remember, as stated on
the fuel economy label: "Actual mileage will vary with options, driving
conditions, driving habits, and vehicle's condition."

Question: Just how are the EPA mileage estimates made anyway?

Answer: Test vehicles are run by professional drivers on a treadmill-like
device that easures exhaust emissions and fuel usage. During the test, the
vehicle's headlights, A/C, heater, audio unit, and all accessories are
turned off. Upshifts on M/T vehicles are typically made at 15 mph (1st to
2nd gear), 28 mph
(2nd to 3rd gear), 41 mph (3rd to 4th gear), and 52 mph (4th to 5th gear).
The City portion of the test simulates a 7.5 mile stop-and-go trip with an
average speed of 20 mph. The trip takes 23 minutes, has 18 stops, and keeps
the engine idling about 18 percent of the time to simulate rush hour
traffic delays.
The Highway portion of the test simulates a 10-mile drive with speeds
averaging 48 mph. It's
run from a hot start in a mix of rural and interstate driving conditions.
There are no stops, and there's not much idling time. When both test
results are known, the City mpg is lowered by 10 percent, and the
Highway mpg is lowered by 22 percent; this makes the results closer to
real worldls fuel consumption.

Question: How do I calculate mpg?

Answer: You divide the miles driven by the number of gallons of fuel that
you
used.

Question: How can I increase my vehicle's mpg?

Answer: To increase your vehicle's mpg, do this:
.. As often as possible, accelerate slowly and smoothly, keep your engine
speed below 3,000
rpm, and lower your road speed.
.. Keep your tires inflated to the specs listed on the doorjamb sticker.
.. Keep your vehicle in top condition by following the maintainance schedule

listed in your owner's manual and by using the recommended engine oil.

Question: Where can I get more info on fuel economy?

Answer: You can get a free copy of the Model Year 2001 Fuel Economy Guide
by any of these
means:
Mail: National Alternative Fuels Hotline
9300 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031-1207
Phone: 800-423-1363
Internet: www.fueleconomy.gov









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