Drop in Gas Mileage

mrossini · 10-04-2006, 11:54 AM

I bought a new 2006 Civic LX in June, and have really enjoyed the car. I did notice one thing that has me wondering if this is typical or not.

I track my gas mileage, and over the first 4000 miles, I maintained about 31 miles per gallon. This was over the summer months with my AC blasting. Since then, the weather has cooled off, and I use the AC less, but my gas mileage has dropped to around 28 miles per gallon. Is this typical? I'm now at 6000 miles and about to do my first oil change. I'm a bit surprised with the drop, though. Any ideas on what might be causing it?

DSchrag · 10-04-2006, 12:30 PM

Okay.

First: AT or MT? If you're driving a 5spd a change in diving habits (which sometimes you may not even notice as you get more used to a car) can account for this.

Second: I would like to assume you have stayed up to date on your minder codes.

Third: Has the type of driving you have done changed since the summer? Is there a new place of work or a different route? Has traffic flow increased now that the Autumn is here?

J-StarR · 10-04-2006, 12:30 PM

You'll probably notice your gas milage increase again after the oil change.

mrossini · 10-04-2006, 02:15 PM

My car is an Automatic. As far as driving habits, my car is primarily for commuting, with my route and driving habits remaining the same. I just received my first maintenance minder, and will perform the service this weekend. Hopefully the first oil change will impove my gas mileage.

DSchrag · 10-04-2006, 02:32 PM

Get back to us after the service. Your oil is most likely getting all grimy and nasty.

Sli(ks · 10-04-2006, 02:39 PM

Yeah, I have an LX and my oil life is at 30% with 4,300 miles on the odometer - and my mileage has dropped as well.

So I'd agree with everyone else and say it's probably the oil.

gbae007 · 10-04-2006, 04:11 PM

Check tire PSI. 32 is OEM but I run 35 for economy.

dude · 10-04-2006, 09:41 PM

Do you fill at the same gas station?
If you live in northern climate the drop can be explained with the fact that the gas sattions haven't switched yet to winter gas...

**Yodums** · 10-04-2006, 09:49 PM

You haven't changed your rims and tires, have you? I'm willing to bet it's a combination of oil + tire pressure. Similarly to your situation, my gas mileage dropped at around 5000 miles and after I did an oil change and filled my tires w/ 36 PSI, all as better than it originally was.

cmd546 · 10-04-2006, 09:53 PM

Wow, 28-31 in an LX. I just checked mine and I got 29.7 in my SI and not driving like a wus either. I guess I must have above average shifting habits as far as gas milage is concerned. I'm surprised im at the range of what an LX got.

dorkiedoode · 10-04-2006, 10:53 PM

man my si only get lik 23 (first manual car that y)

jasongg06 · 10-04-2006, 11:18 PM

i had no idea changing your oil would effect your gas mileage. So if i change my oil (still at 4k miles) it should improve? Because i'm getting pretty crappy #'s right now

**wing_gundam** · 10-05-2006, 01:47 AM

Well if you look at my stats - ive been getting great economy lately. *cough* 38 MPG

10-04-2006, 11:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrossini Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 2 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Drop in Gas Mileage I bought a new 2006 Civic LX in June, and have really enjoyed the car. I did notice one thing that has me wondering if this is typical or not. I track my gas mileage, and over the first 4000 miles, I maintained about 31 miles per gallon. This was over the summer months with my AC blasting. Since then, the weather has cooled off, and I use the AC less, but my gas mileage has dropped to around 28 miles per gallon. Is this typical? I'm now at 6000 miles and about to do my first oil change. I'm a bit surprised with the drop, though. Any ideas on what might be causing it?

10-04-2006, 02:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
mrossini Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 2 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Tx and driving habits My car is an Automatic. As far as driving habits, my car is primarily for commuting, with my route and driving habits remaining the same. I just received my first maintenance minder, and will perform the service this weekend. Hopefully the first oil change will impove my gas mileage.

10-04-2006, 09:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,480 HIRO - ಠ_ಠ iTrader: 10 / 100%	You haven't changed your rims and tires, have you? I'm willing to bet it's a combination of oil + tire pressure. Similarly to your situation, my gas mileage dropped at around 5000 miles and after I did an oil change and filled my tires w/ 36 PSI, all as better than it originally was. __________________ 2007 Taffeta White Civic Si Coupe

10-05-2006, 01:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
wing_gundam Smooth Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: T dot Posts: 17,848 Civic Type Stock iTrader: 9 / 100%	Well if you look at my stats - ive been getting great economy lately. cough 38 MPG __________________ Trying to sell? Read the updated for sale forum rules here

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10-04-2006, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
DSchrag Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Age: 24 Posts: 524 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Okay. First: AT or MT? If you're driving a 5spd a change in diving habits (which sometimes you may not even notice as you get more used to a car) can account for this. Second: I would like to assume you have stayed up to date on your minder codes. Third: Has the type of driving you have done changed since the summer? Is there a new place of work or a different route? Has traffic flow increased now that the Autumn is here?

10-04-2006, 12:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
J-StarR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: York Region Age: 26 Posts: 927 iTrader: 4 / 100%	You'll probably notice your gas milage increase again after the oil change.

10-04-2006, 02:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
DSchrag Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Age: 24 Posts: 524 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Get back to us after the service. Your oil is most likely getting all grimy and nasty.

10-04-2006, 02:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sli(ks Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BG, Ohio Age: 22 Posts: 510 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Yeah, I have an LX and my oil life is at 30% with 4,300 miles on the odometer - and my mileage has dropped as well. So I'd agree with everyone else and say it's probably the oil.

10-04-2006, 04:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
gbae007 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 27 Posts: 878 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Check tire PSI. 32 is OEM but I run 35 for economy.

10-04-2006, 09:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
dude Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 80 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Do you fill at the same gas station? If you live in northern climate the drop can be explained with the fact that the gas sattions haven't switched yet to winter gas...

10-04-2006, 09:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
cmd546 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Wow, 28-31 in an LX. I just checked mine and I got 29.7 in my SI and not driving like a wus either. I guess I must have above average shifting habits as far as gas milage is concerned. I'm surprised im at the range of what an LX got.

10-04-2006, 10:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
dorkiedoode Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,388 Kevin iTrader: 6 / 100%	man my si only get lik 23 (first manual car that y)

10-04-2006, 11:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
jasongg06 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: 626 So Cal Posts: 1,263 iTrader: 0 / 0%	i had no idea changing your oil would effect your gas mileage. So if i change my oil (still at 4k miles) it should improve? Because i'm getting pretty crappy #'s right now

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