What are some reasons for such low mpg?

Fielder0024 · 01-04-2008, 04:44 PM

I bought my 2006 Civic LX in November and got about 24 mpg. Over the last few weeks it has been extremely cold and my mileage went down to 14. What could be causing this besides for possibly the cold weather? I had the car checked today and the air filter, oil and sparkplugs were fine. what can it be?

***msjwild3*** · 01-04-2008, 04:47 PM

14 mpg? That is really low. Something isn't right.

audiophile · 01-04-2008, 04:47 PM

Wow!!!

Sounds like something beyond your control.

MAF / ECU problem maybe???

I'd take it to the dealer.

I get 33~36 even with my extremely heavy wheels... (06 ex)

Fielder0024 · 01-04-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiophile

Wow!!!

Sounds like something beyond your control.

MAF / ECU problem maybe???

I'd take it to the dealer.

I get 33~36 even with my extremely heavy wheels... (06 ex)

What is MAF/ ECU?

audiophile · 01-04-2008, 04:54 PM

Mass Air-Flow sensor / computer

Your original MPG of 24 is exceptionally low too.

Let us know what the dealer says...
Good luck!

Fielder0024 · 01-04-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiophile

Mass Air-Flow sensor / computer

Your original MPG of 24 is exceptionally low too.

Let us know what the dealer says...
Good luck!

Is it easy to check it because instead of driving to the dealer maybe I can have my mechanic do it.

NIGHTHAWKSI · 01-04-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fielder0024@hotmail.com

I bought my 2006 Civic LX in November and got about 24 mpg. Over the last few weeks it has been extremely cold and my mileage went down to 14. What could be causing this besides for possibly the cold weather? I had the car checked today and the air filter, oil and sparkplugs were fine. what can it be?

14 is really low, but just so you know, winter gas gets very shitty mileage so normal mileage in teh cold may only be mid 20's and depending on your driving habits/how long you let the car warm up, it couls drop to low 20s.

Fielder0024 · 01-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWKSI

14 is really low, but just so you know, winter gas gets very shitty mileage so normal mileage in teh cold may only be mid 20's and depending on your driving habits/how long you let the car warm up, it couls drop to low 20s.

So the cold isnt the only reason that my mileage is so low?

NIGHTHAWKSI · 01-04-2008, 05:11 PM

it could be a number of reasons.
1.how long do you let your car warm up?...this is obvious.
2.what is the average distance you drive your car?...the longer you drive, the better mileage you get. short trips to the local store dont allow the car to get to its potential.
3.cold weather takes longer for the car to warm up, car has a high idle when cold, therefore using more gas.
4. winter gas is notorious for shitty mileage.

factoring in all these things...the worst i could think of would be low 20s....mileage in the teens from an r18 is bad, i would ask the dealer but chances are they will blame your driving habit. the only way for them to diagnose would be to use your car for a couple of tanks of gas, and i dont think you want all that mileage on your car...especially from the dealer.

**CameronJr9** · 01-04-2008, 05:13 PM

Everyone else is correct, something doesn't seem right. One more thing to factor in, how do YOU figure your gas mileage? That could be the problem as well. Let us know.

Fielder0024 · 01-04-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Everyone else is correct, something doesn't seem right. One more thing to factor in, how do YOU figure your gas mileage? That could be the problem as well. Let us know.

every time I fill up I reset my trip

***Johannes*** · 01-04-2008, 05:23 PM

and the compare them afterwards???? right???

14's are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to lowwww..........

feel like drivin a ford mustang gt 500 supersnake......DAMN IT!!

Fielder0024 · 01-04-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johannes

and the compare them afterwards???? right???

14's are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to lowwww..........

feel like drivin a ford mustang gt 500 supersnake......DAMN IT!!

Thats what I say. If I wanted to get such shitty mileage I would have bought a mustang

ryker · 01-04-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWKSI

it could be a number of reasons.
1.how long do you let your car warm up?...this is obvious.
2.what is the average distance you drive your car?...the longer you drive, the better mileage you get. short trips to the local store dont allow the car to get to its potential.
3.cold weather takes longer for the car to warm up, car has a high idle when cold, therefore using more gas.
4. winter gas is notorious for shitty mileage.

.

all that plus tire pressure and incorrect oil weight???

Si_Sedan_Fan · 01-04-2008, 06:16 PM

I dont know it makes a diff or not but they do use a different mix of fuel at gas stations in the winter.

mfisher1967 · 01-04-2008, 07:43 PM

Are you using 5W-20 motor oil? Using a heavier weight can negatively impact fuel economy during the winter months, especially if you do a lot of short trip driving where the engine barely reaches operating temperature before the engine is shut off.

If you are already using 5W-20, and depending on how cold it gets where you are, you may want to consider trying a synthetic oil (Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc). These oils flow better when the temperature falls.

When is the last time you replaced your engine air filter? Best practice is to replace the engine air filter once per year or every 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Fuel quality could be part of the problem as well. Try buying gasoline at a different station and see if your MPG's improve. You may also want to try using a fuel system cleaner, such as RedLine, in a tank of gas about 1-2 weeks before you change your oil. Some of the fuel system cleaner may enter your engine oil and break it down, hence it is best practice to use these cleaners just prior to an oil change.

Mateen · 01-05-2008, 03:58 AM

Other contributers to bad mpg.
Low tire pressure.
Do you carry a lot of passengers going uphill?
What you got in the trunk?
How much do you weigh?

***Chase*** · 01-05-2008, 04:04 AM

Should have got an Si maybe????

udumkid · 01-05-2008, 04:17 AM

-wrong oil weight
-low tire pressure
-brakes biding
-low quality gas
-driving habbits
-cloggged intake
-Bad o2 sensor
-more weight inside car(trunk-passangers)
-unusual timing

aki · 01-05-2008, 04:31 AM

-Using too much AC
-Opening windows wide open and driving on freeway fast (hope ur not in winter heheh)
- Keeping it in high RPM
- Riding on brakes
- Fuel leak
- Bad ECU (O2 sensor is only for idle, not open throttle)

Even all those factors, it's abnormal to have such crappy MPG. My Si I've been flooring it and keeping it around 5k RPM in 50-60 deg weather and I'm looking to get 22-24 mpg.

01-04-2008, 04:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fielder0024 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brooklyn Age: 18 Posts: 143 Leo iTrader: 0 / 0%	What are some reasons for such low mpg? I bought my 2006 Civic LX in November and got about 24 mpg. Over the last few weeks it has been extremely cold and my mileage went down to 14. What could be causing this besides for possibly the cold weather? I had the car checked today and the air filter, oil and sparkplugs were fine. what can it be?

01-04-2008, 05:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 26,377 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	Everyone else is correct, something doesn't seem right. One more thing to factor in, how do YOU figure your gas mileage? That could be the problem as well. Let us know. __________________

01-05-2008, 04:04 AM	#18 (permalink)
*Chase* watch for gestapo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: El Paso Texas Age: 22 Posts: 3,308 Chase iTrader: 3 / 100%	Should have got an Si maybe???? __________________

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01-04-2008, 04:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
*msjwild3* 8th Civic Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Age: 20 Posts: 2,506 Ryan iTrader: 2 / 100%	14 mpg? That is really low. Something isn't right.

01-04-2008, 04:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
audiophile Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Minden, LA Age: 24 Posts: 1,796 Ben iTrader: 1 / 100%	Wow!!! Sounds like something beyond your control. MAF / ECU problem maybe??? I'd take it to the dealer. I get 33~36 even with my extremely heavy wheels... (06 ex)

01-04-2008, 04:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
audiophile Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Minden, LA Age: 24 Posts: 1,796 Ben iTrader: 1 / 100%	Mass Air-Flow sensor / computer Your original MPG of 24 is exceptionally low too. Let us know what the dealer says... Good luck!

01-04-2008, 05:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
NIGHTHAWKSI Senior Member Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: long island Age: 23 Posts: 14,735 Ian iTrader: 13 / 100%	it could be a number of reasons. 1.how long do you let your car warm up?...this is obvious. 2.what is the average distance you drive your car?...the longer you drive, the better mileage you get. short trips to the local store dont allow the car to get to its potential. 3.cold weather takes longer for the car to warm up, car has a high idle when cold, therefore using more gas. 4. winter gas is notorious for shitty mileage. factoring in all these things...the worst i could think of would be low 20s....mileage in the teens from an r18 is bad, i would ask the dealer but chances are they will blame your driving habit. the only way for them to diagnose would be to use your car for a couple of tanks of gas, and i dont think you want all that mileage on your car...especially from the dealer.

01-04-2008, 05:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Johannes* VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sunny Curacao Age: 26 Posts: 1,468 iTrader: 0 / 0%	and the compare them afterwards???? right??? 14's are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to lowwww.......... feel like drivin a ford mustang gt 500 supersnake......DAMN IT!!

01-04-2008, 06:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Si_Sedan_Fan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 809 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I dont know it makes a diff or not but they do use a different mix of fuel at gas stations in the winter.

01-04-2008, 07:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
mfisher1967 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Houston, Texas Posts: 109 Mark Fisher iTrader: 0 / 0%	Are you using 5W-20 motor oil? Using a heavier weight can negatively impact fuel economy during the winter months, especially if you do a lot of short trip driving where the engine barely reaches operating temperature before the engine is shut off. If you are already using 5W-20, and depending on how cold it gets where you are, you may want to consider trying a synthetic oil (Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc). These oils flow better when the temperature falls. When is the last time you replaced your engine air filter? Best practice is to replace the engine air filter once per year or every 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Fuel quality could be part of the problem as well. Try buying gasoline at a different station and see if your MPG's improve. You may also want to try using a fuel system cleaner, such as RedLine, in a tank of gas about 1-2 weeks before you change your oil. Some of the fuel system cleaner may enter your engine oil and break it down, hence it is best practice to use these cleaners just prior to an oil change.

01-05-2008, 03:58 AM	#17 (permalink)
Mateen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. CA Age: 51 Posts: 394 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Other contributers to bad mpg. Low tire pressure. Do you carry a lot of passengers going uphill? What you got in the trunk? How much do you weigh?

01-05-2008, 04:17 AM	#19 (permalink)
udumkid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: 13.5@102mph N/A untuned Age: 88 Posts: 4,154 Rene.... iTrader: 8 / 100%	-wrong oil weight -low tire pressure -brakes biding -low quality gas -driving habbits -cloggged intake -Bad o2 sensor -more weight inside car(trunk-passangers) -unusual timing

01-05-2008, 04:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
aki Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: tehインターウェブ Age: 29 Posts: 4,953 Semi-Si Sedan Hater iTrader: 6 / 100%	-Using too much AC -Opening windows wide open and driving on freeway fast (hope ur not in winter heheh) - Keeping it in high RPM - Riding on brakes - Fuel leak - Bad ECU (O2 sensor is only for idle, not open throttle) Even all those factors, it's abnormal to have such crappy MPG. My Si I've been flooring it and keeping it around 5k RPM in 50-60 deg weather and I'm looking to get 22-24 mpg.