scoob5555

Hey guys and gals,
Over the last few tanks, my mileage has gone from about 26-27 mpg down to about 21 mpg today. Suddenly I'm down about 100 miles per tank!

I've done absolutely nothing to the car and it's completely stock except for these tires/wheels. All pressures are normal and nothing has changed on the car for a few months.

Any ideas what could be happening? I have noticed that shifting is a little "off" lately, but nothing too dramatic, just a little rough. Only other difference is the temperature drop here (from summer to autumn temps.

Thanks, Scoob

StypeCL

100 miles a tank?

shineynitelite

im pretty sure gas quality changes into the winter months cuz you just leave your car running all the time so its warm... doesnt polute as much

Allout

Also takes more energy to get your motor up to operating temperature. Cold is good for power but also a lot of heat loss which chews up gas.

wakeboardfusion

im getting better gas mileage

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Could also be the switch to winter gas in the northeast.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Could also be the switch to winter gas in the northeast. I don't think your getting 100 miles a tank. That's like 6MPG

GreenMonster

I used to get 280 miles per tank. I'm getting something like 240 now. I'll have to check my log book to get specific numbers tho'...


Disclaimers: I don't let the fuel go down below a 1/8 of a tank. I've only seen the fuel light once or twice in 27K miles.

Slimey

My gas mileage went down by about 5% the last tank, and I also noticed that the car was feeling less planted around corners.

I checked my tire pressures and I was down to 32 all around. Even though I checked maybe a month ago, the colder weather dropped about 4-5 psi due to change in temperature.

As stated above, this is also the time of year when gas mileage suffers due to oxygenated fuel.

scoob5555

I said I was down 100 miles - not getting 100 miles per tank. I'm down to about 270 a tank from 370 just a few weeks ago. That's what caused my alarm. And last winter my mileage was excellent - about 28-29 through the winter. So dropping down to 21 mpg is really significant and I'm getting worried something is gonna break (or is broken already).

I don't know if NJ changes gasoline like more Northern states, but I'll ask around. Still, why the big differnce from last year to this?

Thanks.

babyblue

I hope its not your tranny cuz when both of mine were about to die, my gas mileage when down the tube....It shouldn't go down 100 miles, just my I hope I am wrong

fsttyms1

its the winter fuel blends. i have dropped about 100 miles also. it happens every winter to my tl

Shawn S

My gas mileage tends to go UP over the winter months because I usually have my Blizzak’s mounted in Jan, Feb, Mar.
There’s much less speeding & ripping around in town when they are on the car.

allenn

If you have a 5AT, it is going north. Wear your seat belts, and leave plenty of room between you and the car in front and behind you. Be prepared for a very quick stop. Join an auto club for towing.

Welcome to the Failed Acura Transmission (FAT) group. Your membership card is your rebuilt trans. Oh, your mileage will never get better, because the replacement PCM screws that up permanently. You do get a consolation prize which is no oil jet kit. Enjoy!

scoob5555

Just ran around a little in the car and the shifter seemed clunky when parking it. I usually love the way our gates feel, but this was different - almost reluctant to be moved upward. I haven't noticed any other signs (other than the rougher shifting and the ratios seeming a little off). I was hoping against hope that it wasn't the case, but I fear the end is nigh for this tranny.

I filled up last night and since (about 40 miles so far) I've already used close to a quarter tank. I don't think the gas is the problem, no matter what they've done to it (if anything). I'll try to pay attention to the rpms tonight to see if they seem too high. Anything else I should look for?

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Sorry to say this, but my milage dipped a bit before my tranny went. I have never gotten really good milage. Traffic in the city is bad. But I would usually get about 26 mpg on the highway and before the tranny died it dropped to about 22.
Also, I'm sure you've checked your air filter. But I always forget the simple things.

F900

replacement PCM screws that up permanently.


Allen,

How does it screw it up ? What is the connection between the PCM and MPG ?

1bigredviper

sounds like you are not running on all six cylinders to me.
have you ever replaced plugs or wires?
i know honda tune up isnt until over 100k, but maybe you need em early.
definitely not winter gas.

might be the trans problem, but i am not sure about that.

scoob5555

I've never replaced the plugs, but maybe I should have a look this weekend to make sure they're still looking good.

Thanks.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Weather plays a role in gas milage. The colder it is, the higher the rate of evaporation.

scoob5555

Guess that's why physics isn't my strong suit...

But as I mentioned in a previous post, my mileage usually is best during the winter. Last year I got 28-29 mpg under exactly the same conditions.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Not true at all.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Interesting. Car and Driver (Nov 04 issue) has an interesting article on gas milage. Check it out.

allenn

You are in denial. Until you admit to your problem you will never get well.

The programming in the replacement PCM has a less aggressive shift program. The stall speed has been altered and the shift point changes reduce the efficiency. Check the mpg numbers before and after the trans is replaced. You will see the differences. I guarantee it. My

GreenMonster

That's a good safety tip. Check your tire pressure folks, and be safe

EDIT: Boyles/Charles laws (combined gas law) really does have an impact on our daily lives

Slimey

Damn physics gets you every time.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

My mpg didn't change at all after having the new transmission and updated PCM installed. My performance didn't decrease nor did the shifting pattern. So much for your guarantee.

allenn

This is proof that any generalization is not a fact for everyone. If you check the poll that was taken recently on the reduced mileage after the 5AT and PCM was replaced, you will find that some people had reduced performance and mpg. In my case this is a fact, but in your case, it is not true. And may I say I am glad for you. High $$$ gas and low mpg is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. Another

scoob5555

Update:
I didn't go to the dealer and decided to wait to see what happened - if anything - with the tranny and the mileage. Well, it looks like the original problem was only bad gas. Horrible gas, in fact. I went back to the "good stuff" and after a few tanks, my mileage is back up and all of the seemingly tranny-related problems disappeared.

So my mileage is back up to about 360-380/tank, for an avg of around 26/27 mpg. I'd like to go back up to 28-29 mpg, but I'm more aggressive than I used to be, so it's probably history.

Thanks for all the help, all.

Slimey

Brand name and location of bad fuel source please. You should tell the station owner/manager too. No need for other people to have the same problem.

scoob5555

There are two possibilities re: the station/location.

1st possibility: the Gasway station on 130N around Robbinsville, NJ. Usually don't have any problems with theirs.

2nd possibility (I hope I don't upset the Wawa Gods): the new Super Wawa in Burlington (Sunset and Salem).

sonnyboyacura

I'm a memeber of BJ's Whole Sale Club and they have a gas station at their facility. I think I pay around $1.95 for 93 Octane which is pretty good around here. Now Im pretty sure that BJs gets their gas from someone else. Do you all think that their gas is good to use? I haven't noticed any problems with using their gas although I may let the tank run out and fill up on some Mobil 1 and look for a difference.

Technique

Your tranny is about to go, the same thing happened to mine... My milage improved a little bit with the new tranny and they also did a BG44K fuel cleaner, but it never got back to the 26/27 MPG range I had the first 3 years I owned the car... :-(

Oh ya, I checked the plugs, air filter, actuator, etc... all that crap, everything was fine, it was the tranny...

Chopsie

I've been checking everyone's lately, damn habits

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Mine's gone down from about 300-330 to about 270-280.

Cold weather, winter gas. It sucks, but what are you going to do?

Shawn S

DON'T DO IT !!!

That BJ’s gas is SHIT…literally SHIT.

I figured I’d try it and save a few bucks.
I ran two or three tanks when the prices were nearing 3-dollars a gallon this past summer and boy do I regret it.
It seamed OK at first, but several times going up steep grades I could actually hear the engine pinging.

I also filled up a 5-gallon tank for my Honda lawnmower.
I filled up the tank and the thing wouldn’t even idle smooth.
I changed the spark plug, air filter & oil until I finally realized it was the gas.
One tank full of Mobil 1 and it returned to normal.

No more penny pinching on gas for me.

blader

Scoob, by the way thanks again for the great deal on those Tein SS's although I havent gotten them installed yet.

Thats your problem! I will never put wawa gas in my car. Wawa is the shit for late night food runs and subs but they are not for gas. 99% of the time I fill Exxon\Mobil (because of the convenience of Speedpass) and if I dont do that, its usually Shell VPower. NJ absolutely switches to winter gas by the way, I believe it has 30% more oxygen than the gasoline used during the warm months. You will see a tad bit decreased gas mileage with this gas although mine doesnt change much because with the winter gas comes my winter wheels and tires and my foot gets alot lighter; I dont drive as aggressively because its not as much fun. This spring I can see my mileage plummeting though with the teins, 235\40\18 BFG T\A KDW2s, and UR crank pulley ..

blader

why are you guys filling your tanks with Mobil 1 synthetic oil!?!? I thought the idea was to keep the oil in your crank case, not in the combustion chamber

Shawn S

Meant to say Mobil super GAS of course !!!

SiGGy

The shift points are earlier, that would *improve* gas quality. You even just said it's "less aggressive". So explain how driving less aggressively causes lower MPG. And the stall speed of the torque converter is the same. They didn't change that part, nor is the stall speed computer controlled as I assume you think it is.



Who's in denial?!?!? or seriously confused.