Horriable Gas Mileage

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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:04 PM
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Horriable Gas Mileage

I just got my Tl-P probably a month ago and the last two times i filled my tank up i have been keeping track of mileage and how much gas i put in the car and i am dissapointed to say the least unless something lying to me. The first time i filled the car up i got 13.33 gal of gas and 205 miles which makes it 15.3 mpg and the second time i put in 11.63 gal of gas and got 170 miles which makes it 14.61 mpg. Please let me know if my math is wrong(I really hope it is). I drive probably near half and half when it comes to city/ highway mileage but i've read previous posts when people have said they have never got below 17mpg even with very hard accelerations ect. Lately i have been driving as slow as i possiably can. If someone has any type of feedback as to what could be wrong or if they have heard of people experencing the same problem i would really appericiate the reply's.


Thanks in advance
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:06 PM
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is it brand new? what octane are you using? what type of driving are you doing (city? hwy?) try not driving as slow. i get 200 to the half with mixed driving and im not light on the pedal
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:22 PM
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sorry for not including all the info,,,, its not brand new its a 2003 has 25,000 miles on it and im using the highest octane i can which is normally 91,, seldomly 92 if i don't visit my normal gas station. As for type of driving there is absolutly no sitting in traffic and about three quarters city and one quarter highway. I didn't know how much the Air conditioning affected it so i rode withough air conditioning for the last tank of gas which i got about 15 mpg on.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:29 PM
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Check your tire pressures. They should be around 32-34 cold.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:31 PM
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thats a little on the low side but not to terribly. try changing gas stations. air cond lowers efficency.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by daimler560
Check your tire pressures. They should be around 32-34 cold.
higher than that will yeild better performance and increased mileage.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:37 PM
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interesting...somethings wrong here. i'm not light on the pedal myself but i'm getting 22-25mpg on my 02 tl-s. i only use 76, and of course 91 oct.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:42 PM
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I am not an easy driver either - probably 80% city with the occational VTEC runs and I never get below 22 or 23 MPG and at least 28 on all HWY...I have noticed that when you start from a complete stop and you kinda give moderate gas...nothing big, watch were the car shifts at. If it goes above 3500 RPM's (not hard to do with normal acceleration) then you may be dipping into VTEC more than you think.

We all know that VTEC = V8
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:44 PM
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I agree--something's wrong. My '01 gets 22 MPG in mixed driving with heavy traffic and long lights. It's still under warranty--I'd take it in and have them look at it.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 09:46 PM
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PS - I've never noticed any difference in MPG using the A/C--it's been 22/23 mpg every tank so far.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 10:09 PM
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sc354 had some problems with bad mileage before, PM him and he can tell you what to tell the dealer. They should run diagnostics on it to check if it's way out of tune.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 10:34 PM
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actually guys, I'm proud now to report that my mileage has been exceptional lately. I have been driving differently too. I don't drive like a grandmother in the city. I find the sweet spot in the TL is about 3k-3600 RPMs when going off the line. I do hit VTEC multiples times a day, but that still doesn't really bring down my average. I do about 60% city and 40% highway, and I get between 10 and 11L/100km. I used to get between 15-17 and now the only difference is I changed my driving habits to a bit more aggressive, I do more highway driving than I used to, and lastly, and definitely the biggest factor in my improvement, I replaced the stock filter with a K&N. BTW I also have my intake resonator removed. Other than that, pretty much stock, except for irotors/EBC combo for brakes, SS brake lines, and Toyo T1-S tires for summer.

I can't wait to put my new snows on which I just got in the mail, the Dunlop Winter Sport M3. I hear they're incredible in the snow, which is why I opted for that tire, versus the higher priced Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2.

Anyways, as far as I'm concerned, I'm now getting respectable mileage for a V6 Sports sedan. When I do mostly city driving, I still get 14L/100km, which is not that good, but still not too bad for a V6 with a lot of power.

Speaking of power, I ran an E500 today on the highway. Nonetheless, I stood my ground very well, only trailing by half a car length the entire time to 105 MPH. The guy exited at the same time as me, and rolled down his window and yelled "why the hell can't I beat you"...I looked at him cluelessly, and laughed inside my head...most people don't realize how beasty the TL is on the highway. When you have it in 3rd gear, about 7/8 the way down on the gas, and you keep on pulling until the end of third, that things pulls you up there damn quick. I find that if you go into 4th gear with your foot NOT to the floor, the TL surprisingly still has pull in 4th gear. You just gotta play with the car, and get a good feel for the car. With a good driver in the TL, it can be very efficient at taking most cars on the highway...most people won't stand a chance.
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 10:46 PM
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My milage improved from 220-240 a tank to 340-380, yes amazing.

A few things I've done: fuel line flush, NGK Iridium IX spark plugs, and I guess the intake helped, and of course the tire pressure is always checked. Plus I noticed that on highway trips using Cruise Control will save gas! And I do hit Vtec... So Im happy

sc354, the new E-class is a beast! But excellent run!
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Old Oct 6, 2004 | 10:48 PM
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oh yeah, every 4-6 months, I pour STD fuel injector cleaner in a full gas of tank, its like 9 bux, worth every penny.
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 02:13 AM
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A malfunction within the emision control system could lead to excessive fuel consumption. For example, a bad O2 sensor reading a false lean condition will automatically richen the fuel delivery. Not only will this increase fuel consumption but will eventually toast you CATS. Not saying that this is your problem but don't rule it out either.
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 02:51 AM
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i avg 11L/100km most of the time, sometimes i do get 9L/100km

don't know why u r doing so bad...
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 06:09 AM
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Originally Posted by DerrickM
PS - I've never noticed any difference in MPG using the A/C--it's been 22/23 mpg every tank so far.
agreed. i used the a/c almost every day during this summer and always got a *minimum* of 24-25 mpg (stop and go traffic coming home from work). on the highway with the a/c on i have gotten 32 mpg as a personal best. i know that the physics of it lowers the efficiency of the car but i think the car is advanced enough apparently that it can find a way to make up for the fuel consumption.

SSTS
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 06:19 AM
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sup.....just some more input: i never use my a/c unless it's raining, and only sometimes in the summer.....i'm definitely not light on the pedal, and i AVG 24.4.......mixed driving. all city, is usually like 23......never done all highway before...

i fuel w/ shell v power, and have 36psi all around i think....i HAD 42psi, but lowered it so it'll be more comfy.
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 07:16 AM
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14-15Mpg, there is something wrong. Bring it to the dealer...

I have a 2000 TL with LOTS of city driving and get 20Mpg (Washington DC driving).
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 07:27 AM
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Ya, I forgot to add that I also use a fuel additive once every oil change. I usually will throw in a bottow of STP complete fuel system treatment, or the redline fuel system cleaner. Also, I hardly ever have the A/C on, unless the weather forces me to (raining and humid, makes the windows inside fog up...A/C is needed).

I find that my average stays the same when I use the a/c and when I don't, but the difference is, when the a/c is off, I drive the car pretty hard. When the a/c is on, I take it a little more easy, so my average doesn't go up or down...
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 12:08 PM
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Got 29mpg on a trip from DC to the beach (and back) last weekend (includes some driving around the beach area) '03 TL-S
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 12:54 PM
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Just to share my gas milage, I get around 300-370 km / 53~54 Litres. I use 94 Octane, (it seems to get better gas mileage on 92 octane too.. but I everytime i fill up, I cannot resist temptation of 94 octane and end up putting it!) too. Lately, I tried out Octane booster, and Im getting boosted gas mileage and power.. at the beginning i wasnt too sure about what Octane booster can do, but my Kilometer shows around 400 now and i have more than quarter of gas left in the tank. I do 100% City Driving (less than 30 kilometers most of the time) with 100% A/C on.. around 2 % of VTEC driving... . 2003 TL-S A-Spec
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 01:12 PM
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My last tank, I filled up with Shell V-Power and damn, it made a difference for sure. I got 340 miles on that tank, combination of city and highway. Mostly city, but the long blvd type driving with stop lights really far apart. Shell V-POwer is the shit!
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:38 PM
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anything less that 18 or 19 is fucked up......back to dealer time......before when i used to beat the shit out of it for the whole tank, i'd get 19......so.....maybe the mixture control is out of whack?? is the engine operating smoothly?
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by DerrickM
PS - I've never noticed any difference in MPG using the A/C--it's been 22/23 mpg every tank so far.
i see about a -1 to -2 mpg with the air on
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:52 PM
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oh yeah how I can forget forking up 1200 bux to replace my Fuel Controller and the PCM...my gas milage improved nicely after that. They do have problems with that stuff.

my avg is 330-360 a tank city/highway.... I guess 400 on highway...before it use to be 220-240.
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by teknoking
oh yeah how I can forget forking up 1200 bux to replace my Fuel Controller and the PCM...my gas milage improved nicely after that. They do have problems with that stuff.

my avg is 330-360 a tank city/highway.... I guess 400 on highway...before it use to be 220-240.

shit.....i was hoping to request a new PCM while my car is in for the tranny and oil jet......hope it doesn't fuck up the MPG.....ya think?
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 06:34 PM
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once i avg 40mpg on a trip from montreal to toronto, with avg spd of 85mph

700km with only 50L!!!
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 09:24 PM
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no, nothing will get messed up, the only reason why i got the new PCM is because the Fuel Controller comes as a kit with the PCM, another way Acura fucked me.

Request it, if its free, awesome! Just say that you think your car misfires, and mention that it maybe the Fuel Controller...if they can do it for free...nice!
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Old Oct 7, 2004 | 10:05 PM
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40 miles to the gallon?!?! Damn, did you have a 100mph tail wind?

Driving through hurricane Ivan, I averaged about 27mpg on I-10. But I also had 50mph headwinds!
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 12:12 AM
  #31  
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40mpg? is yer TL a modified hybrid?
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 12:03 PM
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u said ur using the highest octane...u put 91-92...the highest is accually 93
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 01:20 PM
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03SilverTL- I'm in the same boat as you. I've calculated 15 - 16 mpg. I use Exxon 93 Octane. I've calculated it 3 times and same results. I have headers and intake and I gun it 3 to 4 times a day. I also put the STP fuel injection cleaner. My car runs great but this is ridiculous. I think I'm gonna take a look at the sparks. Haven't changed it since I bought it at 39,900 miles...now I have 59,500 miles!
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 03:33 PM
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i`m getting about 15-17MPG.. i use 76 91 octane.. is shell V-power better? i have a 99 TL-P and i drive normally, mostly city driving on the weekdays and weekend driving on the weekends.. also what is the recommended tire PSI that`ll increase mileage??
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Old Oct 9, 2004 | 03:07 PM
  #35  
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I use nothing but 93 octane and I barely get 325 to a tank (75% city/25% interstate driving.) So anywhere from 15-20 mpg, I'm not too light on the pedal though. I keep my tire pressure around 35 but I'm noticing a slow leak in one of the tires so maybe thats something going against me. Just got the throttle body cleaned and fuel injector cleaner added so lets see if it helps or not...
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Old Oct 9, 2004 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by slikz
i`m getting about 15-17MPG.. i use 76 91 octane.. is shell V-power better? i have a 99 TL-P and i drive normally, mostly city driving on the weekdays and weekend driving on the weekends.. also what is the recommended tire PSI that`ll increase mileage??
Try 3-5 psi higher, I use 35.5 F, 34 R on my 16" Michelins, since I have my wife and kids with me most of the time. Handling is good. Also, you might need to check your plugs and /or O2 sensor, if they're quite old, you can't go wrong by replacing them anyway.

The highest octane might not be the best. I used to use Sunoco Ultra 94, but found the sweet spot by using just the Super 92 or Shell 91 which gives me the best mileage.
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Old Oct 9, 2004 | 11:08 PM
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Hey all, I don't think there's anything wrong with Silver's gas mileage- I get the exact same thing. My past few fillups were for 14 gallons each and each time I got around 210 miles= 15mpg, same as you. My commute is about 5 miles each way, and thats about 90% of the driving i do. The problem is , my route is even worse than the definition of city driving- There are at least 40 traffic lights (i'm not kidding) on this short 15 minute trip. So i basically come to a complete stop every 30 seconds or so. Then I have to gun it to 60 mph (in a 30mph zone) just to make the next light w/o it turning red on me right before i get there. I'm basically on the gas or brake all the time, no coasting- and thats why the mpg is so bad. I took the TL on a highway trip for 200 miles a month ago- and got 29 mpg...
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Old Oct 11, 2004 | 12:55 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by 99TLHeather
03SilverTL- I'm in the same boat as you. I've calculated 15 - 16 mpg. I use Exxon 93 Octane. I've calculated it 3 times and same results. I have headers and intake and I gun it 3 to 4 times a day. I also put the STP fuel injection cleaner. My car runs great but this is ridiculous. I think I'm gonna take a look at the sparks. Haven't changed it since I bought it at 39,900 miles...now I have 59,500 miles!
This makes 3 of us. I think I'm making an appointment for the dealer. I'll say the car misfires and the gas milage is exremely low. Think this will work?
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Old Oct 11, 2004 | 07:27 AM
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Is it your tire/rim set up?

Originally Posted by samkws
700km with only 50L!!!
I was so pissed off on Friday to find out i had a bulge on one of my 235-40-18. so i had to temporarily switched back to stock 16's, $$$ issue ......

in a tank of Sunoco ultra94 i usally get 400/mixed, 500-530/hwy '00TLp, 18's, CAI, Catback Tanabe's. but WHAT A SHOCK! this gave me after swtiching back to our shitty 16/mich's i was pulling 720-750+ km's @ 75-87mph and i drove over 1600 km's this weekend.

thing is though ..... am i really ready to give up my looks, handling and grip for shitty economical mich's just to gain 100-200km's/ tank?
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Old Oct 11, 2004 | 11:25 AM
  #40  
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i get about 300 miles to the tank, usually fill between 1/4 and 1/8 tank left....so probably about 350-360 if I take it all the way to empty!
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