Gas Mileage it terrible...why?

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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 08:11 PM
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Angry Gas Mileage it terrible...why?

All_ I really need the help, I can't figure out why gas mileage has been so awful lately. Things that I have recently done to the car are new tires, potenza grids,oil change, and air filter all done at acura. I also only put 93 octane in due to falling gas prices. Before i was purring in 91 like asked. Getting very frustrated now. Please help with any suggestions.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 08:13 PM
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..what're you getting city/highway? You can also try using some Chevron Fuel Injector Cleaner.. I know I noticed a huge bump in mpg after using it for the first time years ago.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 08:18 PM
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Okay not really sure! I get about 100 mile on a half a take tank. That"s about 90% city driving. Now do you feel my pain!!!!!
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 08:20 PM
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winter gas
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 08:20 PM
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..yah, thats definitely not right. You wouldn't happen to have a lead foot would you? ..hahaha, I usually keep my RPMS @ or around 2k.. and that usually helps conserve gas too.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 08:35 PM
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Well I thought of that so I went to acura got them to remove the K&N airfilter put in a stock one. I even pulled the back up clock switch to reset the ECU. I have read about this winter gas thing. but would all gas stations use the same type of gas? or at least the same amount of ethanol.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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Cold weather, fuel, your 90% city all play a role in it. If your that concerned bring it to the dealer so they can plug it in and test all systems to see if they are operating within range.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 09:49 PM
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Half tank for 100miles is definitely not normally; possibly check pcv valve, or take it to dealer for diagnosis. do you smell gas? just in case it is leaking somewhere.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 09:56 PM
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Fill it up, drive, record mileage, compute exact mpg. No # given- ? Maybe your fuel gauge is inaccurate.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 11:02 PM
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Seafoam! haha and just drive on the highway and you'll be happy.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 05:17 AM
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put seafoam in the intake, gas tank, and oil(when its almost time for another oil change), replace the spark plugs, do u have anything heavy in the car (sound system, crap)?
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 05:50 AM
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I've mad an appointment to see the dealer next week. Very interested in this seafoam thing don't know to much about it. Can someone explain it to me.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 10:37 AM
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Sometimes it helps to make the subject something that describes the problem.

Changed the thread title.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 10:56 AM
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there is a complete DIY on seafoam - its very easy to do
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 11:00 AM
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i had the same problem and everyone was like thats normal. maybe i need to get some of the chevron stuff.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 11:22 AM
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seafoam it, new plugs and leave it be until it throws a code.. oh and gas isnt that much$$ get over it even at its high its only like $3 at the pump
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 11:22 AM
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$3 more per fill*
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 12:49 PM
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dude i have the smae problem i have a 2003 acura tl-s i bought it 2 weeks ago with 56k... i put gas the nest day i got her about 10$ it was almost at the F... I drive for about 6 days and its gone. i have only driven about 160miles. i was like WTF.. so tuesdayi filled her up at 76 gas station wiht$25 it filles 14 gallons, and my light was on empty. i was like wtf agian i thought these cars help 17 gallons. Thants what the manual said. I was like what ever maybe its the reserve gas for when hte light goes on. so i"ve driven about 60 miles and its almost half tank???? WHats going on i thought it got 19 mpg steet and 29 highway. i drive street/highway.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 03SSMTLS
dude i have the smae problem i have a 2003 acura tl-s i bought it 2 weeks ago with 56k... i put gas the nest day i got her about 10$ it was almost at the F... I drive for about 6 days and its gone. i have only driven about 160miles. i was like WTF.. so tuesdayi filled her up at 76 gas station wiht$25 it filles 14 gallons, and my light was on empty. i was like wtf agian i thought these cars help 17 gallons. Thants what the manual said. I was like what ever maybe its the reserve gas for when hte light goes on. so i"ve driven about 60 miles and its almost half tank???? WHats going on i thought it got 19 mpg steet and 29 highway. i drive street/highway.
I checked my car i drove 73 miles since tuesday when i last filled up. i drive normal too.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 02:10 PM
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i get 200 miles average to the tank and it all started in the winter its the fuel i was puzzled at first then i realized they have the winter additives in. I did everything and checked founded nuttin wrong
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 02:12 PM
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http://alternativefuels.about.com/od...erfuelecon.htm

read that explains about winter fuels
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 04:37 PM
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Still getting around 24-26 mpg city with mine....perhaps you need a tune up?

I also notice a difference of about 20-30 more miles on a fill when I use a brand name (shell, etc.) compared to a "generic" local brand.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 04:47 PM
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HOw can we help you when you wont even calulate the MPG with gallons to miles system?

100 miles to a half tank is not system of measure. It's an approximation that has a few issues to start with.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 04:47 PM
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Even with winter fuel, that is not normal. My car runs either winter or summer fuel, average 200miles per half tank consistently, and my car cannot be the only one that can do the average 200miles per half tank. There may be differences, but cannot be that much. absolutely not normal. My plugs are old, mileage is high, and old air filter too.

Last edited by acutee; Dec 18, 2008 at 04:51 PM.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 04:53 PM
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I lost about 35 miles per tank due to winter fuel =(
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 06:49 PM
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It can be due to a few reasons...like tire pressure, air filter, driving habit, type of gas, if youre driving with the defroster on which usually uses the ac, oil life. I had similar issues until I changed the tires, air filter and got an oil change. Also the more mileage the car has the more gas it would tend to burn.
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 07:17 PM
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Okay I'm back and read all of your post. Thaks NSXNEXT for changing the title to get more responses, I'll keep that in mind for the next go around. I read up on the winter gas thing that very well be a possiblitie being as though I only drive 2.5 miles to work, and it's cold out. I also just did oil change at dealer along with a new air filter. I'm going to replace the plugs this weekend. Tire pressure is correct. It's just puzzeling without an engine light or something going off I know it's not the o2 sensors(maybe unless they are slowly dieing). This guy from Auto Zone said some thing about gas filter??????? And yes it may be only 3 bucks but I got a mortgage and a family so!
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 08:02 PM
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the TL has a non replaceable fuel filter- dont worry about that
Its always the little bit of info that gives away the problem~

whats going on: You never get the car off the COLD warmup cycle of the fuel injection!!
Its running on full rich setting to get the engine warmed up to temp quickly, then it can switch settings and run on the super lean setting for low emission and high mileage!!

You barely get it warm then shut it off
The exhaust system,oils etc never even get a chance to warm up and dry out overnight moisture...notice the water drops out the tailpipe- you want all that to get dried out-by driving- or it will rot the exhaust from inside

The owner book says if you drive less than 10 miles per trip, once a week you need to take it on the freeway for 30 minutes to get the condensation out and keep everything running smooth~
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 08:09 PM
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make sure to use the right plugs- NGK Iridium IX for gen2 and NGK Iridium for gen3
`laser` iridium not needed- just whats stated

Read the DIY for many back saving tips~
They are just under 7 bucks each-
mortgage or not, dont try the 2 dollar plugs just because zone says they will ~fit~

to the OP- do you really get 91 AND 93 in your area?, its usually one or the other depending on location -altitude etc.
91 is MINUMUM and fine-and 93 wont hurt it a bit if you drive it really hard

Seafoam if you havnt yet- especially with the carbon loading from rich fuel setting on the pistons and valves,,want that stuff shiny clean and a bottle or redline SI-1 fuel cleaner works wonders in 1/2 tank of gas to clean the fuel injector spray pattern, restoring performace and improving combustion=mileage improves
Do that BEFORE you change the plugs so they have a clean place to operate
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Old Dec 18, 2008 | 08:14 PM
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Thanks for that bit of info0104. That make some sence. Now I'm not sure that's the total problem but i say that could help the issue. Now in the mornings I let my car heat up for 5 mins or so getting the kid her coat on. I'm sure thats enough to heat up engine and other parts. The dealer asked me to buy a tank of gas and keep the reciept from time of purchase when I bring it in on friday he will check my mpgs against what i put in (friday=full tank)till time of drop in (next friday=empty tank).
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 12:08 AM
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Why haven't you calculated your mpg??
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 07:15 AM
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Not finished the tank yet got about a 1/4 tank left then I will give you guys something to work with thanks for the patience!
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by kakins23
Not finished the tank yet got about a 1/4 tank left then I will give you guys something to work with thanks for the patience!
tell us the miles driven and the gallons filled the tank. If you come back at say 250 miles to empty we should all give up on trying to fix this problem.

Everyone wants to find a problem with their car, in your case I'm going to say cold weather plus short trips are your problem. Car is fine.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 10:09 AM
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Very short trips are hard on mileage.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 10:15 AM
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Dont let it sit warming up for 5 minutes either- that keeps it on the cold start cycle!
The computer is measuring O2 readings, various temps...
You may have noticed the car holds 1st and 2nd to a higher rpm the first few minutes of driving--thats to help warm the engine and get on the lean mode

By sitting, you are actually loading up the engine and exhaust with super rich fuel, which then doesnt get blown out-dried out

For you- Start car- wait 2 minutes while seat heat warms up
Then drive!

NOTE: DO NOT run both seat heaters on HIGH at idle, not enough juice in the system to sustain it-especially with a short trip as the batteries chance to recharge
One seat is OK at idle
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 10:27 AM
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When you fill the car to the 1st click of the pump shutoff- write down the mileage AND reset the trip meter
Before you go to the dealer- refill to 1st click, try to use the same station and pump-
Write down miles+gallons purchased and compare to what the trip meter says (just to know they agree)
Divide gallons into miles for your answer
example 15 gallons/300 miles= 20mpg
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 01:28 PM
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Calculate your mileage brotha! Can someone answer why the book says 17 gallons and the max I can fill up with is 14.5?
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by TLTypeSilver
Also the more mileage the car has the more gas it would tend to burn.
What makes you think that? That's not true in well maintained cars.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by kidduce
Calculate your mileage brotha! Can someone answer why the book says 17 gallons and the max I can fill up with is 14.5?
Because you had 2.5gal left. If you run it dry you can pump more into the tank.


RE: More miles = poor mpg
Actually a motor has to be broken in, so they tend to burn more new. Once broken in something has to be wrong for it to burn more.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 02:55 PM
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the total tank capacity is 17.3 gallons
Of that you can actually get 16.7 to the engine, at least thats the most I ever put in it when running it well past the empty line on the guage, but not running out of gas.

When the Low Fuel light comes on you should be able to put in ~14 gallons, it leaves you a good 50 miles to find a gas station
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