Improve MPG's?

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Old Mar 13, 2016 | 06:47 PM
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Question Improve MPG's?

I've been noticing my car has been getting 14.1 MPG for the past 6 months

I don't do highway driving, mostly suburbs with only 5 traffic lights in a 5 mile stretch

All 4 tires are like new, always at 32PSI

Is this normal or do I have a faulty sensor? O2? PCV?
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Old Mar 13, 2016 | 07:24 PM
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For starters, what are you doing to calculate that? I've been tracking my MPG since day one of ownership with Fuelly so I've got an accurate look at what I'm actually getting.



When's the last time you did spark plugs? Air filter? Etc
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Old Mar 14, 2016 | 02:46 PM
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That's exceptionally low. The car will do worse on winter fuel and if you live in a place that gets cold in winter, but the worse I've ever seen in continuous stop and go traffic is about 18 mpg. Something is wrong, assuming the calculations are correct.
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Old Mar 16, 2016 | 02:57 PM
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Since the torque converter recall software update I have been averaging 13-14MPG year round on a similar commute (I use Gas Cubby). Ive been to several dealers, had the car checked out multiple times, and even opened a case with ACR and they all believe my MPG is normal based on the new shifting program. Pisses me off, but I have been unable to find anything else to do short of getting a new car.
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Old Mar 17, 2016 | 12:23 AM
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I use the MID MuffinMan

I'm going to buy some new spark plugs and see if performance improves
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Old Mar 17, 2016 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Drei
I use the MID MuffinMan

I'm going to buy some new spark plugs and see if performance improves
I'll have to look at my car, but in my other vehicles that wasn't the most reliable source. Better than going "I get 200 miles per half tank, I used to get 300!" but not quite as accurate as resetting the trip meter and dividing that by the gallons you fill the car up with.
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Old Mar 20, 2016 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by emanon256
Since the torque converter recall software update I have been averaging 13-14MPG year round on a similar commute (I use Gas Cubby). Ive been to several dealers, had the car checked out multiple times, and even opened a case with ACR and they all believe my MPG is normal based on the new shifting program. Pisses me off, but I have been unable to find anything else to do short of getting a new car.

exactly same here


that is my almost all city drive mpg 14 15 heavy throttle foot

highway is 20 to best case 24
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Old Mar 26, 2016 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by crxb
exactly same here


that is my almost all city drive mpg 14 15 heavy throttle foot

highway is 20 to best case 24
My daily commute (3 miles stop & go, 2 miles hwy) is around 17 to 18mpg. hwy going 78mph w/ cruise is around 25mpg
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 10:26 AM
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Drei, if it's dry you can check with a local tire guy and see if you should try a higher psi. In dry SoCal with the OEM tires I normally run 40 psi. It makes the ride a little rougher but you mpg should dramatically improve.

Davensd
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 10:52 AM
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Here's one other thought. If you keep the HVAC on "Auto" setting, the A/C comes on quite a bit to reduce cabin humidity, even if it's not warm outside. When outdoor temps are not warm, I manually turn the A/C off to stop this. The cabin feels very comfortable, but I think it helps a couple of MPG, especially in stop and go driving. I
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Old Mar 29, 2016 | 08:17 PM
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So I had the spark plugs & head cover gaskets replaced AND had the valves adjusted.

Will report back if I notice improvements
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Old Mar 30, 2016 | 08:01 AM
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Drei, check the air filter! A dirty (very dirty) air filter can cause a huge loss of power and fuel economy.
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Old Mar 30, 2016 | 02:16 PM
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You're right, I just ordered this kit that includes both the engine and cabin filter

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Acura TL Engine Air A C Cabin Filter Kit New | eBay
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Old Mar 30, 2016 | 02:28 PM
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You can get both of those on Amazon for $35 with free shipping, FYI.
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Drei
You're right, I just ordered this kit that includes both the engine and cabin filter

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Acura TL Engine Air A C Cabin Filter Kit New | eBay
Glad it's figured out! I have seen a dirty air filter kill power and MPGs many times.
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 03:15 PM
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On the cabin filter, I am liking
Mann Filter MCF 1008 Cabin Air Filter with Polyphenol Layer

One note on the cabin filter - make sure you get the edges of media pinched into the slots on the 2 sides. Seen too many times where the filter is just thrown in willy nilly

On a personal note: I am dreading carrying my summer tires and rims down 3 flights of stairs...at least the winter tires and rims are hell of lot lighter

Last edited by Anicra; Apr 2, 2016 at 03:17 PM.
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Old Apr 2, 2016 | 07:26 PM
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I have been getting crappy fuel economy too! Almost all winter it has been 13-15L/100KM. I live in Ontario, Canada so I do experience pretty cold winters. Also 95% of my driving is city. Cold weather and no remote start makes for warming up the car for a 12 minute drive very troublesome. My temp control is also set to Auto... I will see if it improves when temperatures improve.
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Old Apr 11, 2016 | 11:37 AM
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MPG's have more or so stayed the same :/

BUT

After the valve adjustment and new spark plugs, wow. The car pulls harder and no more sluggish shifts in all gears, feels like I'm in Sport mode when its just Drive. I definitely recommend this if you have over 100k
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Old Apr 18, 2016 | 07:02 PM
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I have similar commute of about 5-7 miles, with 8-9 traffic lights, and 3-4 stop signs. I get about 14 - 15 mpg, so very similar. Asked dealer couple times, and he says that is normal with the commute I have.
I need to change the air filter to see if that helps.
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Old Apr 20, 2016 | 02:06 AM
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I was getting around 17mpg and have always thought the miles counter on our cars was not always rite. a few weeks ago i reset the ecu (Ktuner) back to factory and took off Neg bat cable and it reset the MPG on both A & B.
Now i'm averaging 29.5 hwy and 17 city on my last 2 fillups.
don't know if this helps but just my 2 cents.
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