YACT: Getting really bad gas mileage on 05 Accord...I4

FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
0
71
Is there anyway I can end up w/ 18 mpg on my 4 cylinder when the epa is 24 city and 34 highway when most of my driving is highway driving 60-80 mph? I'm really stumped on this one.

Information: This car is fresh to 10k miles. My dad was the person driving it before I've been driving it. He claims to have been getting ~28 mpg on his daily commute. I've been monitoring it. This car has new brakes and rotors. Most of the driving is on highway w/ some bumper 2 bumper traffic now and then.

Usually I have the stereo/cd player on. My radar detector. I do a lot of night driving so the headlights, ac or heat. This car is an automatic transmission. I would say most of my driving is 75% highway cruising.

Week 1: 20 mpg I was driving a little aggressively and leadfooting it. Understandable gas mileage I guess.

Week 2: 24 mpgs I was driving as conservatively as I could crusing around at 55-70 mph.

Week 3: 18-19mpg. Wtf. I don't drive aggressively anymore.

Week 4: ~20 mpg.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Either engine trouble, a leak, dragging brakes (though HOPEFULLY you'd realize that before they melted right off), or transmission trouble.
 

Nikamichi

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2003
7,759
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Don't idle your car
Turn off your AC
Stay on the highway
Slow down on the pedal

 

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
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76
Originally posted by: sniperruff
turn off all electronics and close the windows, and use manual cruise control.

In Florida, with the current weather (not even fully summer yet), that would kill a person.

 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
Heat, AC, aggressive driving styles, going too fast (MPG gets worse the higher you go after a while) and several other reasons.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Don't idle your car
Turn off your AC
Stay on the highway
Slow down on the pedal

If gas mileage drops that much, the problem is more than just technique.

We need more info. Did you used to get higher mileage? Does the engine idle all right? Any smoke out of the tailpipe? Does the transmission shift smoothly, and all the way up to top gear on the freeway? Any unusual sounds/smells/vibrations?
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
Originally posted by: brxndxn
Originally posted by: sniperruff
turn off all electronics and close the windows, and use manual cruise control.

In Florida, with the current weather (not even fully summer yet), that would kill a person.

well, do you want to do the 34mpg or not?
 

McGyver

Golden Member
Nov 21, 2002
1,335
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Originally posted by: isekii
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
probably poor build quality. should have bought an american car.

That accord was probably built by americans

i see the reasoning now and the american cars are prolly built by mexicans.
 

GeneValgene

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2002
3,884
0
76
what type of accord?

i have a 2004 honda accord i4 (built in mexico). i average 33 MPG...my best ever on a full tank was 38 MPG (that's with no ACC and cruising no faster than 65, 90% freeway)
 

FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
0
71
Originally posted by: isekii
maybe you're driving like an a$$hole.
lead foot ?

No? No lead foot either. I've been special attention not to do that. Also I just got it back from the dealership w/ new pads and rotors.
 

AnonymouseUser

Diamond Member
May 14, 2003
9,943
107
106
Put it in overdrive on the interstate. You know, the notch in the gear selector above the one it automatically stops at when you put it in drive.

P
R
N
OD Put it here
3 Hondas stop here
2
1
 

thebigdude

Senior member
Apr 27, 2005
559
0
0
Try putting in a bottle of fuel injector cleaner next time you fill up with gas. You can get them for ~$3 at an auto parts store. I really doubt that is what your problem is, especially with a low amount of mileage, but it couldn't hurt.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure can significantly reduce gas mileage, because it will increase rolling resistance.