Need
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Just bought a stock 96 Civic EX Automatic with only 12k miles. Drives and shifts pretty smooth. Did not feel a lack of power.
Problem :
Getting very poor gas mileage, about 24mpg (60% highway), when it should be about 30~35mpg.
Facts :
All fluids still from factory (except motor oil). No major or tuneups done before.
Any thoughts?
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RyanDL
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24 MPG isn't too bad. A couple of things to consider:
1) Where are you located?
2) Summer gas might be in use around this time of the year. I think gas mileage suffers when this occurs.
3) Dump a bottle of Chevron Techron concentrate in a tank to clean the injectors.
4) Might want to pull the spark plugs. Check for buildup on the electrodes. If so, change the plugs and consider asking the dealer to swap O2 sensors.
Ryan
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Need
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Really? 24 mpg isn't too bad? It's bad when you have friends getting about 30~35mpg....24mpg seems pretty hard to justify.....
1) Located in St Louis, MO. 65~85 degree F in the past weeks.
2) Summer still does not explain why others are getting better gas mileage.
3) Next plan is to use Techron and maybe replace Trans Fluid.
4) Guess I have to replace the O2 sensor. The O2 sensor detects the oxygen level and adjust the fuel accordingly right?What other symptoms would indicate a faulty O2 sensor? Is that something one can do fairly easily?
Thanks,
Brandon.
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02RSX
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Was it a certified used vehicle? If so, you can get the O2 sensor replaceed under the warranty. The O2 on my old 99 Accord Coupe busted, it was like 700 miles out of warranty (man was I pissed!) but they replaced it for me for free...I think it was like a $200 job. Good luck!
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AZCivic
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I have a manual transmission Civic HX, which was the highest rated gas mileage Civic that Honda sells during it's time. I've got a 97. In ordinary city use during the summer time (lots of use of the A/C) I typically see around 32-35mpg. It was rated at 37 city / 44 highway or something like that. Even for highway driving I typically don't see over 40mpg. I've had the car since it was brand new and that's simply the mileage it's always gotten.
Your friends getting 30-35mpg must have something special going on if they're getting that kind of gas mileage from EX automatics. I agree that you should dump in a bunch of fuel injector cleaner, replace the plugs and at least the primary O2 sensor. I don't believe the secondary one is used for the fuel trim so don't bother replacing it unless you get a check engine light. Sometimes the ECU is smart enough to know when the O2 sensor has gone bad, but sometimes it can't tell and you'll simply run really rich all the time.
You should be able to get a replacement O2 sensor for maybe $25-50 or so and do it yourself if you want. It's just a matter of unplugging the wiring plug, unscrewing the old one, putting some high temp thread grease on the new one and screwing/plugging it in. With any luck, the fact that it only has 12,000 miles means the old one hasn't become frozen in place. If it has, well, have fun.
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fcd
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Well, I thought I would chime in that my 1994 DX Manual gets above 30 miles/gal consistently and when I am on a long highway trip tends to get near 40+. Now how that relates to you EX I am not all together sure, but it seems to me that the HX should be getting better mileage.
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Need
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No it wasn't certified......question....what is the symptom of a bad O2 sensor? Bad gas mileage? The O2 sensor light is not on though......but it seems like the indicator is not always accurate....
Thanks for the info....
Brandon
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Need
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Sounds like something I should try......I guess it makes sense that a bad O2 sensor cause you to run rich......
Thanks!
Brandon
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