mgazer

I have a 98 Civic EX and the fuel economy is brutal...seem to be getting approx. 400 km on a tank of gas in the city...

1. Is this normal??
2. What could cause poor fuel economy? I replaced the spark plugs recently myself and am wondering if mis-gapping them could cause poor mileage.
3. where is the PCV valve on this car??? I want to replace it but can't find it!
Thanks,
MG

90EFHB

Putting your foot to the floor always helps kill the mileage.

Is this highway driving...city driving...or an even combo?
What is your driving style....accelerate hard....brake hard...accelerate hard....or do you drive like their is an egg between your foot and the pedal..
Is it auto or std?
This would help in determining your low fuel economy.

mgazer

my wife drives the car primarily and I would say that she is a moderate driver...doesn't drive like a granny but will "floor it" when necessary... it is an automatic and it is driven 99% within the city..

does that help?

Also, any idea where the PCV valve is located?

90EFHB

Sorry I don't know when it is exactly located....but others on the board will be able to help.....just takes some time for them to appear
In regards to fuel economy.....I would say you are about 40 kms off what you should be getting on a gas tank in the city with automatic.
I will try to ask a few of my friends to see if they have any ideas, but I am sure others on this board will add their 2 cents shortly and have it pegged why.

Sorry can't give an answer yet

imported_v33k

400km / tank is absolutely normal.
The tank is only 45L

EL_Sport

I agree, that is normal. I have a 2000 Acura EL (similar car) and I get similar mileage (mostly commuting from Scarboorugh to downtown TO in pretty heavy traffic).

90EFHB

I figured he was close but maybe it is a different based on the difference in car year makes.

Buff 'n Stuff

I stated where the pcv valve is located under the "PCV valve" thread, but here it is again...

Open the hood of the car, and shine a flashlight down the backside of the engine. It's tough to see it, but I believe that it's seated sideways in the intake manifold (about halfway down the backside of the engine. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's very awkward to get at in order to replace it.

Regarding fuel mileage... I agree with the others that it seems reasonable, but if it has A/C and you've been using it frequently, it'll burn a considerable amount more gas.

The air filter isn't plugged up is it? That could be another reason. The more dirt that cakes up on the filter, the less airflow gets through... therefore, the more gas it'll burn.

ryuujin

yep yep, like everyone says 400km on a tank is very reasonable, especially since it's summer right now with the A/C on everything you'll be getting less too So it's probably not a problem that you should really worry about

imported_v33k

If you want to save more fuel for city run.
Pump up your tires, up to 34 or so psi on cold tire pressure.
You are sacrifying grip for fuel economy.

Buff 'n Stuff

If I had to choose, I think that I'd take the grip over the fuel economy. What's more important, losing traction and crashing into something, or saving a little gas money? You decide.

R0Y

hm........ I use to be able to get 500+ a tank but after my catback install and CAI.... I can get 480+/-

what do u mean 400 sounds fair???

EL_Sport

Its fair for me because I commute downtown from Scarborough in heavy traffic + using A/C on some days.

imported_94EG6HB

I get about 450 with the A/C....