MPG QUESTION... 200 miles on 1 tank?

[Alberto521]

So, whats up everyone?
Nothin much happening over here.

Anyways, I drive a 1997 Civic DX coupe 5-speed D16Y7 no VTEC.

And i did research and found out that my car has a 12 gal. tank, and the max MPG is 36 HWY... so if i did math right, I should get somwhere near 400 miles per tank.

Now... i just got home, tank is almost empty, and my trip odometer says 201 miles.... that means my civic has been getting about as much MPG as a V8...

I ussually shift at 3k RPMs, but i do some times go all the way to 6k when i need to pass people and stuff.

But I am pretty sure you guys have more experience on Civics (cuz im only 17) so im going to ask yall. When should I shift, also, what would make my MPG go down? I got short ram intake, and A'Pexi cat-back.

Also, my car smells like burning oil/clutch some times... and i dont ride on my clutch... help?

thanks

 

[somejaykid]

well when's the last time you did a tune-up on your car?, i believe the shift point is at 3500 rpm but not totally sure you can look it up on your manual if you have it still. i only get around 27-28 mpg on my ep3 and that's 120 miles a day from work and home

 

[Alberto521]

If by tune up you mean change fluids, and filters.... about 4 weeks ago.

But i am all like... wtf, why am i getting shitty MPG ... IN A CIVIC....

Also, the burning smell has me worried... i checked oil yesterday and it was low, i put more in, i checked it again today and its full.

My friends dont see smoke come out the back of my mufler... so idk....

 

[somejaykid]

spark plug,wires,rotors,caps is what i meant

 

[Alberto521]

I got new wires and sparks early January (8.0mm ACCEL and NGK V-Power sparks), by rotors you mean brake rotors? I havent changed those... yet....

And if by caps you mean the ones holding fluids whnere they supposed to go, i have never changed those...

 

[enycesam]

LMAO. He meant rotor as in the rotor inside the distributor.

 

[2kstreetcivic]

air/fuel ratio?....oil leak?? running rich?

 

[Alberto521]

Well, you guys see. I know about cars more than the average person, but i am not that good.

I dont think i am running rich, but again, i am not sure what that means... isnt that when your car shoots small flames and a lot of backfire?

And I dont see any oil stains on my driveway, so i dont think i got an oil leak....

And also, my car has never been dyno'd so the air/fuel should be stock....

 

[immajackuup]

i get about 350 in my civic leak alittle oil from the dizzy and thats all.

on denso spark plug,mobile one synthic,ebay short ram intake with k&n filter and y8 intake manifold on my d16y7 motor.

 

[knightxrider1]

i get 22-30 MPG in my Y8

 

[EK|B]

Get your O2 sensor checked, a faulty one will lead to a significant decrease in gas mileage.

 

[immajackuup]

Get your O2 sensor checked, a faulty one will lead to a significant decrease in gas mileage.

that and change your intake manifold to y8 like me

 

[NFR_AP2]

do you have a cel?

 

[knivesout]

You should be getting way more than 200 miles per tank. I get 36-38 mpg with my Y8 and I need a new cat!

 

[Alberto521]

Well, i do want a Y8 intake manifold, but i will just get that once i get my Civic EX... which wont happen for a while... but still...

I guess i have to check my O2 sensor. But shouldnt the Check engine light turn on if that were the case?

 

[rndmheroxx]

im curious about this too, i get about 200 on the dot per tank as well, but mine is only 10gal i think. 96 civic ex. i dont have any leaks or anything, but i do drive like an ass all the time i have to admit. so i cant really assess what kind of milage i would get if i drove like a grandma lol.

 

[sohclubkid]

how many miles do you have?

probably needs major maint.
valves adjusted, re-timed, new timing belt, PCV valve, and new o2 sensors.

 

[Alberto521]

My timing belt does squeak from time to time, i guess it needs to be changed.

I have just under 98k.

Like how much would you think it would cost to do all that? I can get most of it done at my auto class in school...

 

[knivesout]

I think o2 sensors are a little pricey. As far as I know, everything else is pretty reasonable if you do it yourself though. You wouldn't be getting bad mileage from your timing belt needing to be changed, but if your timing was off that could definitely affect it. 98k isn't too bad on the original timing belt but I would do it soonish just to be sure.

 

[Puma]

i only get 280ish and i've got a mini-me. no more oil leaks, but spark plug 4 is cross-threaded and seized...so changing those is needed, but won't be easy on the 4th.