On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:38:32 -0500, db wrote:

>2003 Honda Accord (4cyl auto) in good shape, runs well, about 24000
>miles. No maintenance on the car except oil changes and did one about
>1000 miles ago. Front tires are replaced recently (back tires look
>very good) so they are almost new condition but I'm not getting the
>mileage I did on the highway. Once with a full load (4 passengers and
>luggage) got around 37 mpg (mileage then was about 12,000 miles) and
>about a month ago (same trip, mileage around 22,000 miles, less load)
>got around 32 mpg and now for the same trip, I'm guessing a bit less
>than that with less load. I'm guessing 27 to 29 mpg (I didn't fill
>up yet). I drove it locally a little (35 miles) before taking to the
>highway (300 miles) so I expect less than 37 but 27+ sounds a bit
>severe. What do you guys normally expect to get on the highway for
>this car?
>
>I realize traffic, weather, load and speed have some bearing but just
>so I don't overlook the obvious, what are the "simple" things to check
>that I can replace and help improve the mileage? Off the top of my
>head is the air filter. I'm not sure about the pcv valve or fuel
>filter for mpg since the car runs well as far as I can tell otherwise.
>I hate to mess with the engine more than I have to because I'm a bit
>hesitant since I haven't done these type repairs in years and I never
>worked on this car so the placement of things is kinda new to me.
>Around town, it still averages around 24mpg which seems to be fairly
>consistent since it was new. thanks


Well, finally filled up and I got about 30.3 mpg so I guess that's
probably okay afterall because I did some 40 miles local driving on
this tankful of gas and the rest highway. I figure the 37 I once got
could be the extreme best with all things working for me including
perhaps newness of the car, tail wind, less traffic, etc... . My
guess is the 32 to 34 is the normal for me and less than that is for
misc. reasons. So while I think I might still check the air filter,
likely nothing else is in too bad of shape or need of replacement.
FWIW, the replacement tires are supposedly the same as the originals.

 

On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:38:32 -0500, db wrote:

>2003 Honda Accord (4cyl auto) in good shape, runs well, about 24000
>miles. No maintenance on the car except oil changes and did one about
>1000 miles ago. Front tires are replaced recently (back tires look
>very good) so they are almost new condition but I'm not getting the
>mileage I did on the highway. Once with a full load (4 passengers and
>luggage) got around 37 mpg (mileage then was about 12,000 miles) and
>about a month ago (same trip, mileage around 22,000 miles, less load)
>got around 32 mpg and now for the same trip, I'm guessing a bit less
>than that with less load. I'm guessing 27 to 29 mpg (I didn't fill
>up yet). I drove it locally a little (35 miles) before taking to the
>highway (300 miles) so I expect less than 37 but 27+ sounds a bit
>severe. What do you guys normally expect to get on the highway for
>this car?
>
>I realize traffic, weather, load and speed have some bearing but just
>so I don't overlook the obvious, what are the "simple" things to check
>that I can replace and help improve the mileage? Off the top of my
>head is the air filter. I'm not sure about the pcv valve or fuel
>filter for mpg since the car runs well as far as I can tell otherwise.
>I hate to mess with the engine more than I have to because I'm a bit
>hesitant since I haven't done these type repairs in years and I never
>worked on this car so the placement of things is kinda new to me.
>Around town, it still averages around 24mpg which seems to be fairly
>consistent since it was new. thanks


Well, finally filled up and I got about 30.3 mpg so I guess that's
probably okay afterall because I did some 40 miles local driving on
this tankful of gas and the rest highway. I figure the 37 I once got
could be the extreme best with all things working for me including
perhaps newness of the car, tail wind, less traffic, etc... . My
guess is the 32 to 34 is the normal for me and less than that is for
misc. reasons. So while I think I might still check the air filter,
likely nothing else is in too bad of shape or need of replacement.
FWIW, the replacement tires are supposedly the same as the originals.

 

Air filter would be the thing I would focus in on most, without a
doubt.
Its not real cheap but, is fairly easy. Oh and I would think even 30
mpg, with the comfortable ride you get with an Accord, is really good.

Jim

On Oct 2, 8:50 am, db wrote:
> On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:38:32 -0500, db wrote:
> >2003 Honda Accord (4cyl auto) in good shape, runs well, about 24000
> >miles. No maintenance on the car except oil changes and did one about
> >1000 miles ago. Front tires are replaced recently (back tires look
> >very good) so they are almost new condition but I'm not getting the
> >mileage I did on the highway. Once with a full load (4 passengers and
> >luggage) got around 37 mpg (mileage then was about 12,000 miles) and
> >about a month ago (same trip, mileage around 22,000 miles, less load)
> >got around 32 mpg and now for the same trip, I'm guessing a bit less
> >than that with less load. I'm guessing 27 to 29 mpg (I didn't fill
> >up yet). I drove it locally a little (35 miles) before taking to the
> >highway (300 miles) so I expect less than 37 but 27+ sounds a bit
> >severe. What do you guys normally expect to get on the highway for
> >this car?
>
> >I realize traffic, weather, load and speed have some bearing but just
> >so I don't overlook the obvious, what are the "simple" things to check
> >that I can replace and help improve the mileage? Off the top of my
> >head is the air filter. I'm not sure about the pcv valve or fuel
> >filter for mpg since the car runs well as far as I can tell otherwise.
> >I hate to mess with the engine more than I have to because I'm a bit
> >hesitant since I haven't done these type repairs in years and I never
> >worked on this car so the placement of things is kinda new to me.
> >Around town, it still averages around 24mpg which seems to be fairly
> >consistent since it was new. thanks
>
> Well, finally filled up and I got about 30.3 mpg so I guess that's
> probably okay afterall because I did some 40 miles local driving on
> this tankful of gas and the rest highway. I figure the 37 I once got
> could be the extreme best with all things working for me including
> perhaps newness of the car, tail wind, less traffic, etc... . My
> guess is the 32 to 34 is the normal for me and less than that is for
> misc. reasons. So while I think I might still check the air filter,
> likely nothing else is in too bad of shape or need of replacement.
> FWIW, the replacement tires are supposedly the same as the originals.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

 

Air filter would be the thing I would focus in on most, without a
doubt.
Its not real cheap but, is fairly easy. Oh and I would think even 30
mpg, with the comfortable ride you get with an Accord, is really good.

Jim

On Oct 2, 8:50 am, db wrote:
> On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:38:32 -0500, db wrote:
> >2003 Honda Accord (4cyl auto) in good shape, runs well, about 24000
> >miles. No maintenance on the car except oil changes and did one about
> >1000 miles ago. Front tires are replaced recently (back tires look
> >very good) so they are almost new condition but I'm not getting the
> >mileage I did on the highway. Once with a full load (4 passengers and
> >luggage) got around 37 mpg (mileage then was about 12,000 miles) and
> >about a month ago (same trip, mileage around 22,000 miles, less load)
> >got around 32 mpg and now for the same trip, I'm guessing a bit less
> >than that with less load. I'm guessing 27 to 29 mpg (I didn't fill
> >up yet). I drove it locally a little (35 miles) before taking to the
> >highway (300 miles) so I expect less than 37 but 27+ sounds a bit
> >severe. What do you guys normally expect to get on the highway for
> >this car?
>
> >I realize traffic, weather, load and speed have some bearing but just
> >so I don't overlook the obvious, what are the "simple" things to check
> >that I can replace and help improve the mileage? Off the top of my
> >head is the air filter. I'm not sure about the pcv valve or fuel
> >filter for mpg since the car runs well as far as I can tell otherwise.
> >I hate to mess with the engine more than I have to because I'm a bit
> >hesitant since I haven't done these type repairs in years and I never
> >worked on this car so the placement of things is kinda new to me.
> >Around town, it still averages around 24mpg which seems to be fairly
> >consistent since it was new. thanks
>
> Well, finally filled up and I got about 30.3 mpg so I guess that's
> probably okay afterall because I did some 40 miles local driving on
> this tankful of gas and the rest highway. I figure the 37 I once got
> could be the extreme best with all things working for me including
> perhaps newness of the car, tail wind, less traffic, etc... . My
> guess is the 32 to 34 is the normal for me and less than that is for
> misc. reasons. So while I think I might still check the air filter,
> likely nothing else is in too bad of shape or need of replacement.
> FWIW, the replacement tires are supposedly the same as the originals.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

 

jam wrote:
> Air filter would be the thing I would focus in on most, without a
> doubt.
> Its not real cheap but, is fairly easy. Oh and I would think even 30
> mpg, with the comfortable ride you get with an Accord, is really good.
>
> Jim
----------------------------

Air filter doesn't matter nearly as much as it did in the carburetor
days. A plugged air filter used to cause the carb to act as if the choke
was stuck ON, especially at higher speeds. Fuel would GUSH out of every
orifice as load increased. Mileage went south really fast.

Injected engines can cope better because the fuel is injected in a
metered manner and the computer figures out how much air is actually
flowing into the engine.

I once bought a Honda with a plugged air filter. It ran perfect.

'Curly'

 

jam wrote:
> Air filter would be the thing I would focus in on most, without a
> doubt.
> Its not real cheap but, is fairly easy. Oh and I would think even 30
> mpg, with the comfortable ride you get with an Accord, is really good.
>
> Jim
----------------------------

Air filter doesn't matter nearly as much as it did in the carburetor
days. A plugged air filter used to cause the carb to act as if the choke
was stuck ON, especially at higher speeds. Fuel would GUSH out of every
orifice as load increased. Mileage went south really fast.

Injected engines can cope better because the fuel is injected in a
metered manner and the computer figures out how much air is actually
flowing into the engine.

I once bought a Honda with a plugged air filter. It ran perfect.

'Curly'

 

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:50:28 -0500, db wrote:

>On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:38:32 -0500, db wrote:
>
>>2003 Honda Accord (4cyl auto) in good shape, runs well, about 24000
>>miles. No maintenance on the car except oil changes and did one about
>>1000 miles ago. Front tires are replaced recently (back tires look
>>very good) so they are almost new condition but I'm not getting the
>>mileage I did on the highway. Once with a full load (4 passengers and
>>luggage) got around 37 mpg (mileage then was about 12,000 miles) and
>>about a month ago (same trip, mileage around 22,000 miles, less load)
>>got around 32 mpg and now for the same trip, I'm guessing a bit less
>>than that with less load. I'm guessing 27 to 29 mpg (I didn't fill
>>up yet). I drove it locally a little (35 miles) before taking to the
>>highway (300 miles) so I expect less than 37 but 27+ sounds a bit
>>severe. What do you guys normally expect to get on the highway for
>>this car?
>>
>>I realize traffic, weather, load and speed have some bearing but just
>>so I don't overlook the obvious, what are the "simple" things to check
>>that I can replace and help improve the mileage? Off the top of my
>>head is the air filter. I'm not sure about the pcv valve or fuel
>>filter for mpg since the car runs well as far as I can tell otherwise.
>>I hate to mess with the engine more than I have to because I'm a bit
>>hesitant since I haven't done these type repairs in years and I never
>>worked on this car so the placement of things is kinda new to me.
>>Around town, it still averages around 24mpg which seems to be fairly
>>consistent since it was new. thanks
>
>
>Well, finally filled up and I got about 30.3 mpg so I guess that's
>probably okay afterall because I did some 40 miles local driving on
>this tankful of gas and the rest highway. I figure the 37 I once got
>could be the extreme best with all things working for me including
>perhaps newness of the car, tail wind, less traffic, etc... . My
>guess is the 32 to 34 is the normal for me and less than that is for
>misc. reasons. So while I think I might still check the air filter,
>likely nothing else is in too bad of shape or need of replacement.
>FWIW, the replacement tires are supposedly the same as the originals.


I forgot to mention tho it's probably immaterial since all the highway
trips were about the same speed, I set the cruise control to about 73
mph. I suppose where I disengaged it and for how long might also make
a small difference for each trip. I don't recall exactly where each
trip I engaged and disengaged it. And as one person mentioned,
regardless of mpg, the ride is comfortable and cruise control works
well for these trips I take. One thing I have noticed is when the
oil has been changed it does increase my mpg tho in this case the oil
isn't that old in terms of mileage ... perhaps now 2000 miles or less
after this latest trip.

 

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:50:28 -0500, db wrote:

>On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:38:32 -0500, db wrote:
>
>>2003 Honda Accord (4cyl auto) in good shape, runs well, about 24000
>>miles. No maintenance on the car except oil changes and did one about
>>1000 miles ago. Front tires are replaced recently (back tires look
>>very good) so they are almost new condition but I'm not getting the
>>mileage I did on the highway. Once with a full load (4 passengers and
>>luggage) got around 37 mpg (mileage then was about 12,000 miles) and
>>about a month ago (same trip, mileage around 22,000 miles, less load)
>>got around 32 mpg and now for the same trip, I'm guessing a bit less
>>than that with less load. I'm guessing 27 to 29 mpg (I didn't fill
>>up yet). I drove it locally a little (35 miles) before taking to the
>>highway (300 miles) so I expect less than 37 but 27+ sounds a bit
>>severe. What do you guys normally expect to get on the highway for
>>this car?
>>
>>I realize traffic, weather, load and speed have some bearing but just
>>so I don't overlook the obvious, what are the "simple" things to check
>>that I can replace and help improve the mileage? Off the top of my
>>head is the air filter. I'm not sure about the pcv valve or fuel
>>filter for mpg since the car runs well as far as I can tell otherwise.
>>I hate to mess with the engine more than I have to because I'm a bit
>>hesitant since I haven't done these type repairs in years and I never
>>worked on this car so the placement of things is kinda new to me.
>>Around town, it still averages around 24mpg which seems to be fairly
>>consistent since it was new. thanks
>
>
>Well, finally filled up and I got about 30.3 mpg so I guess that's
>probably okay afterall because I did some 40 miles local driving on
>this tankful of gas and the rest highway. I figure the 37 I once got
>could be the extreme best with all things working for me including
>perhaps newness of the car, tail wind, less traffic, etc... . My
>guess is the 32 to 34 is the normal for me and less than that is for
>misc. reasons. So while I think I might still check the air filter,
>likely nothing else is in too bad of shape or need of replacement.
>FWIW, the replacement tires are supposedly the same as the originals.


I forgot to mention tho it's probably immaterial since all the highway
trips were about the same speed, I set the cruise control to about 73
mph. I suppose where I disengaged it and for how long might also make
a small difference for each trip. I don't recall exactly where each
trip I engaged and disengaged it. And as one person mentioned,
regardless of mpg, the ride is comfortable and cruise control works
well for these trips I take. One thing I have noticed is when the
oil has been changed it does increase my mpg tho in this case the oil
isn't that old in terms of mileage ... perhaps now 2000 miles or less
after this latest trip.