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Over at the ole EPA my Civic is rated 46/51 MPG but only scores a 2 out of 10 on the polution scale. The PZEV is rated 45/51 MPG and gets 9 out of 10 on the polution scale. Why would Honda sell non-PZEV cars for the sake of one lousy city MPG point? I wanna PZEV!

Do you think lean burn is the cause? If so can lean burn be disabled?

Hi Jason:

___I have spoke with a ton of people about this and have never received a definitive answer but the HCH-I PZEV’s do supposedly go lean by the FCD jump reported in the YaHoo groups. The Insight 5-speed w/ Lean burn has only a ULEV rating on LS fuel.

___As to why no PZEV, this is one of Honda’s little secrets. They are not the only ones who pull this stunt however. Ford, Nissan, Toyota do the same. I do not know if GM even has a PZEV yet although a GM rep I spoke with last Feb. claimed on his mothers grave that the Cobalt was a PZEV in the 5 clean states. I said ssssuuuuurrrreeeee iitttt issss … It is not! Anyway, the up charge for the Honda PZEV’s is only a touch over $150.00 but I suspect it costs a little more then this in actuality. The Sentra, Camry, Accord, and Focus are all examples of PZEV’s in the clean states (CA., NH., VT., ME., and MA.) and LEV’s everywhere else :( I am sure leanburn could be disabled but that would not bring you around to Tier II/Bin2. The CAT’s on the non-PZEV’s are not even close to the capabilities of the larger CAT’s on the PZEV’s along with not having a MAF.

___There was a short period of time when all 03 Focus’ w/ the 2.3 were PZEV’s no matter where you purchased them IIRC. Why Ford pulled the plug on this program is anyone’s guess (I am sure $’s had something to do with it). It sure was nice to see a PZEV in Illinois way back when. And then we come to the Fit’s, Civic’s, Yaris’ and Corolla’s. Why aren’t they PZEV’s? Honda has the cleanest PZEV’s in the world (Tier II/Bin2 on the HCH-I/HCH-II/2007 AH, and 04 - 07 Accord’s) yet you cannot purchase a non-hybrid Civic or Fit as one? Cost cutting or leave the green banner on the far more expensive hybrid’s? The non-hybrid Accord w/ Auto is a PZEV sleeper :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne