|
|
| Start Your Journey Here Introductions and post the details of your vehicle and commute here. The experts will help get you up to speed by simplifying a lot of the techniques and helping you apply them to your specific situation. |
Welcome to the CleanMPG forums.
Some posts may describe situations which may in some cases be unsafe or illegal in some jurisdictions. Please use common sense and consult your local laws to make sure you do not hurt yourself or others or break any laws. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view discussions, articles and access our other features. By joining our community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact support.
|
96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
 |
|
04-15-2007, 12:22 PM
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
|
|
|
96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
I don't have a hybrid car yet, but I do want to get better mileage from my car. Any ideas or technique for this older model? I know of the Pulse and Glide (accelerating to 5 over and then gliding to 5 under, and so on), but are there any other tips or things that I have missed?
Thanks,
Great forum!
|
04-15-2007, 12:38 PM
|
|
Veteran
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 03' Honda Civic Hybrid
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,718
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
You haven't mentioned inflating your tires to max sidewall or as high as you are comfortable with. That is one way to get a big improvement.
What is your commute like? Knowing the details of your daily drive is essential to helping you find the right techniques to use to get better fuel economy.
|
04-15-2007, 12:47 PM
|
|
just the messenger
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 2000 Honda Enzyte 5-speed MIMA, CalPod, SGII
Location: Greater Dallas
Posts: 22,878
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Leo,
You have an excellent car to work with with a very efficient VTEC engine. Somewhere here is a link of ABC Nightline talking about the 50mpg+ 1991 Civic...while Detroit screams they can't do it (just like today).
1996 was a good year - it's likely under your dash or glove compartment you have a OBD II connector. If so, you can plug in www.scangage.com to the FE, air temp, coolant temp, etc readouts.
__________________
All is vanity
|
04-15-2007, 03:20 PM
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Ok thanks for that. I also saw the thread on the 96 Honda, which I am reading through. I have always wondered about dropping into Neutral during a drive - does the conserve? I am not talking about FAS and turning off the car, I am talking about just dropping into Neutral if I am gliding - will this help or not really?
I don't commute very far, so it isn't an issue, maybe 5-10 minutes. I am trying the P&G technique and I like the readout meter you suggested, but still a bit steep for a newbie.
Do you know where that ABC Nightline link is?
Last edited by Leo Mandy : 04-15-2007 at 03:31 PM.
|
04-15-2007, 03:31 PM
|
|
just the messenger
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 2000 Honda Enzyte 5-speed MIMA, CalPod, SGII
Location: Greater Dallas
Posts: 22,878
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo Mandy
Ok thanks for that. I also saw the thread on the 96 Honda, which I am reading through. I have always wondered about dropping into Neutral during a drive - does the conserve? I am not talking about FAS and turning off the car, I am talking about just dropping into Neutral if I am gliding - will this help or not really?
|
You would be using more gas if the engine is still running because the momentium is not allowed to help if you are in neutral. FAS works because the ICE is complex and it's numerous moving parts adds up to a considerable amount of friction.
__________________
All is vanity
|
04-15-2007, 04:03 PM
|
|
Veteran
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 03' Honda Civic Hybrid
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,718
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo Mandy
Ok thanks for that. I also saw the thread on the 96 Honda, which I am reading through. I have always wondered about dropping into Neutral during a drive - does the conserve? I am not talking about FAS and turning off the car, I am talking about just dropping into Neutral if I am gliding - will this help or not really?
|
The purpose of neutral coasting is to extend coast times longer than coasting in gear.
Sometimes it is helpful, but if you have fuel cut while coasting in gear it might not actually be better. Without some sort of feedback it is hard to tell. Also, be careful with neutral coasting as some transmissions act different than others when you re-engage them. |
04-15-2007, 04:36 PM
|
 |
Drive like you ride a bike
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Vehicles: Honda Civic Hybrid 2007
Location: Near Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 174
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo Mandy
Great forum!
|
Absolutly, I agree !!
I think everything mentionned in the site except for the specific things related to the "electricity" are relevant.
The Scangauge mentionned by Delta flyer is a very good idea, I will install one in my wife's car, a 1996 civic also, a good vintage as said.
Pierre |
04-16-2007, 08:27 AM
|
 |
Beat The System
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Vehicles: 2009 Fit, 2004 Odyssey, 96 Civic retired
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 12,778
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
I drive a 96 civic. What engine do you have? Mine's the DX, non-VTEC.
I have a scangauge, and I find that engine-off is better IF it'll be off for 10 seconds or more. It takes more fuel to shut off and restart than to idle for those 10 seconds. You can get some good numbers just neutral-coasting. Mine uses about .3 GPH idling once it's warmed up. At 45mph, that's 150 mpg! My approach is 2-stage: clutch in for shorter glides wherever I possibly can (10 sec pulse, 10 sec glide or adjusting to traffic) and engine-off coming up to lights or longer downhill glides.
I also have a piece of cardboard behind the front grill, blocking the radiator a bit. With your short commute, your engine hardly has time to warm up. This would help it get to efficient operating temperature earlier in the drive.
Absolutely, pump your tires up to the max on the sidewall. Mine are rated 44psi and I have them at 50.
__________________
Andrew
----
100 mpg commute / 90.2 mpg tank = 1191 miles
Last edited by PaleMelanesian : 04-16-2007 at 10:06 AM.
|
04-16-2007, 08:35 AM
|
|
just the messenger
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: 2000 Honda Enzyte 5-speed MIMA, CalPod, SGII
Location: Greater Dallas
Posts: 22,878
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo Mandy
Do you know where that ABC Nightline link is?
|
Nightline 1991: 51mpg Civic DX - 100mpg Coupe - Detroit Fights EPA
__________________
All is vanity
|
04-16-2007, 11:09 AM
|
|
Beat The System
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Vehicles: 2009 Fit, 2004 Odyssey, 96 Civic retired
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 12,778
|
|
|
Re: 96 Honda Civic - how can I get better mileage?
Oh, and the OBD-II plug is under the dash by your left shin.
__________________
Andrew
----
100 mpg commute / 90.2 mpg tank = 1191 miles
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
