What can I expect from 2010 Honda Civic

[2010civic]

I am very new here and really want to try the hypermiler challenge. I purchased a 2010 Civic the other day with 1500 miles. I have ordered a Ultra Guage, it has shipped. I guess my questions are what can I really expect from this car in terms of gas mileage. I don't really want to necessarly change parts and things as it has no mileage on it. If there are some things I can do to get plus 40 MPG and they are not too expense I may go for that. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions from everyone to accomplish this task. I firmly believe we will be back to $4 plus gas by the summer.

[Daox]

Simply driving the speed limit and not driving like a crazed maniac should fairly easily net you 40 mpg. A manual transmission will give you better results than an auto (you didn't specify what you have). Check out the 100+ hypermiling tips (link up top the page) and pick out a few you like and try them. Once you get used to doing them try out a few more to incorperate into your commute. As you try new things your mileage will continue to increase.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Daox

Simply driving the speed limit and not driving like a crazed maniac should fairly easily net you 40 mpg. A manual transmission will give you better results than an auto (you didn't specify what you have). Check out the 100+ hypermiling tips (link up top the page) and pick out a few you like and try them. Once you get used to doing them try out a few more to incorperate into your commute. As you try new things your mileage will continue to increase.

I was just reading about the new model civics, and the auto's actually get better mileage because they have much longer gearing.

[Daox]

That is true, but only in constant speed highway driving. If you put a little intelligence into your manual trans driving you can keep up with the auto and if you P&G you can smoke it.

[2010civic]

Thanks guys. It is an automatic. Just a simple LX with the 1.8 engine. Its not as comfortable as my 2001 Avalon was, but it should do. I commute 100 miles a day, so my biggest expense is gas. Appreciate any tips or suggestions.

[PaleMelanesian]

Daox is absolutely right. A manual (even one crippled by poor gear ratios) allows much more mileage than an automatic.

As an example, all of the top ten gas logs here at ecomodder are manuals.
EcoModder Fleet list - EcoModder.com

[PaleMelanesian]

Ah, if you're driving 100 miles, it's likely mainly highway. That's good with an automatic. Keep the speed reasonable, and DON'T let it downshift on hills. Gain a little speed coming in to the hill, lose a little as you climb, then gain it back on the other side.

[Old Mechanic]

Give yourself enough time to:
Stay in the right lane and possibly get some drafting help from larger vehicles. Follow them with 3 stripes between you and the other vehicle. The best drafting source is a bus or a truck that has a lower rear end that is close to the road surface.
Use the cheapest gas you can buy, search the net for best prices.
A manual is not going to make a lot of difference in a higher speed commute and the autos have taller final drive ratios.
Assuming fuel prices rise as we expect the truckers will slow down some to save fuel. Do not be an obstruction to traffic but be patient and stay primarily in the right lane.
If there are hills on your commute, you can allow your car to slow down slightly on the uphills and speed up some on the downhills. The truckers know this, especially the ones who drive the best for mileage. Wal Mart truckers are like this where I live, as well as UPS big truck drivers. You may find you end up behind the same truck on almost a daily basis.

regards
Mech

[CigaR007]

At an usage rate of 100 miles/day, don't skimp on regular and scheduled maintenance !

That will save you gas and expensive repairs on the long run.

[pete c]

I've noticed this with hyundais as well.

Lock up torque converters have been around a long time, so i don't think it's an efficiency thing. Instead, I suspect that some clever marketer decided it would be a good idea to make slushboxes look more appealing so folks would buy them over manuals.

I have an '09 Sonata 5 speed and one thing that annoys me is the rather short 5th gear. I can drive it at light throttle on flat ground at 30 mph. Anything over 40 and it will pull moderate hills. In other words, it would do perfectly fine in 5th gear at highway speeds with 500 rpm knocked off.

Nothing is more annoying than finding yourself reaching for another gear at 50 mph....and there ain't one.