91 civic LX sedan - 5 speed

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by CivicMPG

... to get a better understanding of what my car does normally, this tank I am just going to drive "normal" without being conscious of trying to save gas and increase mpg, and see what it would get "normally", and then I can get a better idea of how my personal driving is improving upon it and go from there.

Good idea, though the ongoing stalling indicates a problem that could be depressing your MPG numbers. Gotta get that sorted-out before you can be fully confident that you know what normal performance really is. Also, when you refuel, the best way to ensure relatively accurate numbers is to use the same pump at the same station, fueling the car at the slowest automatic speed and always stopping on the first "click." No topping off. This eliminates pumping variations that can skew your MPG calcs.

Originally Posted by CivicMPG

On a side note from that, the car did die on my going down the road again yesterday after work. I rolled to a stop and it started right back up. it doesn't run rough or have any hicups, it just died. Anyone have any ideas?

This is possibly going to be a PITA to sort out... I would need quite a bit f trouble-shooting time. Maybe there is an open in a wire that intermittently fails. But if it is not setting off a CEL, then it could be something kinda obscure, like a failure in the distributor of some kind. I had an ignition coil problem that took a while to identify... I thought it was the MAP, then the fuel pump, and ultimately it was the coil, but only once the whole engine had gotten good and hot for a 25 minute drive, then the coil would expand in the heat and fail. Felt really good when I finally identified it.

"Test, don't guess." The factory service manual will have trouble shooting flow charts... Good luck!!

[Gasoline Fumes]

I don't remember if stalling is one of the symptoms of a failing main relay, but it's a common problem on these cars. Cracked solder joints on the relay's circuit board. Easy and free fix. Google it.

[MobilOne]

Fuel filter?

[CivicMPG]

So good news I have verified that the A/C belt is isolated and can just cut it off. Problem is getting to it to cut it off. haha. i'll have to have more time for that.

But on a good note, or rather confusing to a point. I was down to about half a tank again so I filled up and my MPG while driving normal and having some fun with the car, going up to 5k RPM frequently and letting the engine breathe, I just recorded 35mpg. Am I missing something? lol.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by CivicMPG

So good news I have verified that the A/C belt is isolated and can just cut it off. Problem is getting to it to cut it off. haha. i'll have to have more time for that.

But on a good note, or rather confusing to a point. I was down to about half a tank again so I filled up and my MPG while driving normal and having some fun with the car, going up to 5k RPM frequently and letting the engine breathe, I just recorded 35mpg. Am I missing something? lol.

Half a tank is just five gallons. Pumping error could account for the difference. Or it could be something related to the intermittent stalling you are experiencing. Or is could be time of day, heat, humidity. ... a quirk in the driving style. There are lots of variables. The results of one half-tank refill are not conclusive. Sounds like you had fun, though. One of the great things about these cars is how much fun they are driving around--and how they go go go even when there are troubles mechanically.

[CivicMPG]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Half a tank is just five gallons. Pumping error could account for the difference. Or it could be something related to the intermittent stalling you are experiencing. Or is could be time of day, heat, humidity. ... a quirk in the driving style. There are lots of variables. The results of one half-tank refill are not conclusive. Sounds like you had fun, though. One of the great things about these cars is how much fun they are driving around--and how they go go go even when there are troubles mechanically.

Thanks, should I wait next time and get closer to full tank of gas to get more accurate mpg readings?

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by CivicMPG

Thanks, should I wait next time and get closer to full tank of gas to get more accurate mpg readings?

I always run down to empty for better accuracy.

[pletby]

I find it helps to run through a full tank too especially if I want to compare changes I've made. That way I don't have to wait for it all to average out over several tanks.