New to the forum and to eco driving

[Bergi85]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and like the title says eco driving as well. I just picked up a 1997 Honda Civic cx. I have previously owned a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse and that was NOT driven in a way to get the best MPG (But I was in HS and thought I had the coolest/fastest car there, so i drove it like that). I currently drive a Lexus RX300 AWD and have used that as my DD, I will be going back to school this year for my Master's and don't want to be getting 17 mpg driving. So that is why I picked up the Civic. Plus it is nice not having to pay 60 bucks to go 200 miles.

Currently I am getting only around 22 mpg, I have done a few things after buying the car:
Changed oil - full synthetic
Changed air filter
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced PCV valve
Cleaned TB
I will be replacing the O2 sensors this weekend. I can smell that I am burning rich and I hope that the O2 sensors help that. I also plan on cleaning the grounds. I heard that will help a bit as well. I removed the roof rack that was installed and I will be ordering an antenna delete plate as well.

Also I have to take out the ridiculously big sound system that is currently taking up my trunk. Problem is the previous owner took the factory flooring out and built in the subwoofer and housing. I do want some flooring, so i have been scouring the salvage yards for a factory floor.

If anyone has any other tips feel free to let me know. I am very new to this and am open to suggestions. But as of right now, I can't see myself making any crazy aero mods.

[mcrews]

welcome!!!!
a lot of civic here.
air up to 40+ psi.
get a scangauge. (see first link in sig)

[Bergi85]

Originally Posted by mcrews

welcome!!!!
a lot of civic here.
air up to 40+ psi.
get a scangauge. (see first link in sig)

Thanks! I will be doing a few more things this weekend. Do you have any experience with a OBD2 bluetooth transmitter and the Torque app?

I was looking at getting the scangauge, but it seems that the torque app can do everything as well. Just wondering.

[mcrews]

not personally....
but I think others here are using that app.
try a search

[MetroMPG]

Welcome to the forum!

And... wow ... 22 mpg is horrible for a 5-speed CX. That lever between the seats is the parking brake. Make sure it's released. If that's already released, that big black thing dragging behind your Honda is a ship's anchor. Unbolt the chain from the rear bumper.

Hopefully that O2 sensor is the real issue.

What's your typical driving like (city/hwy/length/speed)?

[Bergi85]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Welcome to the forum!

And... wow ... 22 mpg is horrible for a 5-speed CX. That lever between the seats is the parking brake. Make sure it's released. If that's already released, that big black thing dragging behind your Honda is a ship's anchor. Unbolt the chain from the rear bumper.

Hopefully that O2 sensor is the real issue.

What's your typical driving like (city/hwy/length/speed)?

Haha thanks, the parking brake is down, and the anchor will i will take off tonight. I thought it added HP?

My typical driving involves taking my wife to work, an 18 mile round trip highway. But my work is close to my house 2.1 miles one way city driving, then picking my wife up from her work another 18 mile round trip.
So 40ish miles per day, mostly highway. On the highway my average speed is 75 give or take a bit.

I can smell that it is burning rich, and this weekend I plan on changing the O2 sensors and a more thorough cleaning of the TB and IM. The previous owner put a catback exhaust on it, but nothing else.

[MetroMPG]

You probably know that 75 is hurting a fair bit (but not enough to explain 22 mpg). See: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...you-15182.html

Aside from the speed, sounds like it could be a really mpg-friendly pattern.

It'll be interesting to see what happens after the O2 sensor.

[UltArc]

Does that system have an amp? lol I am looking for one.

[Bergi85]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

You probably know that 75 is hurting a fair bit (but not enough to explain 22 mpg).

Aside from the speed, sounds like it could be a really mpg-friendly pattern.

It'll be interesting to see what happens after the O2 sensor.

Yeah, I will have to post my results after I change them and reset my ecu. I know 75 is a bit fast, it will take time for me to learn to slow down.

I did just inflate my tires today to 45psi (the max pressure according to the sidewalls) it was at 35psi.

[Bergi85]

Originally Posted by UltArc

Does that system have an amp? lol I am looking for one.

It does! I will get the tech specs on it, but i know it is a MTX thunder 8--- series. Both the amp and the sub. I will tell you, it rocks the little hatch pretty good.