What would you do with this car? (Honda Civic 1.6 I-Dtec) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

jtaylor2005 · 07-12-2022, 04:58 PM

Hi All,

I have recently bought a Honda Civic 1.6 diesel. It's already incredibly good on fuel. Getting around 70mpg (UK) or 58mpg (US) average.

I am wondering if there are any little things I could do that would help even more. Wheels perhaps I could get more aerodynamic ones of (slightly thinner as well maybe?)

Suspension lowering? 30mm drop to give it a better cut through the air?

Eco-Remap? Is that actually useful do people find?

What about any fuel additives? Anything that people on here swear by?

Thanks in Advance!
I hope to stick around on here and help out if I can!

Ecky · 07-12-2022, 06:25 PM

Check out the 65+ Efficiency Mods. It's an old list but still relevant. What year is your Civic?

Lowering usually helps. A remap might or might not help - you'll have to see if anyone has made one for that drivetrain that actually improves efficiency, and not just power. You won't find any fuel additives that do anything but drain your wallet.

freebeard · 07-12-2022, 10:57 PM

Quote:

I am wondering if there are any little things I could do that would help even more.

Those 'little things' will sort into three buckets, aero, drivetrain and the [proverbial] nut behind the wheel.

oil pan 4 · 07-12-2022, 11:27 PM

Does it have a turbo?

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr · 07-13-2022, 10:27 PM

Most of the remaps I see are focusing more on performance than fuel savings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Does it have a turbo?

IIRC the only non-turbo Diesel which was still compliant to European emission standards at the time was Peugeot's DW8.

jtaylor2005 · 07-15-2022, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Does it have a turbo?

Hi, yes it has a turbo.

One thing I have noticed is the tyres are all cheap brand ones. It maybe worth me getting better ones, A rated if possible, or maybe even changing the 225 wheels to 205 wheels and upping the pressure slightly.

Blacktree · 07-15-2022, 03:54 PM

After owning a TDI Jetta for several years, I've had enough diesel rattle to last me a lifetime. Maybe I'm just not cut out for that.

But anyway, the guys above gave some good suggestions.

First priority would be to get the maintenance up-to-date. Make sure the engine is running properly. Make sure the wheel alignment is sorted. If it needs tires, replace them with low rolling resistance tires.

Next step is what they call "the driver mod". Learn how to effectively use fuel saving driving strategies. And learn which ones are most effective for your car and your driving environment. This can actually have a HUGE effect! So don't discount it.

After you get the above sorted out, the third step would be modifying the car to improve aero and stuff.

freebeard · 07-15-2022, 05:00 PM

Quote:

What would you do with this car? (Honda Civic 1.6 I-Dtec)
....
I am wondering if there are any little things I could do that would help even more.

Two different questions. Here's an answer to the first: cowboy convertible:

mpg_numbers_guy · 07-16-2022, 12:52 AM

Momentary return to complain about why the US doesn't get these very efficient versions of the same vehicles we drive in the US with half the mpg!

MPG Numbers Guy, over and out.

Ecky · 07-16-2022, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

Momentary return to complain about why the US doesn't get these very efficient versions of the same vehicles we drive in the US with half the mpg!

MPG Numbers Guy, over and out.

My JDM MX-5 returned 50mpg on a road trip doing nothing at all special. The US version would have returned high 30's under the same conditions.