How to achieve window sticker fuel economy in a CIVIC VX????
 

Hi,
Just wondering how to achieve window sticker mpg in a 1995 civic vx meaning 47 in town and 56 on the highway. I can come close in town but on the interstate the best I have done is 51.5. What do I need to do. The car is in great shape and everything is up to date. I dont have a check engine light on so I think my 02 sensor is still pretty good. I am running mobil 1 synth 15k but changing every 7.5k

synthetic in the tranny as well. the car runs super smooth but just wondering how to achieve the 56 mpg that it is supposed to.

thanks!
Colin

At what speed did you get that 51.5mpg?

Those older EPA tests weren't very real world orientated.

I'm guessing that the 56mpg came from driving around 50-55mph.

+1, the old EPA estimates were under ideal situations. The revised estimates are lowerd and you are probably right in that ball park.

Two good things to start with. 1, slow down your overall speed, that speed limit is there for a reason :P. 2, Learn to have a feather foot, not lead, sometimes just barely depressing the gas pedal is enough to keep you going...experiment

One thing to consider is that it came new with low rolling resistance tires. This might add 3mpg. Also it was a brand new car when tested, I'm guessing you have over 75k. Your brakes might drag a little bit more, your plugs might have a little carbon on them, your alignment might be a little off.
Like was said above speed makes a huge difference. In the summer I can get 55-60 mpg with cheapy tires going 55-60. So does temp, in the winter it is about 10 mpg less, in cold central ny.
Little things like electrical load make some difference. I find that mine idles much higher with the fan on, so i turn it off to coast, or when stopped.
Other than that just keeping the revs low and in lean burn should get you over 50 in warm temps.

cool..i pretty much do everything posted. i have lrr tires. I have new plugs distributor cap and rotor...synth oil. New fuel filter...just put in today see if that makes a difference. I will probably do the plug wires as well they look good still but everything thing else is new so why not.

I was just looking at your vx in the gargage. Nice. It looks just like mine. Thats awesome you got one from the original owner. Probably one of the lowest milage vx's in the country. what part of the country do you live? with all the work you have done you should see some pretty impressive numbers once summer comes (without a/c on). I found that the best I could get was low 50's with the a/c on. Mine stopped working so I just cut the belt...but we live in a cold climate.

Ithaca a cold climate? Maybe in winter. But the last time I went there, it was something like 80 degrees at 7:00 in the morning with humidity that felt like someone left a hot shower running in the bathroom. I think it would be HARDER to live there without A/C than here in Sacramento, CA.

Your mileage will definitly go up in the summer, like said above...

Is that stick or auto?

vx are only avalaible in stick version

I live in Jacksonville Florida...pretty warm here now mid 70's as a high right now. Its only getting warmer and a/c is a must in the summer.

I am hoping for nice some mpg gains