Not getting enough kms from a tank, something wrong maybe?

[charliebrown]

I've been driving around suburban roads, so mainly 60km roads and occasionally 80km roads. My tank is 2/3's empty and the trip meter is only at 220km. I don't drive like a maniac nor like a granny, is this normal. I've heard of people getting 600-800kms out of an integra's tank. It's a DC4 btw

[NightKids]

600-800km.... lol

[mnc]

600 high way driving then yes?

otherwise I think 400-500 from full to empty sounds good?

My dc2r does 450 per full tank and sometimes 480 when its happy. =]

[charliebrown]

But it's a dc4, not even vtec... and 2/3rds empty with only 220 done seems off

[gumus89]

VTEC doesnt necessarily mean anything. For example, the 5th gen Prelude Si and VTiR have the same fuel economy value from Honda. One have VTEC the other not.

[chinx_4eva]

there are a whole lot of reasons why a car is running more fuel then it should be.
i drive a DC2R and like mnc, i get around 450 a tank give or take (few, im just going to take that as the average kilometres out of a tank) with 98 fuel.

i suggest to drive it to it nearly runs dry, see how you go, fuel gage might be the problem.
then fuel up with premium fuel and give it a run, cleans your engine out a bit but i don't think it'll effect it that much..
and also of course depends on how you drive, you might not thrash it but it could be that your driving a lot when your engine is cold, drains a bit more fuel then a warm engine.
600 - 800km out of a DC4 sounds a bit hectic though, if you get around the 400 - 500 mark then id say that would be ok already, given the car is pretty old, old cars use more fuel (just an assumption)
in all, a whole lot of things contribute to fuel consumption such as: air filter, injectors, engine oil quality etc.. even bad fuel (because i watched today tonight a few days ago and it reported dodgy petrol stations diluting petrol with other chemicals like even water, dirty petrol from unclean hoses etc..)
anyways, hope that helps and good luck! :)

[4age8u]

drive it till empty and tell us how many ks you get..my cd5 2.2 vtec f22b1 gets 500ks out of 65L tank i think of 98 so be thank full lol

[charliebrown]

Ahh ok, by empty do you mean... pushing it to the petrol station or until the light turns on? I filled up with 98 on this tank. I usually let my engine run for a minute or so to warm it up before taking off. And when the fuel light comes on, roughly how many kms have i got left? On previous car, the fuel light could take it another 30-40kms, not sure about the dc4 though.

Thanks for your help guys.

[EK1 Civic]

I get 600-700km (depends if i give the car a go a bit) out of my ek1. Since i put a k&n pod it helped a lot for some reason lol. I put $30 of fuel which doesn't completely fill the tank but does its job. I don't let the tank go empty, when its low ill top it up.

[charliebrown]

Would you recommend getting mods to increase fuel efficiency? I'm not sure which ones are worth it. I was thinking CAI to start off

[dougie_504]

No don't get mods, they won't help.

Maybe reset your ECU.
Drive until the petrol light is on, then fill up - I do this every time and occasionally put a little injector cleaner into the mix.

How's your engine temperature going?
And you giving it too much throttle when the revs are low, rather than dropping the gear to accelerate?
What tyres and what size tyres are you using? A wider/grippier tyre will have a higher roll-resistance and make your fuel usage increase.

[vinnY]

don't bother looking at the gauge
calculate it by the amount of k's and how many litres you have to fill til full

[dorikin]

Replace your O2 sensor

[4age8u]

Would you recommend getting mods to increase fuel efficiency? I'm not sure which ones are worth it. I was thinking CAI to start off

A very good service..replace Oil,oil filter..airfilter,plugs,leads,fuel filter check tyre air pressure

[EK1 Civic]

Yeah i always put my tyre pressure to the recommended 230 kpa every 2 weeks. Probably why i get good kms out of my ek.

[charliebrown]

Temperature sometimes sits at Cold for a while... but usually it's about 1/3 of the way to Hot after driving a while.
The car is automatic, so it's not a gear shifting issue.
Not sure what size tyres i'm using, but thanks for reminding me, need to go pump my tyres soon! That might be a contributing factor.
Just had a service and oil change all that a few weeks ago, everything checked out ok.

[dougie_504]

If it's sitting at cold for a 'while' that is longer than 5min or so, then you might want to change your thermostat. My CRX used to be cold for about 10min, but now it's only cold for 3-5min since putting in a new thermostat. Allowing your engine to reach optimal operating temperature quicker will be good for your fuel consumption.

Make sure your tyre pressure is good. Lower will increase fuel consumption of course.

[charliebrown]

How often should tyres be pumped at the service station? And how much would a thermostat cost to be changed?

[vinnY]

a good guideline would be every second fill or 2 weeks with tyres
cost of an oem thermostat's about $40odd + whatever labour + replacement coolant

[Vtec8U :D]

ive only seen like one person say this....FUEL FILTER! i had exactly the same problem 220-250km's out of a tank. changed my fuel filter and now i get 400-450 on 98 (on a good week) change that first before you do anything else. then tell us how its going.

[charliebrown]

Going for a long drive tomorrow into the country and back so i'll see how many kms/L i can pull and you guys can help me out if something is wrong or if i just drove too hard on this tank.

[Lukey]

i used to get 600km from 3/4 of a tank in my dc4 with mostly highway driving.

i struggle to get 400km from that now.

i filled up 37litres this arvo and i had only done 337kms

all with bp ultimate

[charliebrown]

i used to get 600km from 3/4 of a tank in my dc4 with mostly highway driving.

i struggle to get 400km from that now.

i filled up 37litres this arvo and i had only done 337kms

all with bp ultimate

Is there a reason you've discovered?

[Lukey]

the way i drive wouldnt help lol.

i dont drive below 3k rpm unless its cold or im in town and cant get above it. plus constant redlining every day.

but i dont think my fuel filter has been changed since ive had the car. and i think it went down after i got my resonator cut out aswell.

[charliebrown]

That's still good mileage for hard out driving though isn't it? I'm semi-granny driving and getting less than you.

[Lukey]

done any mods to your car?

what fuel do you run?

[charliebrown]

Absolutely stock, running on 98

[Lukey]

what brand 98. i found v-power gave me better economy over ultimate.

[charliebrown]

not sure, i think i was at a shell petrol station and went for the 98

[Lukey]

if youve only put 98 in once you wont notice any difference, will have to do it 6ish times.

when i only used to run 91 i was lucky to get 200km to a tank driving around town

[dougie_504]

If you want to change your thermostat just buy one from Eastern Honda and I'll help you install it. B!tch of a job because you have to get your hands into such a tiny space but it's a good feeling to do something like that for yourself.

[charliebrown]

Yeah i wanna try installing stuff on my own just to get the feel and satisfaction, but i'm worried i'll stuff something up, then end up costing heaps to fix my screwups. Is it wise to try to install a cold air intake and muffler on your own though?

[charliebrown]

Just filled up today, the fuel gauge was almost empty, light had not turned on yet. Filled up 32.5L of V-power and had 288 on the trip meter. Did the math and that works out to be about 8.9km per L. That is way too low? :/ pumped my tyres as well to 32 psi.

[vinnY]

11.24l/100km is quite high for a stock dc4, somethings gotta be up
check the usual suspects I guess(spark plugs, timing, fuel filter, etc)

hows the car run though, got any mates to compare with?

[charliebrown]

Could you tell me the normal range of L/100km for stock dc4?

Today before i left, i turned the engine on for a few minutes, taking notice to the temperature gauge. It stayed flat at Cold for a long time... after driving for about 10 minutes it moved up a tiny bit. After maybe 20 minutes it moved up 1/4 to 1/3 of the way and it never goes past that point. Maybe that's normal, i'm not sure. I don't know anyone that drives a dc4 so i can't compare. I have no idea how to check any of those things you mentioned above, but my mechanic should have picked up on anything that was playing up during the tune-up i had a few weeks ago.

[vinnY]

fair enough I guess
no idea what a normal healthy dc4 would use, but I wouldn't imagine much more than 9l/100km in city driving

the gauge.. does it go up and down at all after it's reached that 1/3 mark? or stays dead in that spot whether you're sitting still or driving at 100km/h on the freeway?

[charliebrown]

The gauge stayed dead at 1/3 forever. I went inside someone's house for 20 minutes, came out and it was still sitting at that same mark. No matter how fast or slow i'm going as well.
Definetely something is off here...

[gumus89]

Dont bother with 98 petrol by the way. Go caltex vortex 95. Cheaper than 98 and still has their extra detergents. BP 95 doesnt.
I dont like fuel economy discussions without real numbers of L/100kms. Who cares how many kms you get, we may have different tank sizes for one.
Secondly, who knows at what fuel capacity you fill up at. I might fill up with 15 litres left, you may fill up with 20 L left. This difference of 5 L could mean 70kms difference travelled with the same economy. Unless you record how much you fill up and calculate a value in L/100kms you cant compare properly.

I get around 8.2 L/100kms in town driving. That would net me 790 kms from a 65 L tank. On the highway i get mid 7's, meaning 855 from a full tank.

[charliebrown]

Well in L/100kms, i got 11.2L/100kms in suburban driving

[Lukey]

my temp guage gets up to normal spot in a couple of minutes of driving

[dougie_504]

Dont bother with 98 petrol by the way. Go caltex vortex 95. Cheaper than 98 and still has their extra detergents. BP 95 doesnt.
I dont like fuel economy discussions without real numbers of L/100kms. Who cares how many kms you get, we may have different tank sizes for one.
Secondly, who knows at what fuel capacity you fill up at. I might fill up with 15 litres left, you may fill up with 20 L left. This difference of 5 L could mean 70kms difference travelled with the same economy. Unless you record how much you fill up and calculate a value in L/100kms you cant compare properly.

I get around 8.2 L/100kms in town driving. That would net me 790 kms from a 65 L tank. On the highway i get mid 7's, meaning 855 from a full tank.


It's about 4c cheaper per litre? So you save about $1.50-2.00 on a fill-up? I'd rather have the 3 octane personally, not going to be putting away a house deposit like that.


As for the gauge staying dead my Civic tends to stay at full (above the 'F' line) for the first 130km of each tank. Dips fast, then stays on about 1/3 or 1/4 for quite a while too.

[4age8u]

600 out of a 65litre tank cd5 vtec auto that 600was any second I was going to run out of fuel

[vinnY]

gamus89; I'm pretty sure back in post 33 he said he told us the figures(drove 288km, filled up 32.5l)
4age8u; again useless figures, different car, different driving style, different location, different engine, different fuel capacity

anyone bother reading past the first post these days before replying?

[Integ97]

hi dude first off i have a dc4 1997 and i to HAD a bit of a problem with my fuel consumption as well. Your thermostat is definitely not working correctly, mine USED to take 20 mins to to be at 40% and when i drove in 5th gear it would fall back cold lol. I changed it. it now sits at 40% in less than 5 minutes and is always constant. As well i note your tyre pressure is 32 psi, which i think is quiet low . i pump mine up to 38 psi ( i thought most cars are around this pressure). As for my fuel consumption changing my thermostat i have noticed better fuel economy i roughly get 400-450km and the maximum ive ever filled up is 36 litres (and thats with the fuel light on). last time i measured i got 8.47L/km and thats with suburban driving + a few peak hour traffic. So change your thermostat and pump up your tyres.

[Lukey]

what sort of wheels do you have Integ97? if they are stock i would check the sidewall for maximum tyre pressure as i would think it would be below 38? and also gotta remember tyre pressure go up once the tyres are warm/hot

[Integ97]

what sort of wheels do you have Integ97? if they are stock i would check the sidewall for maximum tyre pressure as i would think it would be below 38? and also gotta remember tyre pressure go up once the tyres are warm/hot

oh yeah, I have 15 inch wheels, so 1 inch bigger than stock. The place i got my tyres from recommended and pumped them to 38 psi.

[charliebrown]

Inside the door, it says 200kPa (or 250kPa for high speed driving). 200 equates to roughly 29psi and 250 equates to 36. So i figured i'd go in the middle ish at 32 (while tyres were warm). Next time i fill up, i might set it to 36 and see how that tank goes. But im gonna contact my mechanic if my current tank goes empty with <300km cos changing the thermostat is a hell of a lot cheaper than blowing petrol money every time i fill.

[DC2-PWR]

hi dude first off i have a dc4 1997 and i to HAD a bit of a problem with my fuel consumption as well. Your thermostat is definitely not working correctly, mine USED to take 20 mins to to be at 40% and when i drove in 5th gear it would fall back cold lol. I changed it. it now sits at 40% in less than 5 minutes and is always constant. As well i note your tyre pressure is 32 psi, which i think is quiet low . i pump mine up to 38 psi ( i thought most cars are around this pressure). As for my fuel consumption changing my thermostat i have noticed better fuel economy i roughly get 400-450km and the maximum ive ever filled up is 36 litres (and thats with the fuel light on). last time i measured i got 8.47L/km and thats with suburban driving + a few peak hour traffic. So change your thermostat and pump up your tyres.

Hey dude how much did it cost you all up - changing thermo + labour

that'll give charlie/others abit of help too.

[Integ97]

Hey dude how much did it cost you all up - changing thermo + labour

that'll give charlie/others abit of help too.

I just bought a thermostat from repco with the gasket, cant remember how much it was altogether but id say roughly $40. I got my mechanic friend to install it for me cheap, however he called up honda and quoted well over $200 for labour + materials etc. A local mechanic i called up though was roughly $160 i think it was. There is a sticky thread in the Integra forums on here about thermostats as well you can search and there would be some DIY to replace them.

[gumus89]

It's about 4c cheaper per litre? So you save about $1.50-2.00 on a fill-up? I'd rather have the 3 octane personally, not going to be putting away a house deposit like that.


Why would you rather the three extra "octane"? You seem not to understand the concept of RON if you believe you need 98 over 95.

[dougie_504]

Why would you rather the three extra "octane"? You seem not to understand the concept of RON if you believe you need 98 over 95.


How did you deduce that from my post? I said that saving $1.50-2.00 on a full tank is less preferable than the 3 RON IMO. That's all. You seem not to understand the concept of 'value for money'. If you're going to pay for 95, why not pay for 98?

I like to be safe. I know about the whole higher RON having a higher activation energy therefore reducing the risk of autoignition or uncontrolled ignition/detonation.


Are you suggesting that 98 RON is an inferior fuel to 95 RON (I'm talking BP Ultimate)? Or just that the benefits of 98 compared to 95 aren't worth that extra 1% in cost?

[DC2-PWR]

How did you deduce that from my post? I said that saving $1.50-2.00 on a full tank is less preferable than the 3 RON IMO. That's all. You seem not to understand the concept of 'value for money'. If you're going to pay for 95, why not pay for 98?

I like to be safe. I know about the whole higher RON having a higher activation energy therefore reducing the risk of autoignition or uncontrolled ignition/detonation.


Are you suggesting that 98 RON is an inferior fuel to 95 RON (I'm talking BP Ultimate)? Or just that the benefits of 98 compared to 95 aren't worth that extra 1% in cost?

I'm with Dougie here,

I'd pay the price for 98RON - as long I have it in my car in, it makes me happy. I doubt 95RON is simular to 98

[gumus89]

Well because you think the extra 3 RON is preferable in your car you dont actually understand how it and your engine works.
If your car isnt tuned to 98 then there is no chance a properly functioning engine will detonate on 95. If it does, there is a serious problem that wont be fixed by running 98.
If you go to BP then if you believe their Ultimate is worth the extra dosh than their 95 then fine. Their 98 is better than their 95 cleansing wise.
But if you go to Caltex, their Vortex 95 and Vortex 98 both have their "extra" detergents like Ultimate. That means that if your car isnt going to use the extra knock resistance then its wasting money and making the petrol company happy. I use vortex 95 and I have one of the best published economies on Preludeaustralia.

[Bludger]

gumus89, is all that vortex detergent thing just marketing hype and you being the victim?
andy & dc2pwr, I would pour 95 or 91. Unless it is recommended on the back of the fuel cap to pour premium unleaded. In that case I would pour 98.
Andy, I know for your car, (and mine too) you must pour 98. Our stupid JDm cars.These other people with normal Civic's Accords, audm etc. it would be waste if using anything more than 91/95




As well i note your tyre pressure is 32 psi, which i think is quiet low . i pump mine up to 38 psi ( i thought most cars are around this pressure). 38 is to high.
32 psi is the recommended tire pressure for most passenger vehicles.

[dougie_504]

Naturally. It's well known that they use 100 RON in Japan, and the writing on the inside of my fuel cap indicates that I should do so too. So I use 98 to get as close as I can.

Also I'm using a pre-tuned OBD0 ECU for I/H/E + cams which came from Japan, so I'd also assume it's tuned to suit 100 RON.



gumus89, is all that vortex detergent thing just marketing hype and you being the victim?
andy & dc2pwr, I would pour 95 or 91. Unless it is recommended on the back of the fuel cap to pour premium unleaded. In that case I would pour 98.
Andy, I know for your car, (and mine too) you must pour 98. Our stupid JDm cars.These other people with normal Civic's Accords, audm etc. it would be waste if using anything more than 91/95



38 is to high.
32 psi is the recommended tire pressure for most passenger vehicles.

[Lukey]

caltex "water down" there fuel something chronic.

[Bludger]

caltex "water down" there fuel something chronic.really?

another troll comment or you can back up your shit?

[gumus89]

You might notice how I used quotation marks when I said "extra" detergents. All I know is BP say they have stuff in their fuel and so does Caltex. Both actually have to give a base to their advertising otherwise they would have been picked up long ago. Caltex says they have the same stuff in their 95 as their 98. BP says they dont.

And I seriously doubt they "water down" their fuels. Things like that would be monitored. Caltex has a partnership with Woolies and Woolies have to keep their reputation.

My BB6 is made to use premium fuel, which in the manual indicates 95, although it apparently has a knock sensor that will retard the timing if I run something lower and spank the car.

[Bludger]

My BB6 is made to use premium fuel, which in the manual indicates 95, although it apparently has a knock sensor that will retard the timing if I run something lower and spank the car.thats why i agree with you that using a higher octane rating is waste of money.

[Lukey]

really?

another troll comment or you can back up your shit?

going from what a high up ex-employ has told me.

[gumus89]

Funny how they are always ex-employees that have bad things to say.

[nickk]

lol surprised how little idea some of you guys have.

RON is a poor measure of how "good" a fuel is. If your serious about what fuel you use and want to use "the best", research the MON's of fuels instead.


caltex "water down" there fuel something chronic.

I heard the same.