Howdy from Houston [ Archive] - GasSavers.org - Helping You Save at the Pump

Howdy from Houston. I'm the proud father of a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, and I'm about an five-mile trip at 45mph away from my first 50mpg tank. At least, that's what I've calculated in order to get that "50.0" to show up on my indicator. I just pray that I don't run out of gas before then.

I grew up in Detroit and became fascinated with fuel economy and automotive technology being so close to the industry. At the same time, I became increasingly frustrated with Detroit automakers with the crap they put out. As I look at my newspaper with the headline about gas prices going up, I sincerely hope that the big two-and-a-half get their act together and start making cars that are worth a damn.

I'm glad to see the various sites that have popped up like this one that help folks learn about how to lighten their fuel consumption. While I don't plan any significant mods at this time, I am at least keeping the tires maximally pumped, switching to 0W-20 at my first oil change, and significantly modifying my driving habits. I do want to look into an exhaust system upgrade to a larger pipe to reduce pumping losses (I did this with my CRX, which resulted in a 4mpg increase on the highway).

Anyhow, to the creators of this site - thanks!

Jeff

What type of CRX did you own?

switching to 0W-20 at my first oil change

Should've come stock with it, I learned this at honda like two hours ago, :p

Howdy from Houston. I'm the proud father of a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, and I'm about an five-mile trip at 45mph away from my first 50mpg tank. At least, that's what I've calculated in order to get that "50.0" to show up on my indicator. I just pray that I don't run out of gas before then.

I grew up in Detroit and became fascinated with fuel economy and automotive technology being so close to the industry. At the same time, I became increasingly frustrated with Detroit automakers with the crap they put out. As I look at my newspaper with the headline about gas prices going up, I sincerely hope that the big two-and-a-half get their act together and start making cars that are worth a damn.

I'm glad to see the various sites that have popped up like this one that help folks learn about how to lighten their fuel consumption. While I don't plan any significant mods at this time, I am at least keeping the tires maximally pumped, switching to 0W-20 at my first oil change, and significantly modifying my driving habits. I do want to look into an exhaust system upgrade to a larger pipe to reduce pumping losses (I did this with my CRX, which resulted in a 4mpg increase on the highway).

Anyhow, to the creators of this site - thanks!

Jeff

Welcome Jeff! I recognize your nick from GH. I'm sure that you will get more than a few questions about your CRX exhaust mod. That has been discussed here before.

I'm sure that you will get more than a few questions about your CRX exhaust mod. That has been discussed here before.

Indeed, I would like to know about this, CRX > *, as we know.

Oops - I should have said "switch to synthetic 0W-20."

I had a 1988 CRX Si. Stock everything with the 105hp 1.6 and 5-sp manual. Loved that thing except for the leaky sunroof. The woman I liked at the time hated the car, partially due to the musty smell from the leak. I eventually sold the car to a friend, and now the woman is carrying our first child due in October (WOOHOO!).

Anyhow, when I first bought the thing, it was averaging around 34mpg. I replaced the exhaust with a 2" mandrel bent cat-back, which got me around 38mpg. I didn't want to go above 2" because of the risk of low-end torque loss. I think it was the right size for the car. Other folks I knew went with 2.25" but I wanted to play it safe.

Jeff

Welcome aboard. Feel free to tell us all about any modifications you've made, and please create as many threads as possible :) As krousdb pointed out, we'd love to hear about your CRX exhaust modification.

Glad to have another fresh mind here :)

Damn, hmm. The 88s are a pain in the butt. I have a 91, finishing up my MPFI so it'll be basically yours now except sucky auto. My girlfriend would always complain about my crx too, mostly about how she'd cut herself trying to close the door with the interior gutted. But I solved that but just closing it myself, :p

Did you do anything else to it?

Post up a picture of your HCH, I wanna see what other colors they came in, :)

I'd switch to synthetic at like 10,000 miles. It's always good for the engine to break in fully on regular oil. Hondas are known to break in after 15k.

You will start seeing a couple mpg more after passing 15k

I love honda and everything but I'd never buy the first year car. I would of at least bought a 07 or 08 that way some of the bugs would be worked out.

There have been civic hybrids for years...

I considered waiting for a year, but then my car died, and it would have been now or never (or at least 7 more years). I love the thing. For a first-year model, I'm really impressed!

Jeff

There have been civic hybrids for years...

I know that. I was talking about his car. His is a redesigned model. 2005 and 2006 civics are completly different.

I considered waiting for a year, but then my car died, and it would have been now or never (or at least 7 more years). I love the thing. For a first-year model, I'm really impressed!

Jeff

Nothing against the civic but how come you didn't go for the prius? it gets a couple mpg more.

I know that. I was talking about his car. His is a redesigned model. 2005 and 2006 civics are completly different.

Personally, I have not known honda to screw anything up just because it was the first year. Dan's car might be a 92, which would've been the first year, but it wouldn't have issues because our engines are almost exactly the same. Honda rarely changes lots of stuff, just modifies a bit.

Nothing against the civic but how come you didn't go for the prius? it gets a couple mpg more.

In a real world test by a prius owner that runs a hybrid site, the HCH got better mpg.

I always thought the prius got better mpg.

I always thought the prius got better mpg.
I guess it depends on the driver and the route. It depends on how extreme you want to get and how much effort you want to put into it. It's just easier in the Prius because the engine shuts down by itself during under 40 MPH cruising. You have to shut the engine off manually in the Civic when coasting to achieve similar FE. Unless the new model is different. To achieve Prius like FE in the Civic, you need the 5 speed. Prius gives you great FE with a CVT.

Nothing against the civic but how come you didn't go for the prius? it gets a couple mpg more.


Part of it was price, part of it was comfort. I didn't like the back seats in the Prius, comfort-wise. I also was a little more comfortable with the Honda technology. The software glitches the Prius had last year made me a little concerned with the vulnerabilities of the vehicle. A glitch with the electric motor in the Honda wouldn't completely compromise the car. Plus, the wife felt more comfortable in the Honda. I am a big fan of the Prius and its potential for modification. That is one thing about the Honda that I think makes it a step behind from the Prius.

They're both great cars in my book.

Jeff