Civic VX -post your MPG

[vxhatch]

...along with vehicle mods, type of driving & comments. My hope is that this will give other VX owners a feel for how their FE stacks-up with others. Here's mine:

vehicle: 92 Civic VX (stock)
odo: 135k
MPG mods: none
last tank MPG: 44
hwy/city: 70/30%
comments: Last tank was used entirely for my a daily 80-mile round-trip commute between Annapolis, MD and Arlington, VA. It's primarily highway, where I try to keep it <70MPH, but also has some city driving, traffic lights and stop-n-go traffic. I do attempt to conserve fuel in my driving techniques, but I am not a hypermiler. No drafting EOC, etc.

[slogfilet]

94 VX, 184k miles
Bone stock, 0w30 synthetic
Mild hypermiling (more like just driving like a sane person, occasional EOC)

Last tank was 49.3
average over about 12 tanks is 44

I have an MPGuino almost completed (basically a Scangauge for pre-OBDII cars) and a grill block almost ready to pop in. So 2 "almost" mods. I'm sure the power of positive thinking is getting me an extra 2.371%

My gas log has a big dip in it... i think most of that can be attributed to a slow air leak in one tire that went unnoticed for quite some time. Yeah I know, I should be checking my tires hourly.

[silversol]

1994 cx with a vx swap. mods are vx wheels with 50 psi in the tires, intake tured to face the radiator. and i just swaped it last week with the first re fill i got 44 mpg with all atlanta city driving! i have some hwy miles on this tank so i cant wait to see the result!

[Loserkidwac]

1994 Civic Del Sol with D15z1 Swap, HX wheels and Grill Block, 38mpg on my last tank which was probably 10% Hwy and 90% City, I was able to get 50mpg with a 100% Hwy before the HX wheels and grill block, have a bunch of aero mods planned to just need to find some time to install them...

I was thinking of starting a thread for VX driving hypermiling to see what people were doing that work specifically for the VX...

[djenyc]

I have 2 VXes - 92' Canadian model with 140K and 94' US with 260K. Both get around 44 MPG 50% city/highway. Highway driving is 62 in 55mph and 72 in 65mph.

No mods and none planned, no hypermiling - just driving gently to minimize the cost of fuel and maintenance. All in all they get around 50MPG highway and 40 city - just like EPA said.

Ross

[nowhhs]

I have a 1990 hatch with a VX engine (JDM D15B) and HF transmission transplanted into it. I drive about 25% hwy and 75% city and average about 47mpg. I drive relatively gently, no specific hypermiling techniques and usually 5-10 mph over the limit. My tires are at 42psi, I have a WAI, a trip computer from an 88 Acura, and an led that lets me know when I'm in lean burn mode. That last has probably helped modify my driving more than anything else. I'm still trying to break 50mpg before winter, but I don't think I'm going to make it. Maybe next summer.

[SuperVX]

49 MPG

70/30 Highway/City

Driving the speed limit

[vxhatch]

Originally Posted by nowhhs

and an led that lets me know when I'm in lean burn mode. That last has probably helped modify my driving more than anything else.

I'm interested in this and some time ago ordered some parts to buld a comparator-based circuit to control a lean-burn LED indicator. Are you willing to post details of how you built/implemented your Lean Burn indicator?

PS: Thanks to all who have posted on this thread. I'm amazed at the variance and would love to get the 50+ highway MPG that some of you are achieving!

[nowhhs]

No problem. I started with the information here: (Thanks TomO)
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2427. I monitored the actual voltages for a while (a couple of weeks), and in my case, when the voltage exceeded about 3 volts (see post #20 for where I got that), I could tell I was in lean burn. You can feel it going into and coming out of it if you pay close attention. Then I took the information from here:
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_1716/...popularArticle and made up a circuit similar to that one. The differences are: 1) I added a 7809 voltage regulator to the supply voltage so that voltage fluctuations in the 12volts don't effect the set point (the author of that article addresses that issue at the very end - but I disagree with him, fluctuating supply voltage made a pretty big difference in the reference voltage) 2) I reversed the O2 signal and the reference voltage (pins 2 and 3) so that the led turns on as the voltage increases past the setpoint. The circuit autospeed has is designed so that the led lights when the voltage falls. I also chose a 330 ohm resistor rather than a 470 because I wanted the led brighter, but that probably doesn't matter much.

I've learned some interesting things from that light, for example I get better fuel economy in 4th gear if I can keep it in lean burn than in 5th without it. Significantly better in fact. The tendency is to get into 5th as fast as possible, but sometimes being in that tall a gear requires throttle positions that take you out of lean burn mode. And of course every situation is different. YMMV


BTW according to the gassavers garage, we have a lot more than just 5 or 6 VXs here. Come on people, post.

[VXRider]

I drive 90% city any usually end up around 43mpg.

[tt2323]

'94 vx with 145k. After a new o2 sensor I've gotten 40, 44, 45, 48, 45 mpg in my last 5 tanks of gas. Max tire pressure +1-2 psi. usually going speed limit, a mix between 50-50 city/highway with some a/c use. Practicing easy acceleration keeping rpms down, anticipating lights and even shutting it down at long ones. Would love to hit 50mpg!

[eliteskill]

94' california vx 200k miles, replaced everything possible car drives 100% perfect.... average 31mpg 50/50 city/hwy full ac use.. under 3k shifts all the time... 70mph hwy.. im starting to hate this car... will be up for sale soon if someone wants to figure out why its not getting 40+

[vxhatch]

Originally Posted by nowhhs

No problem..

Thx for the info on your lean-burn monitor. I also looked at the autospeed article and had ordered n received the parts. From your info, I've placed a 2nd order to Allied Electronics for a 9V regulator and recommended capacitors. I hope to have this completed and installed within a couple of weeks. BTW, I got 48MPG on my last tank! Main difference was in my driving style, trying to keep it to 70MPH or under, (safely) drafting when possible.

I can definitely tell when I come out of lean-burn, just not when I go into LB. For this, I think a LB LED indicator will be a big improvement. Out of curiousity, in your experience is the upshift indicator simply a lean-burn indicator that is disabled in 5th gear?

[nowhhs]

As far as I can tell, the upshift indicator only measures rpm and load. It doesn't tell you anything about lean burn. And I agree with you, its alot easier to feel when it come out of lean burn than when it goes in.

Since you all have VXs this might be a good place to ask this question, can you feel when vtec engages? I have an led thats wired to the vtec solenoid, so I can tell when it gets the electrical signal, but I can't feel any difference. Maybe mine needs cleaning? It does pull well at higher rpms though. I don't mean to hijack this thread, just a quick yes or no. Thanks.

[Loserkidwac]

Originally Posted by nowhhs

Since you all have VXs this might be a good place to ask this question, can you feel when vtec engages? I have an led thats wired to the vtec solenoid, so I can tell when it gets the electrical signal, but I can't feel any difference. Maybe mine needs cleaning? It does pull well at higher rpms though. I don't mean to hijack this thread, just a quick yes or no. Thanks.

vtec-e engages at 2500rpms...honestly its probably the most noticeable in 1st or 2nd gear...there is a little screen in between the the 2 halves of the vtec solenoid, which I have heard can become clogged, this could be the problem, I'd order up some new seals from Honda, remove the solenoid, take it apart, clean it and reassemble it with new seals...

[Danronian]

95 VX (non-CA version)
Current MPG: Around 43 MPG daily (80% rural and city, 20% highway)
258k miles/140k mi on motor/Orig trans
About 30k miles on the NTK o2 sensor.
Most wear-parts have been replaced in some way.

Mods:
Rear disc conversion (helps a LOT) with upgraded front pads.
Stereo and 4 speakers and Si interior w/ front del sol seats +arm rest (added weight, then took some out w/the seats)
warm-air OEM intake conversion (flipped direction of one pipe)
added antenna
lacking rear air diffuser and grill block right now
tires at max-psi plus some more
lowered about 2 inches (adjustable springs + AGX struts)
Exedy stage-1 clutch, oem grade pressure plate
Synthentic oil w/4k mi filter changes, 8k mi oil change

Future Mods:
mud flaps (now live on a dirt road)
rear diffuser
OEM VX grill block
LRR tires once these wear out (year or so away at least)
Super-MID real-time MPG gauge

[R.I.D.E.]

Mine just went past 39,000 miles, bought in March with 27,492 miles hit in rear at about 2 years old and kept inside in controlled environment to train insurance adjusters.

I lost some MPG when I replaced the original tires, with 175-70-13 Michelins, but the tire noise, handling, and tarction are much improved.

I seldom exceed 2500 RPM and my combined mileage was almost 59 before the tire change. After it seems to be averaging about 55.

Yesterday I drove from Williamsburg Va to Chantilly Va (DC area). 342 miles on 5.712 gallons. No hypermiling, averaging 65 MPH, drafting when practical, probably 25% of total trip time.

I use 5th gear at anything above 30 MPH, lower gears if I need better acceleration.

I maximise DFCO and coasting when it doesn't aggravate other drivers unless they are tailgaters, then I use P&G to frustrate their stupidity and the increased danger.

I do not shut off the engine because I read it stops lean burn for a certain period of time after the restart.

Tires at 40 for now, max is 44, but ride quality is superb, noticeable to every passenger who has travelled with me.

It seems that my current mileage range works out to about 51 local and 57 highway, but speeds and hypermiling have a significant effect. My worst tank recently was 45 (havent entered it in my log yet), when I did no hypermiling and drove on the interstates locally instead of the 45-55 back roads. I wanted to see how bad my mileage would be, and that was the only sub 50 MPG tank in 8000 miles.

Suggestions;
Maximise DFCO

Coast downhill and whenever you can (in my case locally sometimes .5 mile).
Max elevations changes locally are about 40 feet.

I generally use the back roads locally, but lately there has been a lot of construction on my favorite routes which has increased idling times significantly. That was one of the reasons for the 45 MPG tank.

Anticipate the lights ahead. I drive the same routes every day. My favorite, is a 32 mile round trip with over 50 traffic lights. Timing them is crucial to mileage. In many cases I idle less than 2 minutes on that 32 mile round trip, to give you an idea of the effectiveness of traffic light anticipation.

People blast by me all the time, only to stop at the next light and I pass them coasting in neutral. A lot of the time I can hear their engines rev up as they jockey for a position, when the light will not change soon enough for them to maintain their inertial state, which is the key to effective hypermiling.

It took me 7000 miles to rub the rust off the brake drums and rotors from the car sitting for 13 years. That is a good indication of how little I use the brakes. Light timing requires me to make decisions about acceleration and speed. If I slow down any I will catch the yellow light, so I have to sacrifice some efficiency to reduce idling in those cases.

I have no means of monitoring lean burn, everything is based on instinct. My previous Del Sol averaged 43 MPG (DX model) on the same routes, best tank was 47, but I did not use DFCO nearly as much as I do now, due to gear ratio and differential ratio differences between the two cars.

I also use minimum accessory loads, the car never had a radio, minimal AC use, as well as anything that would cause the load sensor to increase my idle speed, which seems to be at 500RPM or slightly less (a significant way to increase mileage, is to minimise idle speed).

regards
gary

[1993CivicVX]

This summer between 62 and 70mpg. But that's with lots EOC and egg shell acceleration, anticipatory driving and over inflated tires. I recently had the compression tested on my car. 3 cylinders were around 175, one was around 165-170. I'm told that's pretty good for a car with 200,000+ miles. I stopped logging my gas mileage because I no longer have the leisure time to keep track of my mileage using Google Maps (*gasp!*) My odometer only works ~60% of the time.

[R.I.D.E.]

Forgot one thing, I also have the intake snorkel reversed for WAI, trimmed a little of the horn off so it sould not contact the top radiator hose.

regards
badger

[gtstwincam]

145k miles. K&N drop in filter. used the upshift indicator light while driving
Approx 80% hwy, 20% City

53MPG.

Fully tuned. 5w-30 Mobil 1 sythentic. Stock VX wheels and tires. 32psi on the tires.

[1993CivicVX]

Originally Posted by gtstwincam

145k miles. K&N drop in filter. used the upshift indicator light while driving
Approx 80% hwy, 20% City

53MPG.

Fully tuned. 5w-30 Mobil 1 sythentic. Stock VX wheels and tires. 32psi on the tires.

/me thrusts palm into forehead.

[AlainB7]

386 000km VX

Look at my signature for FE.

Just swap my 35L (10 gallons) fuel tank for a 51L (13.5 gallons).

Now I will have a 1100km (almost 700 miles) autonomy.

286 000km (177 000 miles) still running like a new!

Running on Mobil-1 5w30 synthetic oil

Modifications
Electrical spoiler style sunroof
44 psi of nitrogen in tire (Goodyear Alegra)
Mitsubishi Eclipse OEM leather shifter knob
Right hand mirror
OEM Clock
K&N air filter in the OEM box
Full LED conversion
LED red/clear LED Tail light
OEM style fog light
Accesorie Repainted as a SI(mirror, side molder, truck deflector & front and rear spoiler)

[Willard]

D15Z1 + 95 EX coupe
4 wire + chipped P28 (more mods are listed in my garage)
my gas log is also there (~39mpg average)

I am hoping for a little better FE once I finish up the plans for the car.

[thedaemon]

1993 Civic VX (I think it was a CX by looking up the vin number, but it has VX motor and trans)

50/50 Highway City

44MPG Average

35-38 with the A/C on

Highest ever was 47MPG

I just don't know how to get more mileage out of it. I did just buy some Sumitomo tires today. The correct size this time, 165/70R13. I don't always drive the best FE but most of the time I drive easy.

[mango]

94 Fed VX
195K
70/30 Highway/City
48.5 mpg average over the last month
I usually go 70-75 on the highway

[seeholmes]

94VX 150k miles. 49 state ecu swap; DMM to monitor lean burn; vacuum gauge for consistancy; 44psi tire pressure; 70/30 hwy/city; carpool w/ 1 additional person. 58-59mpg.

My current tank is a test w/o hypermiling. During this test im going 70-80mph. accelerating fast, etc. Still keeping it in lean burn when I can. Looks like im going to hit 45 or better. I also have a SuperMID on the way to help me be more informed with my driving teqnique.

[SCoupe]

92 VX @ 214,600 miles, CA version upgraded to Fed version at change of ownership. All stock and excellent mechanicals. 175/70-13 tires on VX rims (Perelli Cinturato P3000 lasted 79k miles with 3/8ths remaining..

~42 mpg on first two full tanks, 75% highway, 25% city

Have a new o2 sensor on its way, the one now in-use has 101,000 miles on it and is 7yrs years old per records. My guess is the intakes are clogged with carbon after 17 years. At some point I intend to remove the intake completely and clean it out, expecting clogged EGR ports.

[James]

I have a 94 canadian vx with the fed ecu. It is stock except for grill block and tape on front end for aero. I run about 40 psi in the tires, cheapy 175/70 on the stock wheels. I have been slacking on the gaslogs for a while, but I would get 47-49 in the cold and snow, and 53-58 in the summertime. I don't think I need the lean burn indicator now, I can feel it going in and coming out.
One hint i have found: when going up a hill and trying to use maximum power in lean burn with out it coming out, push the gas slowly down just until the shift light comes off (only works in 4th and 3rd). This level will be the maximum power you can use without it coming out of lean burn. as the car slows when going up the hill you may have to let off slightly to keep it in lean burn...after practice you get a feel for it.