Hi all-
I've inherited a '98 Integra LS Automatic with 92K miles for my daily driver (with a '99 3.2TL as the family car). I've recently given up a Lancer Evolution VIII, so I know the 'Teg won't provide the same kind of power without heavy (and expensive mods). I'm not looking to make any changes in how it looks or handles, but perhaps how the engine operates.
My question is this -- how do I squeeze the best gas mileage out of this car? This is new for me, because I have always looked to make more power out of an engine. Right now, it gets around 27 mpg in mixed driving. What can I do -- different temp. plugs, better octane, tire pressures, synthetic tranny fluid, etc??? Aside from driving style (which is hard to change), what do you recommend? Thanks folks...

-RH77

 

No need to change the temp of the plugs. Also stick with 87 octane fuel and use only Honda ATF Z1 ATF. In general, just make sure that your car has the proper maintenance. You might also want to inspect your fuel filter, plugs, air filter, wires, cap & rotor and etc.

 

If you run the tires a little higher (I kinda have mine overinflated at 34 PSI cold), use cruise control a lot, drive the speed limit, accelerate at a moderate pace, you can get some good milage out of them. The best I've gotten to date was 37MPG freeway in my GSR with I/H/E.

Copper plugs might help, if you don't mind changing them every 10-12K miles

 

If you are running 10w30, go to the 5w30, a little less drag on motor. Try coasting more, using the brakes less

 

overinflated tires saves you gas?

I can sort of picture the idea, but someone care to explain how it works in more detail?

 

I actually saw improvements in mpg from my header...I keep close track of my gas mileage (good problem indicator) and saw a statisticaly signifigant improvement after the header install...that is when I returned to my more "normal" driving style. The improvement was in the area of 4-5mpg above the pre-header average.

 

when the tires are inflated more their is less contact patch. therefore less rolling resistance. therefore the car will roll easier, althought your traction suffers accordingly

 

I've always had good experience with over-inflation -- it's almost a requirement in autocross. This helps prevent the sidewalls from folding under hard cornering. It's also right that less contact patch is on the road at cruise -- the middle section of the tire bulges out onto the pavement, which wears-out first = the bottom line of less rolling resistance. Thanks for the advice. I'll try a few things out. The goal is to get the combined mpg up to 30.

RH77

 

there is less rolling resistance becuase the tire is not mushy. When the car is rolling on mushy tires, kinetic energy is lost from the car cuz the tire flexes and the wheel has to sort of roll over a flexing/wobbly surface. This puts a resistance on the wheel, thus slowing you down.

 

yea avoid those jackrabbit starts and ease up on the gas if the next light is red.
Also saves you wear on your brakes. I'm curious if anyone else took their rear brake
pads to 145k miles. (No, no work needed on my rotors).