I'm getting really bad gas mileage in my 98 integra gs. I had the fuel injectors cleaned and it dropped signifigantly. My mechanic cleaned them again thinking that freefloating carbon chunks may have been clogging things. Didn't help. He can't find anything wrong on the computer, so he checked the spark plugs. One was defective and he changed them back to the factory original type, guaranteeing that as the problem. Nope, it still sucks. I used to get 24 mpg and now I'm at about 20-21 mpg.

My mechanic is one of my customers so I don't think he's screwing with me, since I'm a barber and he knows I'd screw up his hair if he did I was just wondering if anyone else has ever encountered this and figured out the problem. My commute is about to increase dramatically so I want to figure this out before them, but I can't afford to go to 20 different mechanics (especially ones I don't know or trust) to get different opinions. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

it's hot outside, you have the A/C on, thats your problem.

 

how do you even know they're using the A/C? My A/C doesn't work in my teg and I still only get 21 mpg. There are a ton of other factors as to why they're getting poor mileage. I don't think your response helped to answer their question very much. h:

 

Have him check your O2 sensors. When it an O2 sensor fails, it will cause the car to run rich, thus decreasing your fuel mileage. Many times this will not show up as a trouble code in the computer either.

 

it's summer, the number one cause of lower gas mileage in any car in the summer is having the A/C on-- and you wouldnt believe how many people bitch about it before they notice it's just the A/C

 

hmm...whats a/c? haha yeah running the a/c will decrease your gas mileage. it also depends how your driving your car. i'd say give it a tune up if you haven't already. by the way im a barber too after i get out of work at honda

 

:goodjob: tune up should definitely help.. make sure you use the correct oil.. too thick will contribute in losing some mpg.. clean the air filter.. etc..

 

make sure your tire pressure is good too

 

On the highway, it doesn't help to leave the A/C off and open the windows, either. At highway speeds, open windows cause a lot of aerodynamic drag, reducing gas mileage. Maybe this is the cause?

 

Actually I already know that running the A/C decreases gas mileage, but I've had the car for several years and I've never had the gas mileage drop like this because of the A/C being on. I don't know a lot about cars, but I know the basics, and considering it started happening the day I picked up my car from getting the fuel injectors cleaned, I think it's more than a problem that will correct itself when the weather cools down. I also just had a tune up so I'm not sure that would help or not. Same with tire pressure, I just had them rotated and all that. I have basically covered all the things I know that will affect gas mileage, to no avail. I had one other person tell me about the O2 sensor so I will ask about that...I also think I'll get a second opinion. If that doesn't help then I guess I'm stuck with bad gas mileage.

A friend also mentioned getting that really expensive air filter (I can't remember the name of it but it's like $100-$150). She said her mom used it and it increased her gas mileage by a few mpg. Has anyone used these? Are they worth the money? I seem to remember someone else telling me about them and that you don't ever have to change it, you just clean it. Not sure if I want to shell out that kind of money for something that won't help. Aside from the completely condescending one implying that I'm a "bitching" moron, thanks for the tips.