Honda Car Forum

<KDunagan@nntp.fuse.net> wrote in message
news:40044e37$0$12238$a0465688@nnrp.fuse.net...
> This is a rather difficult problem to describe but I'll do my best. I
have a 2003 Accord EX 4 cyl, sedan with 22k and some change in miles. When
I initially bought the car, I was getting on average 29-31 MPG highway
(which is what it's driven on 90% of the time). Lately, I have been
getting in the neighborhood or 25-26 MPG highway, sometimes 27.
>
> The symptoms are: (mostly by feel)
>
> 1. Must keep accelerator pressed with significant pressure to keep car at
speed.
>
> 2. When backing off of accelerator, the car slows very very quickly (no
coasting to speak of)
>
> 3. It drives, ALMOST, like the parking break is stuck or something. I
can sense resistance in the forward movement (at least it SEEMS like
resistance), but no brake lights are on and the parking break is not
engaged.
>
> I was told there was no "break in" period but I didn't push the car until
I had about 900 miles on it.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts as to what might be causing the gas mileage
to have dropped like it has?
>
> Kip

We lost mileage here in NJ too and it was explained in the local paper that
it's the Winter blend of fuel they use that lowers mileage. So we save the
air but waste more of a natural resource? NJ stopped using oxygenated fuel
for good reason but there's still something else in the Winter blend. Wait
til spring and see if it improves.
Jim / NJ

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-70B003.17334313012004@news.usenetserver.com...
> In article <40044e37$0$12238$a0465688@nnrp.fuse.net>,
> KDunagan@nntp.fuse.net wrote:
>
> > This is a rather difficult problem to describe but I'll do my best. I
have a
> > 2003 Accord EX 4 cyl, sedan with 22k and some change in miles. When I
> > initially bought the car, I was getting on average 29-31 MPG highway
(which
> > is what it's driven on 90% of the time). Lately, I have been getting
in the
> > neighborhood or 25-26 MPG highway, sometimes 27.
>
> Cold weather.

I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it would in
warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.

"Jim" <jkc84xx@optonline(take this and XX out).net> writes:

> I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it would in
> warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.

I never cease to be amazed at the quality physics and chemistry lessons
doled out on the various auto groups on a regular basis.

Cold air is MORE dense than warm air, and thus, per unit volume, there is
more oxygen and more combustion power. By temperature alone, an engine
should deliver more power in colder air.

"Chris Aseltine" <ophidian@newsnation.com> wrote in
news:lUlNb.54022$sv6.131334@attbi_s52:

> "Jim" <jkc84xx@optonline(take this and XX out).net> writes:
>
>> I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it
>> would in warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.
>
> I never cease to be amazed at the quality physics and chemistry
> lessons doled out on the various auto groups on a regular basis.
>
> Cold air is MORE dense than warm air, and thus, per unit volume, there
> is more oxygen and more combustion power. By temperature alone, an
> engine should deliver more power in colder air.
>
>
>

But that means more fuel will be used per mile.
More power just means the motor spins up to a given RPM faster.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

Chris Aseltine wrote:

> "Jim" <jkc84xx@optonline(take this and XX out).net> writes:
>
>
>>I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it would in
>>warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.
>
>
> I never cease to be amazed at the quality physics and chemistry lessons
> doled out on the various auto groups on a regular basis.
>
> Cold air is MORE dense than warm air, and thus, per unit volume, there is
> more oxygen and more combustion power. By temperature alone, an engine
> should deliver more power in colder air.
>
Hi,
Cold gasoline does not vaporize as well as when warm. Your phyisics
knowledge is partial as well. When gas does not vaporize, what is cold
or warm is gonna do? It's common konwledge when cold, gas mileage goes
down. Actually one reason cold weather gas is blended differently from
summer time gas. I never cease to be amazed as well.
Tony

"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> writes:
> Chris Aseltine wrote:
>> "Jim" <jkc84xx@optonline(take this and XX out).net> writes:
>>
>>> I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it would
>>> in warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.
>>
>> I never cease to be amazed at the quality physics and chemistry lessons
>> doled out on the various auto groups on a regular basis.
>>
>> Cold air is MORE dense than warm air, and thus, per unit volume, there is
>> more oxygen and more combustion power. By temperature alone, an engine
>> should deliver more power in colder air.
>
> Cold gasoline does not vaporize as well as when warm. Your phyisics
> knowledge is partial as well. When gas does not vaporize, what is cold
> or warm is gonna do? It's common konwledge when cold, gas mileage goes
> down. Actually one reason cold weather gas is blended differently from
> summer time gas. I never cease to be amazed as well.

The original poster wasn't talking about how well the gas vaporized. He
claimed that combustion does not occur as well in colder air, which is
factually incorrect. But, thanks for playing.

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> writes:

> "Chris Aseltine" <ophidian@newsnation.com> wrote:
>
>> Cold air is MORE dense than warm air, and thus, per unit volume, there
>> is more oxygen and more combustion power. By temperature alone, an
>> engine should deliver more power in colder air.
>
> But that means more fuel will be used per mile.
> More power just means the motor spins up to a given RPM faster.

How about, you can step on the gas pedal less for the same amount of power
output? Less gas pedal = higher fuel mileage. Nice try though.

the fast idle valve controled by the ecu spins up and for a short while
mileage is affected

http://community.webtv.net/Robsolo/Robbysmagicpotions

"Chris Aseltine" <ophidian@newsnation.com> wrote in message
news:gBmNb.55562$nt4.84825@attbi_s51...
> >>> I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it
would
> >>> in warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.

> The original poster wasn't talking about how well the gas vaporized. He
> claimed that combustion does not occur as well in colder air, which is
> factually incorrect. But, thanks for playing.

Perhaps he mispoke, and meant a cold engine.
It's going to -33C tonight.
How's *your* mileage?

Btw, what's with the attitude?
Jeez.

Steve
Ottawa

I certainly agree with you. I didn't realize that people were disagreeing
with this fact. Oddly enough anybody can learn this just watching an hour
of NHRA 1/4 mile action on the weekend.

I think I learned that in high school before I went to UTI in Phoenix for
formal training.

CaptainKrunch


"Chris Aseltine" <ophidian@newsnation.com> wrote in message
news:lUlNb.54022$sv6.131334@attbi_s52...
> "Jim" <jkc84xx@optonline(take this and XX out).net> writes:
>
> > I agree that the fuel wouldn't combust the same in cold air as it would
in
> > warm so more liquid fuel may slip by causing bad mileage.
>
> I never cease to be amazed at the quality physics and chemistry lessons
> doled out on the various auto groups on a regular basis.
>
> Cold air is MORE dense than warm air, and thus, per unit volume, there is
> more oxygen and more combustion power. By temperature alone, an engine
> should deliver more power in colder air.
>
>