bad gas mileage (96 accord)

[newcharliepuch]

hey i own a 1996 honda accord ex, with the 2.2l i4 vtec engine. and lately ive been getting pretty bad gas mileage averaging at about 21 mpg. the car has 120k miles on it, but ive kept up with the maintinence on it. i check the fluids, tire pressure regulary, and change the oil every 3k miles. also i just bought a new air filter about 5 months ago and had a tune up where they replaced the timing belt, spark plugs fule filter and adjusted the cam timing. my average commute to school consists of about 10 miles of city driving and 15 miles of highway driving every day. dose anyone know wht the problem could be?

[SenseiAccord]

could be many things. Simples things like traffic, excessive stop and go's (traffic lights, stop signs, etc), driving habbits (heavy foot), not using over-drive gears, engine missing, timing, compression blow by, racing, hand brake on, driving at excessive speeds, too long warming engine up, excessive weight in car, excessive uphill driving, too cold of engine, fuel leaks, blah blah blah.

[drew_dog]

Sounds like you're valves may need adjusting. With that many miles on it you should do it if it hasn't been done recently, like within the last 30k miles.

The way you worded it, you're gas mileage abruptly got worse. So I'd suspect a leak in the fuel lines or the tank, or one of your valve adjustment screws has come pretty loose. Smell any gas when its been sitting for a while?

[integrasedan]

i get 20 miles/gallon city driving and drive normally. Mines automatic, stick shifts should get more.

most people get 20-25 miles/gallon in city, i wouldn't worry about it too much.