I'm new to the forum and am just checking in to say, "Hey!" I just bought this 01 Accord last week, and I'm sure I'll be needing some advice from time to time. I like to do my own maintenance and repair work, so my first step is going to be looking for a decent Haynes or Chilton's.

After the first tank of gas, I'm getting about 23-24mpg. Does that sound okay for a 4D, 4-cyl, EX, Auto w/78K on it? I'd like to do a little better considering most of the miles I drive are highway...

Any particular pitfalls I should be aware of on this vehicle? What do I need to keep any eye on?

 

In town that mpg number (24 mpg) is not bad. If you don't have information on the maintenance history of the car you bought I would change the oil to Mobil 1 5W-20 synthetic and a Mobil 1 oil filter.

Also check the spark plugs (4 total) and clean and regap if necessary. I gap mine to 0.033" personally.

If spark plug wires look worn or frayed replace with NGK wires ($55 on Amazon).

Check air filter and replace if necessary.

Air up tires to maximum sidewall pressure (44 psig).

Also loosen all lug nuts and retorque to 80 ft-lbs (honda spec). You would be surprised that probably all of them are over torqued.

Run some seafoam or marvel mystery oil through the gas tank for the next 4 fill ups.

I have 2 Honda Accords and this is what I did.

 

Yeah, I'd be happy if that was my "city" number, but most of my miles are highway...

I'm curious about the 5W-20 recommendation. As best I can tell, this car's always had 5W-30 in it. I heard that 5W-20 yields better economy but allows more wear on the motor...thoughts?

I have checked the plugs and regapped, but I set them to .040 (manufacturer specs). And, I put a new air filter in it last week.

I like the suggestion about boosting the tire pressure, though, and I'm definitely going to give that a try. Thanks!

 

Welcome

 

Changed my driving habits a bit in my 2001 Accord and saw some improvement over the last tank of gas. I kept it to 70mph or less on the highway and saw my average jump from 23.4 to 25.4 mpg overall.

Next, I'm upping the tire pressure to 35psi all the way around, and I'll post again with that number next week. If I were able to get by with no AC right now, in addition to these other changes, I bet I could get close to 27 mpg overall. But, it'll probably be October before I feel like testing that theory.

 

There you go..change of habit is always good..

 

Okay, boosting tire pressure to 35psi has landed me at 25.89 mpg—a very slight improvement (about 2%). I know some hypermilers keep their tires at the max pressure rating, but I'm not willing to go that extreme.

Switching to 5W20 might be my next move...I guess I could try the Seafoam option, too, since Tradosaurus and others have recommended it, although I'm a little skeptical. Still, it might be interesting to try 'cause I've got enough data now to draw some decent conclusions.

 

Make one change at a time and gather data. A Scanguauge will get you instant MPG readings if you dont have it built into your car.

 

I don't know if it's just me but 25 MPG seems a little low for highway. I Have a 98 5 speed 4dr/4cyl and I was getting 30 mpg w/ AC. I wonder if the lower MPG is from the auto tranny?

 

I get 32-35mpg highway when driving conservatively in my automatic. In fact, on my drive to Seatac airport and back (~350mi total trip including one stop for food and one for gas, 8 hours overall) last night I was doing between 70 and 85 for most of it except the hour and a half I was stuck in traffic and averaged 31mpg. Using D3 in stop and go traffic and no cruise control. I probably used AC for a total of 2 hours on that drive, seeing as we were stuck in 80 degree weather stop and go traffic. I'm very surprised to see under 30mpg highway on an 01.

Even my roughest highway driving nets me around 18-20. Roughest city around 8-11.