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So, for the last few months,(since about late-July, early August) I've noticed my gas mileage has really dropped. I drive an Accord, and I have always gotten very good gas mileage. It seems I fill my tank, then after just a few days of normal driving, I'm already close to 1/4 tank or empty!!
I get regular oil changes and routine maintenance, I haven't gotten this issue looked at yet, I just wanted a consensus from here on what could be some possible reasons.
I don't see fuel leaking or anything, and I don't smell gas while driving. Any hints that I can take with me to the dealership would be appreciated!!
(don't know if it matters, but I got a new transmission and timing belt in July)
Other than being due for a tune-up and new tires, what else could be going on??
Low tires, change in the gas that is offered in your area. Winter blend causes vehicle to get less gas milage. Before you take it to the dealer, open the hood with engine running and see if you smell gas.
Get an accurate gas mileage sampling. Fill your tank, note the milage, when it drops below half fill it up and then get another milage reading. Divide that by the amount of gas you put in and then do it again. Thsi will tell you if something is really wrong or if it is just your imagination.
If it started immediately after the trans, belt change, that might be a place to look. Did trans builder or installer leave a wire loose that would keep the converter from locking? Did timing belt get put in 1 tooth off. Both of these would cause low mileage. I would think the belt would cause enough of a performance difference that you would have noticed it. Tell tale sign of converter lock is higher RPM to go the same speed on the highway.
My experience with timing belts is that they're either on right, or the car isn't going to run even close to correctly.
I do think it's very plausible that a wire is loose in or around the newly installed transmission, keeping it from going into overdrive, or preventing the converter from locking up.
Wiring "is" a possibility. They may have scraped the knock sensor wire (sheilded wire) to a point were its getting some interference through the wire, but not enough to show a code. I would probably check the computer for older stored codes. If this is the issue then there would be no knock noise. The timing would be changed such that there is no OD and thus a noticable loss of fuel economy. But the upside would be that car has much better pickup now.
^ Yeah, that's part of what's weird about it. No CEL with codes. Usually an O2 Sensor or EGR valve will kick that on. So it's kind of weird that it has affected his mileage so badly, but there are no codes.
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