2003 Accord losing MPG on highway

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

 

I would go to hi test gas for a tank and put in a can of injection cleaner
You may have gotten fouled gas and the injectors could be gummy.
If it works it's a damn cheap fix.
Mike

 

Automatic transmission problems.

Have the fluid checked, flushed.

I don't think there's a recall on this tranny yet (I assume you have
the auto), but Honda has been having all sorts of auto problems in
recent years, and that's what your symptoms sound like.

J.

 

Cold weather.

 

wrote in

I'm surprised no one else mentioned tire pressure.Be sure your tires are
set at the right pressure.
Or maybe you have a tire defect,generating high rolling resistance.
Have you rotated your tires recently?

 

wrote in

Check the obvious first: tire pressure? transmission fluid level? Is the
car pulling? CV joints leaking? Noise from the steering gear?

Carefully touch all wheels after a drive. if a brake is sticking that wheel
will be scorching hot.

 

Air filter?

 

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I know the tire pressures are correct and they have been recently rotated (last month). Not sure why cold weather would cause a drop in mileage but I called the weather dude here and told him what my issues were and could he please arrange for some warmer weather.

All the other suggestions were great. I'll try them as soon as feasible.

Regards,
kip

 

Get out and test push.

It sounds like you're stuck on third....
Coast on neutral, see if it still drags.

 

If you're insinuating that the tranny isn't using overdrive, then
technically, it's stuck in 4th. The 2003 Accord has a 5-speed automatic.

 

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.

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.

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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