My 1988 Honda civic 1.5 sohc gas mileage has taken a drastic dive in the last couple months. Like from 29 MPG to 18MPG I have not noticed any difference in the way it runs it starts fine and runs well any ideas for me?

 

do you have a check engine light on?

 

The check engine light is NOT on.

 

how many miles on motor, any tune ups recently?

 

Tune up in Summer probably July. 188,000 miles. I have been thinking, maybe another tune up. The drastic plunge in mileage suggest something else to me.

 

what all did you change in the tune up?

does your check engine light come on when you first turn the key on?

i also suggest changing that timing belt and water pump soon

 

Check that the temperature gauge comes up to normal.

 

I been having a bit of the same issue with my 92 Civic. Went from 37 mpg to 28 mpg in about 2 weeks. But it has been windy for the last few weeks & I drive 70-80 from work & back, so I'm using that as an excuse(for now).

Has it been windy the last couple months? It does get pretty nasty up there in the Northwest.

 

mpg also drops in the winter because the engines take alot longer or sometimes dont reach operating temp. we also let the car idle for a while so we have heat when we get in the car. and we drive the cars a little harder to get them to warm up to have heat.

 

To 94 civicchatback, I thought of the Winter and warming up thing, and I do that every morning 7-10 minuits. Just never thought it would make that much of a difference. Guess I'll know in Spring. Thanks!