Yep, that's the way the gauge works. I wish it was more accurate at the bottom as well, but I can live with it. When all the LEDs are out on mine I can add about 11.3 gallons. As a rule of thumb when I have two lights left I can divide the trip odo by 10 to get my approximate mileage.

I understand that if you run the tank out of gas it messes up the catalytic converter, Honda apparently wants to make sure that never happens.

 

Thanks Gene. Yeah I have read too that running out of gas is BAD BAD and have never did it thankfully. Came a little too close for comfort on my last car once. It sounds like it varies from car to car how much one will have left. And weather and stuff affects gas too right? Yesterday happened to be hot here. So when all your lights are down you're have about 2 gallons left? Seems I still have about 3. But I am guessing these figures vary, and I should always becare how low I get it to go. I kind of wish the guage was a bit more accurate. Going down to 12 gallons before refuel would be about ideal for me. I bet I could break 400 miles on a tank doing that.

 

Recently purchased a 2007 civic ex, my first two tank fulls are averaging 29.1 mpg (85-90% city). Not as good as the Jetta tdi I just sold, however, I'm hoping once the break-in progresses the mileage will increase.

 

Hmm ---> great discussion. I would appreciate any feedback on my dilemma:

I drive an '06 with about 60k miles on it, all periodic maintenance done& the miles are almost all highway... So, aboutthree months ago my check engine light comes onsolid, I have the dealer pull the codes & they tell me that it was just a loose gas cap, reset the codes, and send me on my merry way. All fine & dandy, EXCEPT that ever since then I'd be lucky to get 35mpg on the highway, with no change in driving habits, overall weather patterns,average speed or route, type of gasoline, etc ...whereas before I had been getting 42mpg+ easy! This is really driving me insane, because that's like 10mpg gone, evaporated into this air! I had another dealer check things out & also an independent shop, and neither could find anything in terms of filters, codes, etc .... The only thing that I am noticing is that I seem to get the "check gas cap" message more and more frequently, even though I crank the damn thinguntil it's clicking forlike 20-30 seconds ... So, I am at a huge loss to explain what could be causing this significant drop in fuel economy, and I am really bummed out ...[X(]

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thank you much!

 

I believe the new formula for computing EPA estimated mileage went into effect with the 2008 models.

 

I just purchased an 08 civic lx and got 30 mpg on my first tank of gas.

By the way.....how many miles is recommended for break-in?

 

Break in mileage is in the manual (pg 176 for an 07).

600 miles
Avoid hard stops for 200 miles (not sure how you do that if you get cut off)
No towing during break in.
Wait till the service light comes on to change the oil.

I have heard that this is important for Hondas as they have some kind of "break in" oil added. I have no idea if thats true.

 

I average around 33.12mpg (in 3 months) best mpg on one tank being 35.16 mpg. My '07 civic ex is broken in but is still usuing the same oil that it came with... my oil change light/rotate tires light turned on and I'm going to see if the mpg goes up after that. I'm hoping it does.

 

ive had the same issues, as well as an obscene amount of others with my '06. when i first bought it, i drove it as was for some time and always felt as if the ar was lacking power. i bought a k-n filter, cause it was cheaper than a factory replacement, which were the only 2 available. after the install i noticed howmuch of a diff it had made and started thimking, the car couldnt breathe. i have a heavy foot as well as a few additions to the stereo, any added weight will decrease mpg, but i also had the resonator taken out. that amaingly smoothed out the jerkiness i had when i first bought the car. my folks purchased the same car, theirs an ex, mine an lx, both 5 spds, and my mom says mine drives so much smoother than hers.has everyone gotten all the tsb's taken care of?mines rapidly approachin 50k miles

 

Well, the weather is finally starting to warm up here, if you call 40 degrees warm. I just filled today and got 36.5 MPG on the last tank. This after three tanks down about 30.5 MPG. Since gas around her costs $3.20/gallon, I'm glad to see a break in the cold snowy weather. I hope the rest of you see an increase in your mileage also.