Picked up a 96 civic for a daily but gas mpg isn’t what I thought it would be

[MattinMO]

So Sunday bought a 96 4 door civic with only 125k on it. It’s only the 2nd 4cyl I’ve ever owned and it’s dog asssss slow. Automatic...runs like a sewing machine but I think the motor is a little tired bc the reason I think I’m not getting good gas mpg is bc this thing is so slow I have to hammer it to get up hills, merge onto the highway, pass slow drivers. Anything I should do without turning it into a tuner rice mobile!!? Intake, hypertec, sell it and get a accord?.

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[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Need more details....is it slow because its not up to your standards slow....like treating it like a v8 fast...or what? Maybe do a tune up on it. Sounds like it wasn't taken care of very well.

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

Standards usually get a few mpg more than autos, especially on the smaller japenese engines. The auto should still get like 28-32mpg?

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

cai intakes don't really help as much for the work it can be to remove air box.. 1st think just get k&n filter, new plugs, change oil, fuel filter & tans fl & filter also put some b12 chemtool gas treatment (walmart metal can $3) in only like 1/2 tank premium gas.. if u have a muffler shop (or u have a laser temp gun) check temp on cat. after u drive 20 mins if temp over 650 u probably need to change that and that'll really add some hp back..

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

What kind of mpg are you getting? What are the rpms when the ***** shifts as you drive it? When is the last time the air filter was cleaned or changed? Spark plugs? Oil? ***** fluid? Proper tire inflation?

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

probably just needs maintenance

 

[Darth_Immitis]

Cat delete, sri, ngk spark plugs and thicker wires. That will give it some more pep in it’s step.

Oh and seafoam that *****! Oil, vac line, and gas tank. Make sure you change oil about 80 miles after foaming the oil.

 

[MattinMO]

Lol def don’t expect v8 results as far as power but my Silverado on 24” wheels gets about 14-15 mpg city and I’m thinking I’m only getting 19/20 out of this civic

 

[MattinMO]

I think a cat delete is def in order even tho I live in an emission Nazi state now I still have ways around it.

 

[MattinMO]

Yea just bought it last Sunday night and haven’t had time to do anything to it, tomorrow I’m changing oil, gonna give restore a try, pulls the plugs to see what they look like, change the air filter, and I have a temp gun I’m gonna see if there’s an issue with the cat

 

[MattinMO]

I honestly think the cat might be part of the problem gonna fool with it this weekend