Just Purchased 02 Insight 140k miles, 25MPG so far

dwaynerichards · 12-21-2010, 02:14 PM

I recent purchased a used Insight, 2002 with 140k miles on it. I have been driving it in the city for 3 weeks (though I plan to use it mostly on 300 mile rides to Vermont soon) and have been getting consistently under 25 mpg. I called the nearest Honda service center and was told that my issue is an anomaly if there is no check engine light displayed. When I purchased the vehicle, the lifetime mpg was about 50mpg. Mind you, I have not been treating it like a roadster at all, and even if I was I expected more than 50% of the project mpg.
The Honda servicing center implied that he would need to take it on an hour road test drive to determine the problem (150$). Can Anyone offer me some insight on all the things i need to do before taking it in and forking over 150$. Any Ideas on why my MPG might be sooooo low?

All insight will be really appreciated.

red1dr · 12-21-2010, 02:21 PM

CVT or manual transmission?
What tires are on the car, and what pressure are they at?
Is the AC or defroster on a lot of the time?
How long are your trips in the city? Lots of stop-and-go?
And where does the 25mpg figure come from - is it from dividing miles on the trip odometer by gallons added at fillup?

dwaynerichards · 12-21-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red1dr

CVT or manual transmission?
What tires are on the car, and what pressure are they at?
Is the AC or defroster on a lot of the time?
How long are your trips in the city? Lots of stop-and-go?

CVT Transmission
AC is on 50% of time (heat rather)
Trips are usually less than 10 miles but even on stretches of road with no traffic I get less than 30 mpg.
Tires are radial sp 06 175/65r14 82h m+6 pressure 40psi

Miles per gallon is coming from the heads up display.

red1dr · 12-21-2010, 02:48 PM

Mine is MT but maybe one of the CVT guys here can pitch in.

Do you have the AC off while the heat is on? Are you using defrost a lot?: this turns on the AC.

Stock tires are 165/65-14 so yours are slightly larger.

What part of the mpg display? Average mpg or the instantaneous mpg bar at the bottom? Is the 25mpg confirmed when you fill the tank and make the calculation?

02insight · 12-21-2010, 03:02 PM

do you feel heavy drag/load while driving? maybe front or rear brakes are dragging? Check after some driving if the wheels are really hot to touch.

When your heater or A/C is on, is it on AUTO or ECON? Because if you are driving mostly city, then no autostop would cause a big hit in mpg.

dwaynerichards · 12-21-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red1dr

Mine is MT but maybe one of the CVT guys here can pitch in.

Do you have the AC off while the heat is on? Are you using defrost a lot?: this turns on the AC.

Stock tires are 165/65-14 so yours are slightly larger.

What part of the mpg display? Average mpg or the instantaneous mpg bar at the bottom? Is the 25mpg confirmed when you fill the tank and make the calculation?

Ac is off
MPG is displayed on the trip meter (avg) as well as on the instantaneous mpg bar on the bottom, and they both are giving similar results.

02insight · 12-21-2010, 03:06 PM

is your autostop working?

dwaynerichards · 12-21-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02insight

do you feel heavy drag/load while driving? maybe front or rear brakes are dragging? Check after some driving if the wheels are really hot to touch.

When your heater or A/C is on, is it on AUTO or ECON? Because if you are driving mostly city, then no autostop would cause a big hit in mpg.

It is on auto, and i dont believe the brakes are dragging. Should I just send it in to get full service for them to figure this out. I am getting no higher than 25 to 30 on a straight road with no incline and under 300 rpms....

dwaynerichards · 12-21-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02insight

is your autostop working?

Autostop is working yes.

red1dr · 12-21-2010, 03:36 PM

The "AUTO" AC setting can block autostop. Better to set it at ECON.

You didn't say what make and model the tires are. If they are winter tires this could impact mpg (heavier). Also if the rims are not stock.

Normally the iMPG will drop as you accel, rise as you slow down. The average MPG is more stable as the iMPG swings up and down.

It would be wise before going to the dealer to confirm that your mpg is what the display says it is by doing the check I described. If your mpg is really that low, a number of explanations are possible. Brake drag seems like a good guess, clogged EGR or cat or bad sensors is another, though these should generate CEL's.

Many dealers are unfamiliar with the Insight-I so keep in mind there is always a risk that they will make the wrong diagnosis.