Looking to ^ my MPG

[4shizzlebizzle]

I just bought a 1999 CR-V EX with 106,XXX miles on it. It's a five speed, and I notice that the RPMs soar, even when I'm in 5th gear. I am already at 3,000 RPMs at only 62 MPH! I am looking to increase my miles per gallon, and could use some suggestions. Any help would be awesome!

[2RedV's]

I just bought a 1999 CR-V EX with 106,XXX miles on it. It's a five speed, and I notice that the RPMs soar, even when I'm in 5th gear. I am already at 3,000 RPMs at only 62 MPH! I am looking to increase my miles per gallon, and could use some suggestions. Any help would be awesome!Welcome to the forum! :)

You bought a Honda. It was designed to rev higher than most other vehicles and was designed to be more efficient at higher RPM's than other vehicles. Don't lug the engine, thinking that it will give you better fuel mileage. It won't.

[4shizzlebizzle]

Right on. I'm not sure what has been done to it before I bought it, so I am wondering if a new air filter, spark plugs, etc will help squeeze out a few more hp. I get the simple stuff to keep the tires at the recommended psi and coast in-gear rather than in neutral, but I'm looking for ways to make the engine more efficient.

[2RedV's]

Right on. I'm not sure what has been done to it before I bought it, so I am wondering if a new air filter, spark plugs, etc will help squeeze out a few more hp. I get the simple stuff to keep the tires at the recommended psi and coast in-gear rather than in neutral, but I'm looking for ways to make the engine more efficient.The recommended psi for the tires is probably low. Plus, since you wouldn't still have the original tires on there, that number may not be valid anyway.

Fresh plugs, air filter, cap and rotor plus a bottle of Techron in the fuel tank should help out. Check the plug wires and replace if marginal or still original.
However, spending $100 to increase mpg by 1 isn't too cost effective, although it may make you feel better.

PS - When was the last time the valves were adjusted? This is very important, not for fuel economy, but for the life of the engine.

[4shizzlebizzle]

I meant to write "a few more mpgs", rather than "a few more hps" under my last reply; my bad. I'm not sure about the history of the vehicle. I bought it at a Honda dealership earlier this week and I don't have any maintennance records to look at. My dad and I are fairly mechanically inclined, not that we would be able to overhaul an engine, but we're pretty good at trouble-shooting and things like that. Is the valve adjustment something that isn't too hard to tackle?