Gas mileage in 2003 CRV

[powersol]

Own a 2003 CRV (Auto EX AWD), and was wondering if the city mileage I am seeing of 17-18 MPG, and highway of 22 MPG is consistent with other forum members. I have asked local Honda dealer to see if their diagnostics show anything wrong, and am surprised that my V6 2000 Odyssey outperforms the 4 cylinder CRV so significantly (Odyssey does 27/22 MPG highway/city).

Feel "silly" taking a larger minivan on longer drives because "it's better on gas".

Some have theorized the smaller Accord 4 cylinder engine required gear ratios to power the larger CRV that favored power over fuel efficiency.

Any observations from the members?

Thanks

[2RedV's]

Own a 2003 CRV (Auto EX AWD), and was wondering if the city mileage I am seeing of 17-18 MPG, and highway of 22 MPG is consistent with other forum members. I have asked local Honda dealer to see if their diagnostics show anything wrong, and am surprised that my V6 2000 Odyssey outperforms the 4 cylinder CRV so significantly (Odyssey does 27/22 MPG highway/city).

Feel "silly" taking a larger minivan on longer drives because "it's better on gas".

Some have theorized the smaller Accord 4 cylinder engine required gear ratios to power the larger CRV that favored power over fuel efficiency.

Any observations from the members?

Thanks

Your mileage is lower than what we see on our 04, but our "city" mileage is more like suburbs than city - not a whole lot of stop lights and idling. I have noticed that our mpg has recently gone up now that winter gas is no longer being sold here. Speed matters a whole lot on the highway. The CR-V is not very aerodynamic and the faster you go, the worse the mpg will be.

If you keep the tires at the ridiculously low suggested pressure of 26psi (or is that 29 on an 03?) you may want to increase to 30-32 instead. It provides for a little sharper handling and less rolling resistance at the expense of a slightly harsher ride. A dirty air filter will hurt mileage too.

[powersol]

Thanks for the quick reply....I had already addressed the tire pressure, to no avail. My "city" is more suburban as well, though your aerodynamic comment may have merit on highway...I rarely stay at 55 ;-) It has been my only disappointment with the car....buying an Accord 4 cylinder engine on a Civic frame, I had expected MUCH better fuel efficiency.

[07CRVOWNR]

Have you tried any type of carbon removal service or a can of BG44K (my preference) or similar products? With the tighter tolerances in today's engines, there is an increased probability of carbon build up. I religiously buy a can every 7500 miles to try to keep the engine clean as possible. From what I understand, which could be limited about this topic, is that carbon generally makes the engine work harder, thus having poorer than expected gas mileage. The can product option does not get to every nook and cranny of the fuel system. There are always other services that do a better job but why spend the money on this type of service first when you may get a bump in mpg with the can option. This may not fix the issue but it takes one step out of the diagnosis procedure on top of what was previously suggested

[2RedV's]

The Gold Standard of fuel system cleaners is Chevron Techron. Many dealerships will pour a bottle of it in your tank and charge you $69.95. You can buy a bottle for as little as $5 or so from almost any auto parts store. It would be well a try to see if it helps.
I put a bottle in my 99 and the 04 about every other oil change. Both engines run great.

[07CRVOWNR]

Chevron Techron is certainly the Gold Standard for carbon cleaners purchased at a autoparts or generic stores. BG44K can only be purchased at independent repair shops or dealers. It is the more expensive of the two at around $20 but it is what the experts recommend in my area, such as Pat Goss who has a radio show concerning car repair and is the technical repair expert on the show "Motorweek." Multiple repair shops that I have visited in the past have also recommended the BG44K. Both are good resources pending on which way one chooses to go.

[2RedV's]

My opinion here, but I would rather spend $5 and have the problem fixed (or never occur) than spend $20. The issue I have is that the people that promote and sell the product are also the boosters, ala Amsoil.

[07CRVOWNR]

I have also used the Chevron product. Although good, I have found that my cars run smoother when using BG44K over Techron, just personal experience. I am skeptical when people push products and don't try them out on a whim. In this case, I'd rather spend the $20 so I don't have to have the carbon service as much since it seems to do a better job at removing the carbon.

[drivezki]

My opinion here, but I would rather spend $5 and have the problem fixed (or never occur) than spend $20. The issue I have is that the people that promote and sell the product are also the boosters, ala Amsoil.
I agree with that.

[07CRVOWNR]

Think of it this way. According to Chevron's website the Techron product is good to "Improve performance for up to 3,000 miles". At $5 plus tax you will be about $10 or so for 6,000 miles. The BG44K is good for every 7,500 miles. I went back and looked at my last reciept and I paid $18. I'd rather pay for the product that I have to put in the tank less often and from my experience performs better. This is not anything against Techron, which is a fine product for what it is. My preference and experience has been to purchase the better of the two products which I have found to be BG44K.

[GoHack]

I would also highly recommend using a good gasoline too, such as Chevron, which has Techron in it also, or Shell, which has it's own cleaning product in it. I've also heard that Sunoco is good too, but we don't have any here in the Northwest.

Stay away from cheap quality gasolines such as ARCO.

The BMW dealer where I have my 330Ci serviced, highly recommends using Techron in it. ;)

Who manufacturers BG44K? I've never heard of it.

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