2004 Acura TSX - MPG help...

[mtbnole]

my 2004 TSX (auto) no longer gets the 32 MPG i used to see on the highway at almost 80 mph. With 108K miles, I guess that's to be expected, but still I am at about 28 now on the highway. The car is 100% stock, and i wouold like to get back up to 30+ mpg if i am going to keep this for another 30-50K miles.

what do you all reccomend to make those improvements to a car like this?
Spark plugs ? - i've never changed them
new air filter? -= it's been 12K miles, so it's time, but would a K&N drop in or something else make a bigger difference?
tires are inflated to 2-4 PSI above acura's reccomendations at all times, i don't want to go more then this due to tire wear and rough ride.
transmision fluid is original
oil is mobil 1 5w-30, changed every 7500 miles.
original belts

nothing else of note really....i just want to get mileage back. am i asking too much from a 7 year old car?

 

[CookieRoe]

my 2004 TSX (auto) no longer gets the 32 MPG i used to see on the highway at almost 80 mph. With 108K miles, I guess that's to be expected, but still I am at about 28 now on the highway. The car is 100% stock, and i wouold like to get back up to 30+ mpg if i am going to keep this for another 30-50K miles.

what do you all reccomend to make those improvements to a car like this?
Spark plugs ? - i've never changed them
new air filter? -= it's been 12K miles, so it's time, but would a K&N drop in or something else make a bigger difference?
tires are inflated to 2-4 PSI above acura's reccomendations at all times, i don't want to go more then this due to tire wear and rough ride.
transmision fluid is original
oil is mobil 1 5w-30, changed every 7500 miles.
original belts

nothing else of note really....i just want to get mileage back. am i asking too much from a 7 year old car?

1) spark plugs are due most likely. At 108K miles, I'm sure they are due. On my 2007 Civic, they are due at 103K.
2) OEM Filter, change it but it most likely won't do anything. Stay away from aftermarket stuff. Mileage may suffer, realize the MORE air going in, means MORE gas you will be using.
3) Change Tranny fluid, won't change the mileage, but WILL prolong the life of the tranny.
4) Try 5W-20. It's only a 4 cylinder, or even 0W-20. Toyota has switched to this for economy. (Mobile1)
5) Change belts ONLY if needed.

EVEN if you don't regain the mpgs, you mention that everything else if fine, why get rid of a perfectly good car (sounds like you like it). The TSX is very nice car!

Good Luck

 

[mtbnole]

1) spark plugs are due most likely. At 108K miles, I'm sure they are due. On my 2007 Civic, they are due at 103K.
2) OEM Filter, change it but it most likely won't do anything. Stay away from aftermarket stuff. Mileage may suffer, realize the MORE air going in, means MORE gas you will be using.
3) Change Tranny fluid, won't change the mileage, but WILL prolong the life of the tranny.
4) Try 5W-20. It's only a 4 cylinder, or even 0W-20. Toyota has switched to this for economy. (Mobile1)
5) Change belts ONLY if needed.

EVEN if you don't regain the mpgs, you mention that everything else if fine, why get rid of a perfectly good car (sounds like you like it). The TSX is very nice car!

Good Luck

thanks.

why would an air intake automatically make a car use more gas?

as far as getting rid of it, it has 200hp.... to the front wheels.....
dont get me wrong, it's comfortable, handles relatively well, and is paid off...but I am looking to get into an S4 or something similar with a little more oomph, and power to the rear or all 4 wheels.

 

[CookieRoe]

thanks.

why would an air intake automatically make a car use more gas?

as far as getting rid of it, it has 200hp.... to the front wheels.....
dont get me wrong, it's comfortable, handles relatively well, and is paid off...but I am looking to get into an S4 or something similar with a little more oomph, and power to the rear or all 4 wheels.

When you put in an aftermarket filter, that generally lets in more air (K&N filter, etc), into the engine, the computer thus compensates that by adding more gas to air/fuel mixture. I had a K&N filtercharger kit in my former Grand Cherokee. It sounded awesome, but I didn't notice ANY gain in mpgs. Also it was a PITA to "maintain" it. The K&N filters require you to clean the filter by hosing it down, then applying some special "red" fluid to the filter. If you overdo it, you risk your engine inhaling it and making your throttle bottle dirty. It's less aggravating to just change the OEM filter.

Anyway, after the spark plugs, OEM filter & oil (0W-20 or 0W-30 synthetic) you should notice a slight increase (1-3 mpgs?).

Paid off? My Civic is ONE payment from being paid off. Not having a car payment is very nice. S4? Lots more ommph and let's less mpg than a TSX :biggrin2: It's all good, it's an S4!

 

[rayjay]

No CEL I take it as well right?

I would say just a good ole fashion tune up. Including all fresh fluids, check your brakes make sure there isn't excessive drag. Check wheel bearings as well see if one of those is bad. Valve adjustment, timing, wires plugs ect, depending on when all that was done before. Not as on top of the recommended maintenance schedule for the newer Honda/Acuras but your valve adjustment will do wonders.