I am just writing because I have been having very poor fuel economy on my 2009 Honda Civic LX since the Day I got it in September, 2009. The EPA fuel economy estimates are 25 MPG city; 36 MPG highway; and 29 MPG average. My car gets 22-24 MPG in the Winter, and about 26 MPG in the Summer. I do not live in a city, nor do I drive in a city often- it is rare that I do in fact. Tires pressures are checked frequently and maintained to within +/- 1 PSI of the recommended 32 PSI. Weight load (max is 800 pounds) is me 190 pounds + about 50 pounds in the trunk. I rarely do a rapid acceleration, only when absolutely necessary to get on a highway, when there is a short entrance ramp and a great deal of oncoming traffic. I use the recommended fuel of 87 octane, and it is brand name (Exxon); however, I have also tried Sunoco and BP for 1 month periods to see if that would affect MPG, which it did not. A recent annual state vehicle state inspection showed minimal wear on the brake pads, suggesting that I do not over use the brakes.

I have told my Honda dealership about this issue and have also notified a case manager at American Honda. They are not doing anything about this issue. The car has less than 13, 000 miles on it and has had all the recommended maintenance performed. I have had 2 Honda Civics in the past : a 1997 Civic DX and a 2001 Civic LX, both of which averaged 36 MPG average. I have friends who have 2008 and 2009 Civics who say they are averaging about 34 MPG combined driving.

The car had a fuel consumption test, where they hooked up a computer to the car and took it for a 3 mile drive, and the numbers were off from the "ideal" numbers, but supposedly were within Honda's specifications. Another fuel consumption test was done at a Honda dealership (just by filling the tank, driving it till the gas was almost on empty, then getting the tank filled), and it showed the car was getting 24.-something MPG. I am so disappointed with this car. if I were to "dump" the car now, I would have to take about a $5000 - $6000 loss on it. Honda says the EPAs estimates are only "estimates" and were not obtained from "real life" driving conditions. Excuses, excuses is all I get. They advertise "the fuel efficient Honda Civic on TV, yet my car is no where near being fuel efficient as far as I am concerned.

What can I do in this situation??