My mileage has gone in the crapper too, I attribute it to slower/more
stop and go traffic, and almost constant use of the defrost (and A/C)
both due to the weather turning bad.  I usually get close to 400 miles
on a tank, last tank was barely 300 miles and that was just back 'n'
forth to work.

nate

atbrice <atbrice@gmail.com> wrote in news:9bc3c15f-55a8-4d02-86f6-
569517cfc980@b1g2000pra.googlegroups.com:

That will happen in winter. Did you buy this car recently?

Your cooling system thermostat is old and in need of replacement. Bet your
heater output is anemic as well.

Biggest problem I see is your temperature comment.  If the temp isn't
coming up to normal you may be wasting gas.  The computer knows to
give a cold engine more gas to keep it running smooth.  Replace the
thermostat with the factory temperature unit (the parts store may
offer several different temps).

Second thing I would try is dumping the Bosch plugs and replacing the
plugs with exactly what it came with from the factory.  I'm sure
plenty of people here love their stuff but the only thing I have ever
bought for my car that was worse than a Bosch spark plug was a Bosch
spark plug with a gimmick.

Third would depend on where you live.  Most of the country is running
winter blend fuel.  Many report lower mileage on winter blend fuel
(google will provide more info than you ever wanted to know).  You
also may be idling more than normal to warm up the car / melt ice off
the windows and stuff like that.

          Steve B.

If you noticed the drop in mileage after the switch to Bosh spark plugs I
would say that is the cause. Bosh spark plugs are junk !!  Try a quality set
of plugs like NGK or ND.

Well, your complaint is very common for folks that got suckered into
that Bosch Platinum hype.  Total con job, tons of engines just won't run
on them.

'Every' engine that has come to me with tuning issues that has those
plugs gets fixed instantly with a set of 'proper' and normal plugs.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08.  Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com

Put the old brand of plugs back, and check your thermostat while you
have the hood up.  

If there is a sensor issue, it will probably set a code on the computer,
even if it doesn't, a good code reader should allow you to check the
sensor values so you know if they are reasonable or not.  There is no
reason to just go swapping parts out willy-nilly.
--scott

Bad thermostat can cause choke sensor to give an overrich
mixture, but were the plugs you installed, the    same heat
range as the EOM type?

Alcohol in todays gas WILL definitely lower your mileage,
depending on how much is in it.  Alcohol only has around 2/3
the BTU content of straight gasoline.  Cold weather
exacerbates the issue.

Hi Andrew

You can use the following according to NGK.

1998 ACURA INTEGRA  RS 1.8 L4 B18B1 FI DOHC

Spark Plug     Part No.     Stock No.     Plug Gap     Photo
V-Power     ZFR5F-11 #     2262     .044
G-Power     ZFR5FGP     7098     .044
Laser Platinum     PZFR5F-11 *     4363     .044
Iridium IX     ZFR5FIX-11     2477     .044
* "Laser Series" Platinum center electrode, and Platinum pad ground
electrode
# Original Equipment Manufacturer, and/or Original Equipment Service
Part
^ "Laser Series" Iridium center electrode, and Platinum pad ground
electrode

Wire Set     Part No.     Stock No.
Wire Set     HE82     8041

Oxygen Sensor     Part No.     Location     Note     Photo
Oxygen Sensor     24546     Downstream           n/a
Oxygen Sensor     24169     Upstream

You can get all your NGK Spark Plugs, Wire Sets and O2 Sensors at:
www.ClubPlug.net