My wife has a 2007 4 cylinder that currently has almost 40,000 miles on it. She travels with this car about 60 miles roundtrip to work each shift during the week. When we bought the car, the toyota dealership boasted it great fuel economy. I believe the sticker said somewhere around 30 MPG for highway. We have never gotten 30 MPG on this car, we just calculated the miles from her last tank and it said 25 MPG.

She had a v-6 mustang and it got about 22 MPG, why won't this 4 cylinder get 30?? Is there some sort of preventive maintainence that we have not looked at or setting? We keep the oil changed as required. We live in North Carolina if that makes a difference (weather wise).

Does anyone have any tips on how to achieve better MPG????


Thanks


BTW: First time poster, long time lurker.

 

How fast does she drive on the highway? Is there a lot of traffic on the highway? I have a 98 Camry 4 cyl. and I consistantly get 30mpg on the highway unless I drive too fast. Yout get your best gas mileage between 55-60mph. Over 60mph the mpg begins to drop rapidly. Also, make sure she uses the cruise control. Also, make sure your filters are clean and your spark plugs/wires are still good.

 

she prolly drives between 70-80 on the highway with no traffic using cruise. I heard this makes a difference with a heavy duty truck but with a car?

Haven't checked the filters yet. have to take a look at em

 

Whoooaaaaa, 70-80mph will definately pull down the gas mileage. I do not profess to know everything about cars but I do know that. Google it if you want to check for yourself. Tell her to set the cruise at 60mph on the way to and from work after the next time she fills up, then check the mpg. If she runs the AC that will use some extra gas too (I don't know how warm it is in North Carolina this time of year).

 

The is a large differance in MPG for steady long distance hwy driving and combo city/hwy.

 

Theres alot of factors in mpg.... I have the same 4 cyl non hybrid i get 25 usually around city to moderate highway driving....straight highway at 90mph 1 tank i had 29...you should see near same results. I also have 120k...Maybe 40 k isnt enough miles to have broken in the motor....Most toyotas now days pump out 200k like a walk in the park..

 

I drive the same as well, except I only have 22K miles on the odometer. I usually get around 25-26 with mixed driving and 29-31 for highway only, considering that I go 70-80 mph.

I assume it might be the driving habits, such as not warming up the engine before taking off, aggressive accelerating and braking, speeding (anything above 55-60 mph will just end up creating more drag and makes your car use more gas to run against the wind), and the use of air conditioning. Then it could be the environment you're in, like heavy traffic or inclines and hills you have to get past.

My only advice is to keep your acceleration from complete stops at 3000 rpm max and to not use the air conditioning unless if its absolutely necessary. Also, it helps to warm up your car from a cold start (just wait until the needle drops to 1000 rpm, then you can take off).

 

I agree w/ kanmuri3.


Might want to try a synthetic oil. I use Amsoil 0w-30, SSO.

Just remember keep it smooth, sneek up on whatever speed your going to be traveling at. Coast to the stop light and smooth starts.

I use cruise alot mostly because I lazy. But the line of thought makes sense.

My hwy speeds average 65 -75 and I'm 24-25 around town and 29-30 hwy. Made 2 trips from Olrando to St.Pete on one tank of fuel one time, 123mi each way, that's not to shabby.. almost 500mi

Just an after thought keep your tires a pound or two harder than the tire says, that helps it roll, might be a bit stiffer ride but will help the MPG's