97 MPG Disappointment - Improvements? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Houston54 · 10-06-2005, 07:57 AM

I have just purchased a 1997 Camry LE (101K miles) with the 2.2 and auto trans for general running around and commuting when I am not riding the scooter (Honda 750). The first mileage check showed an disappointing 18.5 mpg

for around town driving by myself and the wife. This does not compare well with the two Suburbans we also have which get 15 mpg city.
The engine appears to be well maintained. No smoke. No excessive oil consumption. No performance issues. Tranny shifts smoothly.

Is this what I can expect from this vehicle or is there something I can or need to do to improve this?

I am not ruling out poor driving habits as yet since I have not run a full tank through it with only my driving. I know the wife has a heavy foot and the 16 year old may also have contributed some also.
Any suggestions on mechanical corrective measures would be appreciated.

Obelix · 10-06-2005, 08:49 AM

Try to put super in it...

needhelpwithcar · 10-06-2005, 09:56 AM

from the title I thought you were getting 97 MPG and were disappointed, did you try to change the oil?

AVL92CAMRY · 10-06-2005, 09:56 AM

Pull the spark plugs and check their color and age/buildup. Also check the sparkplug wires. Check tire pressure. Check for fuel leaks. Could have something to do with the auto tranny-maybe someone else can provide insight on that.

Drive it around 100 miles yourself only and check your mileage. Although even with a lead foot you should get better than 18.5mpg for a 5s-fe powered Cam. I get 27mpg in town with my 92 5sp. Thats even with my roof rack on. 31mpg on highway.

When I first read your title I was in shock "97 mpg"!!!!!

Karl

greylock · 10-06-2005, 10:02 AM

Do a search for "seafoam". Maybe your engine needs a good cleaning. I get better mileage than that with my V6 and I have a leadfoot.

subyrally · 10-06-2005, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greylock

Do a search for "seafoam". Maybe your engine needs a good cleaning. I get better mileage than that with my V6 and I have a leadfoot.

seafoam is the greatest stuff on earth, ran it through my friend's 1990 camry and both of my subarus. his camry was a night and day difference when we ran half a can through the intake. smoked out my neighborhood for about 5 laps, but had noticably more power and better milage. this was with pace setter headers and a custom header back exhaust, and an intake.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 10-06-2005, 10:44 AM

possible exhaust leaks? clogged cat? malfunctioning o2 sensor? pcv plugged?

Houston54 · 10-06-2005, 11:17 AM

I was not thinking the cat converter or O2 sensor would be a factor as it passed emission testing the day before we purchased it. The oil is clean and I have service records from day 1 from the PO that pretty much rule out major issues such as timing belt. I will pull the plug this weekend and inspect.

The suggestion to use super unleaded is a no-go as it was designed to use 87 octane and paying more for hi-test would defeat the purpose of wanting a more fuel efficient car to begin with.

I was hoping the thread title would bring in the curious and it seems I was successful. Sorry to be misleading though.

***ModifierMR*** · 10-06-2005, 12:28 PM

I was getting 19MPG in my 03 Camry when i did pizza deliveries. But now scince i quit i get around 26-28 which is about normal.

If u do an exessive amount of driving in a short time, such as stopping and going every 3 or more minutes, I guess it has an adverse effect on gas miliege.

So try not to Stop and go Drive, take the highway more often or something. But as far as i know, the more u stop and then go again, the less MPG u get.

Cyorke · 10-06-2005, 12:28 PM

yeha it sounds like you need to do some tune up work on it. I know you say the PO had all the lamintenance records but maybe it is time for some stuff again. I have a 94V6 and I am averaging around 23-25 mpg probably 70%highway and 30% city. And I also have somewhat of a lead foot.

***Durrby*** · 10-06-2005, 12:56 PM

I was getting around 15-16mpg with my I4...then I did a tune-up(plugs, wires, distrib cap, rotor, fuel filter, thermostat, pcv valve, and ran seafoam thru and it didn't change at all.) I recently changed my O2 sensor so hopefully it will go up. I mean thats terrible mileage from a 4 banger, even if it is all city driving.

Gary_602Z · 10-06-2005, 02:27 PM

16 year old?

Gary

TriumphGT6 · 10-07-2005, 02:02 PM

Your Toyota may have issues in the fuel management system causing it to run too rich. If no Check Engine Light is on, try these:

-Clean EGR valve and its passages with carb cleaner.
-Clean and regap spark plugs or replace and gap.
-Air, Oil & Fuel Filters change. use only good stuck like Toyota OEM, STP, Fram, Duckhams or Castrol.
-Check Exhaust for any leaks near the cat or 02 sensors.
-Try running Fuel Injector cleaner (only good stuff, IE - $8 bottle of Chevron Cleaner)
-See if any of your accessories that are engine driven (by a belt) and see if one has a defective clutch that is always engaged. See if any have excessive resistance and lube them up.

Good Luck, I can see you want better gas mileage than a Sports/Muscle Car.

Houston54 · 10-07-2005, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the tips. I would rather be driving a muscle car and currently have a SBC powered 1954 Chevy truck under construction. You can see its current progress in http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...name=houston54

TriumphGT6 · 10-07-2005, 04:35 PM

That is one nice truck, but nicer yet is that car hauler. Very nice. It makes me wish the one I used wasn't just a flatbed semi. You probably get 8mpg more with that setup.

My dad and I have started rebuilding my Triumph how we wanted it to be originally, to what we would view as the world's best built Triumph GT6. Here it is:

-Hand Made Aluminum Body panels, with Stainless Steel in all the areas a car usually rusts. Bottom of car will still be painted then Rhino-Lined.
-Inside of car will be painted then Rhino-Lined too. (Done)
-Outside will be painted Triumph Toreador Red, and have the full paint treatment, meaning tons of clearcoats wetsanded to perfection.
-Original Triumph Engine & Transmission with Aluminum accessories (Alt, WP, etc.)
-Jaguar Seats w/ Connolly Leather, with matching handmade door panels and trim. (In progress)
-Black Wool Carpet.(Already Done)
-Electrics will be various pieces that are easily obtained, NOT Lucas (IE - Ford, Chevy, Toyota, etc.).
-Alpine Car Stereo w/ 8 BOSE speaker sound system with Concert Grade Wire.
-4 Wheel Brembo Disc Brakes w/ 4 Piston Calipers and Ceramic Hi-performance pads.(If Possible)
-1960's style Bullet Mirrors (IE - Jaguar, Triumph, Ferrari, etc.) DONE

I hope that truck won't be faster than my car! EDIT - Ended up selling it.