98 camry bad mpg

[jroc07gt]

i just got rid of my 91 camry for a 98 camry and im already down to a 1/2 tank with only 180 miles. the car runs really good and smooth. i replaced the spark plugs with bkr6e copper but it had platinums in it. ive also changed the oil and thats it. so im not sure if the gauge is just messed up or if i have a problem.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by jroc07gt

i just got rid of my 91 camry for a 98 camry and im already down to a 1/2 tank with only 180 miles. the car runs really good and smooth. i replaced the spark plugs with bkr6e copper but it had platinums in it. ive also changed the oil and thats it. so im not sure if the gauge is just messed up or if i have a problem.

Have you done, checked or replaced any of the following? Fuel filter, air filter, properly inflated tires with no alignment/balance issues... Transmission fluid in good condition... Fuel system cleaner/Seafoam ran through gas tank or your brake booster line, and or clean throttle-body...

Also, what kind of driving do you do? Are you a modest driver or more of a spirited one? Are you always driving on the highway or city? I can get about 400 highway miles per tank, if not more, so your mileage doesn't sound too bad.

[jroc07gt]

i ran some gumout with regane through the gas. this weekend i plan to change the air filter, fuel filter, plug wires, and clean tb/egr. wheel balance and allignment seems ok but you never know. also tires are at 35psi.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by jroc07gt

i just got rid of my 91 camry for a 98 camry and im already down to a 1/2 tank with only 180 miles. the car runs really good and smooth. i replaced the spark plugs with bkr6e copper but it had platinums in it. ive also changed the oil and thats it. so im not sure if the gauge is just messed up or if i have a problem.

i don't think there is anything wrong with the fuel gauge.
your mileage is not tragic (i had worse before cleaning injectors), but look here:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/car_truck_suv

are your plugs Iridium-IX (BKR6E copper?)?

if you have 4cyl 5s-fe (2.2L) engine i think you have unrecommended spark plugs. best fits would be either Laser Platinum BKR6EKPB-11 or Iridium-IX BKR6EIX-11.

also as other suggested, get new OEM fuel filter, replace air filter and check suspension for anything loose and brakes for dragging. you might also want to get new NGK TE58 spark plug wires if you never changed them yet.

[jroc07gt]

if you input my car into ngk's website the plugs i put in come up. its just basic plug but i guess i could get some iridiums. it looks like front o2 has already been changed with a bosch.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by jroc07gt

if you input my car into ngk's website the plugs i put in come up. its just basic plug but i guess i could get some iridiums. it looks like front o2 has already been changed with a bosch.

what's your car again ?

[jroc07gt]

98 camry 2.2

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by jroc07gt

98 camry 2.2

that's what i meant. it's same as mine '00 camry 2.2L and i cannot see your plugs over there, i mean the part number you gave is included in all of them but on its own is incomplete. so which plugs are yours, standard ?

having this what you planning on weekend done is a good way to go, tune up won't hurt. get WIX (Napa Gold) or OEM/Denso fuel filter - they last twice as long than other aftermarkets.
also 35psi is better for mileage, i'm now running 33psi over former factory recommended 29-30psi on stock tires.

you can also consider running sea foam through engine, fuel tank and booster line. might help MPG further. i heard synthetic oil also improves MPG a little, however i cannot confirm it myself.

do you know how old (miles) is Bosch o2 sensor you mentioned ?

[jroc07gt]

its the standard plug. i never had a problem running these in my 03 matrix xrs or 91 m2 turbo. whoever had the car before took it to the dealer to be serviced. had a recent toyota oil change sticker the windeshield. has a sticker on the strut tower stating the timing belt change date. has a toyota air filter also. ill just do the cheapest things first and ill get iridiums later if i have to.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by jroc07gt

its the standard plug. i never had a problem running these in my 03 matrix xrs or 91 m2 turbo. whoever had the car before took it to the dealer to be serviced. had a recent toyota oil change sticker the windeshield. has a sticker on the strut tower stating the timing belt change date. has a toyota air filter also. ill just do the cheapest things first and ill get iridiums later if i have to.

ok, keep us posted and good luck!

also check your pads for even wear and make sure sliding pins and/or pistons in calipers are not causing them to drag, it can kill MPG.

[jroc07gt]

looks like it does have new pads in the front so i but make sure they arent sticking

[LynchburgCSI]

I had a camry with the same engine. I was lucky to get 315 miles out of one tank. 180 on half (360 for the whole) isn't bad. But do as everyone has said.

[Ace2424]

Depending on how many miles are on the car, it could have bad O2 sensors or a clogged cat/muffler. See how much exhaust is coming out the rear when you turn it on. Also, changing to a high flowing air filter will add MPG.

I'm on a personal quest for high milage/mild performance additives. My exhaust is clogged, so I have a new one (OBX headers, Magnaflow cat, OBX resonator, OBX muffler all piping and mufflers @2.25) on the way to improve HP and MPG.

CRC throttlebody cleaner is your friend. Cleared out my EVAP code as well by just cleaning out that T-Body.

Also, like Fenixus said, NGK Iridiums are amazing. Running them currently.

[jroc07gt]

*update*

im just under a 1/2 tank now and it has just over 300 miles on it. so i think my mpg is fine but the gauge is just screwy. on my old camry the first 1/2 tank would take forever to move but the last 1/2 would fly. i guess im just gonna have to get used to and learn how the gauge works. im still gonna go ahead and clean the tb for now.

btw the car has 119k on it

[Ace2424]

Fuel injector cleaner, seafoam, will help with that