5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I am now driving an '02 SE V6 that was my father's (he did purchase a new car but not the Camry I was asking about earlier). I am used to getting 30 MPG from my old car and am very disheartened that I barely can get 20 MPG now even with high-speed driving.
I turn off my engine at red lights, try not to rev the engine (which is hard to do because the transmission is rev-happy), and don't use the A/C when the temperature outside is cool enough. Are there any other ideas on how I can improve my gas mileage, such as minor mods? Can the transmission be reprogrammed to shift differently so it doesn't rev as much?
You can inflate the tires to 35PSI to make them harder and have less rolling resistance.
Use 91 octane or higher gas, if you're not already using it. The 1MZ engine is supposed to use 91 for improved performance.
I don't know how fast "high speed driving" is, but if you drive at 55-60MPH, you will burn less gas than going 70 or 80.
When driving in the city, and you know the lights are timed, you can try driving so the lights turn green before you get there so that you don't have to stop. It takes more energy to accelerate your car than it does to keep it moving at a constant rate.
As for turning off your engine at red lights, you probably will just wear out the starter more in exchange for less fuel consumption. I don't know how much fuel you'll really save stopping the engine, but I reckon in the long run, you'll probably pay more for replacing the starter than you'll save in fuel costs.
Do youhave the 4 speed or 5 speed automatic transmission? The 5 speeds were known to be finiky because they always try to upshift 5th as soon as possible to decrese fuel consumption. When you step on the gas, it takes about a second for it to drop 2 gears causing the RPMs to go up so that it can accelerate the car. I think the 5 speeds can be reprogrammed, but if you have the 4 speed, I think you're SOL.
I find it hard to believe that your engine "revs" a lot though. My 2000 Camry, I can usually keep the RPMs under 3000 most of the time, and I have the 4 cylinder engine. Even on my 2002 Camry SE 4 cylinder I never had a problem keeping the RPMs under 3000.
I have the 4-speed. The problem is that the car likes to hold the RPMs near 3000 for a long time. The only way to fix it is to take your foot completely off the gas pedal and then put it back on.
They did something to the transmission program before when it would jerk spontaneously (if you lifted your foot slightly off the gas it would sometimes jerk forward). I thought there might be some "sport" programming on the tranny since it is the SE model.
I have the 4-speed. The problem is that the car likes to hold the RPMs near 3000 for a long time. The only way to fix it is to take your foot completely off the gas pedal and then put it back on.
They did something to the transmission program before when it would jerk spontaneously (if you lifted your foot slightly off the gas it would sometimes jerk forward). I thought there might be some "sport" programming on the tranny since it is the SE model.
Did you try disconnecting the battery so the programming resets to factory defaults? Remember you tranny learns how you drive. I would imagine factory defaults would be have shift points to optimize fuel efficiency.
dont turn off the car on red lights i heard everytime you turn on the car you waste as much gas as having the car idle for about a minute so leave it on but heres another advice put the car in neutral while on the lights and so you can cool off the tranny a bit its better than just turning off the car and back again.
dont turn off the car on red lights i heard everytime you turn on the car you waste as much gas as having the car idle for about a minute so leave it on but heres another advice put the car in neutral while on the lights and so you can cool off the tranny a bit its better than just turning off the car and back again.
Besides if you ask me its not a safe thing to do, to turn off your engine at a red light. YOu never know when you have to move out of the way, such as an oncoming Ambulance, car, etc.
The car has about 76,000 miles on it. My high speed driving has not been above 65 MPH (it's usually about 55). The transmission fluid was replaced within the last year I believe so that probably isn't the issue.
I don't know why my transmission won't shift when I take my foot off the throttle. When I put it back on the RPMs jump right back to where they were. You would think the shifts would be set for optimum fuel economy but it seems like performance is the higher priority.
This is just frustrating that my fuel costs have now jumped 50% because of an accident, and I'm just a college student.
I have your exact same car, even the mileage is the same. I get 25 mpg in LA traffic, more on highway. So I dont know why you dont get the same mileage at least...the low mpg is not because it is a V6, i can tell you that much.
Dragging brakes, tune up, low compression? These are the only things i can guess, maybe something is wrong, try a tune up first and maybe a compression check because you should be getting more mpg. Or maybe an injector is malfunctioning. BTW your overdrive isnt turned off, is it?
Just curious, but what car did you have before? I am currently driving a Pontiac G6 rental and I only get about 24 MPG from it...
I had a 2004 Mazda3 sedan. I got 30 MPG on average. Unfortunately it was involved in a wreck and was totaled. To keep the insurance low, my dad got the new car and I got his Camry.
I do not own the car personally (it's in my parents' names). If it were I'd be in negotiations right now to trade it in for a similarly-priced used car with better fuel economy. The Camry did just have a 75,000 mile service done so its maintenance is current. The overdrive is on as the "O/D off" light is not illuminated.
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