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 have this 2002 Camry SE V6. First 3 years dealer changed oil, after that Walmart or Jiffy. I think they were using 10W30 oil. I've finally decided to start doing the oil change myself. I bought 5 quarts of Mobil1 synthetic (10W30). Now after reading some threads looks like 5W30 is recommended. What would you guys recommend I use? Also bought a Mobil1 oil filter.
My second issue. The car gives me really bad gas mileage. Around 17-20 (highway and city mix). The car runs very smooth and all, but is there something I can do to make the gas mileage better?
20 mpg in mixed driving isn't considered "really bad" thats actually pretty good. Try burning through an entire tank of gas doing nothing but highway miles, i'm positive you'll see greater miles per gallon on the highway. remember you're talking about a v6 here. i mean get real would ya!!!
20 mpg in mixed driving isn't considered "really bad" thats actually pretty good. Try burning through an entire tank of gas doing nothing but highway miles, i'm positive you'll see greater miles per gallon on the highway. remember you're talking about a v6 here. i mean get real would ya!!!
I recently calculated the highway and I get about 20mpg in highway driving. for city I think it's around 17. you think this is standard? I've seen other V6 cars get better gas mileage!
You're talking about an eight year old car. There have been many advancements in engine technology over the past 8 years since you're V6 Camry was built. Have you been keeping up on your regular scheduled maintenance?
1. Add a good injector cleaner such as SeaFoam to the gas for at least one tank.
2. Check tire pressure and have them tweeked to at or above the recommended pressure by a pound or two.
3. Replace the tires with a brand and model that has the highest possible tire wear rating. Something over 750 if you can find them at a reasonable price. Tires last a long time because they have less road resistance. Less resistance translates to better mileage.
4. Make certain that the tires are aligned to lessen resistance.
5. Polish/wax the car. Ever see a dirty airliner? There's a reason that they are always clean.
6. Turn the air conditioner off and roll down the windows.
7. Drive in town as if you as old as I am and you will get better mileage. Most fuel is used accelerating from red lights and getting back up to speed. Left turn signal stuck on is purely optional.
8. A clean air filter can't hurt, but the computer tends to adjust fuel to the air flow, so it has a minimal affect. Get a clean one in there to make you feel good.
9. Yes, a good quality full synthetic oil will improve the mileage a bit. Every little bit helps, but changing the oil is not a panacea.
__________________
2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
I recently calculated the highway and I get about 20mpg in highway driving. for city I think it's around 17. you think this is standard? I've seen other V6 cars get better gas mileage!
20 mpg on highway, that is bad, and it has nothing to do with it being a 8 year car. I have 2002 as well, I get about 28 mpg on the highway.
I have about 165,000 km on mine but well maintained. I have not changed the spark plug yet as it is not due until 194,000 km or around that.
Are you sure you are doing the calculations correctly, I think the city and highway mpg should be further apart.
1. Add a good injector cleaner such as SeaFoam to the gas for at least one tank.
2. Check tire pressure and have them tweeked to at or above the recommended pressure by a pound or two.
3. Replace the tires with a brand and model that has the highest possible tire wear rating. Something over 750 if you can find them at a reasonable price. Tires last a long time because they have less road resistance. Less resistance translates to better mileage.
4. Make certain that the tires are aligned to lessen resistance.
5. Polish/wax the car. Ever see a dirty airliner? There's a reason that they are always clean.
6. Turn the air conditioner off and roll down the windows.
7. Drive in town as if you as old as I am and you will get better mileage. Most fuel is used accelerating from red lights and getting back up to speed. Left turn signal stuck on is purely optional.
8. A clean air filter can't hurt, but the computer tends to adjust fuel to the air flow, so it has a minimal affect. Get a clean one in there to make you feel good.
9. Yes, a good quality full synthetic oil will improve the mileage a bit. Every little bit helps, but changing the oil is not a panacea.
great advices! I think the spark plugs were replaced at 60K miles now it has 73K. Not sure how soon I should replace em. I'll switch to 5W30 although it warm weather now. Where do you buy seafoam? Also, I think alignment is a good idea.
20 mpg on highway, that is bad, and it has nothing to do with it being a 8 year car. I have 2002 as well, I get about 28 mpg on the highway.
I have about 165,000 km on mine but well maintained. I have not changed the spark plug yet as it is not due until 194,000 km or around that.
Are you sure you are doing the calculations correctly, I think the city and highway mpg should be further apart.
ToyotaToday,
I used to get 25mpg several years back. that was the highest I've ever got. I recently filled it up drove several hundred miles(highway), filled it up again and checked how many gallons it took to fill up and the miles I've driven. simple division. I always use cruise control in highways but the roads are not flat here.. that could be a reason.
ToyotaToday,
I used to get 25mpg several years back. that was the highest I've ever got. I recently filled it up drove several hundred miles(highway), filled it up again and checked how many gallons it took to fill up and the miles I've driven. simple division. I always use cruise control in highways but the roads are not flat here.. that could be a reason.
Do you drive a V6? what city mpg do you get?
The last time i checked, about a year ago, I was getting around 19-20 in city and about 28 mpg in highway. My wife and I drove to San fran from Vancouver, bc. After a year, I'm sure it's about the same.
Yes, it's a V6 LE
If you read the manual, 5W30 is better for fuel efficiency. I would go with that.
__________________
2006 4Runner Limited
Last edited by ToyotaToday; 04-15-2009 at 03:05 PM.
One other thing. Many areas are required to sell gas with blended alcohol. This will guarantee poorer mileage. Keep this in mind and perhaps mention it in your discussion so that you all can be comparing apples to apples.
__________________
2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
One other thing. Many areas are required to sell gas with blended alcohol. This will guarantee poorer mileage. Keep this in mind and perhaps mention it in your discussion so that you all can be comparing apples to apples.
important point.. I use 89 grade which has 10% ethanol. that gives you low gas mileage?
I have this 2002 Camry SE V6. First 3 years dealer changed oil, after that Walmart or Jiffy. I think they were using 10W30 oil. I've finally decided to start doing the oil change myself. I bought 5 quarts of Mobil1 synthetic (10W30). Now after reading some threads looks like 5W30 is recommended. What would you guys recommend I use? Also bought a Mobil1 oil filter.
My second issue. The car gives me really bad gas mileage. Around 17-20 (highway and city mix). The car runs very smooth and all, but is there something I can do to make the gas mileage better?
Thanks for reading and appreciate any help.
I have your car. Cannot go wrong with mobil 1. Summertime is upon us so your grade is fine, use 5 30 for winter. As for your mpg, you failed to state your mileage so i have some general advice. My 2002 V6 gets avg 25 mpg in LA traffic. My trunk is full of 100 pds of crap and yet that is about the lowest mpg i have gotten.
For maximum mpg, inflate tire to maximum sidewall pressure. Dump excess cargo except your girlfriend. You might want to change your plugs (have fun). Other than that, if your car continues to get low mileage, its either nature of your driving or engine doing a long goodbye. Perhaps i'd just live with it!
Other possibilities, may be that your oxygen sensors are going, but not bad enough to trigger the "check engine" light to come on. The oxygen sensor deteriorates eventually. As this starts to go, the air/fuel mixture ratio will be off, and thus giving poor mileage. It's not at its optimum air/fuel ratio.
depending on how you drive and maintain your car, your spark plugs may be dirty or going, especially if you drive a lot of short trips.
If you use cheap gas (without any cleaning additives), your injectors may be dirty.
You ECM may be bad. This controls the quantity of fuel, oxygen, timing, etc of your car, basically the computer system.
The list of things that impact poor gas mileage is a lengthy one... these are only some.
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oil change and gas mileage question
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