why is my mpg so crappy? please help

[deuce106]

i have an 09 I4 camry se. it has about 5600k miles on it, i have been calculating the mpg since the first tank of gas i put in. i average about 18.5 mpg since the first oil changed. i got 20.5 mpg before the first oil change but after that its been about 18.5 mpg. why is it so bad? i don't drive fast at all but mainly city use with some freeway. Is some thing wrong with my car? i have seen so many people saying that they average about 25-27 mgp city for an I4 camry.
BTW. i have a drop in k&n in my car idk if it matters that much...thanks

[njerald]

Originally Posted by deuce106

i have an 09 I4 camry se. it has about 5600k miles on it, i have been calculating the mpg since the first tank of gas i put in. i average about 18.5 mpg since the first oil changed. i got 20.5 mpg before the first oil change but after that its been about 18.5 mpg. why is it so bad? i don't drive fast at all but mainly city use with some freeway. Is some thing wrong with my car? i have seen so many people saying that they average about 25-27 mgp city for an I4 camry.

Nobody averages 25-27 mpg in true 100% city stop and go driving, maybe somewhat suburban driving with fewer stops and starts. Everyone has a different definition of city traffic. Mixed traffic is an easy 27+ though.

23-24 mpg is the best I can do with heavy stop and go traffic and 30-35 mph speed limits.

Tips: Keep RPMs for shift changes below 2,500, coast to stops and try to avoid stops by slowing early. 35-36 psig in tires will help a little. Shut off the engine at long lights.

[camryen08]

which gear u use? and how much rpm when u cruise in the city?
the reason i asked this is because one of my co-work complains his Altima 2.5 only get 25-26 mpg on 85% highway driving at 75 mph , then i found out he is actually using 4 instead D, after that, he get 28-29 mpg.

[islandboy57]

My fuel economy ranges between 18.5 MPG - 33.5 MPG. The former being mostly short city trips (so the engine is never fully warmed up = running on the rich side = poor MPG) and the latter being mostly freeweay driving.

I don't think there's anything for you to be disappointed with. I've gotten 28.5 MPG in the city with an '09 Corolla but...it's a Corolla. I much prefer my Camry despite its city fuel economy

[workerant]

Also note that the last gear usually kick in around +47mph constant speed which give you the best mileage.

[Pawel062]

if u drive around mostly in city with lots of stops and go then it's like everyone else said. should of went for the hybrid to get better city economy. use the suggestions others have mentioned. they really help.

[cuzndupree]

Could the brand and oil weight make the difference? What did you use for the oil change?

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by deuce106

i have an 09 I4 camry se. it has about 5600k miles on it, i have been calculating the mpg since the first tank of gas i put in. i average about 18.5 mpg since the first oil changed. i got 20.5 mpg before the first oil change but after that its been about 18.5 mpg. why is it so bad? i don't drive fast at all but mainly city use with some freeway. Is some thing wrong with my car? i have seen so many people saying that they average about 25-27 mgp city for an I4 camry.
BTW. i have a drop in k&n in my car idk if it matters that much...thanks

Factory oil is 0W20. Lots of dealers use their bulk supply which may be 10W30. The thicker oil will drop MPG some, although I'd expect 2-3% rather than the 10% you experienced.

I'd check the usual suspects:

1. Tire pressures - run 35-40 rather than 32. Helps firm up steering response as well.
2. Junk in your trunk. In stop-and-crawl, extra 200# can give you a noticeable hit.
3. Driving conditions - sometimes the change is subtle- a light or 3 mis-timed that results in extra 2-3 minutes of idling. Different route, different time of day resulting in more idling will also kill MPG.
4. A/C use - if your previous MPG benchmarks were in cooler time with less A/C use, that could also account for 5% hit.
5. Seasonal gasoline blends. Some of the low-vapor pressure mixes or mixes with more ethanol will cause increased consumption.
6. Idling - like a remote start used to cool car down will drop MPG noticeably - at idle, you're burning fuel but going nowhere.

To get a 'clean' benchmark, a longer loop trip may be in order - if the MPG is back, then look at the factors above.

[JohnGD]

Bad oxygen sensor? At least on the V6 rear bank it'll crap right out. It's the marginal ones that's hard, because you don't know if it's working and dealer won't admit it's bad.

[gdanaher]

He has an I4, not a V6.

Check your tire pressure. 35 psi is good. Take a look at how you calculate mileage. If you only fill to the point where it clicks off, it will vary by a gallon or more per tank. On Saturday morning, fill it to the lip, note the mileage, drive up 405 to I10 and then out and down to Palm Springs. Have lunch, Drive home. Fill to the lip at the same pump you got gas in the morning Calculate your mileage. If it compares to other highway mileages posted here for late model I4's then you are good. If you are off, then have the dealer take a look at it. City mileage varies massively, so it is hard to cmpare apples to apples.

[omairtheman1]

its very important that you feather the throttle instead of going into it hard...

[deuce106]

i use a castrol full syntatic 5 w20 for my car and i also use my a/c on most of the time now. so maybe that is why... i only get about 18.5 city and 29 mpg highway ...

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

Fill to the lip at the same pump...

Good point, I use the same pump at the same station for each fill up. However, I only fill it up till the first click. I don't top it off.

[Corsa999]

To the OP:

I have the same car - 2009 I4 SE with about 13k miles and experience the same mileage you've quoted.

It's dissapointing to be honest with an I4. Great on the highway, low 30's, but low 20's mpg in the city.

[workerant]

Originally Posted by Corsa999

To the OP:

I have the same car - 2009 I4 SE with about 13k miles and experience the same mileage you've quoted.

It's dissapointing to be honest with an I4. Great on the highway, low 30's, but low 20's mpg in the city.

All you need is easy on the gas in the city. Don't drive like you stole the car.