Terrible MPG...?

[snakezinc]

So I bought a used 09 Se I4 with 15,000 miles in Dec 09. After 9 Fill ups the best Ive gotten was 18.3 but the average is more around 17.3 or 255 miles on a topped off tank. I do all city driving which I know kills gas but 17.3 is a terrible number. My tires are inflated properly, I have new oil, clean air filter and I gas up at the same station every time. I've tried to have the lightest foot possible while driving and even with premium gas I only got 18.3.

This does not seem normal to me but after looking around the forums I haven't really found someone who has my exact situation. Am I actually doing something wrong here or should I bring my car to the dealership?

Thank you

[Gorky_Park]

For $20 of gas I drive about 180 miles, which is about half a tank....something is wrong with that car.

[skyxliner]

Coming from someone that used to get 18-19mpg... It really is driving habits.

I took a challenge from my friend to drive 65 on highways and never rev past 3 on local streets.

I hit 29mpg on that tank....

Of course realistic driving got me down to 25-26 avg mpg...

so honestly speaking, it's driving style. accept the fact that you're in a camry and not an evo.

[workerant]

Hey, that's somewhat what my car is getting.. but my situation is completely different than yours. So def something is wrong with your ride. Around what RPM r u mostly drive your car?

[snakezinc]

I'm purposely trying to run under 2k rpms as much as I could. I never Go up to 3k. I only go past 2k-2.5 when the car shifts other then that I run between 1,300 rpms and 1,700 rpms as much as I possibly could.

[BlackCamSe]

i beat the shit outa my 2010 with a V6 and i just got gas. 19MPG. my best was 25 and worst was 16. Deff an issue with the car.

[richie_hehe]

I'm getting that kind of bad MPG too! But I'm heavy footed.

[heartdisease]

I would check the brakes you must have a pad dragging or something. I drive 95% highway and I got 37.44 out of my last tank (personal Best). 2009 i4, very light foot and some tailwind. I have to work to get it down under 30mpg.

Does it pull to one side or another, other than what the crown of the road would do? I would put a can of berryman's in it and see what that does, run the tank to a 1/4 tank or less.

[Aceventura9586]

I feel like I'm getting terrible mileage with a 2010 v6. i go thru like a half tank in 3 days.and i'm not slamming down the gas anymore, just costs too much, if anything i'm maybe 5 or 6 over the speed limit anymore. thinkin' maybe just some bad gas, started filling up with Shell, so we'll see what happens

[Dave-o]

those were like the same numbers I got when I used my 07 camry le for delivery... 15-17mpg... drive like for 15 mins..shut off car...deliver food..turn car back on... repeat 100-150 times on a friday and sat

do you do delivery? lol

[ghz]

There is very little difference in MPG between the V6 and the I4. I think 17 mpg could be normal for driving 100% in the city. During the Winter, that was about average for me with mostly city driving and a 09 V6. Cold weather, short trips, and a green engine will all contribute towards poor fuel economy. I see a noticeable improvement in warm weather, so I'd just give it some time and keep monitoring it. The best I've done is 21 mpg with >90% city driving in warm weather, but I had to drive like granny. Nowadays, I say screw it... I gun it when I feel like it and get ~18mpg. Gas is going to hit $4 again eventually so I might as well enjoy cheap gas while I can

[heartdisease]

Originally Posted by ghz

There is very little difference in MPG between the V6 and the I4. Gas is going to hit $4 again eventually so I might as well enjoy cheap gas while I can

There is on the highway, you will never get 37 mpg with a v6

Cheap gas indeed, who would have ever thought we would be thinking that about 5 years ago

[snakezinc]

Lol no Dave-O I dont deliver but I do do a lot of short trips. The only reason why I haven't brought the car it yet is because the winter I know is worse and I do do a lot of cold engine 1 mile drives, shutoff and repeat. Most of the time its either 1-2 mile trips or 10 miles each way to work so that could be a possibility why.

heartdisease the brake thing is a possibility thanks, but I've never really felt drag or pulling but I'm going to test it out tomorrow on a nice flat piece of road for sure and I'm also going to try some berryman's.

Thanks for the help and quick responses guys

[Dave-o]

Originally Posted by snakezinc

Lol no Dave-O I dont deliver but I do do a lot of short trips. The only reason why I haven't brought the car it yet is because the winter I know is worse and I do do a lot of cold engine 1 mile drives, shutoff and repeat. Most of the time its either 1-2 mile trips or 10 miles each way to work so that could be a possibility why.

heartdisease the brake thing is a possibility thanks, but I've never really felt drag or pulling but I'm going to test it out tomorrow on a nice flat piece of road for sure and I'm also going to try some berryman's.

Thanks for the help and quick responses guys

um, I'd suggest getting regular maintenance redone again... maybe you missed something... if you've changed your oil once or twice already... how quick does it go bad? that's certainly one easy indicator of bad driving habits

you could try replacing your denso spark plugs... not educated in that area..maybe someone could chime in

[alphabetbackward]

If your trips are that short, then I imagine your mileage numbers sound about "right." I had to drive to Kragen's the other day to get some oil for my mom and it's 1.2 miles away (city) and I got 21 MPG and on the return with a warmed up engine, I got 24 MPG. The temperature that day was mid 70's and I drive slower than your grandmother.

If traffic permits, take your foot off the gas pedal when approaching a stop. What you ultimately want is to use the brake pedal as little as possible.