Tuning the Camry for MPG - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

GSW · 08-16-2005, 04:27 PM

Hi folks!

I'm the proud new owner of a '97 model Camry with a 1MZFE V6 engine w/74k miles. I bought it from believe it or not.....a little old lady, who just lost her husband to cancer. She said it just sat in the garage for the last few years and she wanted to sell it because, "it was his". I didn't believer her until I pulled some insulation out from in between the valve covers. Apparently a mouse had built his dream house there. Well I bought it I'm happy to say and you can imagine how surprised I was when the car gets an unusal 29-31+ miles per gallon (and its a friggin V6). I was just wondering if anyone had any tuning tips short of pulling the catalyitc converter and adding a o2 simulator? I've read about the ACIS modification and I'll be doing that soon to improve efficiency. I just got rid of a hot rod, so I'm all about mpg. Maybe I just need to buy a Prius and get it over with.

skewe · 08-16-2005, 04:34 PM

work on spark plugs.
ignition cables
seafoam

GSW · 08-16-2005, 04:43 PM

Thanks Skewe! I'll keep those in mind. I know these babies have a problems with carbon in the intake manifolds so I'll give it a good cleaning.

V6LE_CAMRY · 08-16-2005, 04:50 PM

Take pics a really whant to see your car. does it still look like new? i wish that my v6 got good gas mileage i only get 250 for a full tank. and according to www.fueleconomy.gov the v6 camry is suppose to get 20 city and 28 highway.

skewe · 08-16-2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSW

Thanks Skewe! I'll keep those in mind. I know these babies have a problems with carbon in the intake manifolds so I'll give it a good cleaning.

you can clean your intake manifold also.
lots of instructions on TN

jackfrost1031 · 08-16-2005, 05:25 PM

EPA ratings aren't always accurate, my Fox gets about 28 city instead of the 25 they list, but my camry gets about the same as what they list.

Oh, and my philosophy on spending money to improve MPG is that most of the time you end up spending more money on trying to spend less money and it doesn't work out.

BullMarket · 08-16-2005, 06:17 PM

Tire pressure.
Lead foot.

BULLMKT

Super Kaioken · 08-17-2005, 01:14 AM

you've got the 1MZ-FE engine and you get that good mpg? wow. i get about 21-23 mpg
my car's so heavy. friggin sub. haha. maybe should get rid of the spare and jack too.

Camrylvr · 08-17-2005, 03:22 AM

Wow, everyone here is lucky. I have a 1993 Camry V-6. I only get 14 MPG's, I average about 180-200 Miles to a tank. Thats not due to a heavy foot either. All new plugs, wires, tires, fuel filter, air filter and the list goes on. The car drives ok too. I don't know my it's that low. Only 120,000 miles on it. I wish I could improve to like 20 lol.

Peacemaker · 08-17-2005, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camrylvr

Wow, everyone here is lucky. I have a 1993 Camry V-6. I only get 14 MPG's, I average about 180-200 Miles to a tank. Thats not due to a heavy foot either. All new plugs, wires, tires, fuel filter, air filter and the list goes on. The car drives ok too. I don't know my it's that low. Only 120,000 miles on it. I wish I could improve to like 20 lol.

Not everyone

hehe mine got 14-17 with light foot. got spark plug change, throttle body clean, oil+filter change, what else. I envy with some TN here got very good miles!

HoboJoe · 08-17-2005, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camrylvr

Wow, everyone here is lucky. I have a 1993 Camry V-6. I only get 14 MPG's, I average about 180-200 Miles to a tank. Thats not due to a heavy foot either. All new plugs, wires, tires, fuel filter, air filter and the list goes on. The car drives ok too. I don't know my it's that low. Only 120,000 miles on it. I wish I could improve to like 20 lol.

I got a 93 v6 also and my mpg is good. Getiing about 23 (on average) in the city. Not sure about highway as I rarely drive on them. Believe it or not I'm a light-foot 16 year old.

Camrylvr · 08-17-2005, 04:51 AM

Lol, Their's nothing wrong with being a 16 year old light foot Joe. So was I when I was 16, well actually I still am for some reason at 24 years old. Everybody hates driving with me. They say I drive like an old lady. I drive at the pace I want to. Sometimes you get in a slow mode or a fast mode. Thats why I posted I only get around 14MPG'S with a light foot, In my 93 V-6 3VZ-FE Camry. At least I'm not alone now Peace, Lol. Did you find the culprit Peace?? I guess I'll give the seafoam a try next. Since I can't figure out what else to replace that's not brand new Lol.

skewe · 08-17-2005, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camrylvr

Wow, everyone here is lucky. I have a 1993 Camry V-6. I only get 14 MPG's, I average about 180-200 Miles to a tank. Thats not due to a heavy foot either. All new plugs, wires, tires, fuel filter, air filter and the list goes on. The car drives ok too. I don't know my it's that low. Only 120,000 miles on it. I wish I could improve to like 20 lol.

something is wrong with that.
14mpg in city is really really low

did u do the distributor cap and rotor?
try seafoam also

95camguy · 08-17-2005, 11:38 AM

i gained about 4-5 mpgs after replacing my o2 sensor. my CEL came on though so i wouldnt replace yours unless you get an error code.

i am probably doing my spark plugs over the weekend and i will update you guys on any mpg increases.

chronoti · 08-17-2005, 11:43 AM

i get a lil over 20 city and pulled 33.5 on the highway going to miami. normal highway for me is about 30 tho