I drove my '07 LE 5-speed today from NC to MD on business travel. I filled up when I left, and filled up about 95% of the way through the trip, after about 360 miles. I was a bit disappointed in the mileage. I only got about 37 MPG.
That was, however, with sitting in way too much DC-style traffic (how does anyone really live here?). I was also hauling buggy most of the way until reaching DC, running 75-80 MPH, and temperatures were between 95-103 the whole way (as indicated by the car anyway). I hope to have some more favorable traffic on the way back home on Friday.
This is really the first long ride I've taken the car on. The seat needs more lower lumbar support. Otherwise, I was pretty comfy in the saddle. The cruise control was bang-on the entire time. Overall, the ride was as choppy on the highway as it is in town (especially over the pocked interstates in the DC/MD area), but it was tolerable. Our Chrysler Town & Country would have been a much more comfortable ride...but I'd have only gotten 24 MPG with it also.
The engine's buzz in the Corolla was surprisingly easy to take for the whole trip. It was fairly muted and hushed. With the 5-speed, 3000 RPM equates to right at 75-80 MPH.
I would be happy to see those numers on my car. I have an o8 auto and on occaional long drives i get around those numbers as well. But with pure city driving NYC, stop and go, short trips, i get an average of 18mpg. So dont be bothered with that mpg's
That was, however, with sitting in way too much DC-style traffic (how does anyone really live here?). I was also hauling buggy most of the way until reaching DC, running 75-80 MPH, and temperatures were between 95-103 the whole way (as indicated by the car anyway).
Considering you were sitting in traffic, then drove 75/80 AND still got 37 MPG, I think you did pretty good. The high temps actually helped, but you probably had the A/C on so that balanced out.
I've got a 06 AT LE and average a bit over 40 mpg, summer it's up around 43, winter 35. I've the tires at 44 psi too, I think that helps ( 84K on the original tires).
Considering you were sitting in traffic, then drove 75/80 AND still got 37 MPG, I think you did pretty good. The high temps actually helped, but you probably had the A/C on so that balanced out.
I've got a 06 AT LE and average a bit over 40 mpg, summer it's up around 43, winter 35. I've the tires at 44 psi too, I think that helps ( 84K on the original tires).
How so? Colder air is a denser charge, isn't that what all those cold air intakes are trying to make you belive? One of my motorcycles back in the day would have a very noticeable increase in power if you drove it when it was about 0 degrees out.
I agree the hot air helped in the sense that it was hot air (colder denser air requires more fuel for a stochiometric combustion). But the A/C was crankin' the whole way up there. I'm sure I'd have gotten better mileage if the air was more temperate.
At face value, 37 MPG seems good. But the car's current EPA estimation is 37 MPG highway. The original estimate (pre-2008 value) was 41 MPG. So it's a hair on the low side.
And around town, I'm averaging about 35 MPG, which is way ABOVE what I should be getting. So I was disappointed to see only a 2 MPG change between my suburban commute and 100% interstate travel. I do think the traffic killed it.
How so? Colder air is a denser charge, isn't that what all those cold air intakes are trying to make you belive? One of my motorcycles back in the day would have a very noticeable increase in power if you drove it when it was about 0 degrees out.
I was thinking mainly about a warmer environment for the car allowing for quicker warmup, less rolling resistance, drive-train components warmed up, etc. I live up north and one can really notice the drop-off because of the cold environment. Warm days are your friend for mileage.
AFA Denser charge, you are right, but... Cooler intake air = WORSE mileage. You can't have it both ways (e.g. better mileage AND more power) There is some benefit to a shorter intake path (less constriction), but you will get better mileage with WAI and more power with a CAI ( both immeasurable I think).
Generally with physics "there's no free lunch" if you want to move an object that weighs 2700 lbs, at 70 mph, it takes "X" amount of energy, period.
Normally what happens with manaul transmissions, people don't change gear at suitable rpms, which results in poor mileage of the car.
This may be what's happening with me, but in reverse. Around town, I can highly influence my MPG by short-shifting, etc. And I kill the EPA ratings. Current rating is 28, old rating was 32, I get anywhere from about 33-36 depending on the tank. But on the road, all I've got is 5th gear, so I'm really at the mercy of the car at that point. I can do a lot around town by modifying shift points, but on the road, there are no shift points.
Many who hypermile will deliberately install a WAI, taking the intake air right off the exhaust manifold or something like that.
I've actually just installed a "hack" WAI with flexi tubing, some leftover plastic, and lots of duct tape. I generally get about a 30 degree boost over ambient (e.g. if it's 70 outside, I'll see 100 coming in to the engine). It's been only one tank and I have noticed no difference (actually it's gone down a little).
I plan on giving it six months or so before I can make any judgments as to it's effectiveness. I'm mainly interested in it's performance when it's sub-zero outside, Winter kills my mileage.
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