New 200 mile a day super commute - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

OhWhatAFeeling! · 10-09-2010, 08:14 PM

Here's the lowdown....I just got a new job with a nice promotion. The problem is I have a new 2010 Camry SEV6 and I don't want to run the crap out of it with a 200 mile a day (100.5 each direction) commute. The good news is I have a 2005 Corolla S in the driveway paid for with 49k miles. It's been sitting in the driveway for over a year and not driven.

So last Tuesday I put on four new Goodyear Assurance Fuelmax tires, a new battery, got an oil change, new brake pads and rotors, and put in a K&N air filter in it but I'm only averaging 33 miles per gallon. And the shop told me I need a new serpentine belt because it's cracking. I looked at it and it looks fine. I've driven it to work and back four times now (800 miles) and it seems to run fine. It's almost all highway driving at 75-80 miles per hour. I'd hate to get stranded.

A few questions:

1. What can I do to increase my fuel mileage besides slowing down?

2. Can a 1.8 liter 4 banger handle going 75-80 miles per hour daily for that many miles? Should I switch to synthetic oil?

3. It handles like crap. I'm thinking of putting some stiffer lower springs on the car...any recommendations?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

***PhatRoyale*** · 10-09-2010, 08:34 PM

Welcome to TN!

1. Coast as much as possible and try to stay off the gas pedal. Use cruise control.

There are a lot of other discussed methods to saving fuel in the Fuel Economy forum.

2. I don't see why not if your car is well maintained and still has low miles on it. Contrary to popular belief, highway driving doesn't really stress an engine at all. Switching to synthetic may prevent further engine wear from occuring, but it's really personal preference of whether you want to switch over.

3. How low do you want to go?

You can either get Eibach (excellent warranty), H&R, Tein H-Tech or S-Tech springs.

bennor · 10-09-2010, 08:37 PM

One thing that will help with MPG is using non ethanol gas (or reduced ethanol gas). I once got just over 40 MPG on non ethanol gas. Unfortunately the gas in my state is now 10% ethanol gas, so one looses a few MPG with each tank. It also helps to remove any junk in your car to reduce the car's weight.

You can try all sorts of things to improve the fuel MPG, but its your driving style that usually makes the biggest difference. The speed you drive along with lots of starts and stops (city driving) will kill your MPG. I know you don't want to hear this

but try driving slower. For my 05 Corolla at 65 I get about 35 to 37 MPG on highway driving, at 55 I got just over 40 with non ethanol gas. It also helps (apparently) with MPG to engage the Cruise Control when driving long distances.

gideon1331 · 10-09-2010, 09:49 PM

With 10% ethanol gas and beating the CRAP outta my 2005 Corolla I average 34MPG.

This is with a good amount of stop-and-go traffic, as well as a good amount of slamming on the brakes on the highway....I live in CT after all...there are a lot of NY drivers with no concept of pulling into the left lane at 56MPH to pass a vehicle going 55MPH being a bad idea passing through to get to the casinos.

When I behave myself I get at least 36MPG...38MPG if it's mostly highway. Going a steady 75-80MPH you should get 38-39MPG on ethanol gas. 40-41MPG with no ethanol.

If the car was sitting for a while it's a good possibility that the gas went stale and fouled the spark plugs. You can try running some fuel injector cleaner through the car (recommend dumping Seafoam right into the tank).

mikered30 · 10-09-2010, 09:54 PM

At 80 mph that is 3,000 RPM sustained likely over many miles but the PSL is probably 75 mph, so I would not do lower than that. I would suggest a synthetic oil like Pennzoil platinum or M1 and change it every 8,000 miles. What is your transmission? May want to upgrade the fluid to synthetic.

Cruise control is probably the best way to save gas, assuming no large hills. Slowing down doesn't sound like much of an option, so you will have to live with the 33 mpg. K&N air filter is not the best at filtration. May want to get a Shell or chevron credit card to get a discount on gas. Those two brands probably have the best quality gas.

May want to try a 1 piece front strut bar to better the handling before you spend money on springs, although springs will help.

OhWhatAFeeling! · 10-09-2010, 11:23 PM

Wow you guys are awesome, thanks for the replies.

I forgot to mention it's an auto tranny. I use cruise control most of the way there, sometimes set at 75 mph and other stretches at 79-80'ish depending on the speed limit.

I don't really want to slow my speed down, at 80 mph it's running just over 3000 rpm and at 75mph, it's just under or right around 3000rpm. That's what I meant when I asked about the 1.8L engine's capability over the long haul. My former '07 Civic Si would run higher than that but that engine loved revving, this engine doesn't seem made for high rpm's lol.

I'll look around for gas stations without ethanol....and in the meantime will kick around the idea of going synthetic. I have another question, is it true that if you switch to synthetic oil that you can't change back?

And maybe try a fuel injector cleaner? The gas refills going thru doesn't clean the fuel injectors like it advertises?

I want to go perhaps 1.5" or so? Going to have to save some more money for this I'm sure, PhatRoyale do you know apx. how much Eichbach and the other springs cost including installation?

Thanks again everyone.

v8eaterWRX · 10-09-2010, 11:29 PM

My fiance drove our 2006 S auto for over 100k and averaged around 35-36 mpg over the entire life of the car. Biggest thing I notice in riding with her is she keeps the rpm's down. Rarely sees over 70 mph. That in and of itself should crank the mpg up.

***PhatRoyale*** · 10-09-2010, 11:44 PM

You can switch back and forth between synthetic and conventional oil to your hearts content.

Fuel injector cleaner isn't really necessary, but if you insist on using it, then you should only do it right after every time you change your oil.

Cost for springs really varies, so shop around a bit. The springs you can find online on ebay or use google product search to compare prices between vendors. Same goes for installation, call around and search for the shops reputation online and see if they are good.

If you get really lucky, you might even find a few TN members in your area who are willing to help you out with installation for beer and pizza. I know there are a few in the 10th gen Corolla forum, so swing by there and familiarize yourself with them.

There's no need to thank me, just hit the blue "Thanks" button under my post.

mikered30 · 10-10-2010, 08:32 AM

For the tranny, Redline or Amsoil makes a great synthetic fluid, a few drain and refills would get the right mix. The main advantage of synthetic fluids is extend drain intervals so switching the oil and tranny fluid will be worth in in the long run.

If you stick with conventional motor oil, you are looking at changing your oil about every 5 weeks. Not sure if you can change the oil yourself, but going to the quick lube places will get expensive.

As far as E0 stations, take a look at http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=TX and http://www.buyrealgas.com/Texas.html

If you want to do a fuel injector cleaner, look for redline Sl-1 or Gumout Regane.

Toyota oil filters are great and so are the Purolator.

mopars&corollas · 10-14-2010, 11:35 AM

I do 120mi a day on my 04 corolla. I drive a busy (100K vehicles per day) stretch from Fort Collins to denver. I use amsoil and made a few other changes that I think the mpg gain is a tradeoff. I average 38-sometimes 40 mpg. I put Bilstein shocks up front- that will really tighten up the front end and improve handling, or it did for me.