Poor mileage on 06 Corolla LE Auto with 4000 miles, getting 22.3 mpg all city

[andrew7459]

I bought an 06 Corolla LE Auto, brand new, end of December '05. I've put almost 4000 miles on it in suburban back roads commuting to and from work since new, and for the last 2500 miles I've averaged 22.3 mpg, which I find unacceptable.

The dealer has looked at the car twice (1500 miles and 4000 miles) - and says there's nothing wrong with it (no codes = no problem).

I find from tank to tank my mileage will vary from 23 mpg (when I take it easy) to 21 mpg (when I know I've been a little... aggressive). Also, in my old car ('97 Saab Convertible, 2.3 liter 4 cyl non-turbo manual), I was getting 21 mpg on the same route.

Has anyone else had a poor mileage problem with a low mileage car?

[caddymac]

I don't think your engine is quite broken in just yet. Give it some more time. Meanwhile, try running a different grade of gas through it and see if that helps. Also, don't forget to get the oil changed, especially if you haven't done so already.

[ToyotaMan1281]

dont go past 3500 rpm in city unless you have to pass. keep you air filter clean. change oil every 3K miles. let off gas to slow down if you can. dont slam on brakes unless you have too.

[daniel2002p]

you only have 4000 on the car, my rolla didnt get up to 33 all city untill like it had almost 8000 miles, you engine is not broken it yet, also first oil change is recommended at 3000 miles, becaue the new oil may have small particles from the engine getting broken in....

Id give it a more time before judging the milage

D

[andrew7459]

Thanks for the responses. I understand my engine is new and therefore is not operating at peak efficiency. However, is it realistic to expect such a drastic improvement in fuel efficiency once it is broken in?

BTW - oil was just changed yesterday (3920 miles) - after owning the car 6 months - the maintenance schedule for my car had 5000 miles or 6 months as the first recommended service - I've had the car a few days over 6 months and that was the first oil change.

[daniel2002p]

yes it is very realistic due to the all new engine parts, they are now having more friction and due to that you engine is running hotter (to a extent) and therefore to try and keep it cooler the BCM is feeding it with more fuel than usual..... also now that the oil is changed I think you should immediately start seeing a better fuel economy..... one more thing the brake-in period in a car is very crucial, if you dont brake the car in properly it will never reach its peak performance and fuel milage.

D

[weaponrcamry]

Yea, If you can try to keep you car under 3000 rpm. Make sure you tires are at a reasonable pressure, do you have alot of weight in the car? Drive the speed limit, not agressive if so. Avoid accessive idol.

[andrew7459]

These are all great suggestions and I appreciate the advice.

I am, however, more or less following all of this (and did so in my previous car).

As noted, I do see a drop when I don't follow the gentle driving advice, so I see that effect in my actual numbers. But, I would expect given the same route, same driver, an 06 Corolla to be much better than a 97 saab

If the issue is that my engine isn't broken in, then shouldn't I see incremental improvement in mpg over time? That is - wouldn't my mpg at 1500 miles be worse than it is now? If there's a dramatic jump in efficiency does it happen overnight or incrementally? Because I'm not seeing incremental improvement

[daniel2002p]

Originally Posted by andrew7459

These are all great suggestions and I appreciate the advice.

I am, however, more or less following all of this (and did so in my previous car).

As noted, I do see a drop when I don't follow the gentle driving advice, so I see that effect in my actual numbers. But, I would expect given the same route, same driver, an 06 Corolla to be much better than a 97 saab

If the issue is that my engine isn't broken in, then shouldn't I see incremental improvement in mpg over time? That is - wouldn't my mpg at 1500 miles be worse than it is now? If there's a dramatic jump in efficiency does it happen overnight or incrementally? Because I'm not seeing incremental improvement

Well to answer that question, it would depend on the individual car, driver, driving habbits and so forth, but as you said incremental increase sounds logical but it didnt happen like tha for me or my dad who has a CE manual.... for my S it was always like 23-27 untill like 6000 miles or so, and then gradually it started improving and now I do mostly city and some highway and now it like 33-36 or so.... my dads CE on the other hand when he bought it brand new it was getting like 18mpg on the highway, which I thot was shitty for any car, then it gradually started building up after the first oil change, and especially the second oil change, and now he is getting 43 highway more than what toyota sais it will do..... personally from my corolla S and my dads CE I think that your motor is just not broken it quite yet

D

[caddymac]

Also keep in mind that the ECU has to "learn" your driving habits. So it could just be a matter of your car getting used to having you around.

[andrew7459]

Originally Posted by daniel2002p

Well to answer that question, it would depend on the individual car, driver, driving habbits and so forth, but as you said incremental increase sounds logical but it didnt happen like tha for me or my dad who has a CE manual.... for my S it was always like 23-27 untill like 6000 miles or so, and then gradually it started improving and now I do mostly city and some highway and now it like 33-36 or so.... my dads CE on the other hand when he bought it brand new it was getting like 18mpg on the highway, which I thot was shitty for any car, then it gradually started building up after the first oil change, and especially the second oil change, and now he is getting 43 highway more than what toyota sais it will do..... personally from my corolla S and my dads CE I think that your motor is just not broken it quite yet

D

OK - that is very helpful and does indicate that it will start improving gradually - but it looks like your experience is that the gradual improvement didn't start until 6000 miles or so.

I actually called Toyota's customer hotline and opened a case, and had them contact the dealer. I spoke with one of the owner's of the dealer and they said they would connect a computer to the car (I assume something like a carchip) and drive it around and see if that tells them anything else.

Thanks for all the responses.

[357wheelgunner]

Something is very wrong, when I got my XRS with 500 miles on it I was getting 30 MPG city, 34 MPG highway......

[ToyotaMan1281]

yea something is wrong. When I first got my car I was getting 29 average, now im getting 36 average.. let us know what happens.

[daniel2002p]

but like mentioned above take it to the dealer, have them check it out, if it is a problem it is better to isolate it before something else gets broken also

D

[05_Echo]

You might want to take it out for a nice 2 hour drive down the highway and let the car breath a little, I just bought a 06 Corolla and my buddy is the service manager here and he said thats one of the best ways to help brake your new car in.