I recently bought a (used) 2004 Corolla Lx (auto) from our local Toyota Dealership. Knowing that the Corolla reputation is at least 30 MPG in town, the gas milege is the MAIN reason I chose this car since my job depends on lots of in-town driving.
Ive had it for a month now and my calculations from last weeks 'fill-up' gave me a 21 mpg... YUCK!
Each fill-up has been less mpg then the previous time... 28, 25, NOW 21 mpg. I called the dealership, they ran a computer test?? on it and everything checked out OK!
*BIG sigh*
BTW: I live in flat landed Louisiana, I am the primary driver of this car and Im VERY cautious of my driving since Im trying to save on gas!
Any ideas on whats going on?
Im second guessing myself - thinking I shouldve bought the civic..
Things to keep an eye for:
--bad fuel filter
--no proper tune up (oil change, spark plugs, plug wires)
--brakes dragging (gives the car resistance==less mileage)
--filthy air filter
--bad O2 sensor
If these things havent been done recently (depends on the mileage of the car), you might want to get them done. My old 1990 Corolla did the same thing when I bought her. I wasgetting onle about 22 mpg. As soon as I gave her a tune up and got a new air filter installed, she shot all the way up to 35 mpg. Did the mechaninc check for all those things?
Actually Corolla's don't have carburators since 1989 in North America. Did they also refill your blinker fluid??
I would also say its time for a tune up on that car depending on what the mileage is, bad catalytic converters usually help in bad mileage. As for the Civic comment, I believe they come with a 1.6L 4 cylinder motor (as opposed to 1.8L in the Corolla) and LESS power, so yeah they would probably use less gas.
I recently bought a (used) 2004 Corolla Lx (auto) from our local Toyota Dealership. Knowing that the Corolla reputation is at least 30 MPG in town, the gas milege is the MAIN reason I chose this car since my job depends on lots of in-town driving.
Its rated at 30mpg city, if you hitting lots of traffic, it will be less. A civic isn't going to significantly better if both cars are running right. If you really want good city mpg, you may have wanted to look at a Prius.
oops.. sorry. NOT carburator test - but COMPUTER test.
Anyhow, someone recomended a gas treatment by Chevron - thinking this may help.
We bought this car from the dealership - they said they did "everything" before putting it on the lot. hmmm.. --bad fuel filter
--no proper tune up (oil change, spark plugs, plug wires)
--brakes dragging (gives the car resistance==less mileage)
--filthy air filter
--bad O2 sensor
If these things havent been done recently (depends on the mileage of the car), you might want to get them done. My old 1990 Corolla did the same thing when I bought her. I wasgetting onle about 22 mpg. As soon as I gave her a tune up and got a new air filter installed, she shot all the way up to 35 mpg. Did the mechaninc check for all those things
Hi Everyone!
I recently bought a (used) 2004 Corolla Lx (auto) from our local Toyota Dealership. Knowing that the Corolla reputation is at least 30 MPG in town, the gas milege is the MAIN reason I chose this car since my job depends on lots of in-town driving.
Ive had it for a month now and my calculations from last weeks 'fill-up' gave me a 21 mpg... YUCK!
Each fill-up has been less mpg then the previous time... 28, 25, NOW 21 mpg. I called the dealership, they ran a computer test?? on it and everything checked out OK!
*BIG sigh*
BTW: I live in flat landed Louisiana, I am the primary driver of this car and Im VERY cautious of my driving since Im trying to save on gas!
Any ideas on whats going on?
Im second guessing myself - thinking I shouldve bought the civic..
When and where did she ever say her 04 had a carb?
Are you checking your mileage tank to tank? Do you have paperwork showing where the mechanics did the tuneup?
When and where did she ever say her 04 had a carb?
Are you checking your mileage tank to tank? Do you have paperwork showing where the mechanics did the tuneup?
She already edited to say "computer" test instead of "carburator" test.
Each fill-up has been less mpg then the previous time... 28, 25, NOW 21 mpg.
Considering the computer test checked out ok, I doubt it is any of the sensors or other electrical components. Providing the spark plugs and wires are in good shape, there's probably little else you can do. How is the tire pressure? Low pressure can and will cause poor fuel economy.
The milage numbers you give is actually about right. You won't see 30 mpg unless you do a lot of highway driving - and that's just an EPA estimate.
IF the o2 censor is bad, will a 'check engine' light come on?
...this is what the service tech told me...
Will there be any sign that tells someone that this sensor is bad?
Paula, the tech is right. The check engine light would come on. It may not come in on the first instance the O2 sensor has a problem, but soon enough it would come on. I would think since you've checked multiple tanks, that your sensor light would be on. And since the teched checked out your car, the problem is not an O2 sensor.
If you don't mind me asking ... exactly HOW are you checking your fuel mileage?
I just took *myself* on vacation. I drove to Maine (Acadia National Park) and back from the southeast. I drove through Philadelphia and saw the Liberty Bell, Boston, NYC downtown. I kept my gas receipts.
I put 3,948 miles on my Corolla and averaged 37.27 mpg. But my '04 LE is a 5 speed. But still you should see 30 or maybe a bit more around town.
- Amber
__________________
2004 Corolla LE - 5 speed, leather, sunroof, spoiler, fog lights, alloy wheels 600 Mile Club - Founding Member
My '02 LE is getting aroun 36-37 MPG with about 75% highway driving, and that's an automatic. On a trip from Sacramento to LA, I managed 41. So I think the original poster should be getting at least high 20's in the city.
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Did they also refill your blinker fluid?? 
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