Gas Mileage on my Matrix..... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Mooch · 10-08-2006, 12:01 AM

I recently purchased a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR last week. When I purchased the car it had only 8000 miles on it. I was told that the gas mileage for a Matrix XR was a bit less than the regular Matrix because it is all wheel drive. So I expected mid 20s for mpg's.

Today I checked my gas mileage and I figured it out that I only got 20 mpg!!!!

I have read others saying about the excellent gas mileage they have received from their Matrix's. Surely 20 mpg isn't the norm for this car, is it?

Also my husband thought that the idle was low on RPM's. When in idle the gage reads about 800-900 RPM. Should this be adjusted?

echo7 · 10-08-2006, 04:27 AM

the 800-900 rpm is right.. if you increease the idle speed then you'll consume more fuel.

not all XRs are AWD.. I have an XR FWD.

AWD has less MPG as toyota spec indicte but it think you should have better mileage than 20Mpg

Locomotion · 10-08-2006, 08:29 AM

I have a 2006 awd Matrix with about 700 miles on it. My low and high MPGs so far are about 22.5 and 30.7, so 20mpg is low for a car with 8000 miles on it unless you're a leadfoot, or are driving on anything less than paved roads. 800-900 rpm is normal idle for the awd Martrix.

Crazzyboy · 10-08-2006, 05:14 PM

something doesnt sounds right there. my worst milage is 21. best is 30. and mines even the xrs.

Frank@toronto · 10-08-2006, 06:19 PM

Check you air filter, it may be quite dirty...

Mooch · 10-08-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank@toronto

Check you air filter, it may be quite dirty...

I actually was thinking about that today.

If it's not the air filter, is there anything anyone would recommend, or should I just take it back into the shop?

Mooch · 10-08-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazzyboy

something doesnt sounds right there. my worst milage is 21. best is 30. and mines even the xrs.

That's on an xrs? Something's definately up then.

Locomotion · 10-08-2006, 11:26 PM

Besides checking for a dirty air filter, make sure your tires are properly inflated, check to see/hear if your brakes are dragging, check for wheel misalignment, or possibly a transmission malfunction (among other things). Many things that cause lower-than-expected gas mileage also cause a decrease in performance. Have you noticed any performance issues?

Mooch · 10-09-2006, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locomotion

Besides checking for a dirty air filter, make sure your tires are properly inflated, check to see/hear if your brakes are dragging, check for wheel misalignment, or possibly a transmission malfunction (among other things). Many things that cause lower-than-expected gas mileage also cause a decrease in performance. Have you noticed any performance issues?

I have noticed that the car doesn't have much zip to it when I hit the gas, but I have been told that's to be expected.

D Rock · 10-09-2006, 09:15 AM

I manage mid 20's with an XRS, and yes, if I am nice to it, I can even get 30mpg out of it (but what fun is that).

coquelicot · 10-13-2006, 03:00 PM

I've never done worse than 30 mpg, and have even gotten over 36 on my '05 XR FWD. I do quite a bit of highway driving, but a lot of that is urban highway driving, where stop-and-go is pretty frequent. I'd say get it checked out.