Matrix on the Florida highway

[NatashaTolik]

Hi there! I am currently in the market for a Toyota Matrix. I live in Florida, commute 120 miles a day. I know that AC dramatically increases your gas mileage but how much exactly in the Sunshine State? How do you deal with it?

[xrs22]

I've been to florida one and i loved it 'cause i love the heat and all that. Here in Cali. it's very dry heat and sucks. If it's just me i don't use the a/c but if there's anybody else then i put it on. I have an XRS '03 though so i can feel the power exchange when i have it on and it's all herky jerky when i shift. What model are u planning on getting? Will modding it interest you in the future?

[Bazirker]

It's been upwards of 85 degrees in North Carolina. I drove back and forth from Greensboro and Charlotte recently and did some city driving in both places, with the A/C on the entire time. My gas mileage: 33 mpg in my 5-speed '05 XR. I don't think the A/C is that big of a hit on your mileage in the Trix.

[Matreks]

I have not noticed any significant difference in mileage using AC in a 2005 XR with a automatic. Not much difference in the sound of the engine - barely noticeable, but no jerking. Glad its not my former 1980s Buick 6 Cyl. - you'd have to take out a bank loan each week if you run the air.

[ksbrace]

I drive some unusual routes that allow me to get very good fuel economy. I'm in New England, Boston suburbs. I drive an 04 XR manual 2WD. I have all my fuel records in a spreadsheet.
1. My commute is 11 miles each way, 35-45 MPH, a few stops but no traffic and negligible hills. I dip down to 35 MPG (US gallons) in winter and stay just barely over 40 MPG in summer.
2. Twice this summer I drove state highways 300 miles round trip with the vast majority of each trip at 50-60 MPH. I got 43 MPG both times, despite it being 90 F with the A/C on low the whole time both trips!
Clearly keeping the speed down is the key to good fuel economy. When I hit the highway for a 2 hour round trip to the airport at 70+ MPH it will drop the fuel economy for that tank down a couple MPG even though that fast driving only accounts for 1/3 of a tank (so maybe I'm only getting 34 at that speed). I would guess it starts to drop off quickly above 60 MPH.

[Ol-Jerr]

Originally Posted by NatashaTolik

Hi there! I am currently in the market for a Toyota Matrix. I live in Florida, commute 120 miles a day. I know that AC dramatically increases your gas mileage but how much exactly in the Sunshine State? How do you deal with it?

I live 125 miles south of Tampa, the AC decreases my gas mileage. Around town driving with the AC on max, & 90* temp I get above 23 MPG. On I-75 34 MPG and up. One tank I got 40 MPG. That was with the 03 Trix I traded for my 05 Trix both with automatic trans. It all depends on how heavy your foot gets.

[trike]

depending on your driving, mileage shouldn't be affected significantly by AC. I live in the FL panhandle, use the AC 70% of the time (with windows down usually) and I get about 28-30. on a 500 mile road trip last weekend (paying about $3.50/gal) I drove at night without AC and slowly (70mph) to stretch the gas as much as possible. still got about 30 mpg. I drive an 05 XRS.

if i knew the mileage was so different between 1zz and 2zz I would have considered an XR. coming from a 1zz mr2 that got the same mileage i am now, i didn't think there'd be any difference.