I don’t think you going to get much better than 22-23. My 89 Tercel 3e carb gets 37-38 mpg (all highway). If I run a mix of roughly 50/50 (city/highway) it drops to 30 “FAST”. Which means in the city I am only getting 22-23.
Stop and go, slow down / speed up is a killer on the fuel economy. Map out your driving and see if there is a route(s) that can hold you to a constant speed. It doesn’t matter if it 35, 45, or 55 as long as it is constant. Fewer the stops the better. I drive 10 miles out of my way to run 99% highway and 4 stop signs (60 mile commute @ 60mph). I could save the 10 miles but would have to drive through 2 towns, two dozen stop signs, and speeds ranging from 25 to 65.
I think your right about the exhaust, I read somewhere the larger exhaust helps at high rpm and takes away from the lower rpm. Unfortunately I am not an expert on this.
I don’t think you going to get much better than 22-23. My 89 Tercel 3e carb gets 37-38 mpg (all highway). If I run a mix of roughly 50/50 (city/highway) it drops to 30 “FAST”. Which means in the city I am only getting 22-23.
Stop and go, slow down / speed up is a killer on the fuel economy. Map out your driving and see if there is a route(s) that can hold you to a constant speed. It doesn’t matter if it 35, 45, or 55 as long as it is constant. Fewer the stops the better. I drive 10 miles out of my way to run 99% highway and 4 stop signs (60 mile commute @ 60mph). I could save the 10 miles but would have to drive through 2 towns, two dozen stop signs, and speeds ranging from 25 to 65.
I think your right about the exhaust, I read somewhere the larger exhaust helps at high rpm and takes away from the lower rpm. Unfortunately I am not an expert on this.
30 MILES per galon its still decent for me... but im running 30 KILOMETRES
30 MILES = 48KM
Last edited by alanjoseph; 06-04-2008 at 01:38 PM.
30 MILES per galon its still decent for me... but im running 30 KILOMETRES
30 MILES = 48KM
I think you miss read my numbers. With mixed city and highway driving my mileage drops to 30 mpg. If I do the math it puts the "City only" share at 22-23 MPG (34-35KM)
I think you miss read my numbers. With mixed city and highway driving my mileage drops to 30 mpg. If I do the math it puts the "City only" share at 22-23 MPG (34-35KM)
hmmm ok, i see... i just found weird that my little 2300 pounds car made only 30km/gallon (city) same as a Lexus is200 3500pounds~ with a 3s-ge engine, maybe its because the technology...
hmmm ok, i see... i just found weird that my little 2300 pounds car made only 30km/gallon (city) same as a Lexus is200 3500pounds~ with a 3s-ge engine, maybe its because the technology...
Actually it comes down to a percentage / balance thing.
IF you have a car that makes 100 HP but use only 33 HP going down the highway at 60 mph that doesn't sound very efficent. Now say your car only has 50 HP and uses 33 HP sounds more efficent. Right?
Here's the rub. (example)
At 100 HP you have plenty of power to start off, ie. easy on the gas pedal. Unlike the 50 HP car you have less power to use in town, ie the rap of slow no power cars.
Case in point, my 3.8 ltr V6 in a windstar mini van does as good if not just a tad better than my 1.5 ltr I4 in town (both automatics). With the van I do not even have to touch the gas to get going. It will shift up through all the gears ideling (level ground). The Tercel will not shift untill the motor hits 1,800 rpm. Thats where the HP curves cross (800 rpm V6 / 1800 rpm I4)
The low end torque on the v6 allows the speed to come up (shifting as it goes) with little or no pedal. The lack of low end torque in the I4 requires the use of additional fuel (over idle) to get up to speed (more pedal). Maintaining speed is completely different. Now the V6 is using more fuel, generating more power than needed, to stay a given speed. The I4 is closer to its max generation thus using less fuel by not generating the extra unused power. However the difference in engine sizes offset the additional pedal use in the I4. So depending on habits (as in mine) it is a break even in mpg. It is quite possible there is a V6 vehicle that can beat a small I4 for city mpg. A 3.8 liter is a fairly good size V6. A 2.8 or 3.0 might do much better. Many factors come in to play (i.e. torque, size, gearsets, weight, resistance, etc.)
Example (my vehicles);
Reach (accelerate moderately, level ground, and no headwind)
The V6 requires ~18 HP to accelerate the van. At 800 rpm it generates (~140 ft lbs) roughly 23 HP. Thus the van moves quite easily at idle (no pedal) and will even shift gears. The I4 requires ~12 HP to accelerate the car. At 800 rpm it generates (~65 ft lbs) 10 HP (One reason the I4 needs to idle at 1000 rpm, to get 12 HP). It also must exceed the 12 HP to shift (i.e. 1400 rpm or ~17 HP). To match the V6 torque/weight/resistance/accelerate ratio; the I4 must turn ~1800 RPM (requiring more fuel as you press the pedal). The more times you accelerate, the more fuel you are using. Keep in mind though engine sizes offset the additional fuel in my case.
Maintain (60 mph, level ground, and no headwind)
V6 3.8 in overdrive turns ~2300 rpm. At ~180 ft lbs torque that equates to 79 HP. The V6 requires ~28 HP to maintain 60 mph. A difference of ~51 HP or only about 35% of the power generated being used (however this leaves plenty of room for headwinds and inclines). The I4 1.5 on the other hand, in overdrive turns ~2500 rpm. At ~68 ft lbs torque that equates to ~34 HP. The I4 requires ~22 HP to maintain 60 mph. A difference of ~12 HP or ~60% of the power generated being used (doesn’t leave much room for head wind and inclines though). So it beats out the V6 in maintaining Highway speed using more of the generated power (by percentage) and shows up as better MPG by not producing the extra HP (fuel has a fixed amount of energy, how, and when, you use it makes the difference).
This is also why most V6 and V8’s (I have driven) will have their actual C / H mpg within 5-7 miles of each other (My Windstar V6, 22 City / 27 Highway, My F250 V8, 11 City / 17 Highway). The I4’s generally having a 10+ gap (My Tercel I4, 22 City / 37 Highway, and My 05 Corolla I4, 30 City / 41 Highway). The Corolla is a VVT 1.8 130 hp (better low end torque). I love that car……..
Keep in mind this is actual experience based on my driving habits and not published data. How you use you “foot” will greatly affect these numbers. In my case, mostly highway, I can sacrifice the low end torque for better use of power generated at highway speeds.
on american vehicles w/auto trans you can damage the trans by coasting in neutral. some one here can verify if toyo autos are similar. since the tourqe converter cant be disingaged they build up pressure with no place to go. so caution up sir. trying to help.
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92 pu 4x4 V6 5sp 3'' lift
89 tercel 3dr 3e 5sp
'56 willys pu 4x4 "rat". under destruction. i'm in heaven!!!!!!!
My grandma's corolla wagon with the 3TC engine and a 3 speed auto struggles to do better than 18-20MPG. It's curb weight is just under the 2000 pound mark.
With these older tech cars, you have to remember that with very few exceptions, carburettors are very inefficient compared to even older fuel injection systems. This is not so much that they give the car more gas than it needs all the time, just that there are times when a fuel injection system can drastically reduce or even cut off the fuel while a carburettor cannot.
In addition, until recently automatic transmissions couldn't match a manual in terms of economy. Also, since you have a 3 speed, there is no overdrive (if the top gear has a lower than 1:1 ratio it's not by enough to make a difference). At 70kph overdrive would make a difference.
Adding in age-related factors, it would easily explain the mileage you are getting.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
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will greatly affect these numbers. In my case, mostly highway, I can sacrifice the low end torque for better use of power generated at highway speeds.
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