1997 Camry XLE V6 4-speed: 14 mpg

[xLegit]

Hey guys, since I got a Toyota a little while ago, I thought I'd join the forums!

So I bought a '97 Camry XLE V6 4-speed automatic about two months ago from a dealership. The dealership did lots of repairs on the car before they were ready to sell it. I don't have the list of changes with me at the moment, but I know they serviced the brakes, changed the timing belt, and replaced some gaskets. (I don't know much about gaskets in regards to the engine, so please excuse any noobishness ) For some additional information, my car has 134,000 miles on it.

I don't drive a lot...I use about a tank a month. I just refilled my second tank of gas. According to Edmunds, the tank can carry 18.5 gallons. Anyways, after driving 214 miles from a full tank, the gas light came on. I filled it up all the way with 15.4 gallons (of regular).

I did some math (214/15.4) and I got an average of just under 14 miles to the gallon. This was quite shocking, as I was expecting to get the estimated 17 city, 24 highway, according to fueleconomy.gov - which usually underestimates the mileage.

What could be the cause of this low fuel economy? I'm an extremely efficient driver, timing lights, never accelerating more than I need to, etc. This would be understandable if I had a lead foot, but I have the complete opposite.

There is one thing I've noticed that might contribute to this poor gas mileage...On the road where I do the majority of my driving, the speed is 35mph. My Camry likes to shift in to the next gear (either into 3rd or 4th gear, whichever one makes more sense) at 40 mph, so when I'm driving at 35-37 mph, the engine is at 3100 rpm. I have to give it a little extra gas to get it to shift in to the next gear, dropping the rpm down to about 2000. Keep in mind, this is under average/below average acceleration. It seems to always shift into that gear at 3100 rpm. I don't know if this is normal or not. I just know that in my mom's 2010 5-speed auto Honda Civic, it shift at around 2200-2500 rpms under normal acceleration. But then again, it is a 5 speed (auto). My sister has a 2006 Corolla 4-speed auto, which I'll probably try driving on the 35mph road to see if it also shifts at higher rpm's.

Is this normal? Because I know with my mom's civic, it only goes to 3000 rpm under heavier acceleration, but my Camry seems to always shift into that next gear at 3100 rpm regardless of how fast or how slow I'm accelerating. I only drive about 15% highway miles, but with my kind of driving, I would expect around 20 city.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

[TurboTY]

Should shift before that, I'd check the transmission throttle kickdown cable for proper adjustment.

[SuperchargedMR2]

^^^ +1 on the linkage.

I would also add that since you drive so few miles in a month that you must make a lot of short trips. This doesn't allow the engine & oil to warm up to the best operating temp which will use more fuel. If your Camry is rated at 17 mpg, 14 mpg isn't a huge difference if you do drive so little.

[kamesama980]

+1 drive more. in my daily commute (1 mile each way. when it's 30f in the AM I don't want to bike) the firebird (LT1 6mt. yes, very bad city car) shifting at 1500 and cruising on the IAC half the trip gets 10 mpg...EPA city rating is 15. So yes, if you're going 215 miles in a MONTH, gas mileage is gonna suck.

the upside of the firebird is on the highway, the double OD tranny keeps it under 1800rpm @ 80mph

Why do I have a firebird being a toyota guy? it's a loaner, it's fun, and big V8s that can't turn are the one thing GM can do right.