'05 xB getting 27-28 MPG, is this normal?

[kleineigel]

Just curious if I should suspect some out of tune with this kind of mileage? We've owned the car for just about a month now with no major complaints. This is the best I can get with our xB. It has just rolled 50,000 miles on the odometer. We have a manual tranny, stock tires and wheels, no mods. We have the A/C on 100% of the time whether on the interstate or in town. Outdoor temps are around 100 to 110 degree F in our area this month.

On another note, I bought a factory steel full size rim to ditch the temporary doughnut spare, the car was missing it's accesory parts such as tire net and related hatch parts, so I'm considering fabricating a fiberglass deck base to replace the removable floor panels in the hatch area.

I've noticed the Speedo is off by 4 miles an hour, it reads faster than actual speed. I've checked this with 3 seperate GPS systems which are all dead on. I'm wondering if I will gain any MPG by increasing the tire size from a 185/60/R15 to a 195 size tire, this should be just enough to correct for the speedo error and reduce the RPMs slightly on the interstate. We live in a flat lifeless region of the southeast, so "gearing" is not a concern for start offs. I've worked as a driveline mechanic for years, so I know the risks of drivetrain issues with oversized tires of any dramatic size increase. Local dealer was of no help in fixing the speedo issue, which to me is a calibration requirement. Not asking for freebie work, just want it accurate, which they say they can't do.

[HATEnFATE]

Unfortunatly, they can't, as a dealer, touch your speedo, nor do they have available gears to do so. They would only have replacement parts which should be the same as what is in the car, not to say they don't need to be replaced.

p.s. in the state of Iowa, your speedo would be within regulations since you are allowed so many mph above or below the speed limit for correction.

Your mileage is right on for having the a/c on 100% of the time. You've got a Small engine in that xB. If you turned off your A/C, which I'm not asking you to do, your mpg would go up. The a/c compressor puts quite a drag on that 1.5 liter.

A few of my xB ownin friends average 33-35 mpg here in IA.

[kleineigel]

Thanks Jason,
I was concerned it may be time for a tune-up etc.
I was hoping it would be a little better, but considering my driving habits, I'm not unhappy with it overall. It's kind of funny that my wife's '98 Mercury Grand Marquis averages 20 to 22 on the interstate and 18 to 20 in town in comparison to the Scion with 3 times the engine displacement and an automatic to boot.
I'll hope for better MPG once the weather cools down a little. Right now, there is no chance the A/C can be opted out

[patrick5]

We got one of the last old style xBs in April, and average about 32 mpg on interstate trips (70-75 mph) with the AC on. If on a slower highway going 55-60, mileage is even higher. We also average around 30 mpg in all city driving. We have an automatic transmission with no mods at all and drive pretty conservatively most of the time by the way. I would expect a little higher mileage, but it's hard to say what would need to be done.

I also read some posts on the scionlife forums that talked about the speedo issue and someone posted a service manual from toyota that said that the xB speedo is designed to read 3-4 or so mph above the actual speed at high speeds. Below 45 mph or so it reads the actual speed. I do remember that it was within the limits allowed by law though and most thought it was marketing related. I also remember the tC is designed to read closer to the actual speed. It was an interesting issue.

[middleoroad]

it couldn't hurt to replace the air and fuel filter if it has not been done recently,it seems to me that you should be able to get better.

[kleineigel]

Originally Posted by middleoroad

it couldn't hurt to replace the air and fuel filter if it has not been done recently,it seems to me that you should be able to get better.

The obvious things were done the minute the car was purchased/driven home. I don't let any of my vehicles slip in regards to filters and fluid changes.

I just replaced the plugs since I was questioning the maintenance history on them as well. The old ones looked fair, but definitely worn down, most likely original from day one. I've been trying to get a few tanks of fuel through the car before I recalculate the fuel mileage again since a single fillup is usually very inaccurate. So far, I've only filled it once, so time will tell.

I'm still looking for an owners manual, so if anyone happens to have one or has a source for one, please let me know what you want for it (or copies).

[Boxedin]

Well in case you did not know, the spark plug replacement on that 1.5 is only 30K miles only toyota that still uses copper core plugs. That may have an effect on mileage. I used to own a gen 1 xb so let me know if you need anything at all

[PONGSxB]

it could also be the fact that u have a manual tranny...the manual revs at a higher rpm at 60mph compared to the auto...my sisters box gets an average of 33-37 mpg bone stock...when mine was stock I averaged 28-30 mpg.

[kleineigel]

Look's like the xB is finally asking for some more attention than preventative maintenance.
MIL light illuminated this morning. along with TSC and Traction Control lights. My SnapOn 2500 scanner will only "talk" to 2000 and older asian cars due to cartridges needing updates. I was able to get generic OBDII scan out of it, but it won't tell me anything but P0420 which is a catalyst fault.

Looks like I'm going to be updating my software for the 2500 or else just buy a cheapy scan tool to leave in the glovebox for just the Scion. All my other vehicles are pre 1998, so besides the occasional customer/friend, I am having a hard time justifying a $1800.00 update on my 2500 scanner.

Is there anything on the market that is a reasonable scan interface that gives full scan access to the Toyota systems, or will I be better off with updating the SnapOn scan cartridges in the long run? I tried a cheapy Innova 3010a this morning, but it is not very impressive. Anything better for under $300.00 or so? Beyond that, I'd rather get something comparable to the VAGCOM system I have on my shop laptop for VW/Audi

Thanks for any input. Great little car so far. I am amazed at the # of complaints I here about the old xB locally. It is a very solid little commuter with better fitments than anything I've seen for under $20,000 with a hatch.

[ryuji16]

have you looked into the scangauge?

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/view...ight=scangauge

[kleineigel]

I haven't seen the scangauge before, very nice product from the looks of it. I have been looking for an A pillar or possibly casting a reverse mold of the dash to the left of the Speedo cluster, but I don't like the standout image of a "tuner car", I'm past that stage of my life.
The scangauge is a great alternative, especially since it is a plug and play device I can move over to any vehicle I am driving.

I've been currently carrying my Innova 3130 scantool with me to get more info than the MIL illumination, which offers more info, but is far from a convenient user friendly package to look at while driving around. The feul economy readout is a great additional feature that makes the decision even easier.

Thanks for the response, great suggestion.

[ryuji16]

i have the scangauge and its great... but the newer software versions that are out now, even have a real-time horsepower gauge. good stuff!

[_Andrew_]

This is an FYI regarding the discrepancy in vehicle odometer and MPG reading. The odometer was calibrated by Toyota for the bB which runs with a different tire than the stock xb in the states. We use a 185/60/15 when the bB uses a 185/65/15 tire.

[jethro b]

I'd say NO. On my 05', even when riding it hard with a/C on it never dips below 30 mpg.
Have you reset the ECU? Also run a couple tanks treated with Seafom and see if it improves. May just be some dirty injectors.

[spasticnapjerk]

klieneigel, I think your numbers are pretty much normal.

Mine is an 05 manual with 90k miles and a +2 wheel and tire package. The circumference of the tire should be the same as stock.

My best mileage ever was around 33 mpg on a cool windless night going a steady 75 mph on rolling terrain.

Normally I'm getting 27 mpg on the highway and somewhat better in town if I'm real gentle.

My worst was less than 25 mpg - it may have been as bad as 22 mpg - when driving from Austin to Tulsa at 80 mph into a substantial headwind. I had my foot in it and I think the mileage drops off somewhere around 75 mph.

Obviously a car shaped like a brick cuts through the wind like, well, a brick! But the car is very efficient at speeds between 45-65.