the matrix is heavy for the small motor that is in it, so the motor is working harder, which means it isnt as good on gas mileage. also, it has a higher drag coefficient than a camry. i used to have a 1990 camry with 5 speed in it. i beat the crap out of that car, and when i was done, it was still getting up to 28 mpg on normal mixed driving, and on a road trip i made, i got up to about 33 mpg, but that was cruising 80-85 most of the way. my matrix xrs (performance motor) has the 6 speed manual in it, and the best i have gotten in it was about 32 mpg.

one of the tricks to getting better fuel economy is to cruise at or below the speed limit. i won't say this for a fact, but most of the matrixes out there have lower gearing so the motor is revving up more at freeway speeds, and that in turn burns more fuel.

 

the matrix is heavy for the small motor that is in it, so the motor is working harder, which means it isnt as good on gas mileage..

Uh the matrix I own weighs about 2800 lbs or so...thats not heavy..my camry is approx 3300 lbs...a 500 lb difference. Your explanation of an ENGINE working hard, makes NO difference..an engine makes a certain amount of power and uses a certain amount of fuel to make that power, it has no bearing on the actual SIZE of the engine. Putting a larger engine into the matrix would make it get WORSE gas mileage all other things being equal. A larger engine uses MORE gas to idle and coast, a larger engine has higher frictional losses ( usually ) a larger engine weighs more. If that was the case, why do toyotas estimates with the new 2.4 litre engine fall below those of the 1.8??

Your matrix is the 6 speed...I was asking for the AUTO tranny BASE model matrix, but thanks for the suggestions.

 

what my point is, is that the larger motor generally has more low range torque. for those who dont always race off the line, the larger motor wont have to rev up as much to get the same acceleration based on having the same gearing. also, when on the freeway, the larger motor has more torque to beat the wind resistance, which is primarily what you are fighting. as you are probably well aware, the higher you rev up, the more fuel you consume in the same amount of time. the larger motor pushing a heavier vehicle, but a vehicle that has less wind resistance should be comparable to a slightly lighter vehicle with more wind resistance when out for highway driving, and also be about as good for city driving.

i have said the same thing before, and i will probably say it again. it seems that i may be proven correct with the 09 matrix with the 2.4 liter camry motor.

 

i have said the same thing before, and i will probably say it again. it seems that i may be proven correct with the 09 matrix with the 2.4 liter camry motor.

While at the dealer today, I did some checking of Transport Canada's fuel consumption futures posted on the sheet on the window of new cars. According to their hwy mileage figures: (= means within 1 mpg)

2008 Camry V8 auto = 2009 Matrix 2.4L auto
2008 Camry 2.4 auto is better than 2009 Matrix 2.4 L auto
2008 Camry 2.4 std = 2009 Matrix 1.8L auto

I went in and asked the saleman why the Camry with same engine gets better mileage than Matrix? He said because the Camry is lighter and has less drag. I then said if people are interested in economy they would be better off buying a Camry instead of a Matrix. He said that's right! :sosad:

P.S. Got 34.5 mpg this time (combined hwy and city) driving for mileage. My 2000 Jetta TDi under the same driving would net 54! [sigh]

 

Automatic transmission with 1zz-motor.

City driving I get 28 mpg.

Highway I get a little over 38 mpg.

I can make it to Downtown Phoenix, AZ from Anaheim, CA on one 1 full tank.

Driving techniques - accelerate & brake smoothly, avoid momentum obstacles - meaning try to stay in motion smoothly.



Possible causes for your lower than expected mileage:

Dirty air filter
MAF sensor & IACV needs to be cleaned
Synthetic oil


All are small things that can be done to improve mpg.

Did I mention my mileage is from an XR model that has power everything, moonroof and the Matrix bodykit?

 

Hello All,
Probably I'm part of the group that is getting poor mileage...
My last tank was one of my best since I own the car.
480km = 298.26mi
fill in 40.9L = 10.8 USGal
for a big 27.6mi/gal or 8.5L/100km for a 95% highway driving...

Usually I'm getting maximum 23-25mi/Gal sometimes less...

My Matrix XR 2007 automatic is stock except a K&N filter I install about 2 months ago.

Dealership said... that's normal....

 

I've have a 2008 automatic and last week got 38 mpg highway cruising at 70-75 mph. Typical highway mpg seems to range from 32 to 38.

 

So I have a tank of gas through the car average 65 mph
got 41.39 miles per CDN Gallon. EPA is 36
I am satisfied. Was also running into a headwind.

Well I have the back side of the trip in.
Had the air-conditoning on, cruise set on 65 mph, 379.5 miles

Fuel Consumption
Litres per 100 Km .......... 6.66
Miles per Imperial Gallon .. 42.42
Miles per US Gallon ........ 35.32
Kilometres per Litre ....... 15.03

17.8% over the Highway EPA at 65mph.

'O3 XRS

 

I usually get about 7l/100km on the highway when I don't push it over 120KPH, but I always end up hitting lift a few times just for fun

 

Before my older sister started driving it, I was getting around 32 mpg w/ our '06 Matrix. Mostly highway.

Now that she's driving it (quick starts, shifts into drive while car is still rolling slowly backwards down out of driveway, cruises at 80 mph on the freeway all the time, surges throttle while on freeway, giving everyone in the car minor whiplash, overall: not a smooth driver), I'm guessing in the high 20s. I need to get her into a manual and ask her to drive that way and see what she thinks about the way she drives. I wonder if her boyfriend feels the same way...

 

I'm beginning to wonder if my Matrix is running up to par after reading this. On average before, I was getting about 26 MPG. Since gas prices started edging higher, I switched my driving habits. I now drive 60 MPG instead of 70-80 on the highway, I don't tear out of a stop sign, I coast as much as I can in neutral and I am now getting about 32.5 MPG. I have an automatic 2005 Matrix XR 4WD, Which I know should get less mileage than a car that doesn't have 4WD and is a manual, but I am wondering if I could get that type of gas mileage without all the different driving techniques I have used after reading some of the reports here of people driving normally and getting more.

 

I now drive 60 MPG instead of 70-80 on the highway, I don't tear out of a stop sign, I coast as much as I can in neutral and I am now getting about 32.5 MPG. I have an automatic 2005 Matrix XR 4WD, Which I know should get less mileage than a car that doesn't have 4WD and is a manual, but I am wondering if I could get that type of gas mileage without all the different driving techniques I have used after reading some of the reports here of people driving normally and getting more.

From what I've heard 32.5 with 4WD is something you should be very happy with. Several salesmen have told me that the 4WD gets significantly less mpg than 2WD.

Also, coasting in neutral is not the way to go (especially with automatic). In neutral you are consuming fuel (as an idling car)—better than when driving though. However with modern cars, when the wheels are driving the engine (like coasting downhill in drive), the fuel should be cut off totally hence near infinite mileage.

 

Dude; I have it figured out.
Pittsburgh is hillier than San Francisco!

 

Dude; I have it figured out.
Pittsburgh is hillier than San Francisco!

Actually its VERY hilly around where I live.....I cant believe some are getting into the high 30s mileage wise....no matter WHAT I do..I cant get near that...no driving style or speed EVER gets me over about 32...even at decent speeds on the highway...im confused. There just seems to be a very very wide mileage range on matrixes.

 

21 mpg!! 2006 4wd

I just took my Matrix 4wd into Toyota for an oil change at 9500 miles and complained about the 21-23 mpg. I bought the car new as a 2006 last year. They told me I was doing pretty good with 21-23...and the car is rated 19-23 in town. You are all talking about 26mpg and I'm flabbergasted. Is that for All Wheel Drive?? I have been experimenting with hyper miling etc. but don't understand why it's so bad. I live in Alaska where cars need to be plugged with occasional (now, less common) nights of -40 degrees.

 

04 Matrix XR Auto
I've logged all my mileage and gas in the one year I've owned it.

1 Year avg: 28.55 mpg
The last few tanks using some hypermiling principles has been closer to 30.5 mpg. Cold weather decreases mileage about 1-2mpg, winter tires decrease mileage another 1-2mpg.

I use conventional oil, but may switch to synthetic.

 

04 Matrix XR Auto
I've logged all my mileage and gas in the one year I've owned it.

1 Year avg: 28.55 mpg
The last few tanks using some hypermiling principles has been closer to 30.5 mpg. Cold weather decreases mileage about 1-2mpg, winter tires decrease mileage another 1-2mpg.

I use conventional oil, but may switch to synthetic.

your numbers are MUCH closer to what I get.....usually 26-28 regular everday driving......low 30s highway..

 

06 matrix fuel mileage

I have an 06 Matrix XR (no roof rack) auto trans. and have averaged just over 36 mpg since I've owned it. 48,000 mi. about 80% highway.

 

I just did a trip and my speed averaged about 72 mph mostly highway, about 75 percent with a/c on and just normal driving got my highest EVER!!

34.0 MPG...but I just cleaned the MAF and Temp sensors and reset the ECU..wonder if that actually did anything or if its just coincidence?

 

I thought my mileage was ok, but now after reading this thread and your post, I think I can get a bit more mileage out of mine. Off to get some cleaner.

 

BUMP!!!

Since the post went up about a month ago I decided to actually give a sh*t about my gas milage and perform my own calculations. After 3 weeks the results are in! '03 XR auto- city/26.7 mpg, Hwy/32.4 mpg. I think the those of us with 03-05 get the best milage. Don't know what happened after that...

 

I didnt read all the posting so I may repeat something and I appologize for that. I got 05 XRS suburb driving 40-70 mph with lights traffic etc. 27-29 mpg(US) Highway only(Chicago-NJ) avg 33 mpg speed 80-100 mph!That was pretty good! Where I am now small vacation town in DE, speed limit is 35 so u drive 35-40 readly up to 70 mph ope road I get 30mpg and I got stupid check engine and something is wrong with my engine, it's not as quick as it use to be, so I could probably do even better! If u want to check ur milege try changing the gas stations! BIG defference! Some indian basturds put shit in the fuel. ALWAYS look how much gas u r putting in ur car. I filled it upe every time when the light comes on and sometimes I put 10,6/10.8 galons, sometimes 11,5/11,7! get it? They fuckin hit u at the pump and u r thinking u r putting more fuel, oterwise USING more fuel. I changed a few gas station until I find I good one, but eventualy it will go bad too so u r on the market for gas station again GOOD LUCK!

 

oh, I forgot! U r driving an AUTO transmition. I see 90% of auto tranys to go accelerate than break, then accelerate again than break again. Thas BAD! try to use ur break as little as u can. Accelerate smooter/slower. Dont rev it up on first and second too much. Watch the road before u so u know what i going on before it happens so u dont have to slam on ur break and than hit the gas pedal again. Get it Tell that to ur wife cause everyone knows how women r

 

our matrix is getting 23-24 around town. our last trip over a mountian pass got us 30.5mpg. our matrix is awd and auto. so its the heaviest beast and the worse tranny. LOL


NEUMAN

 

This may help the mpgs.

http://www.cleanmpg.com This is a good place to keep track of yout mpgs.

The high mpgs are highway usually at 65 mph.

With some aerodynamic mods I expect to get more mpgs at a higher speed.
Just installed...

Inner wheel well air dams or skirts if you prefer.
Outer skirts are here.

They pass the 5 foot test. Some room for improvement on the fit and finish.

 

edbso, if you see someone with an identical car, sans the wheel covers, honking at you like an idiot, it's probably me. (Edit: Not identical, but same colour and wheels.)

kevintomb, another thing it seems most people have left out (might be wrong) is that it's city driving. Some kitchy public service announcement I saw made the quite correct point that you get 0 MPG at red lights, stop signs and in traffic. If you spend a lot of time sitting in traffic, or have a lot of long-cycle lights on your route, that can kill your fuel economy. That's why you have better economy on the highway than the city: you're not expending energy changing your speed.

My car's brand spanking new to me; I'll do the calculations later, but it's a manual 1zz-FE anyway.

(That's one thing I love about Ottawa: I can drive from my place to Parliament (about 11 km) stopping only once–if I'm unlucky and the U of O kids hit the crosswalk button–rolling at least 60 km/h. That really helps for fuel efficiency.)

 

PS I thought it might be interesting to share from the original whitepaper on the 1zz-FE motor, though it is only marginally applicable to the Matrix since the test was conducted on a slightly different car:

Regarding actual vehicle fuel economy, a Corolla with a 4-speed automatic transmission achieved 36.8 mpg on the U.S. LA#4 combined fuel economy test mode (FTP and HFET).

(Adachi, Horio, Nakamura, Nakano and Tanke. "Development of Toyota 1ZZ-FE Engine". Page 4. SAE Technical Paper Series: 1998)

 

Changed my oil/trans fluid (drain and fill)/cleaned my MAF, and drove 1600km on the highway. I averaged around ~30mpg @ 120km/h (70). There was a strong crosswind for half the trip. I'm not sure if that had much effect. I'm not sure exactly how much my mileage would have increased if I drove slower, but i wasn't going to find out on that long of a drive.

My idle is much smoother and the car seems more peppy. Around town, the auto transmission doesn't down shift on shifts on some of the hills that it used to. Overall, I think there's a slight improvement but it's hard to tell exactly how much. Next oil change I may try synthetic, and a new air filter even though the one I have in there isn't terribly dirty.

 

I had my CAI on and had a synthetic oil change and using some of the hypermiling techniques, I went from 26.5 MPG to 34.5 MPG on my last tank. I took my CAI off and put the stock back as I had a CEL and had to take it in for repairs. It only has 26,000 miles and they had to replace my catalytic converter. Luckily the warranty covered it. So now I am keeping the stock stuff on and using a K&N filter. I still seem to be getting the same power gains as I did with the CAI but have not driven enough to see what kind of MPG's I am getting yet. Does anyone have any thoughts on the damage I could cause on the transmission and starter with the constant use they get using hypermiling techniques? I only just started but don't want to continue driving like this if the damage is significant.

 

Just got 7.613 L / 100 km (which is 30.90 miles/gallon), almost exactly half highway and half city.

(I was rolling quickly on the highway, too. Revs never under 3000.)

Update 9 July: Latest fill-up I got 7.33 liters/100 km = 32.09 miles/gallon(US) with my new cruise control on almost all the time, highway and parkway (60 km/h) driving mostly, but a good deal of Montréal rush-hour city traffic too.

I'm pretty happy with the economy of this vehicle.

 

I have 1500 miles on my 2009 Matrix with the 1.8L (base) engine.

Average MPG's is 29 to 31 in mostly city driving.

 

this is the part where i tell you nice to know but this is the gen1 forum. :clap:


we just went down the oregon coast and where over 30mpg most all the way. granted we where doing alot of stop and sight seeing but we got a a best of 33.8. im sure a 2wd would have been better. but we are not complaining a bit for an auto awd! only mod is an intake and its not cold air.


NEUMAN