Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
That's exactly why no one needs to get their shorts in a wad over this. Mine is at 38.8+ and with warm weather coming it will only get better.
Your 36 is about what I average on high speed interstate driving in warm weather. I don't commute for work with my car and the most of my time I'm on rural 2 lane highways where I easily see 40+ driving between 50 and 55.
I will say though that the nice thing I see is that the TCH can, if you're so willing, significantly exceed the EPA estimates. From what I saw on some of the other cars also dropping their estimates 11 to 12% from last years ratings, I don't think there is much upside. If it says you're going to get 22 mpg then that migh just be about as good as it gets. (I say that based on the estimates I saw for my previous vehicles)
The touch screen is a great learning tool for comparing various routes and techniques for some of your routeine trips. On your dash screen (over the steering wheel) is a tank mpg gage. It resets itself automatically when you fill up. There is no mpg that I know of to use for say a trip A and trip B setting.
Do most people refill their tanks when the low fuel indicator comes on,
That's a personal preference. There are threads in this forum on the subject. You can probably drive 100 miles after your light comes on or even after you hit the "0" mark. That's pretty well documented, and you'll see that after your first fillup or two.
Also there is information about manual calculations vrs using the mpg gage. There are errors in the speedo and the fuel mpg calculator. More info and interesting technogeek reading is available on that as well.
Check out the driving tips threads.
The flip side... you have short trips. Former commuter into NYC from No Jersey.
Luckily now I only have a 150 mi daily commute through the coast plains of NC/VA. Enjoy your short trips they are worth the price of somewhat lower fuel economy.
I was averaging about 25 mpg. The temps rose above 40 this week and my latest average is 32 mpg. The cold temp does indeed knock down MPG.
Your daily commute is not good for owning a hybrid - it's just not long enough a trip for the HSD system to do it's best work. I have the same problem - about 5 miles. But I am fortunate enough to live in Phoenix when even the COLDEST mornings are still in the upper 20s.
Here's a test to prove to yourself that the short trip and not the car is the problem: Take a 30-minute meandering trip around your town, keeping your speeds under 42 MPH (as the car will not use EV mode above that speed.)
Once the car is warmed up properly, you will notice it going into EV mode quite a bit, and you will notice the MPG increasing.
Let us all know the results of that test.
You can refer back to an earlier post I made in this forum #314. Hopefully it will give you some guidance.
Also you will need to wait a good 5000 mi or so for the vehicle to get really broken in. This forum has a lot of good info by experienced drivers from all over the country. Take the time to read the posts. Good stuff here.
At highways speeds when your lift off the pedal the engine goes from about 1600 rpms to about 950 rpms ( idle speed ), yet you are still going 50-60 mph.
At city driving under 41 mph when you let off the gas you actually shut the engine down and you are 'gliding' or maybe running on electric power.
The longer you can get into these two phases the more fuel you'll save.
SHORT PERIODS OF DRIVING,USING HEATER.
No long trips yet. How can I improve?
How long?
I still have no problem even on trips less than 5 miles of getting at least 35mpg. I just came the back roads (45 mph) from town on a 25 mile trip and got 46.7mpg (but yes, I was trying hard) in 27 degree weather.
Read the driving tips threads. You may never get 38, but if you're really interested in obtaining high FE then 35 should be obtainable for anyone, at least when it gets warmer.
This morning I was pleased to discover my ICE shutting down after a much briefer time resulting in getting 36/37mpg to and from work - but I don't think it is because of the slightly warmer weather.
The difference was, believe it or not, turning off my heater (seat heater had no negative impact). Tested theory several times, found with heater on "auto" ICE stayed on at stop signs but if I turned the heater off the ICE would turn off.
If I drove longer with heater on, eventually the ICE starts to turn off, but on a short commute (20 min) I wasn't getting much benefit.
My plan for maximizing MPG is seat heater on, main heater off (until I have a chance to test heater in manual mode more thoroughly).
Hope it isn't just a coincidence. Maybe someone else out there will try it and let me know!
When I drive my car like I stole it, I'm happy to get 30mpg. Doing the same thing in my last performance sedan got me 15mpg. That's a significant difference. I'm not getting the EPA rated mileage, but then I never have with any of my cars. So it's certainly not something I expected even with this one.
I'm sorry you're not happy with your TCH. But would you have felt better getting 17mpg with an XLE? You're still doing much better mileage wise with your Hybrid, and should do better when the weather gets above 50F.
tom
It must be nice to not be obsessive-compulsive like some of us
I can't bring myself to drive mine "like I stole it". I tested it once to know what it would do in case I needed the power for an emergency manuver. But when I took this leap from my FX45 I decided to change my driving style and I'm always striving for maximum FE, simply because I know it's capable of it and because my inner drive to see if I can maintain last tenth of an MPG consumes me.
I'll probably get over this in a few years and get a Vette, but for now my passion is saving gas.
This all probably sounds crazy... as today I turned off my heat and seat heater to find the ICE does not kick in as much and I get even better mpg's.
This car is not for the lead footed... it is for the gas and environmentally minded. What with global warming, it is nice to know I am doing something good for the environment as well as saving gas. Does it take some sacrifice... apparently yes. But it is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
I was thinking today, that if everyone could see how their driving effects their mpg's there might... and I stress might... be smarter drivers out there without hybrids. Driving this much slower gets me to work only five to ten minutes later on an hour drive. My gas and maintenance costs are down from owning a BMW and a Saab.
Ha, must be an age thing. I'll be 54 this year as well. I've driven sport cars, luxury cars and SUV's (still have an SUV) but as I approach retirement I've found that downsizing, simplifying and becoming a producer rather than a consumer is something that motivates me.
I can afford a nicer car but my brain finally took over and said WHY? I can't kick people for wanting them because after a Vette, 3 BMW's, an Audi TT, 3 Nissan Zcars and the Infiniti FX45 I understand the lure of fine driving machines. I just came to the point that I have other things I'd rather do with my money.
Not only that but being the obsessive compulsive type I always was wanting something more, more HP, bigger wheels, more speed.... the list goes on. Now I've forced myself to walk away from that never ending obsession.
I'll probably be OK until they put a bigger battery in the TCH
As you found out, don't use Auto. Turn off Auto, and manually set your fan speed and temperature, and most importantly - press the ECO button so you see the letters "ECO" displayed between the driver and passenger temperature display!
As long as you don't 1) set the temp to MAX (or MIN), 2) use the defroster, ECO will stay set.
And actually, I find I am driving much slower and am more relaxed with this car. I typically get mid to high 30s. I was just trying to make the point that even driving the car hard (on occasion) it still gets quite good FE.
tom
im looking at getting a camry hybrid, but i live close to work, about 2 miles, and i drive about 10k miles a year, with trips to my cottage and highway
anybody have a similar situation? im looking to city mostly city mpg with the hybrid , if i can get mpg in the 30s, id save about $400 a year in gas, and my govt will mail me $2k back if i buy a hybrid, so its about $2k less then a se v6
thanks
dan
ontario, canada
Bottom line, the worst mileage I was getting was when it was cold and I waited for the car to warm up. But even then -- cold weather, car warming, short trip -- I was still getting at least 30mpg.
Enjoy!
Unfortunately, your situation is in that area in which the hybrid will perform rather worse than hoped for. Short trips kill the MPG on a hybrid. It will still get better MPG than most normal cars, but not "hybrid" mileage. So long as you understand this, you will be satisfied.
At 10K a year, you may not drive enough to really recoup your extra outlay for the hybrid technology. You might do better with a Camry I4.
as it stands, id be saving $2k over the price of a se v6, i drove a le v6 as well, its looking like a se v6 will be more of what i want, as it looks like i may not recoup the savings, maybe ill save $11k and buy a corolla!
thanks, please chime in with advise
dan
its still me, anybody worried about what a battery will cost for this car? i know the warranty is 8 years
im going for a test drive of the hybrid soon, maybe this week
thanks
dan
But, if you're trying to do a cost-benefit analysis, I'm afraid that hybrids don't pencil out well. Oh, I guess if gas prices keep rising that may change. But, even now, other motives beyond dollars and sense are needed to justify a hybrid.
I hope you meant "cents". A motive beyond "sense" would mean it's not a logical decision.
But, if you're trying to do a cost-benefit analysis, I'm afraid that hybrids don't pencil out well.
It's possible that some of us bought a Camry Hybrid but would have never considered a ICE only Camry as an option. If you're looking strictly for an economy car and can live with a smaller vehicle then a TCH may not make fall out as an economically viable option. I wanted a car that would have good FE, but I was not going to drive a small car. I did not buy the TCH to save money, some might have to have that as a motive to justify it. I wanted to use less gas (I'm averaging over 38.5mpg in 20,000 miles)
However, in the process, since May 5th, 2006, I have so far saved in excess of $4300 in gas, insurance and payment over the car I was driving. Granted I could have saved more with a $17,000 corolla, but that was not an option I considered.
Additionally, on a straight comparison with a Camry SE (the only other Camry I would have considered) with the $2600 Federal Tax Credit and the $3750 State Tax Credit I received I believe the financial benefits are indeed there. I believe that for considering financial reasons alone this will be the best financial decision I've made with a car (having bought well over 35 new cars in my time).
Nice, WV has a large tax credit, which won't apply to most buyers of course. Today, prospective buyers hope to get a $1300 credit, which may be reduced or zeroed out by the required AMT filter.
As to a cost comparison of the TCH to non-hybrid model, I'm afraid gas prices will need to go much higher for the price differential to be returned in savings. At $3 gas, the annual savings are roughly $350-400, depending on several variables.
Meanwhile, TCH buyers must buy a vehicle loaded with options; some wanted, some not, making a perfect comparison impossible. Still, most buyers are probably paying $4-6,000 more for a TCH, putting the payback date beyond the range most people keep cars.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a quite contented owner. I just don't want to people to set themselves up for disappointment by buying a TCH thinking they'll save money. In most cases (WV's tax credit may make for an exception), they won't.
The TCH has a smooth and competent 4-cyl engine that, yes, one can expect to hear a whine from occasionally. When more power and acceleration are needed immediately, the engine and electric motor will kick-in together, providing smooth power than compares to a 6-cyl engine (mileage will suffer, of course).
Last fall I drove over the Donner Pass (on I80 at 7,000 ft). I thought the car performed exceptionally well. "Adequate" power is of course relative to what one's used to and wants. The TCH won't drive like a big American V8. But the great mileage is real. I've always managed 38-40 mpg on trips. For a that, a little whine I'll take. Good luck.
I've only owned one 4cy in the past (BMW320i many years ago) and unless I'm goosing this I just don't hear it. However when I goose my V8 4Runner it makes noise as well, just not the same type of noise. About any engine, 4cy or V8 will make noise when you kick it down and rev it up. Fortunately with the TCH it doesn't "kick down" as often as a ICE only 4cy.
If I lived in the flat land I would have a hard time worrying about what my car would sound like once a year taking it to the Rockies. This thing should be awesome in the flat.
I just finished a 1550 mile round-trip from Phoenix to San Fran and the car did a wonderful job. We reached peaks of around 4200 feet during the trip, and we never ever had a lack of power nor did we notice an overwhelming amount of downshifting to keep up.
We drove 70-75 in all those hills, had plenty of passing power for the slow trucks.
Even had a 38.43 MPG tank in there during the section with all the hills, while hauling two adults and two kids and a trunk full of gear.
Have no fear about how well this car does on long trips, large hills, and passing power.
Well, one should really qualify that at 10.6 cu ft in the trunk, it can get full pretty quickly...
And the way *I* pack a trunk, it can hold a LOT of stuff. :shades: :shades: :shades:
Love this car tho!!! I take friends to lunch and they see that I got 38mpg with 4 total riding in the car and they are simply amazed...as am I!
I read about the ECO function for the A/C, but haven't been in the car since. Does it work with the AUTO function for the climate control?
Thanks in advance for any responses.
PS
Despite the lower than expected mileage, I love this car!
You're obviously joining the group of extreem radicals on this board. Welcome!. However I can't imagine that you're saving but a few cents a day doing this (over using the ECO mode)and I would think that it would be awfully irritating to your passengers:)
My average does drop a bit when my wife is in the car as she married a guy who usually drove at 80mpg! Now it's more like 70.
grg
After 20,000 miles I am averaging 38.55mpg. There are some interesting threads in the history that talk about calculated mpg figures as compared to the computer. You might want to catch up on those.
as she married a guy who usually drove at 80mpg! Now it's more like 70.
My wife has a fit every once in a while. I expect her to keep the average up. I drove an Infiniti FX45 typically at least 15mph over the limit, I now find myself doing 3 to 5 mph under the limit. It may be an obsession, I know what the car is capable of and I feel like I need to get there every time I'm out driving. I take the back roads a lot rather than the interstate and simply have become more patient and relaxed.
Over all it's been a healthy lifestyle change, as well as saving me $$$'s.
That works great in town on flat, but I've found that the "sweet" spot on a rolling hill two lane road is really around 52 to 53 mph. No you don't get the E mode and you don't get as many minutes at 60FE either but I get a consistant 40FE to 50FE reading. When I get on these same roads and no one is around I have tried driving 40mph but it seems like even the slightest grade kicks the engine on and usually it seems at a lower FE than what I would at 53mph. It's like this thing rolls so well once you get the momentum and all that mass rolling it's more effecient to apply light horsepower to keep it there than it is to go from constant shifting in and out of E to ICE action.
On trip down avg was 43.3
trip back it was 41.7
Really impressive.
C