Toyota Camry Real World MPG

gene22

After 1000 miles, here is what I am getting. Light (moderate stop and go) is between 20-21 MPG. Open highway at 75 mph most of time, with A/C at just over 30mpg.

V6 XLE.

Running well.

ray_h1

30 mpg in a VW beetle was considered extraordinary - and that was with no air-conditioning or automatic transmission and its 0-60 time was in the neighborhood of 20 seconds... I think the only factory option was the "Saphire" AM radio. Funny how people even at that time obsessed over fuel economy even though "regular" gasoline retailed at the pump for under twenty-cents a gallon. I doubt anyone at the time (outside an asylum, anyway) could've remotely imagined the efficiency gains we take for granted now.

blindmantoo

I'm happy... Probably 70% city miles, A/C on, lots of playing around w/ "manual mode" on shifter = 22 mpg. My wife took over today - she'll probably have about 80% highway - but all of the miles are going to be rush hour. I'm hoping for about 25 mpg at best.

njerald

Another fillup, just hit 3,000 miles.

Not as good as I have been getting - kept jumping on the go pedal.

Avg. for 8 fillups - 26.56 mpg. Avg. trip meter - 27.88 mpg.

No hesitation, spiking, rattles, bangs, sloshes, etc.

kiawah

1500 miles on the car, just took first highway trip, relatively flat Interstates. Averaged 70-75 Mph, fully loaded w/4 folks and luggage. No effort made to maximize MPG, just drove typical.

ray_h1

Uh, was that supposed to be 30 mpg?

kiawah

LOL.....ooooopps, yes, Sorry.

Had a mental flashback of little old lady peering thru the steering wheel, going 30mph down the interstate in left hand lane.

Ran 70-70 mph for the trip with fully loaded car and airconditioning, averaged exactly 30 mpg.

ray_h1

If the little old lady peering through the steering wheel was driving a gold '67 Lincoln Continental with a padded black vinyl roof, she was probably my mom...

blindmantoo

:P 60% interstate, 20% country roads, 20% rush hour stop & go = 26.8 mpg. Our Maxima V6 5sp manual didn't come close to this and required premium fuel!

tuthman

I have a 2002 4 cylinder camry and I put in the Tornado air piece to get better mileage. I got 28 all the time the way I drive. After I put in the Tornado air piece I got 32 on the first tank. WOW. 65 bucks and I get 4 miles more. Check it out! I have 71,000 miles on the car.

tornadoair.com

njerald

Lowest tank was 24.56, highest was 29.11 actual mpg. Avg. since new is 26.52 mpg.

Went on a 150 mile highway golf trip yesterday, 67-77 mph with cruise and A/C on. 32.1 mpg indicated on trip meter which averages 1.3 mpg high.

No rattles, squeaks, hesitation, sloshes, etc. problems.

lmacmil

1275 miles, 90% city/suburban driving. Some stop & go, but mostly 35-45 mph between stoplights a mile or so apart. I have an 8 mile commute.

Overall average 21.4mpg, best 23.3, worst 19.9. All figures calculated by dividing trip odo by gallons to fill. During the winter months, the same driving cycle only resulted in 18.3.

ray_h1

There's a reason for that. Winter blend gasoline is more volatile to aid cold weather starting. More volatility translates to lower density - fewer hydrocarbons per unit volume. Hydrocarbons is the stuff what gets you from point "A" to point "B".

jweaver1

I hate to burst your bubble, but it is a proven fact that these miracle gas mileage improvement products don't work. To look at it simply, if Toyota (or any other manfacturer) could get an extra 4 MPG from their cars for a few dollars, they would have the Tornado installed as original equipment. P.S. You need more than one tank to accurately check your mileage.

imidazol97

Anything that impedes the air intake or exit from the motor affects the efficiency.

If you got 4 more miles per gallon that may be the Campbell effect essentially a placebo effect because you were being extra careful because you knew you had some reason to increase gas mileage and wanted to increase it. I may have the wrong name on the effect but it's the same type of things as people using computers for learning in ye olden days; they liked it better by using computers, just because they liked computers.

ray_h1

According to Tornado's website, the stationary fabricated sheetmetal device's theory of operation is that the angled vanes create increased air turbulance that results in more rapid mixing of the air/fuel mix in the cylinder. I'm not arguing with your stated results since I'm in no position to. But on the face of it, the increased air turbulance post-Tornado will've had time to settle as it traverses through the runners from the plenum chamber. I find it hard to understand how at the moment the fuel is injected just prior to admittance to the cylinders, that there'd be any meaningful residual increased air turbulance at that point. Maybe I'm wrong, but $70.00+ for a piece of cut and formed sheet metal is a stretch I'm not tempted to invest in.

tuthman

I am answering the last three post as a reply to yours.
I drive very conservatively, trying to get the most out of my gas and I consistantly get 28mph. I check it everytime. When I dive like a mad man and don't care about it, I get about 25.5. I have tryed to break the 28 barrier for a while because the stupid EPA said up to 34 on the sticker. (Liers). So I thought I would try this and see. After all, you can get all your money back if you aren't satisfied.
So, my first tank I get 32 while driving conservatively, like always. I did this because I know how my car does the best while driving like this. Now, I am driving and not paying attention, like when I would get about 25.5 and we will see what happens.
Logic isn't a great argument for why a car dealer wouldn't have placed something like this on thier own. Thats a silly argument not to check it out yourself.
But, honestly, I was just trying to share this to help others out, not to sell anything.

I will post a few more tanks to give you all a report.
By the way, I live in Phoenix where it is always hot and the A/C is allways on.

P.S. I think if this piece of metal didn't work, it would cost about 15 dollars and not 65.

imidazol97

>P.S. I think if this piece of metal didn't work, it would cost about 15 dollars and not 65

But if it were priced at 15$ people would think it was nothing. At 65$ people think it must be of some use.

njerald

Thru 10th tanks of gas - 60% city.

Avg Actual - 26.73 mpg
Avg Trip Computer - 28.1 mpg

Trip computer is consistently too high by 1-2 mpg.

Most gas put in a tank = 16.13 gallons

Easily can make 400-460 miles between gas stops.

Still need to get a couple tanks with 90-100% highway miles.

Time for an oil change next week.

lmacmil

On a cross country trip and decided to try premium instead of regular. After 1000 miles, I'm averaging 28.2 mpg for mostly freeway driving. Never got better than 26.5 with regular and sometimes barely 26. I figure I've saved about $2.00 so far

jweaver1

Here's a web address from MSN Money discussing these items. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/GasSavingDevicesMo- stlyAScam.aspx According to the article, some so-called mileage improvers will actually decrease your mileage! As usual, it's buyer beware.

tuthman

Here is an update on my mileage.

When I drove like a mad man, and maybe I drove even worse than before trying to test this thing, I got about 26. Not much improvement over the times without it. Thats not too good.
After that tank I decided to drive conservatively again. I just filled up yesterday. I got 31.7 mpg. By the way I am using the same gas station and I set the lever on the low setting and don't top off each time.
Hey, I know this is not scientific, but if I am getting 3-4 mpg better the way I drive normally anyway, why not save 6 bucks everytime I fill up? And, increase my driving range by 60 to 70 miles?
Maybe this thing only helps when you drive like grandpa!?
But there IS a difference. Does anyone want me to take it out and see what happens?

Let me ask all you who have 02 to 06 camry 4 cylinders:

What kind of mileage are you getting?

BTW, please don't think I am some retard trying to push this thing and treat me like I am a sucker. I am a dentist that would like to think I am a critical thinker and I am just trying to post some real world test results to share with this great crowd of automotive junkies.

tuthman

I just want to correct myself.
I know that I either save 6 bucks if I fill up at the same mileage, OR get 60 to 70 miles more on the same price to fill up the tank. Not both.

(Sorry, I didn't want you quick guys to enjoy pointing that out)

lmacmil

Car is a 2005 SE-V6. Trip length 2560 miles, est 2000 miles pure freeway, most of the rest 2 lane back roads going 30-45 mph but not steady. Overall average 27.5 mpg, pure freeway average over 28.5 mpg. Freeway cruise set at 74 mph (GPS indicted 72.9-73.7) A/C on 75% of the time. Two adults & 2 weeks worth of luggage.

I filled up 9 times, 6 with premium, 3 with mid-grade (only when I need less than 1/2 tank). I never got better than 26.5 mpg on regular in previous trips. Overall though, the higher price offset the increased mileage. Average gas price was $3.21. Highest gas prices in suburban NYC and the Indiana Toll Road.

Overall I'm pretty happy with this. Just read a post on a 2007 4 cyl that averaged 34 mpg on a 1500 mile trip but he noted that the 4 downshifted in even the slighted upgrade. My V6 never downshifted when in cruise, even in the mountains in Pennsylvania.

From what I've read, the new 3.5 liter should do even better.

aznmask

2007 camry V6
my mileage is i got my car 10mile.. and a full tank of gas.. drove up to 270mile then i fill up 13.89gallon gas. so the math is 260/13.89 = 18.7mpg. (with AC on most of the time) so hot in MA..

lmacmil

I assume this was mostly city driving. You really need to keep track of miles and gallons for 4 or 5 tankfuls to get an accurate figure.

sakl

We are considering buying a 2007 Camry LE V-6 6 speed manual trans. and was wondering if anyone has one and what kind of MPG it has. Thanks!

lmacmil

Toyota doesn't offer a manual with the V6. You'll have to get an Accord.

ray_h1

Or an Altima...

lmacmil

Touche! The new Altima looks pretty cool.

njerald

4,300 miles so far, 11 fillups. About 50% city driving.

Avg. actual mpg - 26.82
Avg. trip meter mpg - 28.11

Changed my oil last week. Piece of cake.

No noises, hesitation, cruise control hunting, etc.

jdarcy1

I expected MPG would improve with technological gains. I don't see evidence in any of these discussions except with the hybrid which will cost much more to own after the warranties expire.
2001 5 sp. 181,000 mi. 32mpg 50-50 city-highway around Seattle, road trip summer 2005 Seattle - Riviere du Loup 40MPG freeway, 38 2 lane highway with bike rack and bike on back and 60 miles per hour max cruise speed
only 1 repair issue so far... motor mounts at 131,000mi.

damon34

I drive mostly highway miles on my camry and i cant seem to get better than 24 mpg. I was averaging 28 to 30 for along time then the last 5 fill ups i am only getting 24 or 23.8
anybody have any clues. and yes i was runnning air back when i was getting 28 to 30.

samiam_68

The gas you're filling up with probably contains 10% ethanol. Try a different gas station that sells gasoline without the ethanol.

ray_h1

How long has it been since your spark plugs, spark plug cables, and the engine air filter were changed? These items do require attention periodically. The use of 10% "gasohol" will not account for that dramatic an increase in fuel useage. I have a 3 1/2 yr. old Hyundai Sonata V6. 10% content ethanol is mandatory in California as an oxygenator. I still have no problem achieving 30+ mpg with the A/C engaged in 110+ degree heat at a sustained 70 mph highway speed. Your Toyota Camry's I4 should be good for 4 mpg more than I get with my V6. (It's always a good idea to post the model year of your car and the approximate date of and a short summary of the most recent history when asking performance-related questions. )

damon34

Sorry guys i forgot to put year and model down. I only have 12000 miles on it, and i have checked the filter on it.and i dont use ethanol gas. I just have a bad hesitation problem with the car and it shifts gears all the time, but toyota says it is fine. I was just trying to find out what the other 2007 camry 4cyls were getting? I use to get better but not lately THanks

mgarsh97

I just bought my first Toyota about 2 weeks ago - 2007 Camry SE 4cyl. So far, I love the car, but I have to admit that I'm really disappointed in the mileage. Right now, I'm averaging about 400 miles per tank (right around 21-22 mpg). The car only had about 30 miles on it when I bought it...does it just take awhile to "break it in"? Will the mileage improve? Any ideas for me...I may just be jumping the gun, but bought this car, not only for the looks and reputation, but for the mileage! Thanks!

njerald

I think you need to do your arithmetic again.

400 miles @ 22 mpg means you are putting 18.2 gallons in a 18.5 gallon tank.

....@21 mpg you are putting in 19.0 gallons in a 18.5 gallon gas tank.

I regularly get 400+ miles per fillup but I only put 15-16 gallons in to fill it up.

cwnickell

Hi,
I have kept track of my car's mileage since the day I bought it (6/1/06). Thought I would share the numbers I am getting.

Starting Odometer: 19
Odometer at most recent fillup: 6141
Fuel Miles Driven: 5862 (6141 minus 279) I am not counting the tank of gas the car had when I purchased it.

Total # fill-ups: 15
Total Gallons Used: 192.022
Total Fuel Cost: $607.23
Average Fuel Cost: $3.16/Gal
Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.10

MPG Overall: 30.528
Lowest MPG: 28.455
Highest MPG: 32.773

Brand of Gasoline: Always fill-up with Chevron (Octane 87) except one time which was Shell (Octane 87).

Monthly MPG average has been improving:
June (29.153 MPG), July (30.712 MPG), August (30.916 MPG)

Estimated City/Highway Mix: 40%/60%

janderson8

You should be ecstatic. We have a 2000 Camry with same specs and I would be happy to get 20.52 mpg. We do more city driving, but even with 100% highway, we ony get 26-29, unless we're going downhill the whole way. City never gets above 20. Dealer would do nothing for us when we complained the first few years and now it's too late.

lmacmil

19-20 around town might be low but city driving varies so much it's impossible to tell. 25-27 is definitely low for highway driving at legal speeds. I recently took a 2500 mile trip in our SE-V6 and averaged 27.5 mpg, getting over 28 on pure freeway driving at 70-73 mph.

However, as others have reported, getting the dealer to acknowledge a problem will be difficult as he has no idea of your driving style, even though you call it moderate.

royalflush

I just picked up my 2007 Camry SE 4 cyl and have just finished my first tank of gas. Approximately 30 % was city driving and the balance 70 % was highway. (Highway MPH 65 max.) I have been extremely pleased in that the first tank of gas averaged slightly over 31 MPG.

I should also state that I changed the way I drive by starting out slower and reducing the amount of braking that I do. My last car was an Acura TL 6 cyl which I always jumped on and I never got over 20 MPG average.

macfan

Here's my experience so far. I got my car on Aug 17.

First tank: mixed driving, lots of errands, some highway driving - 24.4 mpg (according to the display, 24.35 according to actual calculation).

Second tank so far:
3 hour drive, all highway, going between 55-65 depending on the local limit. Mostly going 60, almost entirely on cruise control. Display shows: 36.0 MPG Got as high as 36.5 in parts. There were a lot of hills, going through eastern PA to NJ.

I am very excited about the potential for this car. I do mostly highway driving and if this is the baseline, I am very pleased. I was hoping to get 32-33mpg per tank on average. In any case, much better than my previous vehicle at 20-22mpg average.

patvizina

nice to see someone who knows how to do the math.
I always use the trip odometer to track the miles used, then divide by the number of gallons I purchase that time.
I am interested in the new 2007 Toyota Camry CE with 4 cylinder. I do 80% city driving in the mountains in Flagstaff AZ. Does high altitude affect mpg?

ray_h1

Altitude affecting fuel economy was a factor with carbureted engines unless the owner had the fuel mixture modified to compensate (lower oxygen content at high altitudes). But, with computerized engine management controlling the amount of fuel delivered by the fuel injectors, all that's taken care of automatically through information supplied to the engine control module by the exhaust system oxygen sensor(s). Performance will be altered (less oxygen, less fuel, less get-up & go). Since higher elevations frequently go hand-in-hand with grades, that would definitely impact fuel economy when climbing.

07xle

23 fillups, 8,200 miles.

Highest Tank- 100% Highway, 65-70 mph, 33.14 mpg.

Lowest Tank- 100% City, 22.71 mpg.

Avg for 8,200 miles, 50% hwy, 27.5 mpg.

About what I expected...........

janderson8

Congratulations! I wish I could report the same. My 2000 Camry has NEVER gotten even close to 23 mi in city driving and the current tank (all city) looks like it will come in something around 16 mpg. I'm thinking that Cal gas may give better mileage than other states because it needs to be cleaner burning, though I don't know where you live. In Ill I get better mileage in the summer when we change to cleaner burning gas than in fall/winter or early spring, even when weather is still warm. About the best I've done (in summer) is 19.5 for city driving, and even that is rare. Be happy, because if you get a lemon as far as mileage is concerned, the dealer will do nothing for you!

thegraduate

What is "city" driving like for you? This determines a lot. Remember, for every traffic light you sit through, you are getting 0 MPG put into your average.

janderson8

I think my city driving is typical of city driving, perhaps even a little lighter than heavy city driving as you'd have in Chicago. If there were no lights or stops, it wouldn't be city driving, it would be highway driving, so that argument doesn't hold too well. I usually drive 5 miles to work and 5 miles back, with maybe 4 to 5 short stops, sometimes less, and I am careful to try to time lights, not use heavy acceleration or braking, etc. Again, if you remove all the city driving impediments, you can't really say you are doing city driving. My main argument is that many Camry owners do get close to the city estimate (23 mpg for city, in the case of our 2000 Camry) and I fault the dealer for refusing to find the cause for the drastic difference. I could understand a 5% difference, but a 20-25 % difference shouldn't occur. And driving a Honda Civic, which is not that much heavier, for the exact same type of driving, yields very close to their estimated mileage.

ray_h1

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, "city driving" is a non-sequitur. Sitting at stoplights only to briefly move when the light turns green and stop behind non-moving traffic 40 yards short of the next intersection in mid-town Manhattan during rush hour is considerably different from timing the lights in a small 'burb's main drag on Sunday morning at 6:00 A.M.