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My 2003 HL 4cyl. 4x4 has 37,000 miles. City driving,(and I mean NYC stop signs every other block + traffic lights at every main intersection), yields a consistant 16 mpg.
My highway driving is mostly upstate NY, Rtes. 87 & 17 (mountainous), gives me 24 mpg. My best recorded mileage was 26. The sticker said 17/24, so it's not that far off. Of course tire condition and driving habits affect mpg's dramatically. LOVE MY HL.......
:confuse:
Kidding aside, NYC "city" driving is horrendous when compared with the "city" driving of any NON-major city.
All trips are "short-hops" with constant stop signs and traffic lights....not to mention the "snails and drivers who have no clue where they are going".
So, even with a 19/25 rating, my 16/24 average is acceptable in my situation.
I bought a 2001 V6 AWD LTD with leather, heated seats, JBL, moonroof, tow pkg and more.
We've loved in since before day 1. Mileage is a problem. Not the MPG's. I just can't stop driving it. Real world New England, mix of hi-way (no towing, just the package), city, suburban has constantly shown 18.9 on the car's message board, matched by tank-by-tank mileage checks. First 30,000 was 19.4 on Bridgestone OEMs, but after switching to Michelin Cross Terrains, 18.9 has been the norm (premium every time, though).
Sadly, despite the 18.9, I can't seem to get over 23 on the hi-way (72 on cruise most times). The '01 had a 4 speed and newer 5 speeds should be better.
Reliability has been, as expected, bullet-proof. The car was purchased on 3/31/01, 6 weeks after the New England debut. Battled quite a bit to get a remarkable discount (end of quarter?). Brakes replaced front (rotors too) and rear at 70,000. Fresh natural oil every 3k, rotate 8k.
Between traction control, vehicle skid control, AWD and ABS, I have never been able to skid or spin a tire on this vehicle (and believe, as a Massachusetts driver, there are more than many opportunities to try both often!
One disappointment is the interior color choices. Perhaps marketing it as 'an SUV your wife will let you buy (or will buy herself), two pastels seem proper to Toyota, but I hope that new Tundra has graphite or darker inside or they blew it big-time in the USA.
Hope these experiences help someone. They helped me. We just added a 07 RAV4 LTD for my wife. Expecting more of the same.
38,962.8 miles driven ÷ 1,547.6 gallons = 25.2 mpg.
Lowest tanks have been 22 to 23 mpg. in town in cold weather. Best have been just over 28 mpg. driving 55-60 on 2-lane highways. Driving 70-75 seems to consistently knock a good 2 mpg off the best figure.
In my case- Loaded with wife+ 1 kiddo + STUFF, and driving 75-80 mph( which is the norm on Mi interstates), I believe it would be more then 2 gallons knock off from the average 25.2mpg you get.
In this case I am getting even with a V-6 Sienna...
I am wondering if there's any gas savings by purchasing a much less powerfull 4 cyl HL.
Thanks for any input,
Dan
In the 4-cyl. Highlander I've gone from Massachusetts to the Midwest and back a couple of times with either two teenagers in tow or the two kids and my wife. Also all of us on a number of shorter trips to New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Ontario, etc. When we do family stuff around town, we're all in the car for shorter drives. But I drive about 50 miles per week (3 round trips) by myself during the school year.
on 93 octane gas 12mpg
on 89 octane gas 15mpg
What I do is with a full tank o gas get on the highway and slowly accelerate to 65 remaining constant till milage gets to 26MPG (about 50 miles). Then gradually increase speed to 75 and MPG remain in 26 range.
The best I ever got was 29 averaging 65 MPH. Cold weather milage is not as good I think mainly due Ethanol. Octane boost helps with that.
Please report back to us after you've given it some time!
Thanks.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Look for a full report at the end of the month.
On the 25.5 mpg tank (300+ miles), the trip computer said 26.5 and for the first 100 miles on that tank when I only averaged about 65 mph due to construction, it was over 27 mpg. Vehicle is an AWD Limited model. Tires set at 33 psi.
Best 1 tank mileage was 25.5 (using premium) in flat Florida. Worst was 21.2 on the first tank burned mostly in single digit temperatures. Best mileage on regular was 24.5. There's a definite improvement at 65 mph vs 70. Most of the premium tanks were run at an average speed of 70-71. The 3 regular tanks average closer to 65-66 so that probably accounted for some of the better mileage than I had previously seen with regular.
One final note, the average trip odometer error was 1.56 mpg high. Range was 1.11 high to 1.94 high.
Check out:
http://www.fueleconomy.org/
Also, you will find that Hybrid vehicles only do better in city and lower speed mixed driving. The old gas engine is better at highway speeds, and most Hybrids tend to run about 85%+ on the gas engine at speeds over 50 mph...
I have noticed on this forum, that some are using premium as it is suppose to do better than regular? I did not know that, and have only been using regular for my 2 fill ups since I purchased. Any suggestions would be great ! I am anxous to see what I can get.
Thanks!
My lowest MPG was just under 11 miles with mostly city driving.
My highest is 18 miles in freeway driving and after the car had a fuel injector replaced :sick:
I am a conservative driver and very disappointed of the misleading 17/22 MPG posted.
My gas milage seems to run about 18-19 around town.
The five speed automatic transmission shifts perfectly all the time. I had been concerned about that because there were messeges in the past where owners stated that there were some problems or issues with the shifting, but mine seems to have "learned" perfectly well how and when to shift.
I am supposing that when I change the timing belt, I should also change the water pump. The Dealer wants $130.52 for a new water pump, and Discount Auto Parts wants $66.00 for a new water pump. I am wondering if is ok to buy the cheaper water pump or do I need to buy the Dealer water pump? Has anyone here had any experience on this issue?
Thanks,
E.D. in Sunny Florida
I also drive conservative with alot of stop and go and short distance. I work only 3 minutes from home. I have been so pleased with the mpg that I am getting for these short distances. I haven't taken a long trip yet, but look forward to that this summer.
Best of luck...hang in there.
Previously I had an Infiniti G35 and my gas mileage on it was NEVER as good as I've been getting on the HL. :P
I will be traveling in July, and I will again post the highway mpg.
I find the Highlander to be very gas efficient considering weight, & size. I find it somewhat disturbing that many are posting on the reviews that mpg needs to improve. For an SUV, this is very good IMO. My Avalon didn't get any better than the Highlander. I do think how you drive plays a big part in getting the great mpg.
Hope you are doing well. I enjoy your post.... I have a question for you
How often do you change the oil? My Highlander has 1800 miles, they say 3000 on the sticker in the corner. Should I have it changed before I go on a trip in July? ( I will not have 3000 on it) It will have over 3000 when I get back.
You are doing great with your mpg. I can't wait to get mine on the highway!
Have a great day,
Ronn
I have been very pleased with my mpg, and it gets better all the time. Of course, alot of it depends on how well you drive. My latest is 17 -18 for city with alot of stop and go. I live close to work, so it is short trips with weekend driving being more.
The Acura ride is not as nice...I tried it out.
Good luck with your decision.