Toyota Corolla mileage question?

Question

I have a 2005 corolla that only gets like 200 miles per tank, which comes out to be 17 miles per gallon. Since it is advertised to be like 35 mpg on highway, and 30 in city, and I only drive on highway, what do u think it could be and what can I do about it? I took it for checkups and they said everything was ok. Please help!!

Well, my tires are like at 35, which is recommended, and sometimes i do drive around 70, but not that often. Still, even if I did, could that really be a cause for such drastic mileage declilne?

Answer 1

you can compare your fuel economy with that of other owners at:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=browseList

Depending on model of 2005 Toyota Corolla you have, on the EPA tests it gets
26/34 city/highway
30/38 city/highway
32/41 city/highway

but chances are that you don't drive anything like the tests...
How the EPA tests vehicles: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml
note that they do it in a laboratory with a professional driver with the car on a dynometer, temperatures of 68-86^F, no heater/AC/defroster use, and max speeds are only 60mph on the highway (48mph average)...
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml

However, the driving pattern used is based on an average Americans' driving pattern study from the 1970s, with a downward multiplier applied thanks to complaints in the 1980s, and hasn't been revised since. Driving patterns, and the American driving landscape, has changed a lot in 30+ years, making the EPA MPG ratings only useful for comparing cars against each other, but not useful in predicting your own fuel economy (without another car's data to compare data with).

http://www.bluewaternetwork.org/reports/rep_ca_global_fuelfalsehood2.p
df
"FUEL ECONOMY FALSEHOODS: How government misrepresentation of fuel economy hinders efforts to reduce global warming and US dependence on foreign oil" by the Bluewater Network, 2002

"Real MPG: Putting the Truth in Your Tank" by the Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/realMPG/part1.php



Fuel economy: understanding the ratings:
http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/prius/Understanding_Fuel_Economy.pdf

Gas Mileage Tips from the EPA:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/factors.shtml

Car Talk's Guide to Fuel Economy:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/fueleconomy/

In case you can't tell from the above, things like how long (or short!) your trips are, speed, tire pressures, your driving style, terrain, outside temperatures, cabin climate settings, gasoline type used, oil type and fill level, will all contribute to your final fuel economy figures. The biggest source of fuel economy variation is usually the driver, and not the vehicle itself, though.

My short list:
* Check that your tire pressures are at minimum the Toyota specifications, for both fuel economy and safety
* Don't idle your vehicle (can even be illegal depending on where you live)
* Drive sensibly - no jackrabbit starts or stops, just coast a lot (avoiding brake use by watching the road ahead)
* use cruise control whenever possible
* Use the AC and heater only as needed, and not on the extremes. Front windshield defroster runs the AC pump, so be careful not to leave the car in this setting.
* Slow down, stay at the speed limit. To defeat air resistance, the amount of power required increases with the square of the speed.
* lighten your load and check for air resistance. If you don't need that bike or ski rack, remove it - same with the golf clubs sitting in the trunk.
* use the recommended grade of gasoline for your vehicle. (higher octane fuels contain less energy than regular.)

It's always possible that your parking/emergency brake is sticking, but unlikely... If yours is self-adjusting, set and release it about a dozen times and perhaps that'll unstick it for you.

Try modifying your behaviour a little, and have your vehicle checked out, and see how that works for you. Good luck!

Answer 2

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It's not a problem. It's a little high for a 2009. But it's not that big a deal. A Corolla like that will easily go 400,000 or 500,000 miles without a problem if you maintain it good enough. These are not Disposable cars. Kia's, Saturns, and the Cheaper Chevy's and Fords are disposable Cars. There's a reason why Toyota consistently rates among the most reliable Cars on the road by independent rating agencies like Consumer Reports. If you like the Car buy it. But make sure you don't pay too much for something with that kind of Mileage.

Answer 3

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RE:
Toyota Corolla mileage question?
I have a 2005 corolla that only gets like 200 miles per tank, which comes out to be 17 miles per gallon. Since it is advertised to be like 35 mpg on highway, and 30 in city, and I only drive on highway, what do u think it could be and what can I do about it? I took it for checkups and they said...

Answer 4

2005 Toyota Corolla Mpg

Answer 5

2005 Corolla Mpg

Answer 6

Holy Smokes...

There is something wrong with your car!!!
I get 30 - 35 miles per gallon, depending on what kind of driving I'm doing.

No... not everything is ok.
Unless you need a brush up on your math. ;-)
Just kidding.

Answer 7

Do you have an engine light on? Is your parking brake adjusted correctly? If you have an engine light on it could be many things. Are you putting it into the right gear? In Drive or Overdrive? If in Drive, put it in Overdrive. Keep your tire pressure up. Drive under 70 mph.

Answer 8

that's not at all normal, no matter if you DO drive 70 mph all the time. I don't know what to tell you though. Maybe your engine or fuel components are clogged or dirty? Maybe it's the gas you're using? I know my car gets lower milage with different brands and ratings.

Answer 9

What about the tires and how fast do you drive? If you go 70 mph, mileage will decrease

Answer 10

It also depends on what you carry in your car. How much time
you spend idling the engine and if you keep your car clean and waxed last but not least correct tire pressures.

Ase Master Tech