Is Toyota scamming you when it comes to gas mileage????

Question

we own a 2006 Scion XA and are not getting the Gas mileage that is advertised by Toyota! we have found noumerous ppl telling us the same story ! is anyone out there not getting the Gas mileage that is promised by Toyota but happening for ya?????

my son has the car ,and we thought that it would keep the costs low but it isn't!

Answer 1

Toyota did this for advertising purposes only. Yes every car on the list that shows a high gas mileage per gallon are crocked liars including Honda & Kia Subaru. Each one of them have to report to the Governmet with there test results. And lie they do!

Answer 2

Toyota does not promise you a given gas mileage/fuel economy.

If you can drive like the governmental tests, then you too can achieve the "advertised" fuel economy ratings. Problem is, most of the governmental tests (such as the US EPA's) are outdated and don't accurately reflect the average driver's results. (Manufacturers are required by law to post the governmental test figures, in at least the US and UK...)

Since the same test cycle is performed on every car, you can use the test results to compare one car against another...

If you know what your real-world fuel economy is in the car that you are currently driving, calculate the % difference from the EPA numbers on it, and then apply the same % difference to your Scion xA's numbers and then you'll have your "real world" numbers. "Real world" numbers are whatever you individually would get, depending on how you drive and where you live and how you maintain your car. The EPA even states that "Your MPG will vary." ( http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/why_differ.shtml )

From Toyota's FAQ site on "Fuel Economy - Understanding the Mileage Ratings":
http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/toyota.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5044&p_created=1084836120&p_sid=WI9tprOi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjQmcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0wJnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9ZnVlbCBlY29ub215&p_li=&p_topview=1
The PDF: http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/toyota.cfg/php/enduser/fattach_get.php?p_sid=WI9tprOi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_tbl=9&p_id=5044&p_created=1084923810&p_olh=0 further explains the advertised fuel economy ratings, how the tests are performed, and tips to improve your fuel economy.

You can also compare your Scion's real world fuel economy to others at:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=browseList2&make=Scion&model=xA

and you may also want to ask other owners at some of the Scion enthusiast sites:
http://www.scion.com/#enthusiastSites

Answer 3

This is not unique to Toyota, EVERY manufacturer fudges their mpg estimates. That's why they call them estimates. The EPA's procedure included a 90 second time with no load or AC on to get to highway speeds! In the real world, everyone accelerates MUCH faster than they do in their tests, and almost everyone runs their AC. I have an 07 tacoma and I get about 18 mpg around town when they estimate 19 mpg. I drive the way I want, so I am not disappointed.
Oh, it's not scamming it's "marketing"

Answer 4

The claimed estimates are very hard to achieve. You really have to ease on the gas to accelerate from a standstill and you need to be doing a lot of highway driving as well.

Also, get rid of unnecessary weight from your car, don't exceed the speed limit (over 60mph starts getting wasteful), and don't idle.

Answer 5

They are refering to a brand new car.
If you are using the car for quite some time, the engine is not as good as a brand new car willl have. Normal wear and tear will decrease the fuel economy of any car(especially when the car is not maintained properly.

Answer 6

Probably. There is an official test procedure by the US Government, and many manufactures have learned how to fudge that test. There usually is a disclaimer on the sticker that says this might not reflect your driving conditions, or reality for that matter.

Answer 7

I thought so too, until the break in period was over (~10K) and I stopped driving like a maniac.

Answer 8

They scam you on gas mileage and everything else they say about their cars. The ONLY way you will achieve the gas mileage they misrepresent, is to keep your car on rollers, no load on the engine, no weight on the car, and in a climate controlled facility. You won't get to drive it much, but the rollers might be fun when the car isn't using them.