Help! I'm only getting 320 miles a tank!

[hitmoninfinity]

I recently got new tires and wheels. The drop in mpg seems to have started around the same time. I'm not sure if that's the cause though. Both the tires and wheels are the same size as before. Does anyone know what the stock steelies weigh? My new rims weigh 17lbs each.

But now that I think about it, I think I was only getting 330-340 a tank before. I keep seeing all you guys in the 40 mpg range! I'm not a diehard mpg junkie, but I do drive pretty reasonably. Enough to be appalled when driving with anyone else. What can I do to get up towards 40 mpg?

Has anyone had to replace an O2 sensor yet? -Did it make a difference?
Is there any other maintenance issues I might be overlooking?

It's a 07 sedan with 50k on it.

[thebarber]

330miles is about right for in-city driving and not caring about economy so much

if you want 40mpg, you have to drive like a pussy

[digitalrain]

I also found that getting new tires killed the MPG by about 3. Softer tread,even though it was the same size and all, made a big diff in the MPG. Got a quieter smoother ride with the new tires. Maybe bump up the tire pressure a bit?
320's not bad at all.

[fnkngrv]

Some people get 40 mpg however some people are also blowing some out their ass...just sayin.

[hitmoninfinity]

Some people get 40 mpg however some people are also blowing some out their ass...just sayin.

I don't doubt that. But I still think I could be doing better.

[N9QGS]

I have a 2007 Toyota Yaris S, if you keep lock the cruise control at under 3,000 (68 MPH) the car will do 40+ MPG all day. I have 185,300 on my car and still do 41 to 42 on my 60 miles work commutes on the interstate. Seriously planning to pick up a 2nd Yaris here before they change them up, hate the style of the new ones, Im learning about.

[PETERPOOP]

That's average. If you want those higher numbers, you need to hyper mile.

[ilikerice]

i aggree with ^ I get about 320 also, and I drive like a bat out of hell

[SilverBack]

Hmm, I'm a bit of a speeder and I still get at least 400 to the tank. Maybe it's got something to do with local climate?

[BEEF]

I don't know about the climate thing. I am in NC and I get 41mpg. I would think my climate isn't that different though I will admit that I drive it really easy.

[eTiMaGo]

climate and driving style for sure... Hot weather here, and 99% city driving, gives me a maximum of 450km (280mi) per tank. The guys who get 40 MPG "without even trying" probably do a lot of slowish highway miles

[Lil Abner]

I get 41-42 mpg, but that's back roads, doing 55mph with the cruise on. When I do city driving, it drops down to low/mid 30's. So your 320 miles sounds about right. As mentioned, maybe add some more tire pressure?

[ATL_Want_A_Pabst]

http://geology.com/state-map/south-carolina.shtml#relief

Hills!!! <---- will affect gas mileage. And by the looks of it, you have plenty of them...

[brg88tx]

op, check the od (outside diameter) of your new tires and compare it to the od of the stock tires, 185/60r15. if your new od is larger it will show fewer miles than actual. the % difference can be found with online tire calculators.

[malibuguy]

i usually get just over 500 a tank...low 400s when i beat the hell out of the car, like the last tank (42.5mpg)

[PETERPOOP]

i usually get just over 500 a tank...low 400s when i beat the hell out of the car, like the last tank (42.5mpg)

NERD.

[OTA'sTOY]

service your car

[fnkngrv]

I did get close to 40 boosted through the middle states on the way from Alabama to Maine. That was driving @ 10 over the limit. There are honestly too many variables to calculate for driving style, climate, and altitude. I know that I get better mileage here in Maine than in Alabama however there as stated are a BUNCH of variables. Once you get south of Virginia for example the highways/freeways are 70mph for the most part in my experience. Bottom line is Peter hit the nail on the head for the most part. I can tell you that prior to adding any mods, and I do mean any, I was always getting around 40mph highway cruising around 60-65 and still that when on I95 heading back and forth at roughly 70-75. Shrugs...if you want the best mileage you will need to find a good source for a gas station and hypermile like Peter suggested.

[auxmike]

I get about 320/tank too with the auto.
Finding it hard to believe 500/tank is possible though...

[hitmoninfinity]

i usually get just over 500 a tank...low 400s when i beat the hell out of the car, like the last tank (42.5mpg)

Yeah... can I get some pointers?

[SpaceShot]

hitmoninfinity: First thing is to double check the tire pressure on the new wheels and make sure that it is at least 32psi.
If you feel comfortable with it, set it somewhere between 32psi, and the max sidewall number on the new tires.

Consider getting a Scan Gauge or Econmeter. These devices give you an instant MPG readout, and help you learn where backing off just 1 or 2 clicks on the gas pedal pays off along your route.

Carefully look along your route. Are there places where you could go a few streets over and come to a stop light instead of a stop sign? (and get the green at least some of the time) Is there a local 2 lane highway parallel to the freeway for part of your trip? (easier to maintain a 55 Mph speed) Are there some good hills where you can let up on the gas a bit and still hold a reasonable speed?

Know that the length of your daily drive makes a difference too. If you are only going 5 to 10 miles to get to work, the engine hasn't been at full operating temp for that long.

After a year of practice, I raised my Mpg from 38 to 44. But my commute is 60 miles, and all highway or country roads. By using an Easy Pass at the toll, I have 6 or less stop lights or stop signs to go through during a 70 minute drive.

[Roar]

330miles is about right for in-city driving and not caring about economy so much

if you want 40mpg, you have to drive like a pussy

Heehee. I am currently getting 38 mpg on my last two tanks. Not sure if I started driving like a pussy suddenly, or it is the temperature change. :burnrubber:

[Kittah Pantz]

The only times that I have gotten 40mpg + was when I was driving on the PA turnpike going back from Pittsburgh and where I live in Maryland. At most it was 42mpg for the 289mile trip. I was also speeding so I have no idea how I was getting that great mileage.

[MadMax]

op, check the od (outside diameter) of your new tires and compare it to the od of the stock tires, 185/60r15. if your new od is larger it will show fewer miles than actual. the % difference can be found with online tire calculators.

Better to just get a GPS and compare its readout with what your speedo is showing...

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

i usually get just over 500 a tank...low 400s when i beat the hell out of the car, like the last tank (42.5mpg)

:bs: with my mods im lucky to get 30 mpg beating on car....

[Connoisseur_of_fine_cars]

Something else to consider:

wind speed and direction
change in elevation

[Altitude]

Something else to consider:

wind speed and direction
change in elevation

Exactly. And based on the numbers some people post, they must always have a tailwind. :wink:

[krolos]

Ya I get about average , 32-34 in town upper thirties highway
I drive fairly normal, dont go out my to get better mpg it is what it is,
I would not read to much into these folks who claim they get these
Prius like mpg in their Yaris, I think for the most part it is a bunch of Bull sh*t.

[bzinn 1]

I am pretty happy getting 320 mpg on a tank,once the last bar starts to blink I fuel up usually about 9 gallons....which is like 35mpg.I have a lot of mixed driving freeways with traffic,hills,intown stoplights,stereo bumping,heater or AC on.

How these guys get 400+ a tank is baffling to me,I don't think I could enjoy it at all.

[ArmyYaris]

i proudly get like 32 mpg...What now bitches

[Klink10]

Used to, not anymore. Very happy with 320-330 on the tank for around town driving.

[BIGTAZ351]

I figure on 9 gallons as a good time to refill (About 2 bars left on the gauge, third just went out.) I run a scan gauge, and 100% stock. The auto runs 330 for 9-9.2 gallons 36-36.5 range... but I just put General Altimax Arctic's (185/70/14) on for the winter which are 2% bigger but with the soft compound and extra traction I've lost almost 10% of my mpgs, (300 per 9 gal. tank) I'm not complaining I am still happy with 33 with those new tires, I have not had them in snow but wet braking is MUCH better than the Eagle LS's....
BTW I drive at 5 mph over posted in daylight and -5 at night, I have a 100 round trip commute 30 miles is rural 2 lane (with 10 stop signs/turns round trip) and 70 miles of 70MPH Interstate.

[caineroad]

does cleaning the EFI system help the mileage? my car has been getting 290 miles in-cty driving before the last fuel light flashes. i dont speed or accelerate fast, but it's 2006 so is there anything to do to improve the fuel economy?