Very low MPG, plz help

[jyijahn]

Hi guys,

I just bought this 2008 Yaris. Had a full tank of gas from the dealer. I set the trip recorder to 0 when i left dealer. I lost the first bar on the gas gauge when I had only driven 37 KM. I searched other posts on this forum. Many ppl posted they drive about 70 to 100 miles, which is 112 KM to 160 KM, for the first bar.

Should I send this car to dealer to check it right away? What could be the problem?

Thanks a lot.

[edmscan]

I was getting about 95 km on the first bar on my 2007 Yaris in the summer time .. but in the winter time it is much lower than that. But you being from Vancouver .. I wouldn't think that you would see as much as a drop as you guys really don't have the same winter problems as we see in Alberta. But 37 km does seem a little low to me.

[Yaristeve]

First of all, are you sure the tank was full? Did you see them fill the tank or did the dealer just point to the fuel gauge and say the tank is full ("See? all the bars are lit!")? The first bar will stay lit even after a few customers' test drives; the tank may have been down a gallon by the time you took ownership. Refill the tank and try it then go to the dealer.

Oh, I get about 70 miles on the first bar driving normally, cruise control set at 70MPH.

[NEexpat]

I'll mention it anyway, make sure you are in "D" and not "3"

[bronsin]

Fill the tank to the CLICK of the gas pump.

Drive 250km.

Fill it again to the CLICK.

Do the math.

THATS your mpg km/l.

[NEexpat]

^lol, hey Bronsin that's my usual stock post on these mpg threads. Only I would suggest they drive it all at once.

cheers.

[jyijahn]

Thank you guys so much. I think I was driving it in 3 not D lol, dumb of me, didnt pay attention. But i am so thankful for u guys helping me with all these useful info. I will test the fuel efficiency again.

[NEexpat]

^Not uncommon, welcome, enjoy your car.

cheers.

[malibuguy]

this winter i've only been getting 79-94 for the first bar, summer i usually get 89-110 & low 120s when i'm hypermiling

[mr_miles]

the fuel gauge in my 08 read incorrectly, it dropped the gauge fast. i would hit the last bar at around 270 miles, even if i was getting 46mpg lol

[nookandcrannycar]

First of all, are you sure the tank was full? Did you see them fill the tank or did the dealer just point to the fuel gauge and say the tank is full ("See? all the bars are lit!")? The first bar will stay lit even after a few customers' test drives; the tank may have been down a gallon by the time you took ownership. Refill the tank and try it then go to the dealer.

Oh, I get about 70 miles on the first bar driving normally, cruise control set at 70MPH.

LOL. Not hard to picture a salesman saying "See? All the bars are lit!".

[SpaceShot]

Also check the tire pressure. When I picked mine up the pressure was only 27psi. (perhaps to soften the ride for test drives) The warning light does not trigger until the pressure is 25psi. After the first week of driving I checked the tires and increased all 4 to full 32psi pressure.

[charles nelson]

The 'first' click on the gas pump is not necessarily the same on all pumps. It is there to automatically shutoff the fill. I have had different pumps auto-shutoff at different fill levels. To be sure that I have completely filled the tank...I very carefully and gently hold down the trigger until I can see gas at the neck. Some stations and states will charge you a nasty cleanup fee if you trickle even a drop of gas on the pavement.

[jayeh]

I usually get about 90-160 km on the first bar! So, it varies big time.

[jambo101]

Hi guys,

I just bought this 2008 Yaris. Had a full tank of gas from the dealer. I set the trip recorder to 0 when i left dealer. I lost the first bar on the gas gauge when I had only driven 37 KM.
Obviously the tank wasnt completely full but was full enough to get 37km before the first bar disappeared. tell us how many kms you get when you fill it up for the first time..

[tooter]

Guessing at gauge bars and clicking gas nozzles just doesn't cut it. If you want to accurately measure your gas mileage, simply log your distance travelled off the odometer, and how much gas you buy off the pump indicator every time you stop at a station.

Then add up a few of them (not just one) and divide the combined distance by the total amount of gas and then you will know exactly what mileage you are averaging. :thumbsup:

Anything less is just guessing... :confused:

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Then add up a few of them (not just one) and divide the combined distance by the total amount of gas and then you will know exactly what mileage you are averaging. :thumbsup:



lol

How about adding up 90% of all gas receipts. lolol

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/205238_4350154558376_383707514_n.jpg

[tooter]

lol

How about adding up 90% of all gas receipts. lolol

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/205238_4350154558376_383707514_n.jpg

Ah, you're singing my favorite song. :smile:

[why?]

when i bought my Yaris I was so sure I was going to track every single gas fillup. That lasted a month.

checking at every fillup is good enough. if you get the same numbers every time you know what you get.

[Yaristeve]

when i bought my Yaris I was so sure I was going to track every single gas fillup. That lasted a month.

checking at every fillup is good enough. if you get the same numbers every time you know what you get.

LOL. That's completely opposite of me. When I bought mine, I planned to just track for a month or two. Now, it's like an addiction and I can't make myself stop; it's been over two years and I am still tracking the fuel mileage... I haven't recoreded the last two months in my spreadsheet but the last time I did, I was getting a very steady 36MPG.

[nookandcrannycar]

^^^^^ A bit of post #19 and a bit of post #20. I planned to keep a log, and I have.

[edmscan]

I used to keep track on a spreadsheet ... but now I use Fuelly, which I think is pretty awesome. The only thing .. is that my mileage has taken a big hit in the winter time now. I am down about 30% .. compared to the summer time.

[matti]

I used to keep track on a spreadsheet ... but now I use Fuelly, which I think is pretty awesome. The only thing .. is that my mileage has taken a big hit in the winter time now. I am down about 30% .. compared to the summer time.

Mine is also down about 20-30% this winter.

[nookandcrannycar]

I almost feel guilty:smile:. During this week, we (and pretty much all southward locales from LA to Miami) have been having warm weather (while most of the country freezes their behinds off).....and I filled up on 1/1, 1/7, 1/16, and 1/25 and each of the 4 = over 41 MPG combined.