Bad Fuel Economy

[fybur]

To most people (with other cars) 28mpg is a lot, but to me and after seeing what other members are getting this is too low.

I've had the car for two months and ~2700 miles. I'm averaging 200 miles per tank, and 28.1 average mpg.

Maybe 2/10 times I drive like a maniac but other than that I drive normally. I even keep the active mpg display on while driving so I can see how my driving affects mpg. Most of my driving is in the city with moderate hill climbs maybe 7 times a day. I usually don't have the a/c on, I just use the fan to move the air.

Everytime I park, there is a fluid leaking out of the engine bay. I'm not sure what it is or how to tell what it is.

Someone please help me find whats wrong.

Also, I will be moving to a flatter area, so will this boost my mpg?

[IllusionX]

hill climb = higher consumption.

do you put your vent to defog (top windsheild or windshield+foot)? If so, you are running with AC on all this time.

[fybur]

do you put your vent to defog (top windsheild or windshield+foot)? If so, you are running with AC on all this time.

I used to have my vent on defog but after I learned that it run the AC I stopped using it.

[IllusionX]

well.. touch the fluid see if it hot or cold? see if the fluid leaking out is water or some kind of oil. If it is water, then your AC is likely to be still running.

cuz 28mpg for city only, hill climb and AC on is pretty much what i get. You prob can get around 30mpg city only & hill climb.

[ardvark2175]

I also got poor fuel mileage. It steadily increased as the engine broke in and seemed to level out when I got 5000 miles on the odometer.

[IllusionX]

Toyota engines supposedly come already broken in.

[ardvark2175]

Lol....ya I have heard Toyota and other Car company's do and engine break in prior to selling their cars. The 2012 was my first brand new car, and the pre break in rumor I had heard so long sparked my curiosity. At 500 miles I drained the oil and put a sample in a clear vile. Held it up to the sun....and sure enough saw a the tell tell signs of aluminum are metal shaving left by engine break in. It look like the flakes of metallic paint in your oil. Maybe Toyota did break the engine in and just forgot to change the oil. Seeing my gas mileage increase over the first 3500 miles pretty much convinced me that engines do not come broke in. Myth busted. I'm really glad you posted about the pre break in rumor because I myself was dying of curiosity about that one.

[IllusionX]

I have a magnetized drain plug and even at 80k miles, there are still metal debris sticking to it. So, I think it's normal that you see metal debris in your oil. Otherwise, why even need an oil filter? lol

Anyways.. broken in or not, the engine is the last of my worries on the Yaris. Everything else seems to be falling a part before the engine does.

[ron3]

If the Yaris is falling apart maybe its time for a KIA. LOL

[mirapatec]

@fybur: Any updates? Your mileage is way too low. I hope you have experienced better figures since you last post.

[fybur]

It's gone up but barely, new average is 28.8.

[Ben_]

My average at minimum is about 33 with a manual. 39 is highest I ever recorded

[why?]

If it is all city stop and go driving you are going pretty good. A lot of the higher mileages you see here involve little to no city type driving.

And yes, flatter ground will get better gas mileage.

[nookandcrannycar]

And yes, flatter ground will get better gas mileage.

Most definitely. Easier to hit 40 MPG combined here than in the San Francisco Bay Area.