2007 AT Yaris Disappoints me

[frankencar]

Okay...

So I bought a used 2007 Yaris, AT, superbasic (no power anything). My wife and I share it, and though we're both conservative drivers - her a bit more than me - we're getting only 28-32mpg, typically getting 30 mpg on a tank. Now at first, I was okay with this because that's exactly what the EPA rating was, and for essentially an economy car it worked pretty well for our needs. However, after seeing these forums...I know there's a difference with the MT, and some hypermilers out there, but I've even seen some much higher claims for the AT. Which leads me to believe that either I've got a lemon, or there are lots of people out there who are calculating their mpg wrong

The one thing that concerns me is where the AT shifts. I haven't paid attention to it in awhile because I like my loud music in the car, but it seems to shift into fourth around 45mph, so when on the freeway going 55-65, the engine sounds like it's running at an unhealthy rpm. Is that normal? It seriously sounds like it needs an OD to me...but honestly I know nothing about gas cars. Electric is my thing. Please help! I'd love to solve this before my roadtrip in April.

[WeeYari]

You're getting pretty much the norm for an AT, cold weather, winter formula gas. The claims of higher mpg are basically exceptions, and not the norm.

At 55-65 mph, your engine will be spinning at around 2800 - 3000 rpm. This again is normal for small displacement engines.

You have nothing here to worry about/fix before your roadtrip.

[eht13]

I'm pretty sure that my AT sedan is at 3K or so RPM when cruising at 80MPH.

[sbergman27]

Originally Posted by eht13

I'm pretty sure that my AT sedan is at 3K or so RPM when cruising at 80MPH.

At AT sedan with P185/60/15 tires, the standard 4.29:1 final drive, and the standard 0.7:1 4th gear overdrive ratio, turns right at 3400 RPM at 80 mph. Which is still pretty low for a little 1.5L engine. Even the monster 500 cubic inch push rod V8 in the 1976 Cadillac from America's glory days turned 2700 RPM at 80 MPH. That's only 20% lower than the Yaris.

Even more impressive, when called upon, the Yaris' little 1.5L produces over half the power that the old 500 (8.2L) could. That's over 3x the power per litre displacement... and without any sort of turbocharging.

-Steve

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by frankencar

Okay...

So I bought a used 2007 Yaris, AT, superbasic (no power anything). My wife and I share it, and though we're both conservative drivers - her a bit more than me - we're getting only 28-32mpg, typically getting 30 mpg on a tank. Now at first, I was okay with this because that's exactly what the EPA rating was, and for essentially an economy car it worked pretty well for our needs. However, after seeing these forums...I know there's a difference with the MT, and some hypermilers out there, but I've even seen some much higher claims for the AT. Which leads me to believe that either I've got a lemon, or there are lots of people out there who are calculating their mpg wrong

The one thing that concerns me is where the AT shifts. I haven't paid attention to it in awhile because I like my loud music in the car, but it seems to shift into fourth around 45mph, so when on the freeway going 55-65, the engine sounds like it's running at an unhealthy rpm. Is that normal? It seriously sounds like it needs an OD to me...but honestly I know nothing about gas cars. Electric is my thing. Please help! I'd love to solve this before my roadtrip in April.

Wait until May or June to test your MPG.

[frankencar]

Well as I said, I've had the car for awhile now and in no weather have I had more than 31mpg.

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by frankencar

Well as I said, I've had the car for awhile now and in no weather have I had more than 31mpg.

You did not mention that in your first post.....

[MadMax]

I've tracked my gas mileage in my 08 Yaris LB (with an auto) since getting it in November 2008, and it always decreases during the winter. Driving easy, I only get ~33 MPG during the winter, whereas I am closer to 37-38 MPG during the summer.

Secondly, are you sure you're not knocking the shift lever out of OD and into 3rd gear? It happens if you're not careful. I drive at 60 MPH on most of my commute and the car doesn't sound like it is stressing; but we are only talking a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine and a subcompact that isn't as sound-proofed as a bigger, luxury car. I usually crank up the radio as well, so I don't notice it either; but I have checked just to see how the engine is running at highway speeds (not having a tach stinks) and it appears fine to me.

Also, what kind of tires/rims are you running? I have aftermarket 17" rims and wider tires, which takes a bite out of my mileage. Friends with stock Yarii get better mileage...

Cheers! M2

[frankencar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

...are you sure you're not knocking the shift lever out of OD and into 3rd gear?

I found the answer...and MadMax you were close. Now I see two things. One, I was really, really dumb. Two, all this bitter debate about wild claims and averages and hypermiling and traffic conditions are about to be pretty funny.

So (drumroll)...what I found out was that I was NOT knocking the shifter into 3rd gear. I was CONSTANTLY DRIVING IN 3RD GEAR! Yes I am a fool. Yes you can laugh at me. But in my defense, I have never, ever driven an AT with a 3rd gear. Only L, 2, D, N, R, P. So for some reason, what I know see to be clearly labeled never even occurred to me. I just followed the notching on the shifter and wound up in 3rd. All the time. (My wife too). So I was right that it was at too high an rpm...and yet I was so, so wrong.

So, knowing this, should I get my tranny checked or something? I feel like I've been damaging my poor Yaris for so long without knowing it.

And to set the record straight, I love the Yaris. When I said I was dissapointed, it was because I saw case after case after case of people getting well over EPA, many claiming with an auto and without hypermiling (or without any hypermiling beyond the conservative driving I already employ).

[Loren]

Originally Posted by frankencar

So, knowing this, should I get my tranny checked or something? I feel like I've been damaging my poor Yaris for so long without knowing it.

Nah, wouldn't hurt anything. Enjoy your improved gas mileage!

[chew246214]

Yep winter gas in the north east and dedicated snow tires.. mileage fell on it's face.... was doing well over 40 mpg matter of fact 44.6 average sedan a/t with regular tires and non winter gas.. now down to low to mid 30's... either way better then 12 in my truck i figure

[MadMax]

Winter gas is not limited to the northeast, we've got it down here in southcentral Texas...

[kargoboy]

To the OP, where are you doing most of your driving?
And for the record, a lot of people don't know how to calculate their MPG correctly.
Even on this forum.
E-Present company excluded I am sure.

[frankencar]

Most of the driving is freeway, I'd say 70/30. Actually I have never heard of "winter gas..." there's literally a different gas pumped in winter?! I'm using all-season tires, stock size. I'm pretty sure I'm not knocking the shifter out of D, as I don't even get close to touching it. To my ear it still sounds like it's stressing, but like I said, not too experienced with cars/mechanical stuff.

[frankencar]

Next chance I get, I'll take some video at high speed so maybe someone can give me an answer based on their experience.

[RETRO]

you have 2 different drivers driving the car it will be hard to get a good mpg due to differnt driving habits..I get 38 mpg in my car when my wife drives it she gets 34 mpg..Winter gas is less quality than summer gas and you'll get about 2-3 mpg less than summer gas. In Alabama we have the crappy winter gas

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by frankencar

Most of the driving is freeway, I'd say 70/30. Actually I have never heard of "winter gas..." there's literally a different gas pumped in winter?! I'm using all-season tires, stock size. I'm pretty sure I'm not knocking the shifter out of D, as I don't even get close to touching it. To my ear it still sounds like it's stressing, but like I said, not too experienced with cars/mechanical stuff.

Remember there is more than 1 "D." Yes there is a winter gas and a summer gas. Winter gas will usually drop your mpg around 4 mpg on average based on the outside air temp.

[chew246214]

Originally Posted by frankencar

Most of the driving is freeway, I'd say 70/30. Actually I have never heard of "winter gas..." there's literally a different gas pumped in winter?! I'm using all-season tires, stock size. I'm pretty sure I'm not knocking the shifter out of D, as I don't even get close to touching it. To my ear it still sounds like it's stressing, but like I said, not too experienced with cars/mechanical stuff.

First off I'm glad you figured out the "glitch" the car was having... the loose nuts behind the wheel... J/K.... and yes there are 2 different formulas of gas for different temp. ranges.... just like diesel you need to put an additive in it in the winter they add something else to regular fuel also which causes a drop in MPG (can't for the life of me remember what it is) it's a heavier mix in the colder regions and the gas actually smells different.. if I'm not mistaken when they started it it was called oxygenated gas but have since renamed it.... I notice a difference between Rhode island and nj gas consistently.. I drive back and forth all the time only 3 1/2 hours but always a 2-3 miles per gallon difference at least with better mpg from NJ gas no matter where I purchase the gas, or how I drive... Must be a new england thing to add more to the fuel then in NJ