|
06-20-2016, 09:49 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2009 Base AT Yaris Join Date: May 2016
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 5
|
Mileage Issues
Hi all, I am having a mysterious issue with the mpg on my car. I currently live in Oklahoma, but am originally from Indiana. I have a 2009 Yaris Hatchback with 165K on it.
A week ago I drove north to Indiana for a visit. While there, my home mechanic (Toyota Certified) installed the new fuel sending unit and adjusted the serpentine belt so it would not squeal (it's a new belt with less than 2K on it). On the way to Indiana, the car averaged 39mpg, but on the way back to OK it decreased to 37.13mpg, 36.02mpg, 36.34mpg and finally 36mpg. I used the exact same gas stations both ways (MotoMart & Phillips 66) and 89octane fuel. I figured the first reading was due to some city driving before leaving town, but was not pleased when it kept going down. The engine also shifted into high gear to maintain cruise control more often than on the original trip. Could this be due to the belt being too tight? My mechanic said it was 'really tight' and was concerned about it wearing things out, so he did loosen it a bit before I drove away. Or did not having access to ethanol free fuel like I do in OK affect the performance that much? My driving was less aggressive on the return trip, so I doubt that was the issue. I being paranoid? I've had the car for just over a month and loved it so far. I installed cruise control thanks to CTScott's great tutorial and replaced the fuel sending unit because it annoyed me that something so major wasn't accurate but I'd prefer not to have anything vital to operation break on the car yet! Thanks in advance for any ideas! (Including telling me I'm worrying too much!) |
06-20-2016, 09:57 AM | #2 |
Drives: 06 Polar White 5dr, 13 Soul 4u Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,743
|
Paranoid.
Since you've only had the car for a month, there is no way that you can have established a decent baseline for what your typical fuel economy is. Lots of factors on a return road trip will impact readings including temperature, directional elevation change, wind, ethanol content, etc, etc, etc...
__________________
|
06-20-2016, 10:25 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
|
Yeah Im not seeing any problems with your car either. My 09 gets 42 mpg on the highway with auto trans at 60-65 mph, decreasing to 34 mpg at 85 mph.
__________________
Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head |
06-20-2016, 03:15 PM | #4 |
Drives: 07 5dr Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: YYC
Posts: 197
|
I wouldn't worry about as it is a very small percentage drop in your fuel economy and many factors contribute to that. I would say the fact you mentioned ethanol free fuel and the fact that generally driving west across the mid west you'll be driving into the wind (and with it going east). Some other factors would be if you had the car more loaded down coming back, and a drop in tire pressure.
|
06-22-2016, 06:38 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2009 Base AT Yaris Join Date: May 2016
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 5
|
Thanks everyone! Here's hoping I really am being paranoid!
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk |
06-22-2016, 07:36 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2010 yaris 3 door hatch Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sheboygan Falls, Wi.
Posts: 509
|
Most likely down hill there & uphill going back.
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
-Mileage Thread- -Log your mileage, year, model, color, any problems here... | Kal-El | DIY / Maintenance / Service | 322 | 07-20-2016 10:07 AM |
Amazing Gas Mileage .. way too easy. | edmscan | Fuel Economy Forum | 9 | 07-19-2012 06:36 PM |
Does Gas Mileage Increase After 1st Oil Change? | ChilliwackGuy | Fuel Economy Forum | 10 | 08-04-2010 02:13 PM |
2009 Yaris Mileage | wornways | Fuel Economy Forum | 3 | 07-29-2009 11:42 AM |
Performance mods that won't affect/will hardly affect gas mileage?? | Mr.Yaris | Performance Modifications | 15 | 07-30-2007 12:32 AM |