In town gas mileage seems exceptionally poor

[RobS10]

Do you start it and let it idle to warm up before driving? that will definitely lower your average MPG.

It's been winter, and even SF can get cold. Cold weather and short trips is about the worst scenario for good MPG.

Is the gas you're buying the typical 10% Ethanol, or an even higher percentage? That will hurt MPG.

It's been cold, but that's by San Francisco standards, usually 45'-50' when I head out on my 3 mile drive, so sure it's never getting completely warmed up. I don't let it warm up before driving.
Not sure about our Ethanol content here, but don't think it's changed in a while. Maybe for shits and giggles, I'll fill it up with Super next time and see if that makes a difference, or is that all B.S.?

 

[02SE]

It's been cold, but that's by San Francisco standards, usually 45'-50' when I head out on my 3 mile drive, so sure it's never getting completely warmed up. I don't let it warm up before driving.
Not sure about our Ethanol content here, but don't think it's changed in a while. Maybe for shits and giggles, I'll fill it up with Super next time and see if that makes a difference, or is that all B.S.?

The biggest factor is the short 3 mile drive in cooler temps. As was mentioned previously, the engine never reaches operating temperature, and is running in richer 'open-loop' mode. All the other lubricants in the drivetrain are thicker when cool too, offering more drag, and hurting MPG

Running higher octane might make a very slight improvement in MPG, but unlikely in your short commute on a cool day.

A hot day while towing, would be where you would more likely benefit from running premium. As there would be less chance of the ECU retarding timing due to pre-ignition.

If by "Super" you mean gas with no Ethanol, that can make a difference. Ethanol hurts MPG. The higher the percentage of Ethanol, the worse the MPG.

 

[Lexington]

Hi RobS10

I’m about a hour east of you and I’m averaging 17mpg with KO2 Tires. It bumps up to 17.5 in the summer.

Every time I fill up the tank I reset the “A” mileage odometer. Then when I fill up my tank I divide the miles by the number of gallons I just put in and that gives me a more accurate number on how many mpg I’m really getting. You can use this to compare what the computer is telling you. At least you’ll be able to rule out if the car computer is the problem or not.

 

[RobS10]

Hi RobS10

I’m about a hour east of you and I’m averaging 17mpg with KO2 Tires. It bumps up to 17.5 in the summer.

Every time I fill up the tank I reset the “A” mileage odometer. Then when I fill up my tank I divide the miles by the number of gallons I just put in and that gives me a more accurate number on how many mpg I’m really getting. You can use this to compare what the computer is telling you. At least you’ll be able to rule out if the car computer is the problem or not.

That's my next step. Need a refill soon. I know the computer will tell me how many miles since my last fill-up at any point and how many miles left in the tank, but it's the same computer that's telling me I'm getting 11mpg, so will set my trip ODO to take the computer out of the possible causes

 

[RobS10]

The biggest factor is the short 3 mile drive in cooler temps. As was mentioned previously, the engine never reaches operating temperature, and is running in richer 'open-loop' mode. All the other lubricants in the drivetrain are thicker when cool too, offering more drag, and hurting MPG

Running higher octane might make a very slight improvement in MPG, but unlikely in your short commute on a cool day.

A hot day while towing, would be where you would more likely benefit from running premium. As there would be less chance of the ECU retarding timing due to pre-ignition.

If by "Super" you mean gas with no Ethanol, that can make a difference. Ethanol hurts MPG. The higher the percentage of Ethanol, the worse the MPG.

I totally realize the "commute" I drive will be the worst type of driving for efficient MPGs, but it's the same drive I've been making for the last year, just noticeably worse mileage according to the computer.

 

[djeepin]

Winter gasoline lacking some special additive, that slow down evaporationg of gasoline in hot summer weather. And its not an ethanol, and not anti-detonation addtive. Dragging brakes, dirty air filter, thick oil - among other things contributing to fuel consumption.

 

[Lexington]

Winter gasoline lacking some special additive, that slow down evaporationg of gasoline in hot summer weather. And its not an ethanol, and not anti-detonation addtive. Dragging brakes, dirty air filter, thick oil - among other things contributing to fuel consumption.

I can testify that thicker oil receded your mpg dramatically. When I first got my 4Runner I wasn’t used to the little ticking noise the engine makes. So I used thicker oil to make it quieter. It worked! My engine was much quieter but my gas mileage dropped 2 mpg.

 

[aggrobot]

We have a '22 ORP with around 8K miles on it. Freeway mileage seems around 17s on average (think I got 19 once). But I drive mostly city, stop and go traffic, short trips. I recently checked the mileage and read just in the 11s. I don't drive hard, no Jackrabbit starts, speeding or other aggressive habits, I try to drive as smoothly as possible. Seems like I should be getting a little better than 11 MPG for all in-town driving!

Might be worth cleaning off your MAF and throttle body. You may also want to try disconnecting the battery for 10 mins to reset the ECU afterwards. Also, are you just going by what the computer is saying, or have you run the numbers to confirm your mileage is what the vehicle suggests? Agree the MPGs are uncommon.

 

[John in NC]

Brake caliper dragging? I had that last year, brake dust all over the back left corner of my car and all over that wheel.
My 2011 gets about 17.5 city, 21+ highway. If I keep the speed down on a road trip I can get around 23 highway (flat terrain).

 

[thatoneguy]

We have a '22 ORP with around 8K miles on it. Freeway mileage seems around 17s on average (think I got 19 once). But I drive mostly city, stop and go traffic, short trips. I recently checked the mileage and read just in the 11s. I don't drive hard, no Jackrabbit starts, speeding or other aggressive habits, I try to drive as smoothly as possible. Seems like I should be getting a little better than 11 MPG for all in-town driving!

Are you on factory tires? If not, what tires are you on? Tires affect stuff like this drastically

 

[rdruss]

I've got a 4th gen with V8, but I'll chime in anyway. I find that when I'm in city driving, 40 mph or less for long periods, run one gear down, not in normal drive so trans doesn't shift into OD. On the V8 it seems that the HP requirement for OD is more than the increased rpm penalty as far as fuel economy is concerned. Not saying I see great advantage, but have noticed at least .2 mpg on the display.

 

[Finslayer83]

I'm going with driving style.

She's heavy and I do better than that.

 

[Lexington]

I'm going with driving style.

She's heavy and I do better than that.

What app is this? Also love the snorkel prefilter combo.

 

[schwein]

I drive 100% in Boston, we get awful millage, like 10-11MPG been like that for years. Its much better than my old 1996 LC80, that thing got on a good day 8-9MPG in the city on my commute.

 

[Bmnorm2]

What app is this? Also love the snorkel prefilter combo.

Fuelly

 

[Finslayer83]

What app is this? Also love the snorkel prefilter combo.

Fuelly

 

[huskyx]

Are you idling a lot? I feel like thats the only time I've seen such poor mileage.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Just a data point.


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[RobS10]

I'm going with driving style.

She's heavy and I do better than that.

I get 17.5 when it's mostly highway driving, but in town, with mostly short trips, it goes back to 13 around.