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Toyota Camry Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers

984 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2013 at 6:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Hybrid, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 87 of 99

#854 of 984 re: Toyota Camry Hybrid poor gas mileage. by cdn_tch

Nov 20, 2009 (6:41 pm)

jgallant said: I have had my 2009 TCH for about 6 weeks and have been tracking the gas consumption carefully. The web site (Canadian) says I should get 50 MPG city, combined and highway driving.
 
After 6800 KM (4225 Miles) I am getting only 40 MPG. I know that the info on the web site is an "estimate" but it shouldn't be 20% out. I don't drive with a heavy foot, in fact I try to get that little "excellent" message every time I shut the car off.
 
Has anyone experienced poor gas mileage like this?
 
I put a short answer into the 'Ask the Community' question area, but here is a longer post...
 
First a few questions.
 - What part of the country do you live in?
 - Do you use a block heater?
 - How far/how long are you average trips?
 
Some general comments:
 - The ECU is programmed to reduce emissions first, get better mileage second
 - One full throttle acceleration an on ramp easily negates 10-15 minutes of easy driving
 - After the coolant temp reaches 70oC, you have to be stopped for ~7 seconds for the car to transition to Mode 4, which will let you get into EV mode at any speed below 64kmh.
 - Until the engine reaches 80oC, having the heat on will generally keep the engine running regardless of other factors.

#855 of 984 re: Toyota Camry Hybrid poor gas mileage. [cdn_tch] by jgallant

Nov 21, 2009 (9:34 am)

Replying to: cdn_tch (Nov 20, 2009 6:41 pm)
Thanks for the info on getting into Ev mode and how the car works while warming up.
I will be testing those suggestions from now on.
I live in Vernon BC Canada. It's in the Okanagan Valley near Kelowna. It has not been that cold here yet, never below freezing. I do have the heat on now but most of the Kilometers on the car were on a trip from here to Vegas in October. I wish I had known about feathering on that trip.
My average trip now will be about 15KM or about 10 Miles. I suspect with the cold weather coming the MPG will not get any better except on longer trips.
I didn't know anything about Mode 4 so from now on I'll be trying to hit that stop light on the way to work so I can stop for the 7 seconds.
Thanks again.

#856 of 984 re: Toyota Camry Hybrid poor gas mileage. [jgallant] by cdn_tch

Nov 22, 2009 (9:38 am)

Replying to: jgallant (Nov 21, 2009 9:34 am)
There are so many nuances to getting the most out o fthe TCH it is worth reading the
new owner FAQ at GreenHybrid.com.
 
Mileage starts to go down when temps start going below 10oC. You use the defroster, heat in the cabin, winter gas, etc... Looks like Vernon also has a less than flat terrain, so that will hurt as well depending on how much you go up and down hills. Also, don't use the CC in hilly terain, that hard acceleration is really rough on mileage.
 
15km is a good distance, but I find that my 10km is not enough to reach full operating temp in the winter, even with it plugged in at home.
 
If you have questions, ask. There are some amaizingly knowledgeable people on these forums that can go down into the technical details of the TCH. I've learned a lot, but still have way more to go...

#857 of 984 MPG Question by abakerdc

Jan 14, 2010 (7:21 am)

I just purchased a used 08 TCH with 19k miles on it. I use it to drive to work, approx 7 miles each way, with lots of stops and starts and hills both directions. I seem to be getting only about 23MPG, which is rather disappointing considering it said 35MPG in city driving. I live in DC, so there are many lights and stops. Am I just out of luck, and looking at owning a car that isn't any more fuel efficient than the car I just got rid of? (a '98 Acura with 23MPG average)

#858 of 984 Re: MPG Question [abakerdc] by acdii

Jan 14, 2010 (7:41 am)

Replying to: abakerdc (Jan 14, 2010 7:21 am)
The TCH works best on flat roads and good distances between lights. If you cant keep the traction batteries charged up where you can run EV, then your mileage will suffer. Also driving 7 miles is barely enough time for the engine to fully warm up in winter for it to switch to EV mode. Wait until summer and you will see the MPG improve. There isn't anything wrong with the car, that is just the way it is. I owned a 2009 and put 34K on it, had the car been better quality and better handling I would have kept it, but it did do great on getting MPG, I would see 35 winter and 38 summer, with 43 on the highway. In Chicago driving, if I didn't catch the light timing just right, the MPG would plummet, but if I could catch the lights and maintain a nice steady speed I would get about 34.
 
Practice hypermiling, and pulse and glide, and visit prius chat for more tips on driving a Hybrid. You can get better than what you are getting, you just need to learn how to drive it, right now you are driving it like a normal car, and if it was an I4 Camry, that is about what you would be getting, but once you get the hang of getting it into EV, and learn how to tweak the go pedal, you will see the mileage go up.

#859 of 984 Re: MPG Question [abakerdc] by larsb

Jan 14, 2010 (7:44 am)

Replying to: abakerdc (Jan 14, 2010 7:21 am)
Short trips kill the MPG. Also, cold mornings running the heater (which usually also engages the air compressor) is another MPG killer.
 
You have intersected two unfortunate situations, which to me means that your MPG for that particular commute in the cold weather will always suffer.
 
You will do better in mild weather when neither the A/C nor the heater will run.
 
Outside your commute, you should do fine. I have a 2007 TCH with almost 60K miles, and I have averaged 34.8 MPG for my entire ownership.
 
Good Luck !!!

#860 of 984 Re: MPG Question [acdii] by abakerdc

Jan 14, 2010 (7:47 am)

Replying to: acdii (Jan 14, 2010 7:41 am)
Thanks, that's good to know. I have already gotten better at trying to glide and not accelerate the car as a 'normal' car would be driven, and I find myself staring at the MPG meter, hoping it will increase, while watching the gas needle going down! Unfortunately the distance sort of is what it is, as are the hills, so it's hard to make that any better. I have been gliding more, and trying not to sit on the gas pedal, too...what did you mean by keeping the "traction batteries up"? I bought the car used from a dealer that didn't know a ton about the car, so I didn't get a tutorial about what the "B" setting is on the gear shift, and how to better conserve/use battery power.
Thx.

#861 of 984 Re: MPG Question [abakerdc] by sgoodman

Jan 14, 2010 (7:49 am)

Replying to: abakerdc (Jan 14, 2010 7:21 am)
I have the same car in the same region (Baltimore), with the same length commute (7 miles). I have the identical experience, in winter. You don't start to get significant mileage improvements until the car warms up, and in winter that doesn't occur for 10-15 mins, which is when your (and my) commute ends. So you are essentially driving a non-hybrid for those 10-15 mins, and the mileage reflects it. You will see a marked improvement when temps are moderate, but I have never reached the EPA 35 MPG in short-term city driving, although I might be able to with gentler starts after stops. Highway driving will get you 32-40 depending on temps and length of trip, and you can reach 35 MPG even in winter for a decently long trip. The numbers I have seen on this and other forums is simply not what I get. I think I could improve the highway #s with hybrid driving technique, but I have never conditioned myself to change my ways. So, you are in for a little disappointment re mileage in your winter commute, but it will be better in other seasons and in other driving settings.

#862 of 984 Re: MPG Question [abakerdc] by larsb

Jan 14, 2010 (7:51 am)

Replying to: abakerdc (Jan 14, 2010 7:47 am)
Another technique you'll find useful is "feathering" the accelerator.
 
As you are driving at a steady speed, let the accelerator come up just slightly then re-apply pressure, all in the span of about 2 seconds. You will notice a spike in MPG and your speed will for the most part remain unchanged due to forward momentum.
 
It's really handy for picking up an extra 1-2 mpg per tank.
 
The "B" is for engine braking on steep hills or other times when engine braking is handy. It does not increase MPG. Use it very sparingly.

#863 of 984 New 09 TCH owner by troylikesbikes

Mar 24, 2010 (7:36 pm)

1020 miles on it now, first mileage experiment last weekend. Fill tank, go 125 miles or so on secondary roads, mostly 45-65mph, 50F, tripmeter says 45 mpg when I arrive. Turn around, take same distance back only on interstate, cruise set to 80mph. Arrive home, refill, about 42mpg for the 250 mile roundtrip. Trip computer says 42 mpg.
 
I assume I got 45 or so outbound, and 40 inbound on the interstate to get a 42 average. Not bad considering it isn't broken in yet.
 
Oil change and 3000 mile trip are next, will report back with more numbers then.

Messages Page 87 of 99

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