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Toyota Camry Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers

988 messages,  Last post on Jun 09, 2013 at 7:57 PM

You are in the Toyota Camry Hybrid Forum.

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

Messages Page 92 of 100

#907 of 988 Lower MPG and Shuttering by alaskatima

Nov 05, 2011 (1:18 pm)

I posted to this forum about a month ago about having a drop in MPG from 34 to 28 and the 2009 Camry Hybrid was shuttering when first starting out. Well I finally figured it out. After finally giving in and taking the car to the dealer they analyzed it as a bad oxygen sensor. That was covered under the warranty so they fixed it. When they called me to pick up the car I asked if it was still shuttering at start up. They said they did not test drive it. So I did and for sure the problem was not fixed. They then said it was probably the fuel injectors and they are not covered under warranty unless they fail electrically. Instead they suggested I pay them $385 for an injector cleaning. They tried to tell me in Alaska we have dirty gas. I countered with the fact I have 3 other fuel injected vehicles and non of them are acting this way. I though this was outrageous and had a long discussion with the Service Manager. He finally agreed to do the fuel injector service for $200 and agreed to do it on my condition if it did not fix the problem I did not have to pay for it. So they did that service and it fixed the problem so far. MPG is up to 34 and no shuttering. They also told me during our discussions that since the hybrids came out they were only having this kind of problem with the Camry and Prius. Dirt Gas? I doubt it. Anyway pretty disillusioned with the Toyota Warranty, and the dealer experience. Love the car and MPG but you have to provide good service. We are looking to trade it in in a year of so for a non hybrid since as of 2012 there are many vehicles that are now matching the Hybrid MPG ratings. My advise to Toyota Hybrid owners is to frequently run some injector cleaner through the gas tank. An ounce of prevention might keep you out of a similar situation.

#908 of 988 Re: Lower MPG and Shuttering [alaskatima] by snaab93se1

Nov 06, 2011 (9:24 am)

Replying to: alaskatima (Nov 05, 2011 1:18 pm)
I always run a bottle of Chevron with techron fuel injector cleaner through with a full tank of gas every 10,000 miles. Have done so for many years and have never had a problem with fuel injectors. What non-hybrid cars match the city MPG of a hybrid? Sounds like the dealer service was resonable with you and did fix the problem...if you want a longer warranty then you really only have a couple of choices....not that they are bad choices.

#909 of 988 Re: Lower MPG and Shuttering [snaab93se1] by alaskatima

Nov 07, 2011 (12:42 am)

Replying to: snaab93se1 (Nov 06, 2011 9:24 am)
Chevrolet Cruz. Dealer only agreed since I pushed and they were not reasonable. The whole story was not told here as it was too long. It took about two weeks to get through this hassle.

#910 of 988 Knocking? Better economy with high test? by imjcleckey

Nov 10, 2011 (4:27 pm)

Over the past 5000 miles or so I have been noticing some knocking when I run 87 octane gas. I'm also noticing that my chainsaw will not run on 87 octane gas either. I switched to 89 or 93 depending on availability and price and the knocking has gone away. The mileage has also increased from the 38 range to the 41 range, even though the weather is getting colder here in the NE. Is anyone else noticing something going on with fuel quality? My plan is to keep using higher octane, as it is a cheaper alternative to taking the car in to have them investigate the knocking. No codes are coming up on the computer.
 
It is a 2007 TCH with 130,000 miles on it. No other problems to date. Also noticed that my local service station had overfilled the oil by about 1/2 quart. I've only used them for the past two oil changes (they probably did the same thing on the previous oil change), so I guess it is possible that the extra oil somehow contributed to the knocking, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a theory on how that could be.
 
I tried high octane when the car was younger but did not notice any improvement. I have gone back and forth between high test and 87 octane several times over the past 4000 miles, and the high octane is always giving higher gas mileage (and no knocking).

#911 of 988 Re: Knocking? Better economy with high test? [imjcleckey] by larsb

Nov 11, 2011 (9:24 am)

Replying to: imjcleckey (Nov 10, 2011 4:27 pm)
I have a similar problem, 2007 TCH with 85K miles, and it has been knocking at lower speeds during stressed or uphill acceleration.
 
Once earlier in the life of the car, the cause of a similar knock was an oil pan cover being loose, which the dealer fixed during the next oil change. I would have someone check that.
 
It could also be loose engine mount(s).
 
Good luck !!!

#912 of 988 Re: Knocking? Better economy with high test? [larsb] by imjcleckey

Nov 11, 2011 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Nov 11, 2011 9:24 am)
Thanks larsb,
 
I don't think it is the oil pan or engine mount, since high octane wouldn't fix this. If you have a chance, try 89 - 93 octane gas and see if that fixes the knock for you, and report back. My guess is that the refineries have changed something relative to the refining process, and the resulting slightly lower octane is enough that the 07 TCH does not compensate for it and the car experiences precombustion ping. With the improved mileage, the high octane is actually more cost effective for me, so I'm not inclined to give the dealership a couple hundred dollars to look at it (and try to sell me some other service that I'm pretty sure the car does not neet).
 
Appreciate your feedback.

#913 of 988 Gas Mileage of 2012 Camry hybrid by sunny12

Jan 15, 2012 (2:13 pm)

#914 of 988 Gas Mileage of 2012 Camry hybrid by sunny12

Dec 10, 2011 (7:27 am)

Bought the for one week. found the Mileage of 2012 Camry hybrid is only 37.5 miles/gallon. is not even close to 41 miles/gallon described in its specification. Very disappointed... Anyone has the same issue?

#915 of 988 Re: Gas Mileage of 2012 Camry hybrid [sunny12] by bdyment

Dec 10, 2011 (8:10 am)

Replying to: sunny12 (Dec 10, 2011 7:27 am)
Give it a chance to break in. Good gosh you are only 10% below target. Most people would be very pleased with your results.

#916 of 988 Re: Gas Mileage of 2012 Camry hybrid [bdyment] by sunny12

Dec 10, 2011 (9:45 am)

Replying to: bdyment (Dec 10, 2011 8:10 am)
If everyone think in your way, it is meaningless to put it in the specification.
Thanks.

Messages Page 92 of 100

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