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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Camry Hybrid Toyota Camry Hybrid Driving Tips & Tricks
228 messages, Last post on Jul 20, 2009 at 9:37 AM
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Replying to: adviceseeker (Jan 10, 2008 7:34 pm) Unfortunately posters are from all over the country and that can confuse the new readers. Fortunately though I've been watching since may 06 when I got my TCH and can sort through the comments quickly. I was discouraged some at first when I was only getting 38mpg  I soon realized many posters were in Arizona and some warm flat states. To understand the TCH you need to know the background of the posters. While I live in the hills of WV, there is also very little traffic to contend with. My idea of an interstate is much different than some who deal with a 6 lane full of traffic. If I want I can usually drive the limit on a 125 mile trip south without touching my brakes. On that trip I can get 41 mpg even though there are some steep grades. Driving the 4 lane to a town 30 miles away it is easy to get 35, a little effort to get 37 and if I try hard I can get 39. I've settled lately for the 37 effort. It is natural for me now. City milage is the tricky one. I live in a rural town. I can drive around it completely without the ICE even kicking on. That's even stopping at several lights and stop signs. However there is usually no one behind me or they can simply pass me. Even short trips don't (or have not) hurt me as it's 3 miles into town and by the time I get there I can be hitting 44 mpg. Rural driving is the "sweet" spot for the TCH. On a 2 lane road without a lot of traffic and driving 50 mph I can get 44+. I have not seen where the small hills hurt as for every hill I go up at 20 mpg I go down with hitting the 60 mark or E mode depending on speed. However heavy traffic city driving can be difficult for some I'm sure when the traffic is stop and go during rush hour. But anytime other than rush hour can be rewarding. I recently drove for an hour of so around Baltimore and just looking around at the sights (mostly lost, even with Nav) I was able to get 42. Cold weather with wet roads or wind hits you at least 7 to 10%. Doesn't sound like much until you figure 10% of 40 mpg is 4 mpg. At 65mph FE is outstanding, at 75 mph it is difficult to get what you're expecting. many folks just won't give up their life style and that's OK because they still get 32 to 34. Only problem is they compare that to mileage they used to track and most people only track their vacation or trip milage. I've kept records for years and my average on just about every car and truck I've owned was at the low EPA city estimate. They are getting a lot better FE I believe than they ever did. I hear people all the time telling me about getting 35 mpg in their car. They are driving Buick's and other mid size cars and frankly I don't believe them. Yes on a trip in a 4cy camry you might get 32 but in everyday driving as an average it is probably more like 25 or less. Bottom line is you can probably do better than you are with practice but there will always be people getting better and even more people claiming to get better. I get 38 to 41 on the highway (in warm dry weather) I get 37 to 44 in the city depending... I get 39 +/- on rural highways. When I have time, my most frequent trip, a 25 miles round trip on back roads to my church I can P&G and do all sorts of things and my best yet is 52 mpg. Sort of like golf, if you're good you know what your score will be but you still try for better |
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Replying to: tadingle (Nov 27, 2007 7:00 am) LOL, I gave up an Infiniti FX45 for the TCH. I loved to roll down the windows to hear it wind up. What a sweet sound. Lifetime FE of 16.2mpg ;( Not only has my driving style change but while saving gas (and $'s), I looked at my lifestyle and I've started getting out of debt; planning for an "in the near future" retirement. With the tax credits, less fuel, lower payment and maintenance, I've saved $15,000 already over keeping the FX. I never used to worry about that but lately I've been able to realize what I can do with an extra $15,000 |
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Replying to: bigc_1 (Dec 30, 2007 11:07 am) I believe Dino oil is pretty good stuff these days. I'd simply follow the mgfr recommendations. |
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Replying to: bigc_1 (Dec 30, 2007 11:07 am) I believe Dino oil is pretty good stuff these days. I'd simply follow the mgfr recommendations. |
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Replying to: chihlin (Jan 03, 2008 6:17 am) After about 40 new cars over my lifetime I've found that they all feel different. Just to know what the TCH would do in case I needed to do it I took the car and floored it, chirping the tire a little. I was real nervous about sitting there on a side road and pulling out in front of trafic with the engine not running. Anyway the electric motor has enormous torque. By the time it gets you rolling the engine has wound up and is pulling too. While you don't hear the roar I believe the acceleration is indeed there. I've never had a problem. Yes too, the feel of the accelerator is different. I belive this is accelerate by wire and not a mechanical linkage and in addition the first inch or so of travel is soft. You need that and it's a good design. that's what allows you to be able to feather the pedal to get the max FE. Many cars are touchy. If you need to accelerate quickly with the TCH simply push the pedal to the floor. It will go. Try it (away from traffic) to get the feel. |
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Replying to: lzc (Jan 03, 2008 8:21 am) While the new canry 6cyl is indeed a quick ride with lots of horsepower, the TCH combo of motor and engine has approximately the same horsepower of the previous generation V6 found in the 06 Camry. Yes it has a 4cyl, but the motor has 45 hp I believe and provides more torque than many V6's. Bottom line, it should blow the doors off the camry 4cyl.
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Replying to: plknj (Jan 10, 2008 2:12 pm) Thanks for the kind comments. I indeed did try to get something with better FE. The Highlander Hybrid was my choice but when I tried the third row seat I pulled something trying to get into the back. I wanted a 7 to 8 passenger vehicle for family trips and a 4wd for winter. It needed to be able to haul tools and jet skis. The Expedition was all I could find to fit the bill comfortably (the Tahoe wasn't even close) I try to drive the TCH most of the time and I leased the Expedition for 2 years in hopes that the new Sequoia would be available in a hybrid for the 2010 model. |
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Replying to: talmy1 (Jan 11, 2008 8:20 am) I agree. Even after a couple of days I have never seen the SOC green bars drop from what they were when I parked it. |
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After the accident when my Toyota dealer rebuilt my car for $26,000!!! My milage dropped from 38 to 41+, down to 35 to 38. I was not happy with this but figured that because most of todays technology is plug and play with these modules, I had little choice. The other day when my car was in the shop I mentioned this drop in milage. When I picked up the car they did not say anything to me but I am back to getting 39 to 40+. Next time I am there I will ask what adjustments were made to affect this change, but obviously adjustments can be made. |
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Replying to: wvgasguy (Jan 11, 2008 5:00 pm) It will . . . . . if both motor and engine are engaged at full throttle, as in passing or freeway merging. But in normal driving, the car feels front heavy, which it is, and a bit sluggish when first starting up. It's not a drawback to me, but I agree with others who notice the difference compared to other cars. My son (Suburu Legend, 2.5T engine) calls it a slug. 
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