MPG - Sample size AVG.

[Grnarowana]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if 20-21mpg 80% freeway, 20% street is normal for a 99' 130K V6 manual Solara. This is from a sample size of 8 fill ups @ 8-9 gallons. The reason why I did this is because gas was way tooo expensive when it was ranging from 3.50/gal and up. Anyway I can earn a mile or 2?

[ThatVietGuy]

I think I can manage 24 mpg with those percentages, albeit I have an auto.

What is your driving style? Smooth acceleration? Coast a lot? A lot of it can come down to how aggressive you are with the shifting, accelerating, etc.

Clean the throttle body lately? Need a new air filter? Lot of random maintenance like that can get you an extra 1 mpg or so.

[Aotoyota]

tire pressure makes a bit of diff too along with dead weight/junk in the trunk all add up together.

maybe injectors need a cleaning?

[(K)]

20-21 mpg mostly freeway driving doesn't sound right for your V6 SE folks...

Cruise control?

[Chinky420]

i'm pulling 15 mpg city with cel and 20 highway with cel. 1999 sle v6 auto, 135k miles on ticker, cel p0135 (oxygen sensor bank1sensor1)....oh yeah, and i have a lead foot.

things to consider for better gas milage
1- make sure tires are inflated properly
2- filters: oil, air, and possibly fuel: check em and make sure they're clean/new
3- fluids: oil, transmission/gear, coolant
4- spark plugs, and plug wires. 130k miles is a lot if it's been using the same plugs/wires the entire time.
5- cruise control kills mpg, the computer cannot see a hill until after it hits it...if you speed up a bit for a upcoming hill, you may be able to roll through the portion where you lose your speed, and back to cruising pace at the bottom of the hill, this keeps the RPMs minimized, without compromising too much momentum/speed.
6- clean the throttle body, this can be done with some cheap aerosol cleaner from autozone
7- dead weight in the trunk, lose it
8- windows up for aerodynamics
9- get a granny start from each stop. if you keep the rpm's under 3k in first, and under 2500 rpms in subsequent gears, you will maximize your engine's efficiency, and reduce gas use.
10- ground wire upgrades will help with maybe 1-2 mpg, or maybe i changed my driving styles slightly after i installed these (HA!) either way, i'm trying to say that "i personally noticed a difference when i installed, but you may not"

there are also other new technologies that i know absolutely nothing about, like running the car on water, or ethanol, but those are costly and you should be mechanically inclined before trying these on your own (read: lots of research and professional advice needed)

but the first place you want to start is gonna be just doing a full tuneup. fluids, filters, plugs/wires.

oh yeah, and check your timing belt while you're at it.

[Jakecallun20]

Hell, Thats about my mileage with 95% City driving, I average 22.5 MPG on 89 octane with new plugs (10k) and a new fuel filter. I do however need new plug wires (148k on them) and need my trans filter/oil changed.

[Somedude]

I think your milage may be too low even for a V6.

My family's 2003 Accord V6 (with the automatic transmission) got 26 mpg ( in mostly highway conditions) one time.

[silvergoose]

I filled up my Solara earlier today, I estimated 20,5mpg with 80% city driving. Of course, this is after I had recently changed my plugs and wires, cleaned the TB and intakes, and drove a little easier than usual.

I believe that Solaras of our generation (1998-2003) would get the same ratings in gas mileage as the third generation Camry, at least those with the V6. I still have the old sell sticker for my Camry, it estimated 20mpg city, 28mpg highway. However, at 250.000m, I was getting at least 20 in the city, and up to 31 in the highway.

So, in short, I would think you could do a better rating than 21mpg with 50%city.

[Aotoyota]

does the gen 1 have a learning ECU?

I have a gen 2 and when the ecu constantly is adjusting the motor
to my driving habits to maximize efficiency. maybe the gen 1 just
needs to relearn?

[Solarizona]

Yeah, that seems a bit low. I'm supercharged/auto, and with about the same % highway/city I'm usually right around 24mpg. If I'm real easy on it I can almost hit 26.

[mazen222]

i hvae 1999 manual v6 and im barely doing 20 mpg... but, keep in mind that im over 200k km and i need a major tune up

[Toy1mzfe]

I get around 20 driving majority city... not sure what i really need to raise it up.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

18-20 mpgs on my 1mz in the city, easily 28 on highway (and 30+ if i drive really slow).

[Grnarowana]

I was doing some searches on google and most rated the 99' V6 Solara at 20/28mpg. I'm surprised a lot of you guys are getting better than the rated average. Are you guys doing your regular maintenance and tune ups?

http://www.newcartestdrive.com/review-f ... iewID=2724

[dws1216]

I recently bought a 99 and have tracked my mileage for the first few fill-ups. I drive back roads to work so I guess that would be in between city and hwy.

Here is the data;

Gallons-------Miles------Price----------MPG
16.5----------347-------2.58--------21.03030303
14.3----------353-------2.34--------24.68531469
12.2----------260-------2.09--------21.31147541