MPG of XLE V6?

No, I don't think it seems Normal at all. I have a 2000 Camry LE 4-cyl that gets around 31 mpg mixed city/hwy. Two cylinders will make a difference, but not that much. I would think it should be at least low to mid 20's

The V-6 Camry/Lexus gets markedly worse fuel economy than the Camry four - there are lots of old posts from people who like the extra power from the V-6 but still regret not getting the four because of its outstanding economy for that car's size. I'd say the above fuel economy is about right for a V-6 in stop and go real world driving, sadly. It could be improved a bit by accelerating as slowly as safety and courtesy allows, and coasting as much as possible - no alternating constantly between gas and brake pedals.

OK lets see 1 mile = 5280' x 4 = 21120'/14(up to 14 stop signs & lights) = 1509' between stops. Does the car ever fully heat up?, how fast do you accelerate to in that little over 1/4 mile between stops, are the lights long delay so you are sitting for 2-3 minutes at the lights, AC on or off, headlights on or off. so many variables in that equation. I think you should worry more about damage due to so frequent short trips than milage

It's too heavy on fuel. Should be no lower than 22 mpg. Get the mixture ratio checked. Any mechanic worth his salt should have the gear to do this. I would avoid dealers, for an honest reliable private mechy. Ask around at work if need be.

Jason

Calculating city mileage is much more difficult. Extended idling will decrease the MPG.

For example, if you idle out a tank of gas > Hi,

How can you check mix ratio, that I have never heard of.

Its 12 years old, give it a complete tune up and I bet it will do alot better. Mobil 1 0-30 in motor and change the trans oil. You have no idea on what kind of care it recieved, take it to a good local shop to have it looked over.

In top tuned condition my 99 xle will never break 30mpg on the highway. If you can break 20 mpg under those city conditions you will be lucky in fact because of the stopping and starting I figure you are at max. Do a highway check and then if that is a good read you can figure your city mileage is accurate.

Until you do such a check I would not be spending money on a tune up.

A tune up and any maintenance is the first thing a seller will put off doing, they are selling it they dont care, they not keeping it. Unless you have proof from reciepts you need to figure the car was not maintained and everything that can affect milage is original. Whenever my milage drops , about every 2 years I find going over everything get me 1-3 more mpg. Not having a mechanic put it on a scope and doing the basics is dumb on a newly purchased, very old car. This is a 98 and

2010 models are comming out, it is in fact 12 years old and overdue on many things many times over. The oxygen sensor, timing, plugs, old oils, sticking brakes and other components only a scope can diagnose all can each affect milage by several mpg. Once I found my timing retarded 4 degrees, I got a 4 mpg improvement by setting just that parameter right.

How can you check mix ratio, that I have never heard of.

It's not a new thing. Engine designers do it during development. I have a Vane mixture analyser which gives readouts from 10:1 (air:fuel) to 18:1. Stoichemetric is the ideal ratio aroud 16:1. The other way to test for mixture, is to take a reading directly from a known good Oxygen sensor. Modern A/F ratio measurements are taken by placing a sensor up the tailpipe. Various exhaust measurements are then taken. If you live in California, they measure mixture ratios during registrartion checks, I read somewhere.

Jason

Ahhhh,..stoichometric (or ideal mixture ratio) is around *14:1* Jason

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I forgot, I had my camry checked years ago, I dont know if I got a ratio but the mechanic used a scope with the exhaust probe and said I was burning fine

Its 12 years old, give it a complete tune up and I bet it will do alot better. Mobil 1 0-30 in motor and change the trans oil. You have no idea on what kind of care it recieved, take it to a good local shop to have it looked over.

*********** I wouldnt go with the Mobil 1. The car doesnt need it. I dont have a 98 XLE but have a V6 Avalon (2007). It regularly gets 32 mpg on the highway, but it drops way down in city driving. It's simple math.

But I agree that a trip to a really good shop can tell you whether this puppy is okay or whether it is burning too much gasoline.

A good synthetic oil is just what all cars need in winter, when oils can literaly hardly flow in sub zero temps, you I see never heard about near 50% of motor wear ocuring at startup, or oil Bypassing the filter, which by the way could happen to you every day this winter if you dont know whats going on, and you dont. 0-30 Mobil one maybe the best oil made