Car Getting Crappy Gas Mileage

[QueHuong]

I have a 2004 Camry (SE?...the 6 cylinders one), and it has 55k miles on it. I've perceived a dramatic drop in gas mileage for over a year now. I drive about 25 miles each way to get to college, and each way, there's a noticeable drop in the gas gauge.

This is freeway driving, and it's also noticeable even when traffic is light and I just put on cruise control. I dont' have a lead foot, and I try to break / accelerate smoothly. I keep my car maintained, and tires inflated to manufact.'s specs. So should I notice a drop in gas after 25 miles @ 60-70 mph?

I bring this observation up everytime I visit the CarX guy for maintanence, and they look into it and have not found anything wrong. One suggested that it could be poor fuel quality in general from the refiners. He also suggested I add some fuel additives.

So 1) should I notice gas level drop after 25 miles? and 2) I'd like to get 2nd opinions from those knowledeable about cars about using fuel additives to increase gas mileage. Thanks.

 

[Eli]

"Noticing the gas level drop after 25 miles" means nothing.

What is your MPG?

 

[Goosemaster]

the bob in the tank might be discombobulated...

 

[DurocShark]

1. Calculate your actual mileage.
2. Have you kept up on oil changes and tune ups and such?
3. NO ADDITIVES!!!!!
4. If you are seeing really low mileage (like under 15mpg), take it to a Toyota dealer. You may just have a sensor going wonky, a vacuum leak, a clogged injector, etc. Your CarX guy can't tell jack, but the Toy dealer will (for a hefty fee, of course).
5. NO ADDITIVES!!!!!

EDIT: A guy at work just traded his Camry in. It was an 03 or an 04. He said it was running like crap after 60k miles and even the AC didn't work right. Toyota wouldn't give him jack for it, but Honda gave him a good value for it. Maybe Toyota knows something? Anyway, he bought an Element. heh

 

[QueHuong]

I don't know the MPG...never calculated it. I'll follow up when I do.

I've also kept up on maintainence. And why no additives?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
5. NO ADDITIVES!!!!!

Running a couple bottles of Techron is 100% safe.

ZV

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: QueHuong
I don't know the MPG...never calculated it. I'll follow up when I do.

I've also kept up on maintainence. And why no additives?

For a modern stock car? It's snake oil and will most likely void your warranty (if they figure out you used it.)

If an additive was helpful, it would already be in the Techron blend.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: DurocShark
5. NO ADDITIVES!!!!!

Running a couple bottles of Techron is 100% safe.

ZV

So is just running Chevron gasoline for a few hundred miles. Same stuff, but you get it for free with the gas.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: DurocShark
5. NO ADDITIVES!!!!!

Running a couple bottles of Techron is 100% safe.

ZV

also a 100% waste of money

 

[Lazy8s]

I have noticed the same thing in mu 00 carolla in the last 6weeks. I went from getting about 32mpg to 28mpg. I's not HUGE but it's 10%. I only use chevron/BP gas so it's not like I get the crappy stuff. I am going to ask the next time I'm in. I just had it in for the 60k tuneup last week at the dealership and they gave it the all clear.

 

[doze]

Next time you fill up reset the trip counter to zero then drive like normal. Next time you fill up see how many miles you have gone and how many gallons you have used. Use simple math and this is your true MPG. Repeat several times for accuracy.