Any Camry Hybrid MPG stories to share

We sold our 1999 Toyota Camry and bought a new 2007 Camry hybrid in March. Since then I have filled the tank twice. I am very disappointed with the mileage we've been getting. For the first tank we got about 31-32 mpg and the second tank was worse, just short of 29 mpg. We're about 1/3 through the next tank and the display tells me we are averaging about 31 mpg so far.

I have always had good driving habits; I follow all the recommendations: accelerating and stopping slowly, anticipating changes in traffic flow as to not require rapid changes in speed, allowing the car to slow as I climb hills, etc. With past cars my mileage has always been as good or better than expected, so I don't think it's my driving habits.

We haven't even needed the AC, so I expect it will get even worse in the summer. Virtually all our driving is around town--mostly trips of no more than 5 miles. When we get on highways, it's typically for only 1-3 miles. Supposedly that's one of the advantages; the Hybrid Synergy drive is supposed to do better in town. HA!

So far my experience has been extremely disappointing. :( I was hoping to get at least 35 mpg.

My Camry has 28,000 miles on it. My wife is the primary driver and it kills me how slow she drives. We have never gotten better than 34.8 mpg all city driving and I even keep the air pressure 2lbs over recommened. I switched to a thinner oil (M1 0w-20) (used 0w20 in '07f150 picked up 2mpgover 1kmiles)and no noticable improvements. For the extra money I would have been better off buying a regular Camry. I would not recommend this car for anyone looking for a MPG saver. Lot's of road noise and hard on oils!!! 2K miles and oil is black as night. Wish wife would have kept RAV4.

Hybrid Norcal:

Boy, I found your post quite discouraging! I am driving a 2006 Camry hybrid, also live in the Bay Area, commuting from Alameda to Pleasanton and rarely get more than 36 MPG unless I am extremely careful with my starting/accelerating etc. Even then, I rarely can get 38 MGP. I figured this was because of the hills in the Bay Area, yet here you are getting MUCh better milage. I wonder if I got a lemon?!
I have tried increasing tire pressure and high octane gas, but neither seemed to make a difference. I am using the tires that came with the car. What "premium" gas are you using? I'll give anything a try!

Spencer Gross :(

I have a 2008 TCH and have almost 2k miles on it now. Living in Tucson AZ (northeast) I have 99% "town" (not really what I'd call city) driving. The street layout has large city blocks (1/2 mile long at times between lights)and speed limits of 35, 40 and 45.

Mostly 40mph.

I've only been on the highway once to test for front seat vibration. None so far....

First tank was 34.9 then 36.4 then 37.1 and now holding at 38.6. Im getting just over 500 miles to a tank.. I wait for the low fuel lite to come on before filling up.

To get 38MPG here I have to be very careful to use the electric motor as much as possible. I get up to 40MPH quickly (using the gas motor) and let off the gas and let the traction motor hold that speed by just pressing the gas slightly till the next light. (The arrow in the display shows if your using the electric power) If you go over 40-42mph the gas motor kicks in. With most of the speed limits being 40... I get passed alot only going 40 but the mileage is worth it.

When going up hills on longer roads at the 45mph speed limits I set the cruise control at 50 so I don't look like a grandma. (I can't go 40 in a 45mph zone....) since the gas engine is going to run anyway I'll go a little quicker and mileage wont be affected much.

If your commute (like mine) is consistent you will be able to "memorize" when to accelerate when to let off and when to set the cruise control rather quickly and you will reap the benefits.

If you just want to jump in and "drive the thing" you'll get 31-33 mpg and be a happy camper too. If your doing worse than that or hate trying to get better mileage, it's time to trade it in for a Non-Hybrid Camry XLE. You'll get top dollar for the trade and save yourself a lot of stress.

My humble opion

Scott

Camry is great on millage if it runs.

My transmission failed once then the new one was put in wrong and I started getting DIAG lights.

This car is a peice of junk. I will never buy a Japanese car again.

After one year of ownership of the TCH, I have driven 40,000 miles with the avg mpg figured by the car at 39.4 mpg and 38.4 mpg figured by me (miles/gallons).

Hybrid cars have to warm up for the first couple of min after you start them - usually 4 to five min with a rich mixture - in order to warm up certain components (catalyic converter, etc...). A "rich" fuel mixture is used during this warm up.

the reason that Bikerider was not getting great mileage is that most of his driving was being done with the gas engine running in this warm-up mode - he was only driving 1-3 miles, and no more than 5 miles per trip.

You have to know how a Hybrid works to take advantage of the technology.

Like others have said, the mpg on my 2009 TCH has been very good right out of the box. I am averaging 38mpg....w/o changing my driving habits (fast acceleration, regular braking, etc, etc, etc...) the only time I get poor mileage is on short trips of less than 3 miles....and even then I'm in the lower 30's usually for MPG. Trips in town over 5 miles tend to be closer to that 40-45 mpg. Highway mileage is ~33-35mpg depending on wind/temp/speed.

I live in the midwest where the temps can vary significantly. I've noticed that with the same driving habits, the fuel consumed when temperatures are below 40 deg F is greater than when the temps climb above 40. My mpg during warmer weather is 42 going to work(slight down hill) and 40mpg returning (slight uphill) and coupled with city driving averages the tank at 39.5mpg. During colder weather operations (less than 40 degrees) even with the heater turned off at lights to turn off the gas engine, the mpg decreased for the same trip to 37mpg going, and 35mpg returning, and had a tank average of 34mpg. I equate this decrease in efficiency to the more dense colder air (more molecules = more fuel required) My best tank was 46 mpg in 60 degree weather, mostly highway driving.

my camry is a 2007 (july) with 8500 miles.

*Note* to those that don't know, the A/C is electric and therefore has no impact of performance, the heater however demands that the engine be warm, thus as the engine cools off it will start back up to warm itself to provide the warm air to the interior.

I've been experimenting with driving styles to see what works best to provide best results; 1. at or below 40 mph keep it in electric only but that depleats the battery for the next drive, or 2. keep the speed just above 40 mph and try to keep the gas engine running running in concert with the electric to target 50-60mpg on the gauge and keeping the battery charged for future trips. Thus far, #2 appears to be providing the best results but no official test has been conducted.

I have a 2009 TCH here in the Houston area. I am like several of you and have become one of the gauge watchers - it is a challenge (and actually fun) for me to try and fill the Eco Drive bars and beat the window sticker estimate. I have taken the car on 2 road trips and have 35.2 and 36.6 averages on highway (about 70-75 mph). I was hoping for higher, but at least have exceeded the window sticker. Trip took longer, however, because I have historically driven around 80 mph. It is also very difficult just trying to maintain speed along with maximizing the mileage. No step for a stepper though, I guess.

In town I have been disappointed with about 29 mph. Sounds like my mileage is poor compared to some of you - and I HAVE NOT been hot rodding like I have all my life !!! I have really, really tried to get maximum mieage, but have yet to achieve the city estimate shown on the sticker of 33 mpg. We live in an area with a lot of stop signs and it really sucks having to stop and start.... Makes you realize just how hard it is to get good gas mileage - it takes work. I am really curious to know if anyone has found a website or discussion forum other than this one where some of the "experts" discuss their success with getting upwards (and over) 40 mpg out of a TCH - and I'm talking about the kind of driving I do (stop and go with a lot of stop signs). Any help, suggestions or comments appreciated. I love the car and want it to work to the maximum potential. Thanks.

BDH, you should buy that car instantly. I get 39-40 on highway at 70-80mph. Overall I always got 37mpg in city and highway driving mixed on regular gasoline. I get 39-40 if I were to fill up with Plus brand of gas.

I just bought a 2009 Carmy Hybrd. I have owned a 2004 Prius and a 2008 Highlander Hybrid. I find the Camry to be a great compromise between the Prius and the HiHY. On my third tank of gas with this Camry, I am still getting over 38mpg here is the Wash DC area. I don't do anything special, but I am experienced now after 5 yrs of driving Hybrids, on letting off the gas well in advance of stopping and not clamping on the brakes hard. Other then that I commute to work each day (mostly highway miles on these tanks). 35 miles one way at speeds in excess of 70mph. Toyota got the 09 Camry right. Only thing I would like added to it is an auto up feature on the driver's window (it is already auto down - seems dumb not to include what is already on the Prius and Highalnder). Anyway - 38+mpg is great for me.

Boy, am I disappointed. Bought a 2007 TCH and am getting only 33.5 MPG, with being VERY cautious about driving correctly. Had the car reviewed @ dealership & all checks out. Called Toyota & basically was given the pat answer.

Are there any options for me?

I am reading through your comments. I also have a Toyota Camry Hybrid. 2 things to watch out for.

1. The mileage gauge in the instrument panel is NOT an accurate measure of mileage. You can easily trick it into telling you that you aare getting great mileage by topping off the tank. The gas gauge can't see the gas in the filler tube so it thinks you are getting great gas mileage when you really aren't. Try keeping track of your mileage manually and you will get a much more accurate idea of what the mileage is.

2. Manual says car is supposed to get 0W-20 Oil for oil changes for best mileage and cold starting. When I went for service my dealer told me that he put 0W-20 in. I noticed a drop in fuel efficientcy and looked into it. When I asked about it during my next service appointment the technician tells me that they don't even stock 0W-20 oil (too expensive) and that they always use 5W-20. I personally think lots of folks are getting the wrong oil from the dealer and as a result are getting poor mileage.

My 07 Camry Hybrid gets between 39 and 42 mpg week in and week out. I live in Florida and drive 35-50 mph with lights every mile or so on most trips. I have never gotten below 37, no matter how I drive. So far, it has been a wonderful car. In 26k miles, not a single problem. I love the quiet, smooth ride, the quality materials, the wonderful stereo, all the amenities, and of course, the gas mileage. Toyota has really hit a homerun with this thing. I only wish they'd made the bumpers out of color coded plastic. Every chip and scratch comes up black... on my white car. By the way, when it's time to change the air filter do a google search for instructions... you'll be glad you did. I have noticed that the oil gets black rather quickly, however.

I get 38-40 on the highway with my 2008 CAmry Hybrid. The literature says I should get the best performance increase in city driving (up tp 36 mpg), but in city (lots of stop and go , lots of 0-20 acceleration) I get only 20-24 mpg.
Am I not driving this thing correctly?

I have had my Camry Hybrid 2 years. The first year i consistantly averaged 39-40 miles per gallon
in the last 9 months, i am averaging 31-33 miles per gallon. I asked the service department what
the problem was and they told me it was the gas. Have tried all the major quality brands with the
same results. Toyota says there is nothing wrong with the car. I even replaced the tires with
new high mileage tires, but it did not do any good.
Does anyone know what i am doing wrong? I cant think of anything else to do.

Hello, I need help!!!

I got camry 2008 hybrid and the screen shows 17 mpg and I dont know what this mean ?? is it mean the car will go only 17 mpg or it will change? I am not sure what is going , please help me!!

THESE REALLY ARE FINE CARS. AT FIRST I REGETTED BUYING MINE. I'VE DRIVEN LEXUS LS'S FOR 15 YEARS, OLDER OWNS THOUGH. THE CAMRY RIDES MUCH BETTER THAN THE LEXUS, QUIETER AND THE MILAGE AVERAGES 40, IN ALL KINDS OF DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE IS THE SLIGHT LURCH/JERK WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT FROM A STOP. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS TROUBLE?
I HOPE TO TRADE THIS CAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR A LEXUS LS HYBRID ASSUMING IT WILL BE AS SMOOTH AND QUIET.

I find I can avoid the lurch jerk by stepping lightly on the gas at startup from a traffic light so the car starts rolling in electric mode to give the engine a chance to fire up then I accelerate briskly. 38-40 mpg.
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Based on Toyota's own numbers, comparing the standard 4-cyl Camry and the Camry Hybrid, driving an average of 15,000 per year, based on $2.60 per gallon, equals a gas savings of $355.00 per year.

You would have to drive the Hybrid for 17 years before you broke even.

This is based on a cash purchase and dosn't take into account any financing or a leasing options. Of course if you pay more for gas or put more miles on your car it would bring the break even point down but even if you doubled the numbers your still looking at 8.5 years.

I've had alot of cars in my time and usualy keep them unitl they are on their "death bed" and have never kept a car for 17 years.

Resale values of the the 2010 Camry's and how long you keep your Camry, would also effect the overall value, but at this point the numbers don't add up.

We have now had our 2009 Camry Hybrid for 2 full years and have about 28,500 miles on it. We live in NC and typically drive in a hilly area a minimum of 10 miles per trip which almost always includes about half "in-town" driving. Our gas mileage over this time has typically been 34 - 35 mpg (we have never seen less than 32 mpg when my wife was using the car for stop-and-go canvassing). On road trips of 300 miles or more which we do several times a year, we get more than 42 mpg. (One trip from central NC to Wash. DC area, we filled up close to home, drove to Dulles airport area, then around the Manassas city area for 1/2 day since we used to live there, and finally drove home to fill up for the only time since leaving -- at the same station. Total mpg was 42.5.) The mpg I manuall calculate has always been about the same as shown on the gauges.

That only tells part of the story. Our previous two cars were a Lexus RX300 and a Toyota Avalon. Both were fine cars, but this Camry Hybrid out does both in performance, quiet and comfort (though it has a couple less "gadgets"). We are about to take a 12,000+ mile trip around the US and I'm very much looking forward to a wonderful driving experience.

LOL the Color of the oil does not mean anything. I'm not sure where you would even get the idea that it's "Hard on Oils".

Oil turns black because it picks up impurities too small to be filtered out.

The Color has nothing to do with the protection you are getting from it......

You should really learn a little bit about cars if you are going to rant about them.

I have had my 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid since July 2007 and have over 75,000 miles on it and have never reset the overall mileage on the info screen - to date it has averaged 39.1 mpg since it was built. A year and a half ago it was as high as 39.5 overall but a very hot Atlanta summer and a lot of clients will bring that down to 39.0 earlier this summer. Still averaging around 39 to 41 miles per gallon this fall It has been a very good car and only one minor warranty issue for a loose window motor inside the door during the 1st year.

i have a toyota camry hybrid 2007 my car says 17.5 mpg on the moniotor and i dont get this at all , everyone is talking about 30 - 40 mpg and mines is less than 20, can someone help me out???? i have 44000 miles on my car .

If you are looking for the best fuel economy...get a Prius, if you are looking for a NICE vehicle and fuel economy...get a Camry. I wanted a bigger car with leather and all the amenities but knew I would have to sacrifice a few MPG. I am currently getting 38 mpg per tank and quite often get 45+. When you first get the vehicle you will get 30mpg but once you learn to use the electric to your advantage, it will go up from there. I live in Indiana and have very hilly terrain and live in the country. I have read all of these posts about people so upset with 30-35mpg but the truth of the matter is the Camry weighs a lot more than the Prius. If you wanted to get 40+ MPG, you should have gotten the Prius or researched a little more before buying. Fueleco.gov puts user average for Camry at 33MPG. I couldn't be happier after trading in my 13MPG explorer!

Just wanted to confirm Scott's findings. I just bought a 2007 Camry Hybrid in February of 2011. Got a great deal on it. The car is loaded compared to the bare bones vehicles I've owned most of my life. Anyway, what i have found by watching the display mode for battery vs. gas engine is that it is the act of acceleration that engages the gasoline engine. So at first I was getting about 32 mpg locally and an impressive 40mpg on the highway without changing my driving habits. I was curious to see how i might improve my local mpg. What I found was, that by avoiding heavily trafficked roads and keeping to side roads where I can dictate my speed and acceleration without having drivers pushing me to accelerate, if I accelerate lightly then ease off the accelerator when i achieve my desired speed of say 25 mph, the battery is engaged almost exclusively. I realize this is a game and I can't do this all the time but I have been able to achieve 45mpg on local roads according to the Camry's display.

Cheers!

Nice posting and very good information from the comments.
I learn a lot from the comments too.

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I have had my Camry Hybrid since November of 07...Love it. On average I get 38-40 mpg highway. Of course sitting in traffic its better, heavy Seattle traffic it was close to 50 because it was in electric mode...Awesome car..Not disappointed at all. Always want more mpg but am very happy.

http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/high-octane-gas-myth.html

I have a 2007 camry hybrid and brought it when it first got released, and I am loving it since them. I almost got 100k on my car now.
I get around 36 mpg in summer and 38-40 mpg in winter. I see quite a few complaints about people not getting high mpg. I think it has to do a great deal with driving habits. You actually learn to drive a hybrid (the feed back of mpg) is very helpful and this driving is helpful when you drive other vehicles too. It does not mean driving slowly. You anticipate the signals, and you avoid unnecessary braking.
Also you need to know what they mean by city driving. You get best mileage, when there are long streaches of roads that you can travel bettween 40 and 50 mph without signals. Constant stop and go will not give you the best mpg. It may be better than a non-hybrid car for sure, but not a high mpg
It also takes a bit to warm up before you get better mpg during a trip. I see better mpg, for trips greater than 30 or 40 miles.

i just got a 2009 camry hybrid about two months ago, im doing about 38mpg and 39.9 being my best but i don't drive it much i think i'm still working on my third tank. but its also been very cold. have you ever had a hybrid before? i drive a honda civic hybrid as my commuter, and we just got rid of our other commuter a prius. toyota hybrids arent that great on the highway you have to work the gas alot to get you mpg's up. but if you do a lot of in town they are great. best tip i can give you is when a light turns green punch it, get up to the speed limit, then take your foot off the gas and it will drop to e mode and then feather the gas to maintain speed.plus when your driving on flat land take your foot off the gas and re apply even if your doing 80 on the highway it lets the cvt stretch out. you will notices it will go from a steady 40 mpg to 60 then come down alittle to 50ish and hold there. also let the car warm up before you turn on the heat i drive mine for about ten mins before i put the heat on low, then once i'm warm i turn it off. i noticed the engine turns off alot more when you have the heat off. i have a feeling when spring comes i'm gonna get mid 40's in the car.

Bought a 2010, getting 34.7 at the moment and was averaging 35.6 maybe a month ago, questioning the cause of the drop, thinking it might be the quality of fuel right now, no matter where I buy it and I am cautious about where!!! and whom I buy from because it is not all the same! But wondering too if I went ahead and changed the air filter or went w/a K and N Air filter if that wouldn't pull the mileage back up some?

But, so far really, really do like this car, had looked at Prius, but Prius didn't have much for features and the prices for being a hybrid were much higher it seemed.

In past couple of years I had a 6 cyl 2008 Toyota Avalon and averaged mpg at 19 and w/out AC around 22 mpg. I could really see the differences in what I got by where I bought gas.

Then I bought a Mini Cooper b/c of high mpg ratings and I only got around average 24 which didn't seem much better than the Avalon.

Then bought a 2011 Kia Forte w/a 2.0 engine, so not the smallest thing kia had, but close to it and again got around average of 24 and in straight city driving could get even worse.

So w/all the features, upgrades, etc. w/this Camry and being a mid-size car etc. I don't know of any other vehicle that really compares or could beat it for the over all package. I think it depends too on what your prior experiences are and your perspective.