Any Camry Hybrid MPG stories to share
Created December 19, 2006, at 5:03 pm by Hybrid Norcal
I am in sales and travel all over Northern California from Bay area commuting (the worst) to Central Valley I-5 cruising and routinely get a tank average of 38.6-40.4 MPG which is right on the money as far as the figures that Toyota and the EPA report for this model. The car is new with 6,500 miles on it as of today and I have noticed that the MPG has gradually gotten better after the first 2000+ miles.
Recently, I averaged 46.4 miles per gallon :D in my 2007 Camry on a return trip from Reno, Nevada to the bay area in California. Granted I was well above sea level in Reno but I still had to travel over the Sierra Nevada mountains on I-80. I used premium gas, had my Pirelli tires at 40 PSI and used the cruise control as much as possible. The outside temperature was anywhere from 30 degrees in Reno to 26 through Donner Pass and warmed up to the mid forties entering the Bay area.
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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.
Bikerider,
I drive 212 miles a day--a mixture of city and hwy. I consistently avg 39 to 40 mpg with the highest mpg of 43. With the speed limit for my daily drive at 45 to 60 I drive between 54 and 64 mph. I bought the car in March. I have driven around 6800 miles. I keep a log of the amount gallons used, miles driven, the car's mpg, and the mpg that I calculate--miles/gallons. You will find that the car's mpg will be slightly higher than your own calculations, but once you avg the two out both mpgs are very close to each other. I have found that my mpg is lower until the car warms up so to speak. Mpg will be lower for short trips if the car has been sitting overnight.
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.
I drive my car for outside sales here in Connecticut. I average about 600 miles per week in all types of traffic -- 70 to 80 mph on the highway, rush hour stop and go, and city streets. I bought my Camry May 3, and now have 2200 miles on it. So far my average is about 36.7 miles per gallon. The first two tanks were lower, around 35 mpg, but the last two tanks have been higher, more like 37.5 mpg, even with the air conditioner on.
I previously had a Toyota Prius, which I loved. With it I averaged over 45 mpg. When I saw somebody filling his Camry Hybrid in line at the gas station, I asked him how he liked it. He said he loved it, and that he had traded his Prius in for it, and he could not believe how much they gave him for his trade in. So the next day I went in and sure enough, they offered me over $17,000 for my Prius, which had 45,000 miles on it. How could I turn that down.
For me, since I am in and out of my car 6 to 8 hours a day, and also have customers with me periodically, the Camry's lower gas mileage is more than offset by the luxury feel, versus the spartan eco feel of the Prius. In fact, I continue to be amazed at how well Toyota has underpromised, and over-delivered with this car. I am confident that my mileage will continue to be at least 36.5 mpg, if not higher, yet I have the luxury and performance of cars getting almost 1/2 that.
My first 3 cars were Volkswagons (73 Bug, 86 Golf, 89 Jetta) and all were very good cars. I have owned Chevy's (Lumina and Malibu), Mercedes (S320 and 420SEL) and a Ford Focus. No car manufacturer has consistently delivered like Toyota. I have had 2000 Camrys (a 4 cyl and a 6 cyl), a 2005 Prius, and now the 2007 Cary Hybrid. I used to laugh at the Toyota commercials that had the line "Oh what a feeling"., but after driving Toyotas for 9 years now, I really have to say that no other car brand has given me the feeling of quality and owner satisfaction that Toyota has.
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 had my Camry for 10 months and average 36 mpg. I find I get better mileage coming home from work (25 mile trip) rather than to work. To work is more uphill and around corners. Home I do much coasting. We get better gas mileage on trips, amazingly, and the car mpg gauge was once up to 42. The gauge is always higher than actual. This winter the mileage dipped slightly (about 1 mpg) when it was colder (at least cold for So Calif). I have a spreadsheet with all gas purchases and the overall average is 36. That is still twice what I was getting.
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
had 2008 tch about three weeks. 1700 miles.
the displayed (computed) mpg seems to be a bit above actual, but more 'honest' than other vehicles i have experienced.
we are in flatland, but it can be windy.. at 55-60 mph, we get +/- 40 mpg.. at 70mph, 35mpg.. at 75mph, 30mpg.. not too shabby.
seems to me i heard or read that the hybrid system, vis-a-vis straight internal combustion engine, really shines in city driving rather than in long trips at speed.. this because of the energy recovered from braking, and energy not wasted while standing still.
dont know what that means for mountain driving, but i would think the hybrid would do noticeably better in mountains than straight i.c. engine.
it is NICE to silently wait at stop lights with the engine shut off.
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.
I recently bought a 2008 Camry Hybrid and so far I am averaging 36 MPG doing the same mix of city/hwy driving that yeilded 14.3 MPG in the 2007 Ford King Ranch F-150 that I traded in for the Camry. I am not here to bash American made cars as I loved my King Ranch as well my Z28 and my Tbird etc. that I owned previously, but the 14 MPG was getting hard to swallow as gas got well north of $3/gal. I must however agree with samfatboy in that this is the fifth Toyota I have owned (also owned a Celica, Landcruiser, Tundra, and 4Runner) and I too have found all of my Toyotas to be of the highest quality.
I got the top of the line Camry Hybrid with navigation, bluetooth and leather and and I like the fact that I did not have to sacrifice the level of luxury I wanted in order to improve my gas mileage so drastically. I test drove several cars prior to buying the Camry, (the new Mercedes C-300, Lincoln MKZ, Nissan Altima to name a few) and I was just as impressed by the ride and finish of the Camry as I was any of the others. In the end the Camry Hybrid gets far better gas mileage at a cost of several thousand dollars less for something comparably equipped.
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).
I bought my 2008 Camry a little over a month ago. I have been VERY pleased with everything. I traded in a Tahoe (17 mpg) for the Camry and am really enjoying not visiting the gas station constantly. I had looked at the Prius, the Civic Hybrid and the Camry. The luxury in the Camry is exquisite. I did not want a little "high-schooler" car like the Prius for my family vehicle. I'm a grown-up and I wanted my grown-up car.
I average about 34-39 mpg. The only thing that drives me crazy is trying to beat the mpg consumption screen, as if it is an X-box game. I'm addicted to watching my mileage now minute by minute, which I had never done in the past.
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.
I have a 2008 TCH and love everything about the vehicle. It is loaded with luxury options (I got all of them), technology and great gas mileage.
I have over 10,000 miles on the vehicle and do a daily commute of 65 miles in NW Indiana (Lake and Porter Counties). The commute is a combination rural and suburban. My last seven tanks of gas (according to the vehicle info system) have averaged 42 mpg but the last two I have gotten 44 mpg and 43.7 mpg.
I could not be happier with my decision. Buy one you will not be disappointed!
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.
would be nice if he could spell
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.
Are you driving a prius or a camry?
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.
I am trying to decide between 3 used auto's, 1. 09 TCH 2. 08 Prius 3. 08 Corolla LE. The TCH and Prius are the same price and the Corolla is $15500. I drive 250 - 300 miles a day, 5 days a week, mostly highway. I am trying to be practical and not just buy the nicest car. What do you guys think?
I am looking at a 2009 TCH with 12,000 miles for $23500 with bluetooth & alloy wheels, is this a good deal?
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 recently purchased a Camry Hybrid, I am very excited in anticipation of its arrival. I had a couple of questions.
Is there anything I can do to make the car get even better MPGs? Are the tires on the car the best or close to the best in terms of Roll Resistance?
Also when the EPA tests the car do they use the Eco drive heat/cool function on the car? Thank you in advance for your responses. Any other tips would be great!
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.
The tires in the Camry 09 are fine - don't change them or the rims. They are low rolling resistance tires, and lightweight alloy rims, reducing the rolling weight. I put my tires at 42psi in the front, and 40ps in the rear as I did with my Prius, with no noticeable difference in ride, but an added 2mpg. The other thing you can do if you are in a temperate climate like I am (Wash DC), you will find an engine block heater is a great improvement for winter gas mileage improvement as the ICE will take up a lot of run time just to heat up. The EPA does NOT use any of the eco features when running the hybrids. My experience so far is that is delays the turn on of either the heat or A/C some - letting the temp vary a bit more. Not entirely useful or noticeable gas savings.
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?
Let's do some math.
Camry Hybrid MSRP minus base Camry MSRP equals $7,005.
$7,005 divided by today's average gas price of $1.59 equals 4,405 gallons of gas.
4,405 gallons times 23 mpg equals 101,315 miles.
Conclusion. 101,315 miles worth of "free" travel in a base Camry VS. Hybrid.
This does not include the cost of the very expensive replacement of the batteries at 80 to 100 thousand miles in the Hybrid.
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.
I've have an 07 Camry Hybrid. Live in the mid-west. The ECO setting on the heater makes a difference. But the real beauty of the car is the smoothness and low noise of the powertrain. I've had a Lexus LS400 and RX300 and the CH is almost a quiet as the LS400 and better than the RX in every way (except ground clearance). The CH power train is silky smooth, unlike the Lexus RX drive train. Of course, anybody know that the Lexus ES and RX line are just Camry models with high trim levels. I am literally getting twice the fuel economy in a car that is more comfortable than a Lexus RX. The only thing I really remember about Lexus is nice wood and higher grade leather (oh and higher depreciation, higher taxes, snobby service, expensive repairs, and lots of highway noise in the RX). I have a couple friends with Camry XLE four-cylinders -- they are getting 22 mpg average when the temperature is consistently below freezing, while I am getting a calculated 35 to 37 mpg in the same condition -- I think that is great. I notice I get 10 to 15% better mileage with premium fuel that does not contain any ethanol. I would recommend anybody using a car like this should stick to top tier fuels and experiment with using premium fuel.
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 just got a Camry Hybrid (08) after driving Lexus for 17 yrs and I love it! My question is about which gas to use-do you recommend the high-test?
Thanks
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 a 2007 Camry Hybrid. My gas mileage was great for the first three years, but recently the mileage has gone down about 28%. Around here (Rochester NY) all fuel seems to have 10% ethanol I believe ethanol does decrease the mieage but has anyone else had this problem and found an answer?
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.
I have Camry Hybrid 2007, i cant check multiple gas tank average, is it possible to check multiple tank average on my 2007 TCH or is it just a new feature in later model.
Thanks
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!!
I heard that everage is around 18 mpg-20 mpg, friend of mine tested on highway :)
car hire milan
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.
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.
car hire valencia
I've had my 2009 Camry hybrid for almost 3 months, and I've got 5500 miles on it. I consider the mpg that I am getting to be excellent. I haven't had a tank under 38 mpg yet. And I don't go out of my way to get higher numbers, other than avoiding the jack rabbit starts. The mileage is the best thing about the car. Second best is the quiet of the cabin when moving. And third is the excellent sound of the upgraded stereo. Overall comfort is very good too. (I'm a big guy.) On the negative side, the cabin is so quiet that I hear all the rattles, from the empty passenger seat or an annoying noise from the center post by my left ear. The stereo controls and display (non-nav system) are terrible. And I hate Toyota's dedicated cruise-control stalk. (Why not put those on the steering wheel instead of AC controls? How much do you need to play with those?) I had the car in the shop twice in the first two weeks with the check engine light on, but I've learned to turn the gas tank lid until it clicks, then push on it and turn some more, and then push and turn some more.
I sort of regretted not waiting to try the Lexus hs250h, but reviews I've read indicate mileage is not anywhere near what I'm getting. The Camry is 10mpg behind my wife's Civic Hybrid, but this car is much more comfortable for my 60+ miles per day. Overall, I'm 85% pleased.
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