Gas mileage...

[Weedo]

1st test: full first tank of gas, mostly city (got on it a couple times): 23mpg

2nd test: measuring just a highway trip, door to door (got on it a couple times to pass annoying left lane drivers): 30.0 mpg exactly at 75-80 mph with the A/C on part of the time, windows up.

3rd test: full tank, 1/5 highway, the rest city: 26.5mpg

Seems to be a pretty good motor/5-speed auto combination. The car feels like it doesn't give you much juice until you get on it, then it pushes you back in the seat. Almost like it's sipping fuel until it knows for sure that you want to really go! Ahhhh... computers and technology!

[VirtualSlayer]

i'm jw, if u go past the Empty line, how much gallons actually left b4 it runs dry?

[slingshot]

i'm jw, if u go past the Empty line, how much gallons actually left b4 it runs dry?

I think about three gallons max is left. When it was at the empty line and the computer said 0 miles left, I've refueled to only about 15 gallons.

[mattyboyl]

Let me ask a dumb question since I'm entitled to one a year. Are you basing your milage on the computer in the center console or are you doing it the old fashioned way with paper and pencil. I know you will get a much more accurate reading based on based on the old fashioned method. The computer calculates when you sit at a light and sit and warm the car for a minute. I'm going to try to calculate the milage with a pen and pad because I am coming up between 15-16 mpg mostly city driving on the computer.

[mattyboyl]

Let me ask a dumb question since I'm entitled to one a year. Are you basing your milage on the computer in the center console or are you doing it the old fashioned way with paper and pencil? I know you will get a much more accurate reading based on based on the old fashioned method. The computer calculates when you sit at a light and sit and warm the car for a minute. I'm going to try to calculate the milage with a pen and pad because I am coming up between 15-16 mpg mostly city driving on the computer.

[Weedo]

Let me ask a dumb question since I'm entitled to one a year. Are you basing your milage on the computer in the center console or are you doing it the old fashioned way with paper and pencil. I know you will get a much more accurate reading based on based on the old fashioned method. The computer calculates when you sit at a light and sit and warm the car for a minute. I'm going to try to calculate the milage with a pen and pad because I am coming up between 15-16 mpg mostly city driving on the computer.

I'm basing it only on what the computer says. I checked again today, I'm at 26.4 currently and about half way through this tank. I did a quick calculation in my head the first time I stopped for gas and it seemed accurate. I think I figured 24-26mpg when it showed 26.5, but I used rough numbers in my head. It appears to be correct.

I'm not sure exaclty what you mean by "sitting at a light". Of course the computer should calculate that. If you sit and don't move, your overall gas mileage will go down, same for warming the car up. I sat for a while waiting for my wife one day and I watched it drop about .3. But that was early in the tank so it should calculate a loss that high.

[TribalDemise]

I have a 2004, 4 cylinder auto and i'm getting about 30-32mpg highway...i don't do much city driving but at the minimum i'm getting about 26mpg. Just took the car from Boston area to FL with 4 people in the car, trunk filled to capacity and managed a nice 30mpg average for the entire trip.

[TribalDemise]

Oh yeah...i'm calculating pen and paper.

[jmack]

I am getting 15-16 mpg in combined city/highway and about 23-24 highway only. You cannot rely on the computer to calculate your mileage. Mine is always 5-6 mpg optimistic. Set the trip meter and divide miles by gallons put in. Took car to dealer and they say nothing is wrong.

[angelo]

I noticed that I am getting a much better mileage with premium in my V6. The response is much better also

[Weedo]

I noticed that I am getting a much better mileage with premium in my V6. The response is much better also

Yep, I noticed better response/power as well. So is it true that you will get better mileage using Premium in the Toyota? My Dad did a test on his car years ago and got the same mileage. I would never put anything in but Premium, but I haven't seen it actually tested "for real" in the Toyota's. They're different of course as they're one of the few manufacturers that program the computer to use either one.

[Sloopy98]

'04 Solara SLE-V6

My first tank of regular supplied by the dealer got me 17 mpg mostly around town, but some highway. The computer showed 19 mpg. Remember, the first tank was probably Regular gas. I am on my second tank now - 92 octane (500 on the ODO so far). The computer is showing 20-21 mpg. I will update when I drive a long trip.

No oil used so far.

I will change oil at 3000 miles and then again at 5000 miles but at 5000 only Mobil 1 will go in this car forever.

Last car was an '02 Focus SVT (Sonic Blue, Black/Blue interior, 170 HP Cosworth motor, Getrag 6 spd). You would think you were on rails when you pushed this car in corners. I pushed the Solara a couple of times on turns at around 50 mph and it plowed with understeer. Now I know (LOL).
Mine Solara has torque up the a..s. When I step on it, it goes. The Focus took a second or two to think about it. Low torque on the Focus.

This car is a keeper. I have to shout....

I LOVE MY '04 SOLARA!!

Sorry, I got carried away. The car rides like a Cadillac or a Lexus and the paint is wonderful. Anyone heard of Triple Black? Is that a brand name or a description of the effect of a certain treatment?

I find the 5-spd auto a little wishy-washy about changing gears. Sometimes it 'kicks' when it should have known what gear to be in. As an example, when I brake almost to a stop and then accelerate, it downshifts with a slight 'thump.' Anyone else?

If you are in this forum considering an '04 Accord EX-V6 Coupe, look at the interior finish.

GL to all!

Lou

[mattyboyl]

I get the same thump. I eliminate most of that by switch to automatic. When I am in sequential mode, and switch to first while rolling, it will give a jolt that isn't pleasurable when you have 5 more stop signs up ahead.

[yanges]

I noticed that I am getting a much better mileage with premium in my V6. The response is much better also

Yep, I noticed better response/power as well. So is it true that you will get better mileage using Premium in the Toyota? My Dad did a test on his car years ago and got the same mileage. I would never put anything in but Premium, but I haven't seen it actually tested "for real" in the Toyota's. They're different of course as they're one of the few manufacturers that program the computer to use either one.

Toyota recommends using 91 octane in the 2004 Solara users manual for better performance for the V6's....

i am going to try 89 in mine as i got the 4 cyl. auto and i always felt a little extra octane helped the engine feel stronger in my Scion xB, so hopefully it will help here too....