Can't get past 36 mpg in 06 corolla

[theCase]

I've got an '06 Corolla with an AT and have an average MPG of 40.40 tracked over 163,000 miles over 6 years So getting that kind of mileage is very doable. Here's my technique:

• Pump up the tires to 40 PSI.
• Place a corroplast air dam behind the upper grill piece along with a piece of corroplast to act as an air dam under front of the car.
• Run a length of 3" flexi-vent pipe to act as a WAI drawing air directly behind the radiator.
• Insulate the engine, I've got a piece of cardboard over the top of the engine to help retain heat/reduce warmup year round.
• Block off the radiator to the point that water temps run around 195 degrees. This needs to be adjusted periodically.
• Drive speed limit.

Most of the miles are highway as I commute 40 miles at 65 mph to work. The climate here is about 9000 DD so winter temps and snow has a definite toll, mileage in the winter drops to around 36 for me.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by theCase

I've got an '06 Corolla with an AT and have an average MPG of 40.40 tracked over 163,000 miles over 6 years So getting that kind of mileage is very doable. Here's my technique:

• Pump up the tires to 40 PSI.
• Place a corroplast air dam behind the upper grill piece along with a piece of corroplast to act as an air dam under front of the car.
• Run a length of 3" flexi-vent pipe to act as a WAI drawing air directly behind the radiator.
• Insulate the engine, I've got a piece of cardboard over the top of the engine to help retain heat/reduce warmup year round.
• Block off the radiator to the point that water temps run around 195 degrees. This needs to be adjusted periodically.
• Drive speed limit.

Most of the miles are highway as I commute 40 miles at 65 mph to work. The climate here is about 9000 DD so winter temps and snow has a definite toll, mileage in the winter drops to around 36 for me.

The thought of putting cardboard near my hot, moving parts, engine makes me nervous. Have you had any issues? I imagine there must be decent clearance between engine and hood.

[99ParkAvenue]

Just for reference, my best hiway trip was 94 miles @ 36.6 mpg in my 3.8 V6 Park Avenue. Tires at max sidewall, SCII, Mirrors folded in and a temporary grill block. I drove at a steady 60 mph usign the cruise control.

[WesternStarSCR]

Bandit, I just got over 39 MPG on my tank I filled up today. Some A/C use, some hwy driving over 75 MPH, trying to coast from time to time with clutch in and / or in neutral. Also, changed oil to full synthetic, 5w-20, which Toyota spec'd as being fine. I also changed out my tranny to fluid to Valvoline conventional GL4 / GL-5.

I have my 2 oem splash panels off the car, so aerodynamically I can do better. I am at 37psi on tires. These Firestone 710s seem oriented for comfort, so I am going to go over 40 PSI and see what happens.

But, this is going to be fun, getting to 40 and beyond. Cheers, Sean

[SentraSE-R]

75 mph is insane. I've never driven a car capable of beating 35 mpg @ 70 mph. Slow to 60 mph, and your Corolla might get 40-50 mpg. Drive it 50 mph, and 50+ mpg is in the bag.

[WesternStarSCR]

Detroit suburbs are known for high rates of speeds on the interstate if you don't want to cause an issue (autobahn aka I-696). 70 MPH speed limit. 80 is the norm.

You have to pick your battles around here. I am known for running late to work. That doesn't help either.

But I totally agree with the premise and if I can stay in the right lane of the the 4 lane speedway. It just doesn't happen as much as I like. Getting passed by some people is OK. I try to find a semi truck doing 65 to 70 in the right lane and follow it.

But, getting passed by EVERYONE means you are causing trouble that is not worth it. Minimum safe is about 65, depending on time of day.

Cheers!

[Superfuelgero]

Originally Posted by theCase

• Pump up the tires to 40 PSI.
• Place a corroplast air dam behind the upper grill piece along with a piece of corroplast to act as an air dam under front of the car.
• Run a length of 3" flexi-vent pipe to act as a WAI drawing air directly behind the radiator.
• Insulate the engine, I've got a piece of cardboard over the top of the engine to help retain heat/reduce warmup year round.
• Block off the radiator to the point that water temps run around 195 degrees. This needs to be adjusted periodically.
• Drive speed limit.

I have an 2010 a/t (wifes) that I drove my normal route (325mi) for almost a year. I had it up from 34mpg to 49mpg for that trip.
I can confirm:

• higher psi (45psi is better)
• Lower grill block
• keep engine at/under 2000rpm (52mph in this car, ever 2mph over = 1 mpg lower).
• Wai doesn't work if you have a mass air. My mpg went down slightly and the car was gutless. It also kicked down more (prob why it lost mpg).

Additionally, ethanol free gas gave me 3 mpg alone.

-Aaron

[theCase]

Originally Posted by UltArc

The thought of putting cardboard near my hot, moving parts, engine makes me nervous. Have you had any issues? I imagine there must be decent clearance between engine and hood.

Never had a problem, Ignition temp of cardboard is over 400 degrees, the thermostat is set for 190 and water boils at 212. BUT, given all that, I probably would not recommend any cardboard against the exhaust header/pipes. Plus the exhaust header on this car is up by the firewall and a low, pretty hard to get to actually. And finally, my experience/advise may be different if I lived in AZ.

AFA clearance between the engine/hood, not much if any. In fact I need to be a bit more forceful with the "hood slam".

Good luck!

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by theCase

Never had a problem, Ignition temp of cardboard is over 400 degrees, the thermostat is set for 190 and water boils at 212. BUT, given all that, I probably would not recommend any cardboard against the exhaust header/pipes. Plus the exhaust header on this car is up by the firewall and a low, pretty hard to get to actually. And finally, my experience/advise may be different if I lived in AZ.

AFA clearance between the engine/hood, not much if any. In fact I need to be a bit more forceful with the "hood slam".

Good luck!

Moving parts, and heat can melt attachment. I hope it continues to work out for you. That would help on short trips for me, but I get to the 200-220 range pretty quick.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by bandit86

My corolla has a built in fuel shutoff, makes cruising to a stop sign a noticeable improvement

Coasting to that stop sign in N will probably save you more fuel (since it requires you to get off the GO pedal much much earlier). If that's an option (ie. not infuriating following drivers who may not be able to go around you).

Coasting to a stop in N with the engine off will save you significantly more, if you're comfortable/capable of doing that safely.

Let me ask you this: when you typically arrive at that stop sign, are there usually other cars still waiting to depart, or are you the only one there?

It would be fun to ride along and do a "case study".