2005 Corolla -> 10L per 100 KM WTF?!!!

Need some input before I go to the dealership for a check.

2005 Toyota Corolla CE Automatic

36 liters were used for the last 359 kms that is combined city and highway driving. I've been using heating because of the weather and there are some stuff in the trunk which are mostly cleaning supplies, which shouldn't be THAT heavy. 1 to 2 passengers are with me most of the time.

Can this be in the normal range? Seems a bit excessive to me.

Thanks.

Is that oil or gas?

Sounds a bit high.

http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObje...0e%2ehtml#FUEL

Does someone have a lead foot?

Maybe Fuel Injection cleaner? Heating doesn't take a hit to fuel consumption, unless you're using the windshield defogger (which uses the A/C compressor) alot.

the fuel consumption ratings posted by Toyota are by no means accurate in real world driving applications. they test it in the most optimal conditions in order to get that fuel consumption rating.

three things,

1) is your car brand new? juding from the 2005 year it shold be. Your car will consume more while it is in its break in period
2) are you comparing the fuel consumption when you're in winter? cars eat up more gas during winter
3) do you use the heater and air conditioner constantly? keeping those on even at the minimal level takes a big bite out of your gas consumption

Something is likely wrong with the car. Even in city driving with jackrabbit starts, a Corolla shouldn't have that bad fuel economy. My Rav4 gets 10L/100km in mixed city/highway, loaded with my family and baby gear.

Might be a clogged air or fuel filter? Do you have a check engine light on? Tire pressure really low?

Originally Posted by fast_typeR

3) do you use the heater and air conditioner constantly? keeping those on even at the minimal level takes a big bite out of your gas consumption

Eh? Hows heating take a big bite out of gas consumption? (Unless it's windsheild defogging) Coolant is always pumped thru the heater core is it not?

Originally Posted by fast_typeR

the fuel consumption ratings posted by Toyota are by no means accurate in real world driving applications. they test it in the most optimal conditions in order to get that fuel consumption rating.

three things,

1) is your car brand new? juding from the 2005 year it shold be. Your car will consume more while it is in its break in period
2) are you comparing the fuel consumption when you're in winter? cars eat up more gas during winter
3) do you use the heater and air conditioner constantly? keeping those on even at the minimal level takes a big bite out of your gas consumption

Tires: check your tire pressure. Under inflated tires will use more gas.

Also, people and anything contributing to weight will eat up more gas.

As fast_typeR states: during wintetime or cold weather you ALWAYS use more gas compared to the other 3 seasons.

Originally Posted by B0000rt

Eh? Hows heating take a big bite out of gas consumption? (Unless it's windsheild defogging) Coolant is always pumped thru the heater core is it not?

when you turn on the fan it will take away alot of the current going into the engine, regardless of heating or cooling.

Originally Posted by B0000rt

Eh? Hows heating take a big bite out of gas consumption? (Unless it's windsheild defogging) Coolant is always pumped thru the heater core is it not?

Heating puts a higher strain on the car's electrical system. Needs more gas to spin the alternator faster, that kinda thing.

Edit: Beaten to it :P But yeah, get the car checked out.

Originally Posted by B0000rt

Eh? Hows heating take a big bite out of gas consumption? (Unless it's windsheild defogging) Coolant is always pumped thru the heater core is it not?

i thought anything connected to the accessory belt will cause fuel consumption to increase?

There's only 8500 kms on the car and it was bought in May.

There's no engine light on though. I didn't believe my mom when she said it uses up more gas than our 10 year old POS of a sunfire.

I say 10L/100km sounds about right. The 7.8/5.6 litres per 100km posted by Toyota is on a friggin roller in their lab. They did not put into account things like speedbumps, hills, wind, snow, u flooring it to pass a truck on the highway etc. The 5.6L/100km on the highway is calculated at 100km/h. U lose efficiency if you're over or under that speed.

There have been studies on "real world" fuel economy. On average, u add another 40% and that is roughly the real world consumption. So that works out to be 10.9/7.8. And btw, they have rated the Corrolla to be one of the best fuel economy cars on paper and in practice.

I dont have the link to the study, but if anyone knows it, please post it. Another good site to check is www.fueleconomy.gov

Originally Posted by fast_typeR

when you turn on the fan it will take away alot of the current going into the engine, regardless of heating or cooling.

The alternator doesn't take much from the engine power. And I woulnd't say the blower motor takes the most out of it (unless you're a freak and keep it on the highest setting all the time) The rear defog on the other hand draw much more current than the blower motor would eh?

Really, saying that turning on the blower motor reduces gas consumption by the amount the OP is talking about is crazy. You might as well ask him if he listens to the radio on his drive, and tell him that's the problem too.

Originally Posted by Jayhoo

Heating puts a higher strain on the car's electrical system. Needs more gas to spin the alternator faster, that kinda thing.

Edit: Beaten to it :P But yeah, get the car checked out.

Key word, big bite. Sure it strains it abit, but not anything to severly affect fuel consumption, as the A/C compressor would affect it.

The extra gas spent on powering the blower motor when heat is turned on is next to nothing compared with the power to propell the car.

To propell a car at highway speed you probably need 20 - 50KW of power and the blower only runs at 50W (4 amps x 12V) at most.

However if turn on the heat before the engine is fully warmed up then it eat more gas because the engine will be running cold for a longer period before it reaches optimum operating temperature. This is the reason why car eat more gas in winter, even worse if you have snow tires.

10L in 100 KM is not too too high in the winter if you lead foot and the highways in GTA is worse that city driving.

Chances are your dealership will tell you there is nothing wrong mechanically with your car and this kind of fuel consumption is not abnormal.

it sounds like there might be something slightly wrong since 10L per 100km is close to what I get on my 2005 Camry. which, compared to the Corolla, has a bigger/more thirsty engine and weighs like a brick! 3200 vs 2600lb. !