T27 (petrol) MPG advice/help

[MikeEH]

My 2010 T27 petrol Avensis (56K) is only giving me 31mpg locally and 31.1mpg on motorways. In comparison to my old T25 which gave me 34-37mpg locally and 44-49mpg on motorways. The specs state 41-42mpg. I know this model is heavier than the old, but I'm not getting anywhere near the spec. Can anyone give me any tips, hints, mods or adjustments that I can make to the engine to improve the mpg? Please don't suggest my driving style as I've been driving for 54 years and this is the only car that has disappointed me regarding fuel economy.

[Konrad C]

I assume you have the 1.8 Valvematic like mine. There are other variables to the ones you mentioned - tyre pressures, extra weight of people and load being carried, the terrain if hilly and the engine has to work harder, recent lower speed limits and local road restrictions and closures, servicing of the car with good spark plugs (Denso), oil (0w/20) and good filters. I live in Greater London towards Kent  Bexley, and sometimes travel across London with the recently introduced LTNs. Add roadworks. I also do local driving which is hilly. My average is 34-35 mpg. My car is the 2009 manual estate and also swapped the space saver for a full size alloy. Tyres (budget type) are set to 36 psi, though they could be higher. My driving style is to change up to the higher gear keeping revs down. The shift up sometimes lights just as I am about to shift. I only rev higher when needed. Between fill ups, I get 250 miles and still have two bars left. I don't always brim or fill the tank completely, leaving top bar unlit. I have gone further than the computers guesstimate sometimes, or worse!

I hope this comparison helps. 

[MikeEH]

Thanks for reply. It's the 1.8 valvematic like yours. My tyre pressures are as specified on the door pillar and the most I have in the car is two people, me and my wife. It had a full service in December of last year and I've only done 3.6K miles since. It has NGK Iridium tipped plugs. I'm in South Wales and there are a few hills, but I don't accelerate up them like a boy racer. I try to change gear when advised to by the green arrow, but on hills it doesn't always work out as expected. I only rev higher when needed too. I fill up to the second or third bar down on the gauge. I just don't understand how I only get an increase of 0.1mpg after a motorway drive where I average around 65 to 70mph in 6th gear. I know that this is a heavier car than the T25, but the mpg I was getting from my old T25 with less carefull driving economy-wise, was amazing in comparison to this T27. I'd get rid of the car but I like it too much!

[Konrad C]

I checked my tyre pressures and had to pump them. I have a full size spare and some extra tools, which add weight. I do sometimes ignore the shift indicators and hold a gear, especially when going up hill. On the flat on low speed roads, the rev counter hardly gets close to 2000 rpm. On faster roads and when accelerating, the revs go to 2500-3000rpm. On the motorway the revs are 2500-2800 in 6th gear. My car in most situations is lively enough. It's very rare for me to need over 4000 rpm. I don't measure my fuel consumption between fill ups, because I am not using the car as much. My way of measuring with my previous and current Avensis, is brim the tank and zero the trip counter. Then repeat the process noting how far has been travelled in miles, and how much fuel is needed to top up. Since I only put in fuel every two or three weeks, sometimes four weeks, I am not worried about my consumption as much. 

I have seen a lot of friends cars, and even though they are smaller models than my estate, and have smaller engines, my car has far better fuel economy! For example, my friends 1.0l Fiesta barely making 30 mpg! Also a lot of drivers like to press on, instead of being light on the throttle. Style of driving plus, road conditions and the condition of the car, can effect the economy. 

[MikeEH]

I'll try the brimming test - I've been relying on the mpg display up to now. Reset it 3 times but make no difference.