Avensis Lean-burn Economy Driving

[Woof]

Hi,

I’ve been quite disappointed with the fuel economy of my 1999 Avensis (1.8 lean-burn). It’s managing just over 400 miles on a tank before the needle hovers around the Empty mark. My commute is mainly dual carriageway, with a few miles of stop-start driving.

How should I be driving this car for maximum fuel efficiency in traffic? Should I be in a low gear, using lots of revs but keeping the Economy light on? Or should I ignore the economy light and use high gears, low revs like a non lean-burn?

Thanks for advice :)

[jamesholden]

To be honest, 400 miles to a tank doesnt sound too bad, I tend to get about 360 ish from my 2.0 Auto which equates to about 34MPG according to my spreadsheet, so 400 miles means about 38MPG which isn't bad really for a big car.

Apparently the best way to drive is to accelerate as quickly as possiblty so that you cover the most distance in your cruising gear when a study was done into it not long ago, but at the same time, driving 30mph in 5th might not be as economical as in 4th as it will be labouring the engine a bit.

[Steve84]

I would agree with that, me dad had a 1998 1.8 lean burn avensis and he was gettin anything from aroung 37-43 mpg which he was well pleased with for such a big car. He now own a 1.8 vvt-i avensis and it still gettin around the same mpg but has that big more get up and go the lean burn lacked.

[matty2767]

my d4d says about 50mpg on the display but i normally do 46 ish. which is about 520 miles until the red light comes on. dont know what the relation to the redlight and the range is though.

[css]

my 99 td gets around 550 a tank in normal mixed driving and anything up to 680 in extra-urban!! Usually more like 650 though.. needless to say the car's running on fumes with that kind of range!

[gerryforeman]

I'm fairly new to Toyata ownership, got my Y reg Avensis vermont 1.8 VVTi back in May this year and am I pleased with economy!! she goes 41 mpg overall, which is mostly urban short journeys with a two weekly 170 miles motorway trip to see the Grandkids. I reckon about the same as I was getting with my previous VW Polo 1.4. And in June while visiting daughter in Germany clocked 125 on the Liepzig autobahn, smooth as a sewing machine! you show me a Polo 1.4 that can do that. I don't know how the Japanese do it, but I'm luvvin' it.

[CarinaNL]

Fuel economy is not only influenced by the revs the engine makes but also by the tire pressure! Using the correct tire pressure could save you as muchg as 10% on your milage. Keep in mind that the higher your pressure the more fuel you save! Go to high you'll wear your tires to much and lose grip. Also try tires like michelin energy, but more economy and less grip. One variable doesn't go with the other.