Originally Posted by leedogg

I would change upstream O2 sensors. Some of the sensors in these cars seem to need periodic replacement.

Originally Posted by losiglow

Sorry, long post about to insue . First, you're not going to get very good mileage with any car in an urban city environment. The physics involved with stop and go traffic suck. Sure, you'd get better with a lighter car with a smaller engine, but frequently stopping and accelerating requires a great deal of energy regardless of the car. However, the TL is capable of good mileage if you drive it right, even if your driving is urban or suburban. I drive 22 miles to work and pass 19 traffic lights in that 22 miles, of which I usually hit 1/3 of red. I get approximately 28-30 MPG.

It's all about driving style IMO. Coasting up to red lights rather than gunning it then hitting the breaks, accelerating slowly (not necessarily grandma style, just not WOT), even turning off the car at red lights you know are going to be over a minute or two. Keeping the car at an ideal RPM, which is not necessarily the lowest BTW (1200-2000RPM is usually better than 900RPM in 6th gear trying to go up a hill). Don't tailgate people since you might have to hit your breaks more often. Remember, every time you hit the breaks, you're wasting energy. Also, it can differ from car to car, but typically it's better to stay in the 60-70MPH range on the freeway rather than the 75+MPH. Wind resistance exponentially increases when you get going that fast. I know you're doing a lot of urban driving so that may not be helpful but a tip nonetheless.

Fuel economy is all about physics. Gas (chemical energy) heads to the engine which transfers it to mechanical energy which can either do one of two things: transfer it to heat on your brake pads and rotors, or move the car forward. The goal is to make more of the energy move the car forward and less of it turning into wasted heat. Brakes are the #1 MPG killer. If we never had to hit our breaks we'd all get 30MPG which is why freeway mileage is the highest. It has less to do with how fast you're going. It's more about the fact that you're not wasting energy on brakes. I know, easier said than done. Of course you have to use your breaks. But if you don't tail people and try to ease up to lights you can save a lot of energy. Also, ever try to push a large stationary object (large snowball, boulder, etc.)? It's a PITA (pain in the ass). But have you tried to keep something moving once it's already moving? Much easier because much less energy is required to keep an object in motion than moving a stationary object. Just because it's the engine pushing the car rather than you, it doesn't change the physics. Again, ease up to lights (and make the occasional california stop when appropriate ).

Very little of my mileage is highway, maybe 30% at most. Punch it when you need to, but drive chill the rest of the time. And get all that maintenance done. A clean engine is an efficient engine. Remove unnecessary crap from the car (see "TL on a diet" thread if you really want to go big).

I say all this not to brag about MPG, but to try to help us TL drivers to get better mileage than the majority of bland 4-banger family sedans out while still enjoying the power, style and luxury of a nice vehicle. My carpool partner drives a base Camry. It's a very boring gutless car in my opinion (no hate on Toyota, I own a Sienna . Just sayin it like it is). Yet I get better mileage than her because she drives like an idiot. Constantly gunning it up to lights then hitting the breaks, tailing people all the time. Constantly accelerating and braking, accelerating and braking, accelerating and braking. And she wonders why she gets 23MPG and I'm getting 30MPG+ in a luxury sport sedan with twice the power as her anemic Camry. Physics my friends. Physics.

Originally Posted by gnl63

I get a real world average of 18 MPG, living in LA, it's pretty hard to get great MPG...

I use an iPhone app to track my gas consumption, here's a screenshot of the past year.

Originally Posted by boomersooner02000

I started keeping track of mine in September. I drive city the majority of the time. I do very little highway driving.

[IMG] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

Originally Posted by icy2

What app is this??

I have been getting 23-24 MPG with an average MPH on 34. My civic Si only got 26 so i very pleased with my TL

Originally Posted by gnl63

It's called Gas Cubby, I bought it when it first came out for about $1.99, but sadly they've upped the price to $4.99, every once in a while it'll drop back to 1.99/2.99. But, there is also a free version that displays ads... Not a bad option.

Originally Posted by vill0169

I get 7 mpg.... but I'm kinda unique I guess lol


So consider yourself lucky I guess

Originally Posted by I hate cars

I've had mine down at 9mpg, super short drives to work and lots of listening to the stereo with the engine idling.