2013 Corolla S Questions: MPG

U

usaf262

New Member
#1
#1
Hey there,

I'm brand new to owning a Corolla. For the last nearly 3 years, I owned a 2010 manual transmission Yaris. It started out at 25k for mileage and I traded it in at 78k. It was a great car and I got excellent MPG on it. It was an 11 gallon tank and I easily always got 320-340 city/hwy combined. Every few months I go to Virginia and it's straight highway driving the whole time. When doing so, I woold easily get 390-420 miles per tank.

Anyways, now I've got this slightly used Corolla S and it has 27k on it for mileage. I'm curious what everyone else's average mpg is for it. I understand I'm driving an automatic now instead of a manual and that my mpg will drop. The last tank, I was able to drive 297 miles. The fuel gauge was just above E and I filled up. The car topped off at just above 11 gallons. That would mean the mpg was 27. The range left on the car said 11 miles. It's my understanding that the Corolla has a 13.1 gallon tank. So, is the fuel gauge and range purposely set to tell you that you'll run out of gas with nearly 2 gallons still left in the tank? That doesn't make sense to me. And I've confirmed with the dealership, owner's manual, and multiple websites that it is indeed a 13.1 gallon tank.
 
SuperchargedMR2

SuperchargedMR2

New Member
#2
#2
usaf262 said:
Hey there,

I'm brand new to owning a Corolla. For the last nearly 3 years, I owned a 2010 manual transmission Yaris. It started out at 25k for mileage and I traded it in at 78k. It was a great car and I got excellent MPG on it. It was an 11 gallon tank and I easily always got 320-340 city/hwy combined. Every few months I go to Virginia and it's straight highway driving the whole time. When doing so, I woold easily get 390-420 miles per tank.

Anyways, now I've got this slightly used Corolla S and it has 27k on it for mileage. I'm curious what everyone else's average mpg is for it. I understand I'm driving an automatic now instead of a manual and that my mpg will drop. The last tank, I was able to drive 297 miles. The fuel gauge was just above E and I filled up. The car topped off at just above 11 gallons. That would mean the mpg was 27. The range left on the car said 11 miles. It's my understanding that the Corolla has a 13.1 gallon tank. So, is the fuel gauge and range purposely set to tell you that you'll run out of gas with nearly 2 gallons still left in the tank? That doesn't make sense to me. And I've confirmed with the dealership, owner's manual, and multiple websites that it is indeed a 13.1 gallon tank.
Click to expand...
NOOOOOOO!!!! Don't tell me you went to the dark side and bought an AT!! :laughing:

The tank holds 13.2 gallons. I fill up my 09 S 5-speed MT around 1/4 tank and it needs around 10 gallons to fill it up. I bought mine new and I've averaged over 36 mpg in all driving since buying it. I do a lot of hhy driving though. I'm normally at 225-250 miles at a half tank & get around 350-370 miles when I fill up. The range will show zero when you hit your reserve of about 2 gallons but keep in mind that it's not good to run the tank that low. Just keep track of what you are getting over several tanks. You car was rated at 26 city/34hwy/30 combined if I remember right.
 
Donabed Kopoian

Donabed Kopoian

6 Speed Master
#3
#3
Are you being heavier on the throttle? I get 26-29 horsing around, but if I'm driving cool, I get 33 mixed, and I have hit high 30s on road trips.
 
Scott O'Kashan

Scott O'Kashan

Super Moderator
#5
#5
Many modern automatic transmissions actually deliver superior fuel economy to a standard transmission.

The only and correct way to calculate the MPG's of a vehicle is to top off the fuel tank to the brim of the fuel filler neck and record the exact mileage displayed on the odometer down to the tenths. Then drive the vehicle X miles and refill the fuel tank to the brim of the fuel filler neck again. Now look at the fuel pump and see how many gallons of fuel, (again, down to the tenths), it took to refill the gas tank. Next, record the exact odometer reading, (down to the tenths), again. Now you have some numbers to calculate the actual fuel economy.

Subtract the mileage you recorded on the first fill up from the mileage you recorded from the second fill up and that is the miles traveled.

Example, 20,300.0 miles - 20,000.0 miles = 300 miles traveled.

Now we need to divide that 300 miles traveled by the amount of fuel it took to refill the fuel tank and let's say that was 10.00 gallons of fuel.

300 miles divided by 10 gallons of fuel = 30 MPG.

So in this example your vehicle delivered 30 mpg on that tank of fuel.

The EPA MPG fuel economy rating for your 2013 Corolla is -

26 - City
29 - Combined
34 - Highway

31.4 - Average for real world users.
 
U

usaf262

New Member
#6
#6
I think it might just take some getting used to for me on this car. Except for down to the tenths, I calculated the mpg as best as I could tell. I began with a full tank filled up the to the first click when the pump stopped. I reset my odometer and drove until as I specified in my first post and then divided the number of miles driven by the number of gallons to the tenth that it took to refill to the first click.
 
Last edited:
U

usaf262

New Member
#7
#7
And I haven't been really heavy on the throttle. I'll admit, I'm normally rougher on it than I should be. Or at least I was in my old car. I deliberately took time to be slow to accelerate though and even coast to red lights. I miss having the MT but the newer features of this car make up for it. I'm just hoping that the mpg improves, I'm going to be disappointed if I can't achieve an average of 30mpg combined.
 
Scott O'Kashan

Scott O'Kashan

Super Moderator
#8
#8
Filling the fuel tank up until the fuel pump clicks off is not an accurate way to calculate fuel economy and will cause wild variations. The fuel pump clicks off when it senses atmospheric pressure inside the fuel tank, but the fuel tank isn't even close to being full. Fuel pumps also vary widely in when they automatically shut off, which again totally skews the fuel economy calculations. This is why it's important for correct fuel economy calculations to fill the tank to the brim of the filler neck. I've been doing fuel economy tests on my test track for my AMSOIL synthetic motor oils business for years so you can take this advice to the bank.:thumbsup:
 
U

usaf262

New Member
#9
#9
Scott O'Kashan said:
Filling the fuel tank up until the fuel pump clicks off is not an accurate way to calculate fuel economy and will cause wild variations. The fuel pump clicks off when it senses atmospheric pressure inside the fuel tank, but the fuel tank isn't even close to being full. Fuel pumps also vary widely in when they automatically shut off, which again totally skews the fuel economy calculations. This is why it's important for correct fuel economy calculations to fill the tank to the brim of the filler neck. I've been doing fuel economy tests on my test track for my AMSOIL synthetic motor oils business for years so you can take this advice to the bank.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I appreciate all of the input and advice and I will definitely do that. This might sound like a dumb question but is there any particular way to make sure I'm filling up to the brim without overflowing it. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the fuel line is at. I suppose you can tell by the sound too.
 
Scott O'Kashan

Scott O'Kashan

Super Moderator
#10
#10
You need to actually look at it and see when it's up to the brim. You'll need to very slowly pump in the last 1-2 gallons to actually get the fuel tank full and you'll need to slightly withdraw the fuel hose so it's just past the filler neck opening and very slowly squeeze the pump handle to slowly fill the tank. When it's up to the brim, wait a moment and you'll see the level go down again. Keep doing that and refilling until you can see the fuel level not dropping anymore. Then when it looks full and the fuel level isn't dropping anymore, shake the body of the car with your hand vigorously and you'll see the fuel level drop again. Then refill again.

Just do this for one tank of fuel so you can get a good average MPG number for your car. If you live in a northern region, we are using winter blend fuels now that cause a 10% fuel economy decrease, so be prepared to expect that. Your car will deliver better fuel economy when the weather warms up again.
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#11
#11
Don't top gas off, it has to go somewhere, right? you are pouring vapors into the air, causing pollution, Gas expands, and you will force this into the evap system, and well high emissions kills cars. When a pump clicks, it clicks for a reason.

You have gas in the car filled to the click, drive it, fill the next to the click, and calculate that, and repeat. each drive will always vary.

Now since I own a 2013. I agree. and I will tell you, this year car was the worst mileage rating they made. coming and still have a 2010, 2007, 2007,1991, 1986.

Want to improve mileage driving, change your habits.

Remember Ethenol will be added, that changes how gas runs in cars.


Wantto experiment how gas expand.

fill your water up in a kettle, and when it boils, what happens.. it overflows. (Smiles) and imagine that in your gas tank over filling pass the click

each time you pass the click point, trying to force gas in, just think about why you wanted that extra few ounces, to do what, see how far you can go.

If Toyota wanted a bigger tank, they give it to us a 19 gallon one, we got a Economy car, enjoy it.
 
Last edited:
Scott O'Kashan

Scott O'Kashan

Super Moderator
#12
#12
As the car is driven, fuel is immediately consumed and the fuel level drops. No problem. There is no other way for a consumer to accurately measure the fuel economy of a vehicle. Using any other method introduces many uncontrolled variables that will skew any fuel economy average.

A fuel tank is not over a flame on a stove burner.
 
U

usaf262

New Member
#13
#13
Good info to know, I approextae all of the advice from everyone. So I'm not crazy in thinking that its performing under what I expected. It's a good car and I do like it, but the mpg could definitely be better.
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#15
#15
We driven 5 tanks, each tank varied in mileage. calculating 30.5 MPG.
one of the tanks we ran down to the Gas light indicator, not on purpose. And left us with 2.5 in the reserve.

The last tank we driven gotten the best mileage of them all, showed an improvement.

In all honesty, the Corolla gotten 29-31 mpg running a highway trip of 1500 miles, Non-Stop. not the best car, or the worst car, but should see a economy car, do a hell lot better, if you re asking.

Is this car good on mileage, answer:

No.

Estimated mileage, Spot on. 30.0 mpg car should see 36-42 tops! average!
 
U

usaf262

New Member
#16
#16
I'll be taking mine on a straight highway trip from Chicago area to DC area next week. I like the car, I just expected it to be better mpg I guess. That's my own fault though for not doing enough preliminary research. My judgement is also skewed having come from a MT Yaris.
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#17
#17
That is what this car gets, no more push more than a 325 mile per tank, have a gas can in the trunk. The gas indicator does not shut off, and running low to the E mark is asking, for the unexpected.
 
Donabed Kopoian

Donabed Kopoian

6 Speed Master
#18
#18
I hit 39 on my way to Vegas from Escondido.

Few reasons for 30 mpg fishy ... lots of luggage? 4 adult passengers? Weight is murder on mileage, also, being in Canada, I don't see you getting good mileage especially in winter time. Colder air = denser air = more fuel needed to balance out.

On my way back from Vegas, I had an extra passenger and extra luggage, and mileage dropped to 37.4 ... and I should have done better technically since Vegas to Escondido is a drop in elevation versus Escondido to Vegas.
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#19
#19
Donabed Kopoian said:
I hit 39 on my way to Vegas from Escondido.

Few reasons for 30 mpg fishy ... lots of luggage? 4 adult passengers? Weight is murder on mileage, also, being in Canada, I don't see you getting good mileage especially in winter time. Colder air = denser air = more fuel needed to balance out.

On my way back from Vegas, I had an extra passenger and extra luggage, and mileage dropped to 37.4 ... and I should have done better technically since Vegas to Escondido is a drop in elevation versus Escondido to Vegas.
Click to expand...
is yours a 2013 Toyota corolla, Yes-No????

a big difference between a 2013 and 2014 Don, big difference.

Again 2013 or 2014 ?
 
Donabed Kopoian

Donabed Kopoian

6 Speed Master
#20
#20
2014. Same engine though, the 2014 is also on average 75 lbs heavier than the 2013, however, the 2014 benefits from a 6th gear (manual) or low RPMs at speed with the CVT.

The 2013 is rated as 27/34...

If you're getting 30 ... then either the cold is to blame, carrying around a lot of weight on the trip, or a combination of both.
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#21
#21
thanks.
.

The high mpg are due to the new Valvematic engine and Continuously Variable Transmission in the 2014 model. They are both a 1.8L engine.
 
U

usaf262

New Member
#24
#24
I just got back from a round trip from Chicago to Virginia. Im finally starting to get used to the handling on the car, and the mpg was between 31 and 34 for the all highway parts of the trip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top